Reviews
Email Thomas Callaghan and Anne-Marie Curtis Callaghan. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Game on Kenya
Wow, what a great Safari we had! Yet again (our third Safari with these value for money Kenyan Adventure experts).
Thank you so much Bushbuck. If you are seeking a tailor made and personalised Safari you won’t go past Ken and his team. This time we travelled throughout western Kenya through the lake districts and onto and out onto Lake Victoria returning to Nairobi through the fabulous Masai Mara. Wildlife, history, walks, culture and peoples to much to name. If you are travelling to Kenya this is the experienced and personable Safari Adventure to choose. You won’t be disappointed they are the experts in every way. We can’t wait to do it again with Bushbuck. “Just close your eyes and think of Africa what are seeing is most likely KENYA!!
Email Thomas Callaghan and Anne-Marie Curtis Callaghan. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bushbuck Adventures personalised safaris East Africa! 5 Stars Put your trust in Bushbuck the best!
Review of Safari in Kenya October 2016 Bushbuck Adventures.
Once again Bushbuck Adventures excelled themselves as a fantastic Safari Operator in East Africa. It is our opinion, based on our experiences that you could not go past Bushbuck Adventures if seeking a proven operator to conduct your safari.
This Safari was our second with Bushbuck Adventures (the previous being in August and September 2014). We didn’t think it possible to improve on their performance in 2014 but Ken and his team have excelled once more in delivering to us the best ever experience with this Safari.
We are so impressed that we are already planning another Safari (our third with Bushbuck Adventures) as soon as possible and hopefully in 2017.
Like most travellers, we had in the beginning contacted a host of many different Safari operators in Kenya but chose Bushbuck Adventures because of their friendly and timely responses and their total honesty in an easy to deal with communications in planning our safari and working out the logistics, their time as an operator, bookings and costings. You get what you pay for in life and although not the most inexpensive or the most expensive Bushbuck Adventures have on both occasions delivered everything they promised and never ever over promised and under delivered. When travelling, we like others put our total trust in the operator and we can assure other travellers that Bushbuck Adventures are extremely experienced and most respected as long time operators who know their business.
Again we award them five stars!!
On our latest October 2016 Safari we chose a theme, ”Kenya, Past, Present and Future”.
Again we were seeking a private and personalised Safari with that adventurous element of getting close to the wildlife and seeing the big drawcard animals. We took well over five thousand photographs and are delighted with our images, many of which will be developed to high quality poster size and framed works that will decorate our home to bring Kenya home with us, forever.
Our experience was far from the package tour product and Ken at Bushbuck Adventures worked extremely hard over a long period of planning to accommodate our every wish for this special experience and life milestone for us.
Our busy Safari itinerary included a first night in the outskirts of Nairobi at a fantastic opening night in a luxurious tented camp. Wow, we were so spoilt after our series of very long flights and stopover/connections from regional Australia through the Middle East to finally onto Kenya.
We were met at the Nairobi airport by Ken (personally) and his Bushbuck Adventures team. What great service, we love them!!
Our Safari began by taking us to an historic and exclusive Nairobi Members Club for a prearranged visit and then off to the Kenyan Central Highlands for a history lesson and The Aberdares National Park, with some adventurous walks and much wildlife, waterfalls and a bush lunch. Overnight was a treat at The famed “Treetops” Lodge, which was unforgettable and historic.
We then set off driving north to the fringe of the arid northern region of Kenya with Mount Kenya views along the way and finally arrived at Buffolo Springs National Reserve with much unique to the north, wildlife and an appreciation of Kenyan life in the northern and Sambura areas of Kenya. These regions are often overlooked by travellers and we recommend the region as a “must see” to more understand the full picture of Kenya. Sure, the Masai Mara is arguably unsurpassed in the sheer numbers of wildlife that can be seen and the “migration” if you are lucky but there is also much more to Kenya that you might consider if on a second safari to Kenya or have the time to add variety. You won’t be disappointed!
Our Safari saw us wind our way back to Nairobi and then after a night “in town” and a bit of five starring in a plush and historic central hotel to “wash the dust off”. We headed on to Mombasa on the coast by Kenya Airways with Mt Kilimanjaro views and great on board service. There we were met by the Bushbuck Adventures Mombasa team and enjoyed time at a Coastal Beach Resort including coral reef exploring, boat trips, the marine park, beach walks and “cocktails”. Food and Service….five stars of course!
