Come As Guests, Leave As Family.
Odyssey Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- APTA, ATA & KPSGA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Experience level: first safari
Fabulous vacation; wonderful adventure
This was my favorite trip to date along with Tibet, which was also fabulous for different experiences. The entire trip was wonderful. Mark, with Odyssey Safaris, was great to work with. He was always easy to reach and so helpful with setting up our tour and answering questions. Could not have asked for anyone better. The trip to Kenya was outstanding even though the flights from the USA to Kenya were long. Everything flowed smoothly from the time we were met at the airport in Nairobi to the time we departed Nairobi. We felt safe the entire time. The lodges/tented camps were amazing with great meals and wonderful service. The people were all so friendly. Erastus, our guide and driver, was the best. We were four gals on an 8 day private safari and he had a great sense of humor and made the trip a lot of fun. He also had a great eye for spotting animals and thus we saw different animals & birds on each of our game drives. We saw 4 of the big 5; missed our leopard by 2 minutes but saw a cheetah! All other animals you would hope to see were everywhere in their glory! I would recommend everyone check out Odyssey Safaris if you are looking for a wonderful tour with easy and great planning, scheduling, lodging, meals, service, amazing game drives and an overall amazing experience.
CA
Email Chris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Out trip was an amazing experience and exceeded our expectations
We took a tour going to Samburu,Sweetwaters,Nokuru, and Masa Mara. The lodging and food was fabulous. Our driver James made sure we saw all the species of animals and made sure the trip was one we will remember for the rest of our lives. I would highly recommend odyssey safaris to anyone looking to take a safari.
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Email Vanessa K - Boston MA | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ask for Erastus for you tour guide - By far the best!
Beatrice and Mark planned this trip for my sister and I and did a great job selecting a vacation package that was best for us and in our budget. We did the tour from Boston to Nairobi and it was a Friday to Monday trip (10 days total) - flew from Boston to Amsterdam to Nairobi and then back.
Pre-Trip Preparation: My sister and I got a few shots before (Yellow Fever, Tetanus, Polio, and Hep A) - but they weren't necessary for us - but no harm getting them just in case. We also took anti-malaria pills before, during, and after the trip - total of 14 days (also not needed).
Need a passport - but don't get your Visa until you get there ($50 USD) - much quicker and easier than doing it ahead of time.
Packed: Money Protector, Cash, CC, passport, Tablet & plug, Blanket, bathing suit, long pants (linen are best because it’s hot then cold), sweatshirt/pants because it’s very cold t night, Unscented shampoo (keeps away bugs), Safari hat, 5 Toothbrushes & paste (in case one touches tap water), Tums, Advil, Dramamine, Imodium, Prescription Pills in original bottle, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Power adaptors, backpack, Mosquito Net, 99% Deet Bug spray, Hand Sanitizer, Good Binoculars (I wish I had bought a Monocular), disposable Poncho, Travel Toilet Paper
When we arrived: got off plane, went through Immigration (got our visa), got our bags and then "went through customs" - we didn't really need to do anything except hand them a form. Then we walked outside and saw Erastus (our tour guide) holding a sign with our names. He brought us to the Safari truck and brought us to the hotel.
1st Hotel: Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi - great location and accommodations - lots of restaurants to chose from, rooms are very clean and nice, breakfast is included, pool, lots of weddings here - only negative was their beds were extremely firm.
Safari: woke up, ate breakfast, and Erastus was waiting for us in the lobby to take us to our first safari destination. We had 2 other people with us (an older couple) so there was plenty of room for us to put our stuff and relax on the long rides.
The ride to the first location is about 5 hours - but you really don't notice it at all because there are a few "stop-overs" to use the bathrooms and look at souvenirs and the people-watching along the way is fascinating.
