Reservations staff
Right Choice Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, KATO & KWS
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $345 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
BR
Email Ana Catarina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very reliable. It is not a big company, but they personalize your safari as you want
We got to know it by one friend who had experienced them 2 years ago. George answered my email promptly and we built all the safari days together. Sometimes even by whatsapp calls. At the end, we got a very good plan, in a reasonable price for my family of 4. George suggested us some good tips and was very helpful. Our guide JACOB was there to meet us at the hotel as arranged and he was really an excellent profissional. His knowledge about the region and the animals was very important to our visit. We had a wonderful week together and I do suggest him to anyone looking for safari adventures. More than that, at the end we realised it worked out to a good friendship.
IE
Email John G | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Right Choice was the Perfect Choice for us time strapped travellers - only 2 days to see Maasi Mara
My work colleague and I were hesitant that with only two days available that our Maasi Mara tour would be a compromise.
However, Right Choice assured us via email that they could provide a tailored safari to ensure that we got the most out of it.
We were working in Kisumu, Kenya for a few days up until Thursday evening so we wanted to see Maasi Mara on the Friday and Saturday before our return flight home to Europe on the Saturday evening. We were on a very tight schedule. I looked at options for driving to Narok and joining a tour, and other ways of going direct from Kisumu. But in the end, it made more sense to just fly back to Nairobi on Thursday night, and start out early on Friday morning.
Right Choice picked us up from arrivals at Nairobi Airport on Thursday night. It was great to have this personnel guide (Jacob, I think) and he brought us direct to the hotel that I had selected - which was cheap @ $30 p/n pp. The rooms in The Decasa Hotel are very basic. You can sit on the loo while you shower - or vice versa! The bedroom was barely big enough for the single bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. The door couldn't open fully. You get the idea. Small cramped - but clean and cheap. This was fine for two guys and the 7 hours we would be there. They have an onsite restaurant so we ate there and didn't venture out into Nairobi as it was after 10pm.
(I would not recommend Decasa Hotel for families...Best Western @ $80 pp would be a better choice for comfort).
Next morning our Right Choice Guide (Lowie) arrived to the hotel in a seven-seater 4x4 Jeep at 5:30am, as per our request for an early departure from Nairobi . In fairness to Hotel Decasa, they especially prepared two take-away breakfasts for us as breakfast wasn't being served until 06:30am.
Getting out of Nairobi this early meant that we reached the Maasi Mara Ololaimutiek Gate by 11:00am, having taken time to stop for coffee and another breakfast en-route at Narok. The route from Narok to Maasi Mara Ololaimutiek Gate has been documented elsewhere as being bumpy, rough and bone-shaking. This is all true. But a spacious 4x4 jeep does make a big difference to the comfort of the journey.
Once through the gates, our first safari adventure game drive began! Within the first 15 minutes, we had seen the following:
Wildebeests (the few that forgot to re-migrate back to Tanzania), Zebras, Thompson Gazelles, Impalas, Water Buffalos and wild boars.
Lowie then drove us down a lesser use track where we spotted a cheetah and her two cubs. As it was close to noon and the sun was beating down, he said not to expect much action from them. Seeing them up close (from our spacious jeep) was wonderful. The cubs drank from nearby puddles on the road, the mother slouched around - ignoring us. And then she ventured off. We drove around to another vantage point, just in time to see her spring into action, sprinting after a young Impala. The chase was on! And then just as quick it was over. For the Impala. A successful kill. Wow!
In the next 2 hours, we saw elephants, lions (up very close) and a brief glimpse of a rhino and her calf. What a first game drive!
We could have finished and gone home very happy after such an eventful and absorbing 3 hour game drive. But it was only lunchtime!
We have selected to stay in the excellent Keekorok Lodge which is within the Maasi Mara Conservation, so we drove on there for a sumptuous lunch. There is nothing basic about the Keekorok. It has all the modern comforts (and service) that you would expect from a 5-star hotel.
We arranged with Lowie to go on another game drive at 4pm, so this gave us a two-hour break to chill-out. Within the grounds of the Keekorok Lodge they have a viewing platform at the end of their garden where you can safely observe Hippos wallowing in the adjacent river. So even when not on a safari drive, the wildlife is there to be observed.
