Absolute Holiday Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- Ministry of Tourism Kenya & Kenya Tourism Federation.
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Well Done!
I just came back home for our 3-months trip that’s why have late review.
Below are special thanks to their crews:
David; the contact person. He booked additional Nairobi lodging to me at my budget, keep frequencies contacting, and solved my enquiries.
Oukozakaro; the driver-guide. He was able to spot and let us as virgin spectators into various animal adventures (quoted Prat’s wordings). The highlights are:
One lion family (13 lions including lion, lioness and cubs),
One sleeping lioness lying on a treetop,
One sleep cheetah at woods,
One wijd/white rhinoceros family (3 wijds),
More than 10-times of lions (single, twin)
Of course, wildebeest great migration, lion hunting process, leopard and her prey on a tree, cheetahs and their prey and so on, and so on….
Additional review will post in TripAdvisor
CH
Email Christian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect tour operator
We booked two weeks customized privat safari in Kenya and Nairobi. Planning the tour was done within 1 week and everything was perfect, at least for the Kenya part. Unfortunately their partner in Tansania was not good at all (see SandLand Tours reviews), but Absolute Holidays Safari did a very good job. all three shuttle services as planned. David was allways there for questions. If you plan only safari in Kenya, this is the perfect one to ask. If you plan to include Tansania, checked first that the partner is not SandLand Tours. We have advised David to look for a more reliable partner in Tansania. SandLand Tours tried to get more money from us by saying one park fee (300$) was not included and we have to pay. Absolute Holiday Safari gave us back the money within 1 day when they heard the story. David met us on the Airport when arriving and also when coming back to Kenya to get a feedback from us about the tour. There is absolutely nothing to complain about them, except that their partner in Tansania should be kicked in the ass.
CH
Email VN | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Pleasant Experience
David was the sales representative I was in contact with. He was very responsive and very happy to find ways to accommodate my requests for modifying the itinerary. David's hospitality was fantastic and exceeds that of other companies. The safari was operated by Big Time Safaris. The driver was very friendly and skilled but not outstanding. The driver was not so familiar with the region, which led us to taking some wrong turns. He could also improve his wildlife knowledge as he mistook Grant's gazelles to be Thomson's gazelles. Overall though, the safari progressed smoothly. The accommodations were nice and the van was comfortable.
Reply from Absolute Holiday Safaris
Posted on Feb 4, 2021Thank you so much Vance for a great review about your Kenya Safari with us, we really appreciate it highly, Thank you also for the great remarks about David. Concerning the safari guide yes he agreed from Sweetwaters to Meru National Park he had some direction issues and assured us that would happen again.
About the operation due to covid 19 we had to have a strong agreement to make sure all confirmed booking that was cancelled due to the pandemic and new bookings either private or group joining is done with as per the agreement and that when we signed the agreement just for the benefit of the clients.
Thanks in advance
with Kind regards
John.
FR
Email François Almeras | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Really disappointed...
I had a safari with Absolute Holidays Safari in Tanzania. For 2 nights, the lodge booked was not the expected one (a little bit not so good of course). Another day, instead of lodge, I had a camp, with no compensation. Also company in Kenya doesn't want to give name and info about the corresponding company in Tanzania. Transportation was low quality (old vehicle, driver always lost, really not a guide). Last day, I quite missed my plane (several changes in cars; arriving at airport 2 minutes before door closing !). For other people in the car (2 from Miami, 2 from Melbourne) with the same problem in lodges bookings. Avoid this company to organize your tour.
US
Email Jessica B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome!!
We had a superb safari! David arranged everything beautifully and saw to it that our dietary need were met. Animal was our driver. He is an honest man of integrity. He is a skilled driver, very knowledgeable about the animals, and took great care of us! I couldn't have asked for a better experience!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
I would definitely recommend booking your Kenya safari experience with Absolute Holiday Safaris. David and our driver/guide, Patrick, made my safari experience pleasant & enjoyable. When I first contacted David by email, he responded very quickly in a professional and attentive manner. Some dozen email messages later (mainly due to my indecisiveness which safaris and accommodation options to choose), we managed to decide on the itinerary that met my needs and budget. I must say I never felt that my emails bothered David and he was happy to answer all my concerns. The real test for the reliability of Absolute Holiday Safaris came after I missed my flight to Nairobi in Doha and had to take another flight next day which required making drastic changes to my itinerary. David was there for me all the way communicating with me by email or phone. I was picked up from the airport and driven at least to the countryside where I met up with the rest of the group. This wasn't on my original itinerary as I was supposed to be picked up from my hotel in Nairobi. Because of my missed connection in Doha, David had to sent an additional car to drive me some 100 miles to catch up with the tour bus. I call this being flexible and accommodating.
