Andrew will take you to remote places
Wildebeest Safaris
- Located In:
-
China
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- ETT & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Steve | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We didn't get what we paid for or what was outlined in the itinerary
Day 1 - Collection from hotel was fine, on time. No problems with long drive or communication. Itinerary outlined a game drive from 2pm - 6pm, but we only did a game drive for approx 90mins. Lodge was excellent, however that has nothing to do with the tour company.
Day 2 - Full day game drive. Lodge told us to leave as early as possible 7am at latest, driver arranged to start at 8am. We saw everything we wanted to on this day. Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Giraffe, Elephant, Hippo. However this was more due to the abundance on wildlife and luck than the drivers skill or anything like that. I can't really complain too much about this day, as we saw everything we wanted to.
Day 3 - We were supposed to have a game drive in the morning (leaving the lodge at 8am) before heading straight from the game drive back to Nairobi. However our driver slept in and missed his alarm and we were waiting for him to wake up and were late leaving. Upon arriving at the park entrance our driver welcomed a "park ranger" on board who he said we were "giving him a lift" we then proceeded into the park, where we just drove on the main road until we happened to chance upon a cheetah, who was starting a hunt. The driver stopped the van and we asked him to put up the roof of the van so we could get a better look, he refused saying it would interfere with the hunt, however he was talking and laughing with other guides in other vans and his phone was ringing loudly, so I didn't buy that excuse! We asked him again and he still refused, so we had to take pictures through the window. After a few minutes he drove off, and we left the hunt/stalk while it was still in progress/just about to start. We were so annoyed, especially as countless other vans and 4x4s were heading towards the cheetah, while we were driving away from it. We felt like we couldn't complain too much to the driver as we still needed him to take us back to Nairobi and didn't want him to get angry and leave us in the middle of nowhere! He continued driving on the main road through the park and didn't once go on a different road, he then exited the park. Meaning we did not have our morning game drive, he just drove straight through the park from once entrance to another, without lifting the roof - we just happened to stumble across a cheetah. If we hadn't seen that he would not have stopped once! This is not a game drive. We were basically being a taxi service for his friend/ranger. When we got to Narok, the "park ranger" exited the van and he continued to take us back to Nairobi, which was fine.
Overall absolutely disgusted with the final day and lack of game drive! The fact that he drove away from a Cheetah hunt that was in progress is absolutely indefensible - and also twice refusing to open the roof so we could look at the Cheetah while we were there.
I don't know if this was just our driver or it is the company (as our driver said he was fairly new to Wildebeest) But I wouldn't use them again!!
I will formally complain to Wildebeest about this....
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Steve,
Thank you for your feedback. We noticed of the mishap you encountered on the last day of your Safari with your driver/guide. We addressed the issue with him regarding following the itinerary as agreed with clients.
Kind Regards,
Noah
US
Email Eddie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good itinerary, affordable price, friendly guides
Communicated and booked via email. Paid for the safari and gorilla trekking by credit card. Communication from the team was good, but could be better instead of having us ping them to get greater details - they need to be more proactive (i had to remind them to send me final itinerary and all when the final payment was due for example - makes you a bit nervous when you are booking via email with an agency in a totally different country). Guides are excellent and friendly. We had Moses for the Gorilla trip (via their sister company in Uganda) and Denis for the Kenyan safaris. Both were great, knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. Still giving 5 stars because they delivered the services as agreed and price is good value.
DE
Email Lisa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We would recommend this tour operator to all our friends and family.
It was easy to communicate because of E-Mail and WhatsApp contact. We had an informative chat with Noah to find the right tour for us. Our driver Andrew in Kenya was a great guy, he gave us a lot of Informations about every animal we have seen and he knew the hot spots to find the big five. We felt safety all the time and had a lot of fun together.
In Tansania our driver was Ibraham-a funny and nice guy, too.
The service was great during all the days, we didn‘t miss anything!
An Amazing Experience
My wife, daughter, and I had an amazing time on this Safari. Eustace was a most excellent guide. He kept us safe, was engaging, very communicative, and lots of fun. The truck we were in was very safe and have us great opportunity to see the animals and scenery. Highly recommend.
US
Email Anna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hands down the BEST!!!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our safari in Masai Mara thanks to Wildebeest Safaris. It was hands down the BEST service and experience!
Communication was prompt and clear from booking to the tour itself. Noah emailed us in a timely manner (which was not the case for several other companies I reached out to) and answered all our questions and was very helpful in helping us customize a package. He was able to recommend different lodging choices and vehicle types based on our budget. The invoice was accurate and clear and the itinerary was very thorough. Instead of pick up and drop off at the airport, they were flexible and kind enough to pick us up from where we were staying in Nairobi. This was really convenient as other companies I reached out to were very strict about pick ups only at the airport or you had to figure out transport to their office on your own. Noah really made everything so easy for us as travelers! He was available by cell phone and texted us information about our driver and ETA the night before.