Our evening game drive took us up to the border with Tanzania and then onto the Mara river, the site of the annual Wildebeest migration.
Sheila, a local armed border guard, showed us around the river banks - pointing out the hippos submerged in the river. At this time of evening the alligators were underwater, so we didn't see them. The river was also quite low, and obviously nothing was migrating! That happens July - Sept. On our drive back to the lodge, we saw lots of the same animals again including giraffes. And we caught a beautiful blood-red African sunset at 7pm just before we got home for hot showers, change of clothes and another sumptuous buffet meal (with some brief Maasi Mara entertainment thrown in).
Saturday was a 6am start for an early morning game drive. First Lowie drove us to a spot to spy on a family of hippos meandering around a small waterhole. Then onto a a location to catch the African sunrise silhouetting the Acacia trees. And then cheetahs, lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras - all at close quarters. While the previous day we hadn't seen any other Safari tours at all - it felt like we were the only ones in the Massi Mara - the Saturday morning drive was quite different. There were quite a few minivan safaris at the early morning spots so at times it was a bit of a caravan of vehicles. The vehicles all have CB radio so the guides can notify each other as to what they have spotted and where...
We felt quite privileged in our spacious 4x4, looking at these cramped minivans, each of which had 4 - 6 people in them. On two occasions this particular morning, we had to tow minivans out of the deep mud tracks that they had gotten stuck in. Get a 4x4 jeep would be my advice.
We continued our morning drive away from the caravan of minivans, and ventured out into the plains. A small herd of elephants feeding on shrubs close to the dirt track enthralled us. Just driving through this landscape, standing in the jeep looking out through the pop-up roof and feeling the warm African wind on your face is an experience to cherish and remember.
Back to the lodge for 9am breakfast and then out of the room for 10am departure. We still had another hour of a drive from the Keekorok lodge to get to the Maasi Mara gate for our return to Nairobi, so this felt like yet another game drive. Our excellent guide Lowie had offered us the opportunity to visit the local Maasi Mara tribe/village so we thought, why not. What a great decision this was. As there were just the two of us, the local chief gave us a really personal tour of his village, their culture and customs. He showed us how to make fire. He took us into his family hut to meet his children and wife - amazing. We danced and jumped with them. Well worth experiencing. And then we left for more bumpy driving.
And on our return to Narok, our guide Lowie helped us complete part of our work project (a filming project) - we filmed a short scene in a local bar with a cohort of eager Kenyans. More bumpy driving. Later a brief stop for lunch and the opportunity to purchase souvenirs. More bumpy driving. And then a stop at a high vantage point to view the Rift Valley spread out below and beyond us...
Then on to Nairobi Airport in plenty of time for an evening departure flight to Europe.
So, would I recommend Right Choice Tours and Safaris?
Absolutely, and without any hesitation whatsoever.
Our two day safari filled us with a lifetime of experiences and memories. We felt we had properly experienced the Maasi Mara within the meagre time available to us. And it gave us the incentive to return with our families for a longer trip in the future.
Right Choice Tours and Safaris did everything that they had promised to do.
From the outset, they made it clear that this Safari was for us - and that our enjoyment and satisfaction was their objective.
Our guide at the airport, Jacob was reassuring and friendly.
Our guide for the safari, Lowie was a gentleman, knowledgable, accommodating and very good company too!
On our return back to the airport, the company owner George rang to personally ensure that we had had the experience we signed up for.
So I can 100% vouch for the integrity, professionalism and service that Right Choice Tours and Safaris provided to me and my colleague.
The cost for each of us on this Safari tour was really great value at $ 480.
This included (costs below are per person):
Airport pick-up
1 night Hotel in Nairobi ($30)
Upgrade to 4x4 Jeep ($90)
Breakfast enroute
Maasi Mara Entrance fee ($80)
1 night Keerorok Lodge (sharing room, two single beds - $125)
- including Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast
Lunch enroute to Nairobi
Airport drop-off
The only additional costs for us were drinks with our meals and the Maasi Mara Village tour ($20 each).
For the level of service, the luxury of the trip (Jeep and Lodge) and the personal attention that we received - this was exceptional value.
I highly recommend this company.
John,
March 2019
Email NS | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent holiday planned and tailor-made for us by rightchoicesafaris.com
This was our first trip to Kenya. One of our best holidays ever! We would most definitely recommend Right Choice Tours & Safaris.