Mombasa highlights were explored including the historic Fort Jesus, Old Mombasa Town Portuguese area, the fabulous Haller Park (where even though the wildlife can be seen in the parks and reserves, this park lets you get closer to the wildlife than in the wild).
Then it was adventure time for the journey through Kenya back to Nairobi on the famed train overnight from Mombasa to Nairobi, known as the Uganda Railway or “Lunatic Line”. This rail service is being replaced shortly with a new line and service to take Kenya into the future and this opportunity gave us a chance to experience the historic old train and its role in opening Kenya in the early 1900’s. As railway and history fans this was a highlight of our Safari.
Safely back in Nairobi we explored the city centre, The National Museum, The Snake Park, The Railway Museum and took in the views of Nairobi and surrounds from the Kenya International Conference Centre tower! Again we were treated to some luxury at The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, which was well earned and important to experience as this world famous hotel has over the years played a centre stage role in the history of Kenya.
Serious Safari time now arrived and we then headed out in earnest for a seven day tour of Tsavo East and West National Parks and Amboseli National Park. Elephants and more elephants, every form of wildlife, fascinating and wonderful people, red dust and fine scenery….Africa at its best, all in Kenya!!!
We were most often under the shadows of snow-capped Kilimanjaro as a magnificent backdrop. Fine lodges at night and excitement every moment of every day..…”who knows what we might see….and we did”!
Our memorable Safari took us finally back to Nairobi where we stayed at the wonderful Karen Blixen Cottages in Karen and visited the nearby (Out of Africa), Karen Blixen Museum, took on a last adventure in Kenyan and world prehistory by journeying out to the Rift Valley and visiting the world famed Olorgasailie prehistoric dig site to learn and discover for ourselves “early human beginnings” right here in Kenya where it all began. This excursion is a little testing in the conditions of the area but well worth it and for us it was “a life changing” and very worthwhile part of our Safari and its theme “Kenya, Past, Present and Future”.
We ended our time with a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Elephant Orphanage and a bit of “sleuthing” by retracing the steps and scene of the Lord Erroll demise of 1941 and landmarks associated with “the white mischief’ tales still able to be found in Karen, today.
On the final morning of our Safari we enjoyed a poolside team breakfast prior to delivering us safely to the airport with Ken and our Bushbuck Adventures Safari Team and a surprise birthday cake and celebration farewell, they had even found that it was my birthday approaching and provided an unforgettable and very moving finale to our adventure in Kenya 2016.
My reviews are long, yes, but if you are considering a wonderful Safari in Kenya this detail will assist you in making your decisions and I cannot recommend more highly any operator other than Bushbuck Adventures for your Safari.
The Safari was extremely well run and organised, Ken and his team had considered and delivered upon every detail and were always there to jump in and assist with any minor problem. They are experienced and very professional. Our troop carrier Safari vehicle was perfect for the task and our fully accredited Guide (Simon) and trusty driver (Edward) were not only our A Team but our very best of friends throughout the Safari in every way. Thank you Bushbuck Adventures! They were flexible, accommodated our every wish and great company. They made our time so special.
All of our expectations were yet again surpassed and I highlight as before the communication, the meals (fabulous and beyond expectation), the levels of service, transport, Safari and personal security, knowledge and commentary and “spotting” and most of all value for money!
We again highly recommend Bushbuck Adventures to any traveller wanting a personal and tailored Safari Adventure in East Africa.
We will be going back again for more!
Our heartfelt thanks to Ken Bacia of Bushbuck Adventures for planning and arranging this Safari and again for his personalised service and dedication. Ken can arrange mobile Safaris for any size group, walking Safaris and even have a Masai Mara specialised camp. They have 4WD Safari vehicles, tour vans and camping equipment and can provide any format of Safari required and can deliver a tailored Safari of any level to suit your specific requirements.
Choose Bushbuck Adventures for your Safari!
Thomas Callaghan and Anne-Marie Curtis Callaghan.
Wagga Wagga. Australia.
Email Thomas Callaghan and Anne-Marie Curtis Callaghan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Private and personalised adventure and walking safari.
