Kairi Tours & Safaris

The worst!

I booked a 3 day safari to Masaii Mara at the last minute with Sun Splash Safaris who contracted with Kairi Tours and Safaris. I have been on safari in Kenya and since I travel to Africa for work am pretty easy going but this was the worst!
In the morning after a prompt pick up when I asked to stop to change dollars for shillings at a foreign exchange the driver insisted I change with his friend on the street. It was a bad rate and I insisted on going to the foreign exchange, but the driver was not happy.
When I arrived there had been 3 days of protest in Narok a town on the way to Masaii Mara unbeknownst to me. As we got closer to Narok the driver was on the phone constantly and there were very few safari vans which was very unusual. there were many cars and lorries pulled off to the side of the road and when the driver was questioned he was evasive. We went to the very "front" of the line to find the road blocked. and as Kenya police cleared the road of rocks and burning tires, we moved forward the road would be blocked in front of us and behind us with more rocks and burning tires. We ended up in the middle of the demonstration with tear gas and police beating people with batons. It was dangerous and totally uncalled for. There were only 2 other safari vans in sight, the rest must have been much smarter than this company.

Needless to say, we did not make our evening safari drive in the Park. Next morning we found out the walkie talkie that every safari van relies on to find the animals was broken and had been broken for 3 days! We spent the entire day driving aimlessly while the driver stopped every van he could find to question where were the animals.

The next day the driver "borrowed" shillings from me to buy an herbal remedy from the Masaii prior to leaving the park.
On the way out of the park the driver stopped at a small store to get himself a soda and surprise! someone jumped in the van for a ride to the next town. Great way to make a few shillings for the driver but not OK.

I have been on safari in Kenya in the past and this was the most unprofessional disappointing company I have ever used. When I got back to Nairobi I sent an email to the company. Their response was not their problem about the protest and while I agree they were not responsible for the protest they certainly had hours of warnings prior to our arrival and could have provided a safer trip. No response about the broken radio, shady driver, borrowed shillings or unexpected passengers in the van. Worst Safari ever!