Reviews

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Christian   –  
Italy IT
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Aug 28, 2024

Email Christian  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Great Experience thanks to Splendid Vacations
5/5

Splendid Vacations made this trip seem a walk in the park. Alice was always available during the booking stage with great response time that made it easy to adjust itinerary to our needs. We booked very late but Alice managed to organise the trip seamlessly, exceeding our expectations. She checked about us during the trip and even after - so kudos to her. Joshua, our guide and driver was always cheerful and making sure we would reach on time every destination, driving very safely and giving insights about local culture and wildlife all along the trip. Impeccable service and great experience. We went to Ol Pejeta as Amboseli was fully booked and it was a great suggestion from Alice. Highly recommend the night safari. Another suggestion was a trekking adventure on Lake Naivasha, again spot on with plenty of animals roaming freely that you can almost touch, great experience. Next stop was Hell’s gate for a cycling adventure, followed by Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. Saw plenty of wildlife on all stops and almost managed to see a heard of wildebeest to cross the Mara river…unfortunately they changed their mind last minute…good excuse to go back once more. Second part of the trip was Diani beach with its pristine white beaches and plenty of activities to undertake. Alice organised for us the train tickets from Nairobi to Mombasa. It’s a 5 hours comfortable ride in first class (there is a restaurant too) with some amazing scenery through Tsavo park. If you have the time I recommend. Thanks again to Joshua who, after our lunch at Carnivore, accompanied us through safety checks at the train station as I saw several comments that made me a bit worried, nevertheless with Joshua there all went very smooth without any issues. We loved the itinerary put together by Alice, the care taken by Joshua - the whole family was very happy throughout the journey and I can only highly recommend Splendid Vacations for their professionalism, commitment to let guests experience the best and the smooth process from the first contact until even after we finished the tour.
Thank you Alice and Joshua for the memorable experience and services you provided us!

Hazel   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Aug 30, 2024

Email Hazel  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

We planned our trip roughly and they made it come true perfectly!
5/5

We had this trip recently with Splendid and it's an excellent experience.
From the very beginning, Rachael, our main contact, was incredibly responsive and attentive. Whether we had questions or needed to make last-minute changes, such as switching hotels due to availability issues, Rachael handled everything swiftly and efficiently. Her proactive approach made the planning process smooth and stress-free. During our trip, Rachael continued to be considerate by checking in almost every day, ensuring everything was going well.
Our guide, Mwololo, was equally good. You can see he has experience in Safari, he communicates a lot with other drivers in the reserve to make sure that we don't miss any of the incredible wildlife sightings. He also shared fascinating insights and stories during our drives, making the journey even more interesting.

Karel   –  
Spain ES
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Sep 3, 2024

Email Karel  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Splendid Vacations: profesionalism, great service and knowledge resulting in unforgettable memories.
5/5

Great experience visiting Kenya with Splendid Vacation. They went out of their way to help and allow us to thouroughly enjoy the country with its friendly people, amazing and everchanging landscapes, great accomodations, excellent food and abundant wildlife, providing us with a highly professional driver and wildlife guide. Highly recommendable.

Anna   –  
Norway NO
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Sep 13, 2024

Email Anna  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Unforgetable trip to beautiful Kenya
5/5

Our safari-trip with Splendid exceeded all our expectations.

Our guide, James, was not only our guide on this trip but he also became our friend. James is not only extremely knowledgeable but also funny, acommodating and patient. He always went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable, adjusted according to our needs, and made sure we got the best spot to see the animals. Because of this, we had the best safari experience and got to see all the animals we hoped to see and many many more.

Another James helped plan the trip, and checked in on us along the way to make sure everything was good. The trip was packed with fun activities, and everything went smoothly. Spendid also has the newest and best cars (Toyota 4x4), which is absolutely worth mentioning.

We went on this trip to celebrate my 30th birthday and had the most amazing trip, which we will remember forever.

The best! Absolutely recommend!

Toshi   –  
Japan JP
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Sep 22, 2024

Email Toshi  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An Unforgettable Safari Experience with Splendid Vacations
5/5

Choosing Splendid Vacations from the numerous safari companies available was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The 1-night, 2-day safari tour was truly unforgettable. We experienced two game drives – one in the evening and one in the morning – and the variety of animals we encountered at different times of day was incredible. Every aspect of the tour was handled with great care for safety, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience without any worries.