Kenyans are so welcoming & friendly. Always smiling!
The wildlife is like no other. We got up close & personal with the animals. In the 4x4, we toured Amboseli & Masai Mara. A wonderful experience!
The weather was warm, clear & sunny... what more can one want.
A brilliant way to see animals in their natural habitat.
We watched sunrise & sunset, beautiful & picturesque! We photographed animals with sunrise & sunset...a sight to behold! It’s forever imprinted in memory!
The accommodation was brilliant! Clean, excellent room service, friendly staff. Buffet meals three times a day, hot well prepared food, lots of choice! Just amazing!
Our safaris guides were brilliant! We had Emmanuel for Amboseli & he drove us around endlessly & patiently.
For Masai Mara we had Ruben, who was great. He was very well informed & took us around to all the spots. We’ve never seen so many beautiful animals before!
Other highlights- Balloon safari was a unique experience! We watched the sunrise & animals from above!
We spent half a day on boat safari on lake Naivashu, saw hippos, beautiful unique birds.. Anthony & Nick were great! We walked around crescent island with the herbivores... just amazing!
We spent an entire day in Hells gate! What an experience! We cycled for 20km, we hiked in the gorge, saw ‘devils bedroom’..... the hot springs... did rope climbing, scaled the highest point..
Joseph our guide for the day was brilliant...
Overall, a wonderful experience, many thanks to George from Right choice in putting together this amazing itinerary... a truly memorable trip...
BH
Email Jeyaraman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing 4 days safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Naivasha thanks to Rite Choice!
Right Choice was indeed the right choice made by us and they lived upto their commitments. The guide cum driver Jacob was well experienced and we had a great time thanks to his sincere efforts in ensuring that we sight all the animals at very close quarters!! The van was comfortable and in good condition and had a wireless communication set which enabled Jacob to be in constant touch with his friends which helped us not only in sighting the big budget animals but also in getting quick assistance to pull our van out of mud and sludge (got stuck twice on day 2 due to overnight rains). The accommodations provided were good and in line with the reviews. Most important, all of us were vegetarians and they managed to ensure decent vegetarian food for us on all the days.
A brief write up of the tour is given below which will give an idea of our great safari:
Amazing AFRICA - Masai Mara, Nakuru Park & Lake Naivasha
It was overall a wonderful and exhilarating experience! It was one of our dream trip and if you are in Africa - do not miss the Masai Mara! We were a family of 5 adults and booked a 4 day safari with Rite Choice Tours and Safaris with a safari van to ourselves. Our driver and guide Jacob was amazing. He was well connected with all the other tour guides through a wireless communication set in the van and ensured that we got to witness all the majestic animals in the park.
We arrived in Nairobi the previous day AN and checked into a budget hotel Khweza Bed & Breakfast which was a decent value for money hotel with a good breakfast in the terrace. The first day of Safari started early next morning when our guide cum driver Jacob picked us up at the hotel and after a brief stopover at Right Choice office, we were on our way to Masai Mara which we reached around 4 pm and checked into Explore Nature Mara Lodge. The last 2-3 hours were on rough uneven tracks and will be more than a challenge if you have fitness issues. We were welcomed with a traditional Masai tribal dance at the resort and after a quick refreshment, immediately started off for the EN safari. The entrance to the Reserve was about 20-30 minutes from our resort accommodation. We had around 1 ½ hours of safari and within that time, lucky to see a couple of lionesses and a lion besides gazelles, wild beasts, zebra, etc. It started raining towards the end and we returned back to our accommodation by 7 pm and retired early to bed. The resort cottages were set in natural surroundings and was decent and comfortable with very helpful staff.
The second day was a full day Safari and we started early by 6.30 am with packed lunch. We were lucky to see at very close quarters lions, lionesses, cheetah, wildebeest, buffalos, elephants, giraffes and leopard - out of which seeing the leopard was one of the thrilling part of the trip. After hours of searching for the well hidden leopard, our driver suddenly got a call and informed us that we are in for surprise. When we reached the spot, we were totally in awe of the leopard neatly perched on a branch of a tree taking rest. The opening at the top of the van provided us a real close and clear view of the animals which we spotted right next to our van. We went to the border with Tanzania where the Serengeti Reserve starts and spent time at the river site where the famous crossings take place during Summer. We had long shot views of hippos and crocodiles and had our packed lunch and then back to looking around for more animals. Having seen 4 of the BIG 5 (except Rhino) in the same day, we concluded a very satisfying day’s trip and retired back to our resort for the night.