Ashnil - Samburu: This is a tented camp - rooms are little huts with real doors but tent walls - you feel like you're really in a hotel room - nice beds and showers and they give you water bottles for tooth-brushing. The food all over africa is terrible if you're an american. We were told not to eat fruits, uncooked veggies, the water, or unpasteurized dairy products. That doesn't leave many options - so the food is the only thing I could complain about on this trip. There is a male elephant that comes right up to the electric fence daily - it's really cool. There are Vervet monkeys that try to get into your rooms at night - make sure you zip the tents closed! Beds are really comfortable and there is a generator to charge your phone/camera/laptops about 18 out of 24 hours a day.
The game drives here were amazing - the goal of the whole safari is to see the "big 5" and we saw a lion, (not one of big 5 but...)cheetah (with her cubs AND a kill), hippo (it's extremely rare to see any Hippo in Samburu), and a bunch of smaller animals and birds.
We went to the Samburu village - $30 per person extra - it was worth it. We got to see how they live off the land, and go into their little huts and see the school etc. They do try to sell you a bunch of souvenirs at the end - and I think it's better to buy gifts from them than the souvenir shops.
The drive from Samburu to Sweetwater was about 3 hours
Sweetwater: This is a tented camp with a lake in the middle (elephants and other animals gather at the lake after dark - it's very cool to see them up close while eating dinner). The tents are on stilts and you have to actually zip the entrance. There are a TON of weird beetles there - but no mosquitos. The rooms were cozy and comfortable beds - showers/bathroom was nice and they also give you water. The food was a little better. At every tented camp, food is included with your package but drinks (even water) is not. We just took waters from our Safari truck (there was enough for the week in there) and brought them to meals. Wifi is good here in the rooms and lobby.
Game drive: We saw black and white rhinos, stopped at the Black Rhino sanctuary and the chimpanzee sanctuary. Saw 2 others of the Big 5 - the African Cape Buffalo as well the rhinos. We saw more lions, zebra, ostriches, giraffes, and stopped at the Equator for pictures and a water demonstration.
From Sweetwater to Nakuru was about 4 hours.
Nakuru: This is a lodge hotel - no tents - very nice here. One tiny problem we had was that ALL of our rooms at the 5 hotels were so far away from the lobby - if you're handicapped or old, you should definitely ask for closer rooms up front. The lunch here was very good - the best meal of the whole trip. The rooms were comfy and clean and very nice. We heard a lion roar in the early morning hours! Here we were supposed to see FLOCKS of flamingos - but there were only about 30. Again, we saw rhino and buffalo and the other animals. Still, no leopard though (the last of the big 5 to spot for us).
Trip from Nakuru to Masai Mara was about 7 hours:
Ashnil at Masai Mara: The rooms are just like the ones at the other Ashnil camp - same food as well. Comfy beds and clean rooms. Food was just OK. Hippos are right outside the dining room - we saw a hyena as well. The game drive here was AMAZING! We saw a huge pride of lions and so many other animals. On our way out of the park on the very last day, we FINALLY spotted the leopard - and WITH A CUB! We were so happy! AND a cheetah jumped on our safari truck - sat there for about 1/2 hour looking for her next meal - not bothering us - was so cool! Before it jumped on our truck, she went on the roof of another truck, went over to the open sunroof and shat through the open roof onto the tour guide hahahaha. We got to step into Tanzania for a minute.
The ride back to Nairobi was about 6 hours with stop-overs at interesting locations.
Back at the Safari Park Hotel, we went to the Elephant Orphanage, a mall, a black market, and a little sight-seeing of Nairobi with our tour guide before flying back home.
I travel a lot - and this was by far the BEST trip I have been on. Erastus was an amazing tour guide - he knew so many interesting facts about the animals, Kenya, and the people who we saw along the way. It's very important to tip your tour guide - at LEAST $10/day per person - we recommend twice that if you have Erastus as your guide - he truly loves his job and is so good at it!
Some things to remember about Safaris and Kenya:
1. Don't expect to go into the game drive reserves and see animals roaming everywhere - you will see a few every 10-15 minutes - it's part of the fun trying to spot them. They are not just all hanging around everywhere - they are living in their natural habitat and hiding from prey/sun/us.
