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
AR
Email Ayelen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
Finally I found some time to write about my experience.
My boyfriend and I booked a 7 days safari, Masai Mara - Nakuru - Samburu, our guide : David
We stayed 3 days in Masai Mara and they were perfect!!!we got to see all the animals we wanted, Lions giraffes elephants foxes rhinos crocodiles hippos.
The tents were ok, I mean it is not luxury but you could sleep there
After that we went to Nakuru, which is not better that Masai Mara but it was a mandatory stopped between MM and Samburu since its a very long journey.
In Nakuru we saw diifferent types of giraffes elephants and rhinos and falso Flamingos.
Samburu was a whole differente adventure. Just being on the village was an experience, in the park we could see cheetahs leopards and ostriches, besides the giraffes lions and elephants
During the week we algo get to learn some swahili culture and Kenyan history.
We want to highlight the work of David who cared of us and our well-being during the whole trip.
Thanks for a wonderfull experience
Ayelen y Pablo - Argentina
Email Roger Simmons | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good communication, great animal safari for the budget - but lots of travel and a moving itinerary.
I travelled with my sister on the 12 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
David is an excellent communicator, which made booking informative and simple.
Collection from the airport prior to the safari was a nice complimentary service.
When we were collected to pay our itinerary was changed.
Our driver in Kenya, Stanley (Stano), was fantastic. He knew where to go to find the animals and was always happy to pause so we could take photo's. The accommodation in Kenya was varied from very nice to functional. Keep in mind its a budget holiday so manage your expectations on the temperature and volume of water in your shower.
Do take a power bank to recharge your phone - electricity access is variable. I took a solar charger and power bank and didn't need any mains supply.
Minivan transport in Kenya was fun as we shared with 6 other people, who helped make the holiday. The roads are bumpy and some of the driving styles are not what you might normally expect - but its fun.
We did the hot air ballon, which is very expensive for an hour's ride and it is hit and miss what you drift over. The champagne breakfast is also nice and we were glad we took the opportunity.
The transfer from Kenya to Tanzania was lengthy and involved a series of transport changes. The shuttle bus is public transport to Arusha and would have been improved by a dedicated tour operator vehicle.
We were issued a revised itinerary in Tanzania, same places but in a different order - which was fine. It appearered this part of the safari had been subcontracted out to another company. Our booking of tents with bed and bedding was downgraded to tent with mat and blanket. We did ask for the original but when we got to the camp we still got the mat and blanket.
Accommodation in Tanzania was mixed, some very nice and some a basic tent which you take with you on the 4x4.
More great travel mates - 6 of us plus the driver, Gervas - who was excellent and the cook.
The food is mixed but good considering its travelling with you and cooked on site.
The trip back from Arusha to Nairobi is again very long after a long safari, but I must say both companies were very helpful in adjusting our travel arrangements after my sister was unwell and unable to travel.
Overall I would probably just stick with Kenya for safari. I'm not sure adding Tanzania added to what we saw but did significantly add to the travel time. As long as you can go with the bumpy roads and 'flexible' itinerary its a great budget holiday.
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.
BD
Email Adiba | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reassuring, friendly and quick at problem-solving
Had an amazing 7-day Safari tour with Absolute holidays. David was our contact point for the whole tour and when we arrived in Kenya and met him at his office in Nairobi we felt tremendously reassured. He helped us exchange currencies and arranged for one of my missed luggages from the Nairobi airport to be sent to Masaimara on the following day. We booked the 7-day tour package (amboseli, masaimara, nakuru) and saw all the magnificent animals in all its glory. Our tour guide Richard even took us to an additional place out of the itinerary --Lake Elementeita -- where we got amazing views of flamingoes. We spent a lot of time on the road but it hardly seemed tiring because the weather was fantastic as was the driving by Richard. All in all, an incredible experience that I will cherish for life.
