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
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Email Rick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Five days and four nights in Kenya
I signed up with Wildebeest Safaris after researching about a dozen different companies offering trips in Kenya.
I was going to Kenya for business purposes and only had 4-5 days available for a safari. The trip I chose included Amboseli , Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Parks. This trip was during the first week of December, which worked out great for me. All three parks were virtually empty this time of the year, which definitely enhances the experience. It is also the time of year to see all the baby animals. So I have pics of mother/ babies of every animal we saw. Including the cheetahs'
My driver/ guide was Ken, who is very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. It was just him and me for the five days. Ken picked me up at my hotel on time and ready to go. One of the reasons I picked Wildebeest is their tour offered a Toyota Land Cruiser (vs a mini van), which I very glad for after spending multiple hours travelling between the parks and for its ability to go anywhere and every where in the parks. I stayed at the Kimbo Safari camp, Flamingo Hill Tented camp and Mara Leisure camp. All three were very nice with large "tents" that all had masonry flooring, full bathrooms and comfortable beds. Hardly what most folks view as camping. The food at all three camps was fine, with multiple choices and well stocked bars. The staff at all three were very attentive and friendly. I would highly recommend this safari and this company. One word of caution- its is about 8 hours from Nairobi to Amboseli, another 8 hrs from Amboseli to Nakuru, and then again from Nakuru to the Mara. Also the last 2 hours to the Mara are on a dirt "road' that resembles a stream bed in places and not a road . It is a rough ride, so if you have back or neck issues, be prepared for a bumpy ride , or as the guard at the Mara Park gate called it- "a free massage ..." Thanks again Ken for a great time for all your knowledge of the landscapes, the animals and the Masai people.
Email Monika | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
14d Kenia/Tanzania - great selection of parks and camps. Knowledgable and fun guides. Good cars.
14 day Wildebeest Migration Safari in Kenia and Tanzania.
We had a great experience with Wildebeest Safaris and can highly recommend them. The selection of Nationalparks was well chosen. The accommodation always excellent, the guides very knowledgable and patient with us when we asked to stop for the perfect picture spot again and again.
Because we crossed the border between Kenia and Tanzania we had to swap cars and guides. The change was very well organised and easy. For the remoter Nationalparks we got Landcruisers which were really needed as the roads can be very bumpy and distances can be very big. The drivers did an excellent job on those rough Offroad conditions, even with us looking out of the pop up roof under those conditions.
The animal spotting was unbelievable. On our first day we had already seen 4 of the Big Five. Specially Eustace our first guide had very good knowledge of all animals and with his friendly attitude had great connections to all other drivers nearby who would tell us their best spottings.
Best safari experience you can have in Africa
We’d travelled with Wildebeest Safaris for our safari trip in Kenya and Tanzania last November. It was a super fantastic trip with full of memories. Wildebeest Safaris did a very good job for us, make our Africa dream came true.
Before we started our safari, we did a lot of comparisons between different safari companies. The manager of the company Noah Kuti gave us lots of useful advice on the itinerary. He knows everything about the safari, destinations, lodges etc. Also provided us a very reasonable price.
With our safari guide Andrew and Hamza, the whole trip went very smoothly. They are both very knowledgeable about the wild animals and Africa culture. We saw thousands of flamingos in Lake Bogoria, very excited. All of the lodges chosen by Kuti are very unique, we even heard the lion roaring in the mid of the night near our tent when we stayed in Serengeti Tortilis.
We will go back Africa for wildebeest crossing next time, and of course with wildebeest safaris. Anyone who is considering to do safari in Africa, Wildebeest Safaris will be a good choice.
CN
Email bonnie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The entire journey exceeded expectations and it was wild and exhilarating.
The journey exceeded expectations, offering unique and thrilling experiences, unlike many places I've been to. It was wild and exhilarating, and having been to Kenya, other destinations didn't seem as captivating anymore.
We were extremely pleased with the Safari company we chose. They assisted us throughout planning the itinerary and selecting hotels/lodges based on our preferences and schedule. We highly recommend OL TUKAI LODGE. The arrangements for airport pickups and drop-offs were spot on.