I also liked the fact that I wasn't required to pay for my safari by a money transfer. I simply paid the full amount after my arrival to Kenya.
Patrick, our driver and guide, was relaxed, polite, and friendly. He had a very good knowledge not only about the Big 5 but also other fauna (especially birds) & flora. I also enjoyed my conversation with Patrick about local customs and way of life during a long and exhausting road trip from Nakuru to Amboseli. I was the only person who wanted to go to Amboseli and was very grateful that Absolute Holiday Safaris agreed to take me there as I don't think this segment was profitable for them. In fact, other safari companies didn't want to work with me on this part of my safari.
All my accommodation choices turned out as described in David's emails. In fact, they were better than I expected. Once again, based on my experience, I would highly recommend Absolute Holiday Safaris.
OM
Email Roshan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari experience with Absolute Holiday Safari team
We had a memorable vacation with Absolute Holiday Safari team in Kenya. we (me with my wife and 3 yrs old son) chose for a week long safari trip. Pre-travel communication and arrangements by David was excellent. he is a real professional. he accommodated all our requests and provided necessary information/ suggestions as we were travelling with a child. Airport pick ups & drop, hotel transfer etc were on time. Our driver/ Guide, Patrick was the best guide one can ever get on a safari trip. he is very knowledgeable & ensured we saw all animals in our wish list so close and on action. He took a good care of us throughout the trip. we spent two days each in Masai Mara and Amboseli and one day each in Lake Nakuru & Nairobi. we could see all big five and many more than we expected. his experience and patience helped us to have a close encounter with cheetah and witness a live hunting chase, was so close to a group lions with 3 cubs, group of elephants with 3-4 baby elephants, leopard with its kill(baby zebra) on top of a tree, both black & white rhinos, Hyena, giraffe family, etc and most importantly the great migration - thousands of wild beasts & Zebras.
we are happy that we chose Absolute holiday safari and recommend them for any your Kenyan Safari.
AE
Email Rasida Sakherwala | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a great experience. Definitely worth experiencing!
Our trip was well organized by Mr. David, from start to finish. He always replied by emails
and lived up to our expectations. Our guide Mr. Gibson was knowledgeable, punctual and cooperative.
Overall, we enjoyed the safari and highly appreciate his service.
KW
Email Ines | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
patient and taking care of our sugests
The company makes all the ofer things, also the people from company was on charch during the safary
CA
Email Gini | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 days and 2 nights in the Mara
First off, I am a solo female traveller in my early 30s. That being said, I was nervous about doing such a trip in an unfamiliar place alone.
From the moment I arrived at the offices in Nairobi, David gave me a description of what to expect and made me feel welcomed. We waited for the other members of our group arrive (which took less than an hour) and then we were off to the Mara. Our driver, Stanley, was spectacular - he knew a lot and was a skilled driver (half way to the Mara the road isn't paved). Most long car rides to places are tiring but this was not - you get to see more of Kenya and its landscape than what is just in Nairobi.
Once at the camp, we were all taken to our rooms so that we could freshen up and then head out for the afternoon drive. The drive was unlike anything else I've ever seen. I've travelled a lot and to various parts of the world but this was unique. We saw many animals and birds.
The whole experience was wonderful. I feel those that don't enjoy it are going into this expecting luxury. But why would you want luxury in an environment like that? Don't you want to experience the natural beauty in as much of an authentic way as possible?
The worst part of the tour was the handful of people who complained they couldn't get wifi and so on and also complained they couldn't get close enough to the animals and so on. There were many of us that loved all of it - travel is a privilege, many do not get the opportunity so stop complaining and enjoy what is there. For the price, what we get is excellent: you get a safe mode of transport, good accommodations, knowledgeable and helpful staff that are do their best with what they have at their disposal.
Since being back in Canada, I have not only recommended that people go on a more camping style safari but also with Absolute.
Thank you again David and Stanley. Your hard work is appreciated!