The third day we took leave of the wonderful staff at Explore Nature Mara Lodge and after breakfast proceeded to Naivasha Lake. However due to rains we could not take the boat ride at Naivasha Lake and after spending some time in the nice natural surroundings at the Lake site, proceeded to Nakuru where we checked into a budget Hotel CityMax for the overnight stay.
The fourth day started early at 7 am and our driver had promised that we would definitely be able to spot the Rhino in Nakuru Park and spot we did early into our ride in Nakuru Park. We saw the rhino and its baby cross the road right in front of our van giving us a close up view and concluded the last of the BIG 5 sightings. We also saw giraffes, wild buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, a variety of birds and also sighted a lone lioness which looked like she was going to hunt but did not materialize. After a half day nice safari at Nakuru Park, we proceed straight to Lake Naivasha for the boat ride which we missed the previous day. Lake Naivasha is the only fresh water lake on the floor of the rift valley, and just 1 1/2hr from Nairobi. It was exciting to sit back and relax on the boat for one hour while admiring such a beautiful scenario, contemplating so many hippos, birds and other wildlife. We were able to spot hordes of hippos, a few crocs, vultures, birds and their nesting trees. We also spent some time enjoying the natural atmosphere in Naivasah Lake site and then got dropped at the airport in the EN rounding off a very satisfying and enjoyable safari trip ever, successfully covering the BIG 5 and much more that Kenya had to offer. I would not hesitate to recommend Rite Choice Tours and Safaris who have custom made safari trips to suit your budgets. – A Truly amazing experience!
IN
Email Ankur | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"RIGHTCHOICE" - THE BEST TOUR OPERATOR TO PROVIDE YOU A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE IN KENYA.
We (Family of 3) just completed our trip to Kenya - 3 nights masai mara, 1 night Amboselli, 1 night lake nakuru & 1 night lake naivasha and we have selected Right Choice to arrange everything. Though I have traveled a lot around the globe many times, but I must say that this experience is a lifetime experience.
To start with, I have taken quotation from 7 operators and then I have shortlisted 3 operators out of them. The price range varies from 1 operator to other is around 1-2k USD with same hotel selection and itinerary and I was bit confused on selection. But after a detailed interaction with George, I was fully convinced and selected Right Choice.
As this is our first time tour in Africa, I was bit cautious in Hotel selection. George is amazing in doing detail planning for us and consider every request starting with night game drive to on the way lunch.
We stayed in keekrok lodge & Base Wilderness camp in masai Mara, Sopa lodge in Lake Nakuru & Oi Tukai in Amboselli. We have our dedicated 4 x4 landcrusier all the time though we have done Masai mara game drive from the lodge. To add further, we have seen 4 live hunting by cheetah, lion, leopard and during migration and that adds a spice in our experience.
Some tips:
1> Stay always within park and not conservancy
2> have sufficient water and a good binocular with you
3> Take your own time and never rush
4> Do not worry on food as all good hotels have sufficient variation of food. Out of that BaseCamp, lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge & Oi Tukai are the best in taste and food selection.
George from RightChoice is outstanding and he has supported us with every detail whenever there is a change in schedule, airport pick up, arranging good car and driver , communication to hotel etc. The quotation is the cheapest among all others though the service is 5 star. Thank u George and team for a nice experience.
CA
Email Cindy, Bob and Lori | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One amazing experience!
Due to a cancellation of our previously booked Safari one week before departure, we were scrambling to find a replacement tour. Right Choice was one of the companies we contacted. Of these companies, Right Choice seemed to be most accommodating to our requests. George was able to quickly put together a tour that had the itinerary we wanted. The accommodations he booked were a bit better than the previous tour, and thus the Safari was more, but not unreasonable. In the end, after a day on bumpy roads, it’s nice to come back to a place where you are comfortable and the food is very good. Most of the accommodations were right in the parks so you were able to see animals from the lodges.
