The Team Behind Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris
Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2003)
- Member Of:
- Eco Tourism & Kenya Wildlife Services
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $64 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NZ
Email Sarah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised, reliable and professional.
We were a party of 5. Three adults and two young teenagers. We had the time of our lives. Communication was always prompt, nothing was a problem, Our driver/guide John was great. We felt very safe and well looked after. The Kenyan people are wonderful - always friendly and welcoming. The wildlife was plentiful and the accommodation in the mid-luxury range was great. The balloon flight was awesome. We highly recommend this company.
US
Email Philip C. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible, friendly and fun, KWSS helped us get such a great first impression of the country!
January 2019 started out tough for Kenya, especially in Nairobi which was the target of a terrorist attack early in the year. About one week before our tour the attack happened which made us worried. We contacted Otieno (KWSS Manager) who helped rearrange the itinerary to keep us closer to the big city in case we needed to leave in an emergency and graciously moved us to hotels he knew had better security. This little hiccup aside, the entire trip was a breeze and extremely enjoyable. Our itinerary brought us to Amboseli, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Samburu.
Accommodations: Overall very good. Each park presented clean and well kept accommodations. Staff and attendants were all very friendly and helpful throughout the short stays we had. Unfortunately when you are further out (i.e. Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu) the parks do not have electricity full time and depend on solar power for energy through most of the night. This wasn't much of an issue other than having to wash up in the dark sometimes, but just something to keep in mind while packing and budgeting time.
Food: We never missed a meal and always were provided with three meals per day. It actually became tough because many of us don't normally eat a breakfast! Food was exceptional, albeit probably catered to our American taste. None of the members in our party got sick from any of the food, and still felt great when returning home. Don't drink the tap water, but bottled and boiled water all was fine.
Game Drives: KWSS provides 7 passenger vans, each with a pop-up top for better visualization of the animals. We talked to our tour guides about why certain groups prefer land cruisers and why some prefer the van, and mainly it is maintenance and cost. Our ride was comfortable nonetheless, and did not hinder our viewing of the animals. We were still able to get up close to lions and cheetahs without them even batting an eye! Our vans did get stuck in the sand, but just another bonus to the adventure as we tried to un-stuck them. The guides are very flexible and willing to move game drive times to better fit your preferences. We tended to do early morning and late afternoon to avoid the mid-day sun, though the weather was never really too hot or humid in January. The guides are also very knowledgeable and skilled in their identification and detection of animals on the drives. They even said they take classes and continuing education to keep up to date on animal knowledge so they can better answer your questions.
Miscellaneous: make sure you use permethrin on your clothes beforehand! Our entire group treated our clothes with permethrin and no one got more than 3 mosquito bites. Weather is pretty ideal in January, feeling dry and hot in the day (90F max while we were there) and dropping to cooler temps in the evening (50F low). Safety was never an issue and our guides did a good job of tipping us off if they felt we needed to leave an area.
Overall a very smooth and fun trip! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, though it left such a good impression on us that we may go back someday!
BE
Email Angeliki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
With WSS Ltd we felt that someone was taking care of everything while we were enjoying Kenya!
Mr Otieno was always prompt in his communication ahead of our trip which made us feel very comfortable and the whole organisation was really good. Paul, our driver, was a great companion in our journey, always available to help and at the same time discrete, giving us our time together with my partner.
BE
Email Akif | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top quality service with best price!
We had an amazing 8 days safari tour, Amboseli Nakuru Masai Mara Bogoria and Naivasha.
This company deserves all the best reviews as many people commented in here!
Mr Otieno and his team was very professional and organised from the first time contact.
Thanks to our driver Paul we managed to see the big five, Paul is a great driver/guide,we were very lucky to have him.
Tip: hotels are ok but budget tents might be below your expectations so choose wisely, ask for an upgrade.
Last but not least DO NOT forget to tip your driver, they have a heavy job, it is not easy to drive many hours and on top do the game for you and keep everyone happy.
Respect to this company, these people does their job with their heart!
Email ANTHONY WATTS | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
THE SAFARI OF A LIFETIME........WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT!!
My wife and I have recently returned to the UK following a 12 Day Safari visiting Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Ambosseli, Lake Navashia and the Maasi Mara, concluding with a full day tour in Nairobi.
We booked the safari with Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd. in the early part of last year (2018). At the time we paid in full to receive the maximum discount on an already competitive price for this package.
Our reason for choosing KWSS in the first place was the value for money price quoted for a safari that had a full itinerary together with the excellent reviews from previous satisfied clients.