Our guide, Dennis, must be the most handsome in all of Kenya. Tall with a great physique, he gave us a strong sense of security! The vehicle was kept clean and tidy every day. Ultimately, we each tipped about $120 for the seven days. Having a competent guide during a safari is crucial. Dennis has a keen eye and was always the first to spot signs of animals in the plains, leading us to lions, leopards, and other creatures. Whenever he received notifications from others, he would rush to the location immediately!"
Here is some advice for safari：
The sand is so thick it feels like suffocating in the dirt.
I wake up every day between 4 and 5 AM.
I set off at 6:30. Before 6:30, it's so cold that I have to wear a thick fleece hoodie.
The car ride is extremely bumpy. Sitting in the last row, I could even bounce off my seat and land back down, haha!
It's very sunny at noon. Wearing just a tank top isn't too hot, but don't forget sun protection.
The sun sets around 6:30 PM, and by 8 PM, the temperature drops.
Amboseli isn't cold. You can even shower, put on makeup, and apply face masks inside. However, in the Masai Mara, it's so cold in the evenings and mornings that I didn't feel like showering or putting on makeup. You can hear various animal noises at night.
The stars are stunning, and you can even see the Milky Way with the naked eye. If you're interested, bring a tripod.
It's worth bringing a telescope to see animal expressions and actions up close.
Sunglasses and contact lens solutions are essential, especially when there's a lot of wind and sand which can dry your eyes.
I wore long pants, but some of my companions wore shorts/skirts. Two of the four of us developed rashes, possibly allergies, or perhaps from mosquito bites.
I wasn't bitten much by mosquitoes (probably because they were all after my travel mates, haha!).
Bring vitamins or immunity boosters since the daily early starts and late returns can be exhausting, potentially lowering your immunity.
From 6-10 AM and 5-6:30 PM, you'll see more animals and they are more active. During other times, they mostly sleep. It can be frustrating at noon when it's scorching hot and animals are hard to spot.
The gift shop at the Amboseli Lodge has the most variety, including T-shirts. I regret not buying more to take home.
You can usually see all the animals. When one vehicle spots animals, the guides quickly communicate via radio, and everyone rushes over.
A long-focus lens is essential. A 70-200 lens might not be enough for enthusiasts, but it's okay for amateur photographers like us.
I exchanged $300 in cash before the trip, and after tips, there wasn't much left.
Even though they say it's not a tipping culture, tips are always accepted. For services like helping with luggage or walking safaris, tipping is customary.
It's a good idea to bring earplugs and a neck pillow. The ride is so bumpy that your ears will feel it's too noisy.
My total expenses were around 3.5-4k (not sure of the exact amount), including cash and card payments. I found the safari group on XHS.
Masai is safe, and so is Nairobi. There was a disturbance during our trip, so the last half-day of our safari was canceled. We left for Nairobi at 4 PM to rest. Once back in Nairobi, everything was fine. Without the disturbance, it's a safe place with a mature tourism industry.
It's a good idea to bring snacks. You won't feel hungry often, but sometimes you'll need a bit of energy during long drives.
Good eyesight is a real advantage! One of my travel mates with 20/20 vision often spotted small animals. For those of us with myopia, spotting animals felt like an exciting game, collecting sightings.
After buying a SIM card, don't restart your phone. Keep the PIN card safe, because if you restart your device, you'll need to re-enter the PIN. Without the PIN, the SIM card becomes unusable.
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Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best holiday of our lives, and we've been to over 30 countries. Special beyond words
WOW!! I honestly don't know where to start.. my husband and 5 year old daughter went to Kenya for a 5 day safari - we went to Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, and the Masai Mara all very beautiful and amazing
1. Noah, the man who responds and organises all the tours was amazingly patient and so very helpful!! I'd send him an email, mind you we are 9 hours behind and I'd get emails straight away, he answered all our questions, we forgot to see about getting a car seat for our 5 year daughter until we arrived in Africa. I emailed him from the airport and when Eustace, our fabulous guide, showed up the next day car seat was in the car! My husband realised the day before we were leaving Kenya he forgot his credit card at the hotel in Lake Naivasha ( we'd stayed at 3 nights prior a bit annoyed with the hotel that they didn't call us or Noah as we'd booked through them but definitely not Wildebeest's fault!) so Noah sorted it out got our card to Nairobi. Eustace got it to us before we left for the airport- mind you he had to leave his house early in the morning to get to the courier office to pick up the card, then get to our hotel as the traffic was terrible he abandoned his vehicle got on a moped taxi to make sure we got it before we left for the airport at 9AM. Amazing customer service!!