2. In Nairobi, people are pretty much the same as in the US - they have the same things and do the same stuff. They are more religious though - everyone goes to church on Sundays. However, the farther out you go - like to the game reserves, the people become more and more primitive with their houses, livestock, jobs, food, etc.
3. Ask as many questions as you can think of while on safari - your tour guide is full of information and there are just so many interesting facts about Kenya you would never think of.
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Email Debbie McFee | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Simon is the best safari guide.
This is my second safari with Odyssey and hopefully there will be many more. They are willing to do whatever it takes for you to have a safe and fabulous safari. Simon was the driver for both trips and I hope to have him a third time. He is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and Kenya.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
OMG, I had one of the most unforgettable experience of my life.
First time travelling on my own, I had some apprehensions but after speaking to Mark Cahill, prior to the trip, put me at ease. From the moment I exited the airport and saw someone holding a sign with my name on it and then greeted with a big smile, I knew I was in good hands. Erusta, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable. The resorts were fabulous. Being with your first Safari of the season, I didn't think I would see much via animals, but OMG, there were animals everywhere. This trip was something I will talk about for a long time to come. I will tell those that I know to put it on their bucket list and that they must book with Odyssey Safaris.
CA
Email Mahasri W. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely awesome!!!!
Our family of 5 are seasoned travellers, doing regular trips twice a year for the past 10 years. A Safari in Africa has to be on everyones bucket list of things to do, so I searched for tour groups. We live in Edmonton, Canada, and there are so many that offer tours. I found 'Odyssey Safari's' from New York. NEW YORK! WTH!! Why would I book through theses people when I can book face to face with someone right here in Edmonton, and I have never before booked through anyone other than directly through the Airline or personally going to the travel office, but after speaking personally to Mark Cahill at Odyssey, I was skeptical at 1st, especially with so many scams going around, but this guy sounded honest and was very up front about everything and not pushy at all. So, us 5 and 5 others, a group of 10 got a great price and took a chance a booked not knowing what to expect coz 5 other family members have always wanted to join us on our many travels, so this time I was worried coz I was responsible for them too if things did not go as planned. But they sure delivered!!! OMG!! What a trip! Stuff that movies are made of - like a Black Rhino charging us and a lioness and her 4 cubs playing just outside our Jeep and giant Giraffe's and Hippo's munching right outside our cottages! All made possible by Odyssey and their fantastic drivers and Vehicles, but people, please expect some minor breakdown's!! When you see the Terrain and the horrible roads that are totally neglected by the Kenyan Govt, it's no fault of the Hotels or the drivers. Us in the western 1st world nations are so spoilt with everything going perfect. We had one flat tire and one other minor issue which was quickly taken care of but what you experience on the great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru! Nothing compared to a minor break down. From the time we landed in Nairobi, it was awesome, fantastic, fabulous, great and did I mention the part about we experienced 'what movies are made of' - thanks Odyssey! We had the best vacation ever. I recommend Odyssey to anyone & everyone, coz they walk the talk. I would ask for Erastus and Simon, if they are available - Great drivers/Guides, and please TIP these guys coz they are poor and we have so much here.