Then in September 2018, very poor reviews were beginning to show on their web pages and on Trip Advisor which put a lot of doubt in our minds that the company was not all what it portrayed. After a short while, KWSS issued a statement that their CEO, Mr OT. was involved in a horrific road accident and was hospitalised. It then became apparent that without Mr OT at the helm, the everyday running of the office was thrown into turmoil as there was no 'Plan B' set in place to deal with client's problems and payments to safari lodges and park fees.
We contacted the office via emails enquiring about the validity of our safari and was assured by a gentleman named Kenneth that Mr OT would sort out all the problems as soon as he recovered and was well enough to return to the office. A month passed and we contacted KWSS again for further news and confirmation that KWSS were still in the business of providing a customer service to satisfy our contract with them. By now Mr OT had made a good recovery and had now reorganized the office so as in the event of him not being able to carry out the everyday running of the office, there would be a system in place that would never again see issues with future safari bookings. Mr OT assured us that we would indeed have a 'safari of a lifetime' and not to worry.
We were travelling from Tanzania prior to our safari in Kenya and contacted Mr OT a week before to obtain joining times and briefing details. We received a prompt email setting out these details. We were picked up from our hotel on time in Nairobi and the safari commenced.
Our driver and guide, Zachary was very polite and spoke excellent English. In the field he had very good eyes and was able to spot animals that my wife and I did realise were there (African Eyes!!). His knowledge of the parks was exceptional and on two consecutive days we were treated to the 'Big Five'. We saw so many animals, it was such a joy for us as we were also both celebrating major milestones (big birthdays) in our lives and boy oh boy, what a way to celebrate!!
The programme was for the most part kept to, allowing for the long road journeys between parks. The lodges were of a very satisfactory standard as was the food throughout the 12 days.
Any doubts we may have had before leaving the UK quickly disappeared after the very first day, so to anyone who has been put off by bad reviews, please be assured that Mr OT and his company KWSS, WILL provide you with a safari that is set out on their web pages and you too will have 'the experience of a lifetime'
Thank you KWSS, thank you Mr OT, you were never in any doubt that you would provide a first class service and you kept to that promise. We wish you all the best for the future of your company and we will definitely use your services again should we return to East Africa again.
Email Falmet | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
“QUALITY SERVICE!!”
From day one I was picked by the KWSS staff who escorted me to the hotel, that gave me enough confidence that my trip was going to be fine. The amazing view of Amboseli Park was just but wow! a place that defines the true nature of wildlife. The care I got from the guides was just but amazing, everything was already booked for me including additional days that I requested to be added. being that on the last day Mr. Otieno had an accident I was totally worried but with enough support from Mr. Kenneth, I was able to do my safari to the end. I'll definitely recommend you on the company,
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294209-d7038828-r626560398-Kenya_Walking_Survivors_Safaries-Maasai_Mara_National_Reserve_Rift_Valley_Provin.html#
FR
Email Andre | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safary with our children
Beautifull landscape, we were deeply inside stunning wild life.
The big five have been searched and found thanks to Anthony, excellent leader and driver.
And resort hotels where high standard with excellent food.
This was a 11 days safary including lakes and Tsavo.
The mini van is good enought for a familly with 2 kids.
We will never forget.
CH
Email George | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Handled very well under unfortunate circumstances
In September 2018, we booked and paid for a safari with Kenya Walking Survivors. Throughout the booking process, they were very helpful and friendly and provided us with great assistance. We were kindly surprised by their responsiveness and assistance both before and after we had paid.
In the end of September, the company contacted us with the unfortunate news that the owner, Mr. Otieno, had been involved in an accident, and had to temporarily stop working for health reasons. As a result, the business would have to be temporarily closed and our tour would be cancelled. Kenya Walking Survivors Safari, however, was very apologetic, friendly and helpful in providing us a full refund, which we received within 2 weeks.
We wish Mr. Otieno and the company all the best and thank them for their support throughout this unfortunate situation.
Email Josh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Full refund provided after cancellation of safari due to operator car accident
I had booked through Kenya Walking Survivors Safari a few months ago but 3 weeks out from when the safari was to start I was contacted by Otieno and that he would have to cancel the safari after being involved in a bad car accident. Naturally I was concerned for him but also that the safari I has already paid for qas being canceled whilst I was was already on holidays overseas. Kenneth organised for the refund to be made promptly back into my account and informed me of the process throughout the situation. One thing that they couldn't assist with unfortunately thiugh was another recommended safari operator vut I sorted that out myself. All in all I had a great experience with Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris and recommend them for their honesty and integrity
100% refund
We have book and paid 100% our safari in December for do it in October. 2 days before to go all was cancelled, we need to find in rhe last minute a safari and we was praying for our money come back. I confirme today we have receive 100% Refund of booking, that really prove KWSS are a firm professional . And thanks for refund.