Why I Chose Splendid Vacations:
I reached out to over 10 safari tour companies, but Splendid Vacations stood out thanks to their exceptional tour consultant, Alice. She was fluent in English, highly communicative, and patient in answering all of my questions and requirements. Since it was my first trip to Kenya, I had many concerns, but Alice’s clear and thorough explanations made me feel confident in choosing them. Other companies either lacked clear communication or aggressively pushed me to book without providing enough information. While there were cheaper options, most seemed unreliable. Alice, on the other hand, offered 5-6 fully customized tour options that perfectly met my needs, with professional and attractive digital proposals.

The Services:
- Airport Transfers
I was pleasantly surprised that airport transfers were included both before and after the safari. The pick-up times were punctual, reflecting the high level of hospitality throughout the tour.

- Safari
Our guide and driver, John, was incredibly professional. His driving was safe and never rushed, and thanks to his deep knowledge of animal behavior, we saw an impressive number of animals in a short amount of time. John also utilized his network of contacts to gather information about where specific animals were located, ensuring we didn’t miss anything. Unlike some guides who tend to talk too much, John maintained the perfect balance, giving us space while making sure we had a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

- Our Vehicle Choice
We chose a 4x4 Land Cruiser, and it was the perfect decision. The road to Masai Mara National Reserve included some off-road driving, and all game drives were conducted off-road as well. The vehicle handled everything smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy the safari.

- Hotel
We stayed at Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp, conveniently located near the park entrance. The interiors of the restaurant, bar, and other communal areas were sophisticated and impeccably clean. The tent we stayed in had modern facilities, including clean and comfortable bathroom and toilet. At night, we could hear the sounds of wildlife from the park, and the starry sky was breathtaking, with countless shooting stars. The food, delicious Kenyan cuisine, was of high quality and added to the overall experience.

Final Thoughts:
Splendid Vacations is one of the few safari companies that truly delivers a top-tier experience, creating unforgettable memories for its customers. I look forward to returning to Kenya in the near future and once again experiencing the impeccable service they offer. Without a doubt, I highly recommend Splendid Vacations to anyone considering a safari. Thank you for an incredible experience!

Daniel   –  
China CN
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Sep 22, 2024

Email Daniel  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Best operator in Kenya! We have a fantastic trip during this week!
5/5

I would like to say thank you for all you guys arranged this trip for us! This is the best trip ever so far! Nice hotels/Safari /views! Especially our guide willy! I will highly recommend anyone for this operator!

Saad   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Sep 30, 2024

Email Saad  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

A customer focused operator who go above and beyond to provide the best possible experience.
5/5

Couple, 5 days, 4 nights tour
Amboselli, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara
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Initial enquiry, booking, communication with the company and consultant
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Right from the beginning the experience with Splendid Vacations was a positive one.
We received a quote via email and soon after Maryann was in touch to follow up and answer any questions.

Communicating with her was easy via WhatsApp and she was quick to reply to our messages.
Although the initial quote was above our budget, Maryann came back to us with several options where we could reduce on cost, including resorts, dates and even mode of transport (whilst we opted for the slightly more expensive 4x4, we can confidently say it’s well worth it).

The tour and guide
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On the morning of the safari, we met our guide Julius who picked us up from the hotel.
He gave us a short briefing about the day ahead and what we could expect. This was something he did consistently throughout the tour.

We visited 3 different reserves in total and travelled over 1000km by road between them but is well worth it for the diverse biomes you get to experience as well as the variety of animals. It’s also a great way to see Kenya outside of the parks.

The accommodation picked for us was also fantastic. We stayed in a lodge (Sarova lion hill) and tented camps (Oilepo and Enkorok) which were comfortable and either close to or inside the reserves themselves. It’s important to note that we picked these accommodations from a few options provided to us but it’s well worth booking in advance as camps often get booked out months in advance.

I won’t say much about the parks themselves as there’s nothing like seeing them for yourself, but I will say that being able to have a picnic in the Masai Mara is an unforgettable experience and you’re likely to see a variety of animals and birds.

