Our Consultants in the office
Meektrails Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email William | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari
I had an amazing week in Kenya. James is an expert guide with vast knowledge, easy to get alone with. We had a great time in Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
Daniel is a great guy and easy to deal with
Phillys thank you for all your help you were amazing
I highly recommend Meektrails Safaris for your next trip to Kenya
CZ
Email Jan Statecny | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely perfect
We went with Meektrails Safaris on a 4-day safari trip to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara national reserve. Owner of the company, Daniel, was very helpful during our whole stay in Kenya and prepared a great trip for us. We went on the safari with guide Peter, who was absolutely fantastic and thanks to him and his long-time experiences we managed to make memories for a lifetime.
I do highly recommend to get a tour with Meektrails Safaris!
PT
Email Bruna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and affordable experience
We had an amazing stay, the guide did not rest until we were able to see every animal. It was life changing. Totally recommend meek trails safari
BE
Email Jens Theuwissen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended!
Having recently returned from an 8-day holiday/safari in Kenya... I hereby want to give an extended and honest review on Meektrails Safaris. As this was my 3rd time in Kenya (having previously travelled with Pollmans and Natural World Kenya Safaris) I’m in a good position to compare this safari with my previous experiences.
I came across Meektrails Safaris through SafariBookings.com... a site to find and compare safari operators. After having requested a quote through SafariBookings, Daniel Waruri (Meektrails its owner) was very very quick to respond to me. After some back and forth mailing and taking into account Daniel his tips and proposals, we came to an interesting itinerary. In total I requested quotes at +/- 10 different safari operators. In the end, although not being the cheapest, we settled with Meektrails Safaris. The reasons being, amongst others, the honesty of Daniel (not trying to upsell us like other companies), his long experience in the field, the quick and friendly replies, the regular updates on his social media canals (meaning his company was really active), his experience concerning photography and the fact the we wanted to support a relatively new operator during these covid times.
The itinerary we agreed on consisted of an 8-day/7-night safari consisting of 2 nights in Buffalo Springs National Reserve/Samburu (Ashnil Samburu Camp), 1 night in Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters Serena Camp), 1 night in Lake Nakuru National Park (Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge) and 3 nights in the Masai Mara (Zebra Plains Mara Camp).
Payment
Daniel was able to get me an extra Travel Industry discount at some of the camps/lodges as I’m active in the industry myself. We also agreed on only paying for the safari after we set foot on Kenyan soil (due to the uncertainties related to travel restrictions and a possible positive covid PCR test), meaning Daniel paid for the camps/lodges with his own savings. We highly appreciated this flexibility shown by him. In the end we decided to transfer 50% of the total sum once we had the result of our covid PCR test with the remaining 50% transferred when we were in Kenya. The covid PCR test in order to exit Kenya was arranged by Daniel and his staff meaning it was much cheaper than relying on a doctor visiting the camps in the Masai Mara.
Airport pickup
On our arrival in Kenya we were picked up at the airport by James. He would drive us to the hotel we booked ourselves in Nairobi (Best Western Plus Westlands) before starting the safari on the next day. Our flight got delayed a bit and it took a looooong time to pass the health check and immigration at Nairobi Intl. Airport... but James was still awaiting us when we finally exited the airport (the poor guy had waited almost 2 hours for us). Soon we were in the minivan on our way to the hotel. But then... we got unlucky. Just before leaving the airport perimeter the engine stopped and James was unable to restart the engine. With the help of a security agent, the van was pushed on the roadside. Miraculously the engine could then be restarted and off we were. However... after 1min on the highway the engine stopped working again with James being unable to restart it. We were thinking the worst as this van would also be our minivan for the safari. James stepped out, in the dark, in the middle of the highway to try to stop other traffic. Eventually a truck offered assistance and we were towed for 15min to a gas station. James filled some empty water bottles with petrol to fuel the minivan after which the engine could be restarted. While this “adventure” was initially a bit frustrating (after having already travelled more than 12 hours and just wanting a shower and a bed to sleep)... we soon saw the charm of this hiccup. I said to my wife... “if this airport transfer would be without issues you would have never remembered it... but now you’ll always remember our first day together in Kenya” ;-). And we’ve got a story to tell people. A big thumbs up to James. He didn’t give up and did everything in his power to find a solution. He was a bit afraid for his job due to this hiccup but I do hope he’s still with Meektrails as he showed he’s able to think out of the box to find solutions.
Safari minivan
We decided to do the safari with Meektrails black 4WD minivan. While many operators tried to upsell us and offer a 4WD jeep, Daniel was really insisting on using the minivan (even though he has the more expensive jeep option on offer as well). While the jeep looks “cooler” and more “impressive”... it doesn’t have any advantages. We encountered some thunderstorms during our game drives in the Masai Mara and the Meektrails minivan was as capable as the jeeps on the muddy and flooded roads. We got everywhere where the jeeps went and never got into trouble. Don’t expect a new or refurbished minivan though. The Meektrails minivan is a dusty and older van... but it is very very very capable when you consider the “offroad” and “bumpy” conditions in the safari parks. We couldn’t be happier with our “The A-team minivan” ;-)! The minivan lacks air conditioning (although a system seemed to be installed) and we were instructed to use the natural air conditioning during the transfers between the parks -> opening the sliding windows. This turned out to be more than sufficient. Inside the parks, air conditioning doesn’t make sense anyway as the roof will be open at all times.