Bushbuck Adventures were fantastic...5 Stars! We were looking for a private and personalised safari with a touch of adventure where we could get very close to the wildlife in their own environment combined with a walking safari away from the package tour product. Bushbuck were great in every regard and experienced and very professional. The safari was very well organised and our troop carrier safari vehicle was excellent and up to the task. Our fully accredited and experienced Guide (Simon) and our wonderful driver (Edward) were the very best. They were flexible, accommodated our every wish and became our great companions on the safari, the Bushbuck team really made our time so special. Our safari was for twelve days in Kenya and commenced in Nairobi with the full "Out of Africa" experience with a long visit to Karen Blixens house and farm combined with a visit to Denys Finch Hattons grave site (that was hard to find but the guys did it) in the Ngong Hills. They then tested our fitness and team member capacity with a walk of all seven Ngong Hills. Yes we passed and were ready to go,on safari. We commenced with two days at the Swara Plains and Athi River area and a days walking safari. Next it was off to the Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha at the fabulous and historic Country Club for some luxury but it was short lived as we toured and walked Hells Gate National Park and Mt Longonot to the top and right around the famed crater. We didn't know giraffes lived up that high! The safari then took us to the Masai Mara in Eco camps and very close to nature as there are no fences. The game drives and walks over the next six days were fabulous with close ups of all the wildlife, great migrations, wonderful camps and with our every expectation and more well and truly met. The Bushbuck Adventures team were excellent and the Masai at our Eco camps were a wonderful experience. All of our expectations were surpassed in the way of communications, meals, service, transport and value for money. We highly recommend Bushbuck Adventures to any traveller wanting a personalised and adventurous tailored safari. We would gladly do it all again! Our special thanks to Ken Bacia of Bushbuck Adventures for planning and arranging our safari and for his personalised service and dedication, he even made a special trip to Nairobi airport to farewell us at the conclusion of our safari.
Email David Scott, Oxford | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
24 years of top-class safaris
I first went with Bushbuck from the UK in 1988 and have been back many times since. It's great to lie in my tent in a truly peaceful African night and appreciate the atmosphere of the wild. All the guides have been professional, the drivers expert mechanics and the cooks are magicians. I love the flexibility of Bushbuck bookings; they will take me where I want to go and make all the arrangements seamless.
Their own camp sites in the Mara are wonderfully private, and that's what I prefer, but they do arrange for lodge-stays on request; the customer is king!
I have tried other companies, especially when I lived and worked for a few years as a professor in Nairobi, but kept coming back to Bushbuck for their reliability and personal touch.
I'd be delighted to recommend Bushbuck to anyone who wants to experience Africa, its scenery and its wildlife.
Email Kevin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Local Operator, Extremely Knowledgeable Guide!
After contacting many different operators in Kenya for a Masai Mara safari, I chose Bushbuck because they were timely in their responses, very friendly & cooperative with sorting out the logistics & booking, and offered a very reasonable price. After meeting our safari guide Joseph we knew we made the right decision! Joseph was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife, plantlife & ecosystems in & around the parks, as well as the people, culture, government, business environment & history of Kenya. We had a very informative Safari and learned a lot about Kenya in the process. All of the accommodations were wonderful & they did a great job to ensure that we felt safe & secure throughout the whole experience. They even made restaurant bookings for us in Nairobi on the last night of our trip so that we could have a feast before heading off to the airport.
For the curious safari goers wanting to learn about the wildlife & ecosystems in the parks as well as more about life in Kenya Bushbuck will be a great choice for a tour operator. Plus it is locally owned & operated so you know you will be supporting a local enterprise!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable, concerned, easily contact.
I have everytime got a good response from Bushbuck to my wishes. I have asked for a special tour and help with bookings and transfers, sood car and trustwothy drivers and I have got it all.
The only complyn is that the car the last time did not have good securitybelts for all the passengers.
Otherwise i am absolutely satisfied with everything.
DE
Email Wolfgang B. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Experienced & flexible meeting individual wishes & needs. Perfectly organized basic style safari.
Accomodations and itinerary were 100% arranged following the client's expectations. Over the complete 14-day-trip Bushbuck constantly took care of the individual needs of a family (incl. two teenage boys) while also enabling them to experience Kenyan wildlife and landscape in an intensive way - far above average. The safari style was authentic and basic but - due to a recognizable experience out of many years operating such tours - perfectly fitting the expectations we had. Expert personal guide/driver/staff made unique experiences possible. Perfect arrangements for ambitioned photographers etc.