Our drivers, Bonny in Kenya, and Ziggy in Tanzania were both excellent. They had keen eyes and great knowledge of the animals, birds and even some of the plants we inquired about. I’m not sure how many guests are as interested in the smaller birds, as I was, but we not only stopped for many, but they were also quickly identified.
Our Safari started in Lake Nakuru. On our first day we saw lions, giraffes, flamingos and many other birds, vervet monkeys, baboons, zebras (they are everywhere), impalas, gazelles, Cape buffalo, and most impressive, a mama and baby white rhino. We left for the Masai Mara on the second day. Here we completed the big 5 with a leopard and elephants. We also saw cheetah and wildebeest, a black rhino, hyena, hippos, crocs, ostriches and many other types of antelope. Leaving the Masai Mara on our way to the Serengeti, we passed thru what seemed to be the last of the Great Migration. Tens of thousands of wildebeest gathered together, plus a line of them marching as far as the eye could see in the direction of the Mara River. Didn’t get to witness them crossing the river though.
At the border, we changed drivers. We told our new driver that he had his work cut out for him as we had seen so many varieties of animals. We got to the Serengeti and it seemed to have way fewer numbers than Masai Mara...time of year maybe? But, here Ziggy worked his magic and we got to see the carnivores. Here we learned to sit and wait for things to happen.
From there it was in to Ngorongoro Crater, a very interesting self contained eco system. It’s small, but you still get a good variety of wildlife, and there are forests as well as open savannah, plus the water areas.
Next stop was Tarangire. A bit more water here, chance to see elephants bathing and more animals going for drinks....could there be a lion hiding? We had our first “luxury” tented camp here, and we were spoiled indeed!
Our last Safari stop was at Amboseli, back in Kenya, where we were reunited with Bonny. It was nice that we had him for our whole Kenya trip, even if the time was divided. Amboseli is home to the elephants, and one evening we saw more than 70 making their way to the water. There’s a good sized lake here. We got very close to flamingos. You are able to see Mt. Kilimanjaro, if the clouds part. They did one morning, and it was a beautiful sight. There is also a very good chance to see hyena groups...we had only seen singles up until this park.
We had also arranged a 3 day stay at Diani Beach, near Mombasa, to relax after the Safari. It’s a nice way to finish the trip.
All in all, we were very happy with our choice. Given the panic we were in to rearrange something, it was wonderful to be accommodated in our wishes instead of us having to just settle for a Safari because we needed to. George and company gave us a great experience. Every day brought something new, just when you thought you had seen it all. George even talked with us personally a couple of times during the Safari to insure all was going well. We are very happy we decided to go with their company. It was the Right Choice.
SE
Email Madeleine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Helpfull, flexible and good value for the money.
Good continous communication from George.
Ken was an excellent driver and very knowledgable guide in the Masai Mara National park.
We stayed at the Explore Mara nature lodge which was a very nice experience. We wanted to have a more true Kenyan experience, less of the feeling of a "hotel chain " experience. Good kenyan food, Clean "tent", very local decoration. Much more interesting than other lodges I've been staying at.
Well Worth a Try!!
AE
Email Georgina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Our experience started with very prompt and helpful emails from George whenever we contacted him. He made the booking as easy as possible. When we got to Nairobi we were greeted by Ken and spent our whole 5 days with him. He made his best to meet our expectations and try to spot all the animals we wanted. He was approachable, patient, respectful of our needs and wants and even friendlier as days went by.
Nairobi was an amazing destination but the whole experience wouldnt have been the same without such amazing tour operator. We highly recommend them and thank them for the best family vacay!!
US
Email Fem & Carlton | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Joe Mouti was amazing
Tour was awesome. Joe the tour guide did an outstanding job. He knows how to navigate the safari. His knowledge was instrumental in us seeing the BIG 5. We have some really nice view of the animals and he shed light on ones we did not know. The experience is one I will not forget.
ES
Email Zoe R | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
GREAT KENYA AND TANZANIA ADVENTURE!!!1
Right Choices organized our safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and everything was AWESOME. They cleared all our doubts before the trip, were very flexible with some of our requests and did some recommendations for us. Our drivers in Kenya and Tanzania were so professional and took care of us at every moment.
The safaris were much more beyond our expectations!! RightChoice Tours made everything so easy. With them you just have to relax and enjoy!!!