The Safari itself
The proposed itinerary proved to be an interesting one. With each of the parks having its own attractions (the Samburu five in Buffalo Springs, the white and black rhinos in Ol Pejeta, the birds in Lake Nakuru and the big cats in the Masai Mara), the suspense was building up towards the end. The camps proposed can be found in the mid-to-luxury range comfort level. All of them were good value for the money paid.
The Safari guide
While we normally would have been guided by Daniel himself... medical issues meant we were given another guide very last minute. We were initially a bit disappointed by this as we would have loved to meet Daniel in real life and gain from his photography experience. Instead we were greeted and picked up by Peter who turned out to be a great guide. Peter had 17 years of experience in the field and always took initiative to tell us more about the different animals we saw, the landsights we crossed etc. He was very knowledgeable. While the attendance in the first 3 parks was rather low, Peter was always able to find us the special animals during game drives, not relying on radio information from other drivers/guides as there were none. During our game drives in the Masai Mara we were initially a bit disappointed when he parked the minivan a bit further away from the rare animals (leopards and cheetahs) and away from other vehicles. But it turned out he always made the right decision as the animals walked towards our minibus and passed at less than 1 meter. You might think... that’s just being lucky. Maybe... but it isn’t if it happens all the time. I would call it experience instead of luck. One time he put the minivan on the main road some 10m away from all the other vehicles. The 4 cheetahs walked in the bushes towards our van and sat down on the road just in front of us. You could feel the frustration of the people in the other minivans and jeeps as they all had to stay behind us while we enjoyed the very best views. It seems Peter really knew how to “read” the animals.
Would we recommend Meektrails Safari? I think, from the review above, it’s pretty clear we liked our experience with them. If you’re looking for a personal service, a good price/value safari with knowledgeable and responsible guides/drivers... don’t look further... and choose Meektrails. They are a young company trying to find their spot between the well established safari operators in Kenya. Contrary to others, they also do seem to be aware and put effort in their brand image (branded water bottles during the safari, every client gets his own “Meektrails” safari hat to take home, regular updates on facebook/instagram, ...)... and this helps to get a “feel at home”-experience. Daniel is also very open to communicate, before, during and after the trip... and is easily reachable through whatsapp and e-mail. One small remark/advice... update the minivan a bit. A lick of cool paint and branding on the exterior and some cleaning and new seat covering on the inside.
RECOMMENDED!
ES
Email Lina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
If you wish it, Meektrails Safaris can get it!!
I have just arrived from Kenia and have come completely delighted.
I never imagined to enjoy a Safari, i thought i was too expensive for us, but fortunately we met Daniel (the owner of the company) he could addapted our budgets perfectly so he has made the best tryp i have done in my life.
So, don't hesitage , ask them, you will be over the moon!!!
AE
Email Pelin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best!
airport he made sure I am safe and comfortable throughout my entire trip.
The hotels included on my tour were great: clean, safe and the food was also really nice.
I had the time of my life during game drives because Daniel made sure I saw a vast variety of animals everyday. He has an extensive knowledge about Africa and Kenya culture as well as wildlife itself so none of my questions was remained unanswered.
When I travel to Kenya again in the future, I will travel again with Meektrails and with my friend Daniel
AE
Email Prerana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary, Beyond Amazing
If you want to have beyond extraordinary,breathtaking experience of your life time Daniel is your guy. He goes beyond his limits to make your experience once in a life time kind. He is friendly,informative and knows his assignment I believe better than anyone. We had such an amazing experience and the places Daniel/Meektrails planned and arranged for us was completely worth the money.With being highly knowledgeable , he also ensured that all our places of interest were covered during the trip and his way of sorting and planning the trip made it so very enjoyable, organized and remarkable. one.In this 5 days of trip to Kenya with Meektrails , I leave with life time of stupendous experiences and hope to visit this beautiful land again and would choose Meektrails Safaris anyday. Special Thanks to Daniel.
FR
Email kadi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very nice experience
2 full day of safari and visit to the Maasai village it was very interesting
everything is included in the price
Email Chris and Saskia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Daniel (Meektrails) is the best !
Daniel (Meekrails) is the best, we spent 1 week with him and he arranged everything. On safari in Massai Mara he knows how to spot animals like no other, nothing is too much for him. Always punctual to the appointment. You can ask Daniel whatever you want, he will do it with great pleasure.
We will go back in June 2022 and have already booked him, no one else for us, he gives you an unforgettable beautiful and safe holiday, we came into contact with him by reading the excellent reviews, so it was exciting for us to wait . We don't give much reviews, but this one is really recommend to people who travel to Kenya and want to book an unforgettable safari and much more....
One address:
Meektrails with Daniel ...... TOP!!!!!!!!!! no Safari without Daniel for us.
FR
Email Fadwa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari
I have just come back from an amazing safari week with Meektrails. The organization was so good and locations booked by Daniel were too nice. Thank you for the guide Steve, he was very professional and has a good knowledges, it was interesting to learn about a lot of animals. I was traveling alone but I felt very safe with Meektrails family. It was also nice to meet Phyllis who comes to the hotel the first day to provide more details about the program and make sure everything is going well. So thank you all for this nice experience.