Leopard Orchid Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CH
Email Gregor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
a lot of promises but reality was different
We chose this company because contact with Elija was very good... The company made a good impression and had good reviews...
We had a driver and guide Zachary... he was good at finding animals but he is not good guide. he constantly ignored our requests - it was private tour! he was all the time too late. We heard excuses all the time...
I would like to report briefly the day after the day:
1. On the first day our driver fell asleep while driving. We didn't feel safe... We thought - ok. it's first day... Maybe he had something important and couldn't get enough sleep
2. We started second day in Tsavo. It was nice there... We should go at lunchtime to Amboseli and have there afternoon game drive.. He informed us - He needs to have repaired his windshield wipers... he should know mechanic and it should take us 20 minutes. We spent 4 hours there and they didn't work. He didn't explain anything to us. we didn't get anything to eat... That day we still had to weld our shock absorbers...Zachary drove really fast on the bumpy road...
3. The third day in Amboselli was great. We hoped - it will be better... It won't be...
4. We came to Naivasha - he said us - we should pay for boat ride... we showed him on the program that this was included. He called long with Elija... In the end we didn't have to pay but that was annoying again
5. We wanted to change our program and do short hike - he told us that it will cost 20 USD... We either had to walk on dusty road or rent bikes because we couldn't get to this trail by car... we learned there that at beginn of this trail were a lot of cars... ok doesnt matter... everything cost almost 60 USD... Zachary should wait for us. We came back - he wasn't there. We called him - he said he had a flat tire on the way... We went there by bikes... that wasn't true. We waited in full sun for him one hour! We lost one hour of our game drive in the afternoon.
6. It was Friday... We were supposed to spend the afternoon of this day, the next all day and half on the next day (Sunday) in Masai Mara... Its the best park and we wanted to spent there at least. 2 days...
In the morning we were informed that the rules had changed and we would not be able to enter on the last day. If we want to do that then we have to pay extra 80 USD. Zachary advised us against it because we would have a long way to Nairobi... we suggested: we are going to Masai Mara as soon as possible and we spend more time there on this day. He agreed. On the way he didnt't talk to us... We drove to the camping site and waited there 2 hours - We didn't know what we were waiting for. We think that he didnt want to pay for 2 days in Masai Mara... It was emberassing...
7. It was great day in Masai Mara.
8. We visited Masai village and went to Nairobi... We arrived there at 4 pm and we Zachary wanted to take us to the airport (we should spent evening in restaurants... - we had a flight at 4 am and that's why we wanted to spend half a day in the national park and not in the city... I asked Elija for it in many of mails... We suggested too that we visit Masai village on first day (Friday) - Visit in Village took us only one hour... It could be a option... Zachary told us - It is impossible - Elijah asked us at airport - why didn't we do it so - We were surprised that he doesn't know it... Zachary called him a lot... Elijah did us offer and he should react if something doesn't work...
In summary: we heard excuses all the time. Driver was rude and did what he wanted. We suspect - he wanted to pay for everything and wanted to be home so fast as possible.
He suggested us that we go to airport at pm. It's not allowed in Nairobi to come into the departure lounge more than 3 hours before the flight... If we had listened to our guide, we would have spent 9 hours in front of the airport... That shows what a guide is he...
If you want to go with this company, don't pay the entire amount before the end of the trip. It was our mistake. But they made a professional impression.. I'm giving two stars because we saw a lot of animals... But the guide was unprofessional.
We want to visit Africa again but definitely not with Zachary... We thought that he didn't take Elijah seriously either. Elijah made a good impression but for a long time he didn't listen to us but to Zachary... At the airport he asked us how he could compensate us... -
(just one day instead of 1.5 in Amboseli, one day and 2 hours instead of 2 days in Masai Mara...) Sorry Elijah but you should take yours guests seriously...
Email Leah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
professional
The trip at naivasha kinda boring, didn't see many animals. The other three national parks are fantastic! Highly recommend
CH
Email Silvia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari!
Me and the kids had an extraordinary time! Michael was extremely helpful and patient during the planning our trip and from the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly welcoming, making us feel at ease and excited for the adventure ahead. Patrick, our guide was not only knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecosystems but also had an incredible eye for spotting animals even at a distance. We learned so much about each animal’s habits and habitats.
The safari is absolutely worth it. I came back with stunning photos, new friends, and memories me and kids will cherish forever. Highly recommended!
SK
Email Dusan Rosner | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best what you can choose
We have just returned home from our most memorable safari holiday in Kenya which will stay always in our memories and hearts. We would like to thank you many times for the smoothest and the best way as we have been treated. Thanks to Elijah´s prompt answers on many emails and questions and helping with the safari itinerary. He planned precisely everything from the pickup from hotel, through all memorable moments, folowing all the transfers, train tickets and drop off directly at our beach villa at Diani at the end. And the biggest thank you is for our guide and driver Patrick, who was as we all agreed the best of the best who could take care of us and who made our adventure unforgettable. Patrick is a great person with great heart, he was punctual every single day, gave us every information at time, managed to drive us safely through almost whole Kenya and answered every of our many questions. He was always attentive, and provided us always the best spots to see the wild animals.