CA
Email Naomi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Tour and a Great Experience
First time travelling to Africa on Safari. My brother planned this tour in August 2013 and organized it through Odyssey Safari. This was a trip of a life time. We left on the 29th of April to Nairobi in a group of 10 from Edmonton (Canada). Our drivers/guides Erastus and Simone met us at the airport and transferred us to our overnight stay at the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi. The next morning early after breakfast left for Masai Mara for our 3 nights stay. After the long ride very beautiful drive and the bumpy road to the camp we were over joyed at seeing the beautiful place and the warm welcome we received. The evening game drive was fantastic, so many wildlife on the very first day. The rest of the game drives were even more exciting. We ran into some vehicle trouble right by a Lion who was protecting his kill, that made it even more exciting. We had so much fun that morning - it did not bother us that there was a Lion so close to our vehicles. Erastus and Simon did everything possible to make our game drives through Masai Mara a truly memorable one. Some of us went to the Masai Village and that experience is something that I will live with for ever. After our sad good byes at the Masai Mara Camp we headed off to Lake Naivasha - wow that's a fabulous place and we will go back there for sure. Loved the experience of walking with the wildlife roaming the grounds of the Lodge. Especially the Giraffe's and the best was seeing the Hippo's come out at night to graze. The drive/walk through Hells Gate park and walking through the gorge was unbelievable. Finally off to Lake Nakuru to see the Rhino's and the Flamingos. We saw a Lion once again with a Buffalo kill and the Rhino's and just before we excited the park we got the thrill of a life time- a Black Rhino did not like us and boy oh boy did he ever give us the chase. Erastus was great he moved it so fast as he did not want the Rhino to get in front of the Jeep. That truly was the highlight of our Safari. Hats off to Erastus and Simone - we gave them a lot of goodies and tipped them well. They deserved it and we hope everyone will tip their guides well. They go out of their way to give you a good time. Thank you also to Mark Cahill for organizing this Safari so well. Odyssey Safari you are the best. We hope we get to see Erastus and Simone again.
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Email Scott and Stephanie K. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya - Simon is the best!!
My wife and I went on our first ever trip to Africa through Odyssey Safaris through a Groupon deal and it couldn't have been better. We were taken care of the whole way and never felt unsafe at any point. We didn't get to see all of the Big 5, but it was the trip of a lifetime. It couldn't have been better with panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and an all-inclusive end at Diani Beach. Simon was the ultimate guide - he was very friendly answered every legitimate and ridiculous question that came up and was a heartfelt professional. We would love to go again with Simon any day. I highly recommend Odyssey Safaris to anyone who is the least bit intimidated (like I was, but not my wife) in taking a trip to Africa. Maeshi marefu!
Our trip exceeded our expectations!
Accommodations and service exceeded our expectations. Mark from Odyssey Safari has covered all the details and was able to answer all of our questions starting from Visas, Immunizations, etc. He even selected the perfect match - the fourth passenger for our jeep! Our guide was waiting for us at the airport in Nairobi, we didn't have to worry about any details of our itinerary, everything was arranged ahead of time. Our guide even arranged for us to get an upgrade one night from the tent into two bedroom private villa with two bathrooms, large living room with fireplace... It was a treat, we felt like royalty! Even the tents we stayed at were very nice and luxurious with hardwood flooring, granite counters, comfortable beds... Our guide was very knowledgeable, we got to see so many animals in their habitat, we were just a few feet away from cheetahs, lions, elephants... We got to see the migration of wildebeests, which was incredible, there were thousands of them... I was traveling with my two daughters, we felt safe the entire time, and we immensely enjoyed our trip! We got to visit numerous areas including Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. Besides amazing natural beauty of Kenya, we also got to witness tremendous outpour of support from US and other countries to help Kenyan people in dealing with their poverty level and health care... Definitely amazing experience, would use Odyssey Safaris again...!
CA
Email Shammi, Toronto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Safari! Trip of a Lifetime!
The Kenya trip arranged by Odyssey Safaris was fantastic!
Everything was arranged beautifully and we had absolutely nothing to complain about!
We are indeed grateful to Odyssey Safari for making this such an enjoyable and memorable trip.
The guides were excellent and special thanks are due to them [James was our guide].
My son Rohan created a video synopsis of highlights of the safari that is accessible on You Tube, with homage paid to our guide James. The title of the video is 'Kenya 2014 - The Big 5' , it is 14 min in length, and the link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBs1iwpO6cY
We highly recommend Odyssey Safari and have done so to family and friends.
We would have no hesitation in using their services again if the opportunity presents.
We have travelled extensively across the globe and would rate this experience as one of the best.
You really get up close with the wildlife and get to see more animals than you can imagine.
The food, accommodation, arrangements, service were all top notch.
You will have a fabulous time if you choose to go.
Enjoy!