A special thanks has to go to our guide, Julius. He was with us for the full 5 days and was friendly, professional and courteous throughout. He has excellent knowledge of the local wildlife and his superb driving abilities had us navigating some rough terrain in some pretty challenging conditions! He never rushed us when viewing wildlife, and waited for us to let him know when we were ready to move on.
Your guide can certainly make or break your trip, and Julius made ours for sure. Thank you so much!

Summary
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Overall, I would highly recommend Splendid Vacations as your tour operator.
They offer a friendly, reliable, no pressure service which is tailor made to make it a perfect safari for you.
They’re always easily reachable to answer any questions before and even during the safari and I can guarantee that you’ll come away with some incredible memories.
I can’t speak for all of them, but the provided guide was excellent and went above and beyond to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and were looked after.
I will certainly be looking to book with them again! Thank you Splendid Vacations!

Adam   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Oct 5, 2024

Email Adam  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing Safari Experience
5/5

Splendid Vacations made our first safari trip and incredible experience. They were responsive and organized from the beginning to the end of the trip, providing a detailed quote with accurate pictures. James was our guide on the trip and he was always on time, knowledgeable, and and an excellent guide. By the end of the trip, James was more than just a guide and became a friend who did a great job giving us an unforgettable trip. All of the lodges were great and the game drives exceeded our expectations woth incredible up close animal encounters. I highly recommend using Splendid for your safari trip!

Camilla   –  
China CN
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Oct 7, 2024

Email Camilla  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Exceptional Safari Experience with Transparent Pricing and Outstanding Service
5/5

We had an unforgettable experience with this tour company during our safari in Kenya. Here are the key reasons why I highly recommend them:

1.Transparent Pricing
The pricing was clear from the beginning, with no hidden costs or unexpected fees.

2.Excellent Communication
Our guide stayed in constant contact with us, ensuring that we were always informed and comfortable.

3.Skilled and Knowledgeable Guide
Our guide, Wily, was not only an exceptional driver, but his English was excellent, which made communication smooth. He also had an incredible ability to spot wildlife, making each game drive a thrilling experience. We even witnessed hyenas snatching food from vultures!! Wily’s expertise in local wildlife and his insights into the culture added immense value to our safari experience.
The manager, Dennis, even treated us to coffee. He is a university graduate with a forward-looking vision and is passionate about future efforts in wildlife and environmental conservation.

4.Flexibility and Customization
The team was very flexible and happy to adjust the itinerary to suit our preferences.

Jesse Singh   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2024 Reviewed: Oct 22, 2024

Email Jesse Singh  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Adventure, Laughs and lots of fun
5/5

Our recent 5-night safari in Kenya with Splendid Vacation was nothing short of spectacular. We had the pleasure of exploring three of Kenya’s most renowned parks: Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara. Each park offered its own unique landscapes and wildlife, making every day a new adventure.
From the very beginning, our driver and guide, James, made a lasting impression. His friendly demeanor and efficiency were evident as he expertly navigated the often challenging traffic. James’s extensive knowledge of the parks and their inhabitants ensured that we didn’t miss a thing. His ability to spot wildlife was truly remarkable, and he went above and beyond to make sure we had the best viewing opportunities.
Throughout our safari, we were fortunate to see over 30 different species of animals. The abundance of zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, and gazelles was breathtaking. One of the highlights was witnessing a pride of lions up close and observing a cheetah on the hunt. We also had the rare opportunity to see hippos in their natural habitat, which was an incredible sight.
The accommodations provided by Splendid Vacation were top-notch. Each of the four lodges we stayed at offered a unique experience, with comfortable rooms and a variety of delicious food options. The staff at each lodge were welcoming and attentive, adding to the overall enjoyment of our trip.
One of the most memorable moments of our trip happened in Amboseli. We were on an early morning game drive, the sun just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Suddenly, James pointed out two young elephants grazing peacefully in the distance. As we approached, we watched them playfully interact with each other, their silhouettes beautifully framed by the sunrise. It was a serene and magical moment that left us in awe of the natural beauty around us. This experience, among many others, truly highlighted the magic of the African wilderness
This safari was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The combination of stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and exceptional service made it unforgettable. We are immensely grateful for the hospitality and care we received from start to finish. Without a doubt, we would highly recommend a Kenyan safari to anyone seeking an extraordinary adventure. A special thank you to Splendid Vacation and our amazing guide, James, for making our trip so memorable.

Average User Rating
4.9/5
Rating Breakdown
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