2. Eustace, our lovely guide, he was so nice and very patient as we had our 5 year old daughter who can be a bit difficult. Every morning he'd have a smile on his face waiting for a new day. He was knowledgeable about the animals and the places we were, very well spoken, and now very much loved by our daughter and our family he made our trip so very special. My little one was desperate to see lions, her favourite animal, and every time we stopped to talk to another guide he'd ask if anyone had seem some.. We were very lucky and saw a mating pair in Masai Mara- we were the only jeep around for a while totally amazing!!
3. Lodges- we stayed in 3 different lodges during our 5 day safari - all were beautiful, clean and had wonderful beds!
4. Journey- we drove to all our destinations and I now see why people fly in and out of the safari camps the roads are horrible but of course this isn't Wildebeest's fault… However if we hadn't driven we wouldn't have seen the great divide and have fond memories of Nairobi traffic, going off road on the highway because there was a huge hole in it, seeing camels, cattle, goats, and chickens as road blocks, and getting our Kenyan massage! ( riding on an unpaved very bumpy road for about 3 hours!)
I highly suggest using this outfit the customer service goes above and beyond. The pricing is so very competitive!! I don't know how they did it but one of the hotels we stayed in was roughly $600/night we stayed 2 nights our whole safari was only $2500 for 2 adults and 1 child…. We considered that a fantastic deal!! When we head back to Kenya, this is definitely who we'll be using!! Fab time!!
AE
Email Melvin DSouza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome Once in a Life time Safari Experience
We did a 14 days Safari, 7 days Kenya and 7 days Tanzania. Mr. Noah Kuti, was personally involved in all the bookings and I must say that he was a true professional in terms of selecting the hotel lodges, refining the tours based on locations, your budget criteria and other details. This tour was our second tour to Kenya and at first I was hesitant since I did not know the company and having contacted them online. But at the end of it was one of our top vacations till date. I can vouch and highly recommend Wildebeest Safari on being honest and professional to the core and provide an excellent Safari at an affordable price without sacrificing on quality.
We started with our stay in Nairobi followed by an evening dinner in Carnivore (highly recommended). Next day we started on our way to Samburu where we stayed for 2 nights. Our Tour guide “Ken Sila” was very friendly, professional and adventurous. On our full day tour we spotted BIG 3 (Lions, Elephant and Buffaloes) and were entertained by a lion couple on a honeymoon up close and personal, Somali ostrich family (14 in no), Grevy Zebra’s, Reticulated Giraffe, Samburu Kudu, Oryx and many more. Samburu is no doubt our second best game reserve after Masai Mara. After Samburu, we proceeded to Lake Naivasha boat tour recommended if you love birds…followed by Lake Nakuru where we spotted the mighty Rhino..Big 4 done…In Masai Mara we spent 3 nights and watched the wildebeest migration once in a lifetime experience, Pride of lions (7 in no) waiting and hunting on a group of zebras, Cheetah family, Buffaloes, Masai Giraffe and the masai village tour.
Border exit from Kenya was done without any hassle and on the Tanzania side we met one more gem of a tour guide “Gabriel” who was very knowledgeable, energetic, multilingual and friendly. He promised to show us the Leopard the remaining to do of our big 5 spotting. The next day on our full day tour, he took us to Central Serengeti where we spotted not one but 4 leopards. My next to do was to spot a mane lion and lion with cubs, he kept his promise and took us to the right place. We followed a Lioness hunt for almost two hours which finally managed to catch a warthog. We stayed in Serengeti for 3 days, 3 days in ngorongoro crater a must see to see the wild life and natural beauty of perfection in a closed crater.
All in all Kenya and Tanzania was a fantastic experience, thanks to Wildebeestsafaris and all credit to Mr. Noah Kutty and our Kenya tour guide “Ken Sila” and Tanzania tour guide “Gabriel” for their relentless passion ,work and drive to make our holiday a memorable one.