The safari experience was incredible all because of our talented driver and guide, Dennis! He was very kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. He's been with the company for about a decade and knows Masai Mara park like the back of his hand which is a huge advantage! Dennis really does everything he can to show you an unforgettable safari experience. We were able to see the Big 5 and WAY more than we expected. This is all due to Dennis' wisdom and tenacity when it comes to gaming at Masai Mara and other parks. He knows the terrain, can read animal behavior, and can anticipate the best position for viewing. I honestly feel like the driver either makes or breaks your safari tour, and I couldn't recommend Dennis highly enough!
Administratively and experientially, you get the best of both with Wildebeest Safaris. Planning your trip is hassle free and you're guaranteed to have a wild experience! We're already planning for our next safari with Dennis and bringing our family with us!
NL
Email Martin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Driver had no safari, wildlife experience
In general it was ok. Good safari car, efficient communication, the lodges including the right tents where booked however - for us the most important - the driver had no safari experience. So, he was NOT able to tell us anything about the wild life and he did not once showed wildlife based on his observation. As those organizations work with independent drivers, with a different driver experience can be completely different. Advice: ask for cv of driver.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Martin,
Thank you for your feedback. We replaced this particular driver/guide with a more experienced one.
Kind Regards,
Noah
US
Email April | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive during the planning process and excellent guide!
Noah was always very prompt returning emails and answering questions throughout the process, from our initial inquiry up until we left for Kenya. I can’t say enough good things about our guide, Eustace, he was truly exceptional and really made the Safari a memorable experience. We were very pleased with the lodges that were included in our package and our vehicle.
This was our first (but not our last!) Safari and I could t be happier that we selected Wildbeest Safaris, they delivered an amazing experience.
US
Email Steven Steffgen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari. Exceeded my expectations!
The communications prior to booking, the booking, and information given after the booking but before the trip were excellent. The only thing I would suggest is that the itinerary start times take into account the time of year. When daylight is longer, the itinerary should reflect what the guide has in mind for start times. The start time should be communicated each time before parting ways.
The service was also very good and the lodges also exceeded what I expected.
I was very glad I chose Wildebeest Safaris. The guide worked very hard to find all the animals we wanted to see. He was always listening to the radio to be sure that if another guide saw one of the "big 5" , he would do everything he could to get us there in time. He went out of his way to ensure we were happy. After the missed communication for the first drive, he was always verifying the time we were to meet next. And he was always on time!
Definitely 5 stars!
Email Irina Zasorina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was the great time. Our guide was very professional and friendly. He knows everything about anima
It was the great time with Wildebeest safari. I’ve been in Mara and Amboseli with them. Our guide was very professional and friendly. He knows everything about animais and local life. He joked and told funny stories. Safari arranging was perfect. Everything on time and was made with real care about tourists. They do more then their job need. For sure if I back to Kenya i will go again to safari with Wildebeest.
Thanks guys for everything. Great thanks and hi to our guide Ibrahim.
He does great job.
US
Email Dave Medlicott | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent 15 day safari - Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania
Our safari with Wildebeest Safaris surpassed my wildest expectations. Noah from Wildebeest planned a fantastic itinerary for us. We flew into Kigali, Rwanda and our guide drove us to Bwindi where we had an unbelievable gorilla experience (a juvenile make actually grabbed me briefly around my thigh)! Then we went to Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National Parks. Both were excellent experiences. Our guide in Uganda was Charles from GoExplore Safaris and he was a great guide!
We flew to Nairobi and met up our new guide, Eustace. He drove us to the Masaii Mara where we spent 3 nights in a tented camp on the banks of the Mara River. We spent 3 days game viewing and we also did a hot air balloon. Eustace was an excellent guide and a great companion. We saw a cheetah, 4 male (brothers) lions at a hippo carcass on the Mara River and we actually saw 2 leopards mate!
Eustace then drove us to the Tanzania border where we met our new guide, Chotara. I quickly realized what an amazing guide CHotara was and this was further confirmed when one the host at one of our lodges told me he was the best there was! We did several games drives in the North and South Serengeti before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater, then Lake Manyara and Lake Burunge. We saw lions on 2 wildebeest kills, cheetahs on the gunt and lions mating! We drove out in the Serengeti to see the massive herds of wildebeest and zebras as part of the great migration. Chotara pointed out that you knew it was good when all the guides were taking pictures!
This was an absolutely fantastic trip and Noah did a great job setting everything up. Our lodging was excellent and I was amazed at the overall quality of the food. Truly excellent! But the real reason I would recommend using Wildebeest Safaris is the quality of the guides. All 3 guides we had were off the charts good.