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
CZ
Email Richard | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya -- Dream Coming True
I have booked my 5-day Kenya budget joining group safari with Absolute Holiday Safaris in advance before departing from Europe. The manager - David - was able to reply promptly to my e-mails and tailored our trip according to our needs.
First we visited Masai Mara NP. It was absolutely amazing (recommendation: have at least 3 days for Masai Mara in your schedule and make sure there's an early morning game drive included).
Later we moved to Amboseli NP as we continued to Tanzania via Namanga border crossing.
The number of fellow-travellers in a van varied -- first day it was 7 of us, the next two days 5 and the last two days we could've called it a "private" safari.
Ratings:
Booking process/communication: 10/10.
Safari organization/logistics: 9/10.
Driver/guide: 10/10. Nicknamed "Animal", he was on the radio with his colleagues all the time, not missing any important event in the savannah.
Vehicle: 6/10. Pop-up roof minivan, not even 4WD. Rough times on unpaved roads.
Sleeping: 9/10. Permanent tents with beddings, shower and toilet. You should bring your own mosquito net.
Food: 5/10. Lunch boxes OK. Avoid eating any "meat" in the camps. As a bonus we got diarrhea on the very last day. Don't forget to buy enough water before your safari starts.
Number and variety of animals seen: 10/10. We managed to see the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Overall African experience: 9/10
FYI: Be aware in Kenya they don't accept US dollar bills issued 10 or more years ago! If you try to use them to pay for anything (your safari, bus ticket, in currency exchange) they're gonna tell you it's a fake money. Experienced this behavior multiple-times.
This was my first time in Africa and I consider it my best vaccation ever. I can recommend Absolute Holiday Safaris to all of you.
If you're interested please see my pictures from the trip: https://goo.gl/photos/4zfekxXzufmwQWT3A
SE
Email Markus Jonsson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
If adventure, excitement and service would be a company it should be named Absolute Holiday Safaris.
Our driver Carlos did an excellent job by showing us the impressive wildlife in Kenya. The trip got off to a perfect start when Carlos greeted us at Jomo Kenyatta Airport with a big smile. We saw everything that you should see during a Safari and that is all thanks to Carlos, his knowledge made it possible for us to get up close to some of the worlds most amazing animals.
SE
Email Erik Englund | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent, professional and probably the best Guide (Carlos) ever.
The best three days in a long time. Felt like everything happend at the same time and the whole time. Carlos took good care of us during these three days and everything was just great.
US
Email sheba | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome tour guide makes for an astounding safari!
I think our Safari was amazing!! they accommodated all our needs even when our group was a pain in the butt at times. Sorry guys!! David was quite the gentleman- helping us situate everything and waiting for us to get food and other necessities that were needed!! The team we were working with was great too. Everybody during our safari was soooooo helpful; we couldn't have asked for a better crew who became friends and felt like family on our trip;which made it more enjoyable!
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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!