Once again, thank you for everything Leopard Orchid Safaris! ♥️🇰🇪
US
Email Mario Santillan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Communication and very fair price
When I was looking into Safari bookings I was very scared because the amount of companies that offer these services are incredible, from all the quotes I received Orchid was right on the ballpark of what we were looking for and the prices were not so high compared with other quotes.
Since day 1 Elijah help me to go with the process and solve all my questions eventho we booked almost a year a prior, once the date arrived Elijah, and the CEO of the company were there to greeting us and to introduce to our driver, David, after a short introduction and step by step days a nice gift from their side we were on our way to our adventure.
David was so nice during the whole trip, as we were driving he was giving us details of Kenya making the long drive more interesting, We really appreciate all the help and long hours that David put into this trip, I highly recommend him, he was so nice.
Safaris is mostly luck, we were unlucky to see Kilimanjaro due to cloudy weather, but we were fortunate to compensate by watching plenty of the animals we wanted to see in the safari, we had cheetahs walking by our side, plenty of elephants and even quite some lions going through many many herbivores hahahaha even the sneaky leopard we manage to see 3 of them in our 6 day safari.
The accommodations were way beyond our expectations, we were hoping to by something similar to a cheap motel in the states but we were so wrong, every place was neat and the staff super friendly, Leopard had selected very good accommodations for us.
If we ever decide to go back to Kenya for sure Leopard Orchid would be in the first call to make.
DE
Email Carola | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, every bit of it!
I really loved the experience with the guys from Leopard Orchid Safaris, from the beginning tk the end!
They are very professional and reliable, during the booking process I was helped by Michael who was very kind, patient and available. He offered me two options according to my wishes and was so helpful as he answered all of my questions.
During the safari, Fred was the most amazing guide, he spotted animals that were very far away and was so patient with me. The lodges they booked for me were superb, very clean and safe, the staff was always kind, the food amazing. I got to see leopards, lions, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, every kind of antilopes, many many birds and beautiful nature and landscapes.
I couldn't recommend this company more!!
IT
Email Marco & family. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Carefulness, expertise, open minded
We booked an 8 days trip covering Nakuru, Masai Mara, Kiambethu farm, Amboseli, Tsavo Est and Taita Hill. Moreover we arrange a drop off at Tiwi Beach. Our guide Patrick was very responsive to our needs, competent on animals and plants and very proactive. Elijah was very patient to meet our requests and desires (itinerary and accomodations). We always feel safe and comfortable. We highly recommended this company.
BE
Email Timothy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great planning and awesome guide during our 6 day trip
We've booked a 6-day Safari with Leopard Orchid Safari's (Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara) and were happy customers in the end!
A few months before our arrival in Kenya, I requested several offers from Safari companies and Leopard Orchid was the one which offered the best price/quality ratio. During the planning of our Safari (everything is customizable by the way) I was helped by Elijah. Elijah was very responsive and flexible and provided good itinerary proposals which allowed us to schedule the rest of our Kenya trip as efficient as possible. Even though the default lodging was not available anymore, Elijah proposed a few alternatives and was also flexible to listen to our wishes and concerns. In the end we had good alternative lodging (Little Amanya Camp, Zuwa Bush Lodge and Jambo Mara) which we were happy about. We received good rooms in all accommodations.
Upon our first Safari day, we were greeted at our accommodation by Elijah and Lawrence (who would be our driver/guide/.. for the next 6 days). After settling the payment we embarked on our journey which could not have been better.
Lawrence was one of the best drivers/guides we could whish for. He was a very nice guy to have with you on the trip and he had good knowledge about the parks & animals. It was also fun to have some small talk with Lawrence during the long drives between the national parks and we got to learn a lot about Kenya an its culture. Equally important is that he was a very safe driver which made us feel very comfortable to make the long drives. Kenya roads can be hectic and not all Safari drivers seem to drive as careful al Lawrence did.
Lawrence also made sure everything was all-right during our trip and took care of most arrangements (which made it really easy for us to travel).
We paid a little bit more to have the private Safari and the 4x4 jeep, which I'd fully recommend.
IT
Email Maurizio P. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and expert
what can I say? The expert of the safari tour, everything perfect. Leave all to them and it will be an amazing experience. A special thank to Elijah for the orgazination and efficiency and Patrick for the professionalism and very expert guide. They made the tour particularly beautiful, they assisted us with care, efficiency and and great professionalism. Maurizio P.
Email Ruth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb!
We have just finished a fantastic 5 day safari with Leopard Orchid Safaris. We went to Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. After I first made an enquiry Elijah provided a detailed itinerary which he was happy to liaise about until it was perfect for us! After we had booked Elijah remained in communication with us and answered all my numerous questions! A couple of days before we were due to depart there was an issue with the accommodation we had chosen but they sourced fabulous alternatives. Our guide was Alex and he was amazing. He knew so much about all the parks and animals and answered all our questions. He updated our itinerary as we undertook the safari to make sure we maximised our time in the park. He was great with our children and super friendly and funny. Our whole experience was great and I’d highly recommend using this tour company.