KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good animal finder
We could see various big 5 animals from his rich experience
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgable and friendly guides make for a memorable safari.
Going on safari was a lifelong goal for me and my wife, and after disciplined saving throughout COVID we saved enough to spend 11 days on safari in Kenya. I requested quotes from several safari operators. Fortunately, my choice was easy -- Kiboko Tours and Travel offered the most exciting itinerary at the best price.
Leading up to the safari Gibson provided great communication, helping sort through my bank's concerns about transferring a large amount of money to Kenya to someone I didn't personally know. Upon arrival we stayed in a hotel in Nairobi for a day to recover from jet lag, then met Gibson and tour guide + driver Johnson, who picked us up at the exact time and location we'd arranged.
Our safari took us to six location: Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli. Each location offered its own charms and special moments. If I were planning the trip again, I may choose to skip Lake Naivasha, as it was the one location where we didn't see anything that was completely unique from other stops. Samburu, our first stop, was my favorite location and one of the less visited parks.
We saw all of the major animals (lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, water buffalo, all three subspecies of giraffes, hippos, rhinos, flamingos, both species of zebras, oryx, gerenuk, wildebeest, and more). We also got lucky and saw several rare species: caracal, serval, bush babies, and genets. And, we were lucky enough to spot babies of many species, including two baby leopards playing with their mother, a fluffy baby giraffe, and a baby cheetah.
Throughout the tour Gibson clearly communicated each day's plan and Johnson drove skillfully and spotted many animals. My wife and I are avid birders and we were thrilled that Johnson was not only great at spotting well camouflaged species but knowledgeable about the many varieties of birds in Kenya, including some that are very hard to distinguish. For Johnson and Gibson have a passion for Kenya's wildlife that made our safari a wonderful experience.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari experience with an excellent guide and for a very reasonable price.
My wife and I cannot express enough how happy we were for choosing Wildebeest Safari for our honeymoon!! We struggled for a long time to find what we were looking for - an AUTHENTIC African experience, but yet with comfort; and professionalism… When you search online from the United States, all you get are consultants trying to sell you overpriced luxury so they get the most profit.
When we came across Noah from Wilderbeest, it all changed. He really understood what we were looking for, worked with us for a customized itinerary, and worked within an acceptable price range. We stayed in excellent lodges, had a private Safari car with an excellent guide who was able to spot all the Big 5 for us, and we were treated in both a friendly and professional manner at all times!!
Noah was also super flexible adjusting the cancellation rules (I could only confirm 60 days in advance due to my job), and we really appreciated that!
Our guide Dennis was just amazing. We asked specifically for him after reading an excellent review online, and it was the best decision. He was always absolutely on time, with the Safari car very well cleaned for us. He communicated with other guides to find the best animal sightings, and when we got to the sightings, was always proactive to get us the best position for pictures. He organized for a lunch picnics with full Safari table in the middle of the Masai Mara! He was super knowledgeable explaining about the various animals, and super patient with us!! We never felt rushed and could enjoy our sightings with full leisure!! And once Dennis realized I enjoyed ending the day with a cold beer and a sunset view, he would organize for a cooler with ice (believe me, in Africa that’s NOT just going to CVS and buying ice!!) and find the most amazing viewpoints for the sunsets!!
Dennis was also flexible, proposing and helping us make changes to the plan which were super smart (less time on Amboseli as we were elephanted out, more time for Nairobi national park). And he was a great company for my wife and I to share 10 days of our lives with fun stories and great camaraderie!!
In summary, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND Wildebeest Safari for your trip!!!
Enjoy and JAMBO JAMBO!!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
reliable
Our counselor is Joy, she is very professional and responsible. And our driver Tim and Joshua both are conscientious.We saw many wild animals,although in peak season,our accommodation are fantastic.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very helpful and catered to our every need and want!
The accommodation was amazing! Exactly what we were looking for to get the full African safari experience!
The hosts and guides are amazing, and we saw the full BIG 5 in 1 day!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Forever memories via the lens of a native son’s love, knowledge and expertise
Everything on this adventure exceeded expectations due to Jartan Laizer’s skills, knowledge and leadership. His personal communications pre trip paved the way for us to be ready, equipped and his daily communications, both written and verbal kept us on track and able to enjoy each and everyday to the fullest. He and his staff were excellent- so skilled and knowledgeable regarding the environment, history, politics, the cultures/ tribes and the nature and most prominently the animals.
Jartan kept us on plan while never missing an opportunity for photos or taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity. At the same time he managed to address everyone’s needs from achieving perfect photo angles for the highly skilled amongst us to assisting some of the rest who benefitted from his keen eye and camera tips- if the action of the moment was on the other side of the vehicle he’d even take the shots for you.
For me the trip was priceless for what I saw, learned and was able to participate in: the Masai tribe whose village we visited, the amazing Hadzabe tribe of whom only 1200 remain and who speak the most unusual language I’d ever encountered. The craft coffee grower and producer where we participated in the processing of the beans, shooting an arrow from a Hadzabe bow, grinding corn kernels into grain using rocks….
I loved it all , especially the game drives- Jartan is the best spotter I’ve encountered and his team was excellent- I’m certain that National Geographic would have paid a fortune to see some of what we saw- herds of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, hippos, a rhino with her baby elephants, giraffes, leopards- the list is endless but the lions were incredible. We saw so many throughout the trip, but as we drove with dawn breaking to the Serengeti airfield to begin our journey home, we came upon a huge pride of lions—2 dozen plus and witnessed their week old cubs nursing, toddlers and adolescents playing, two huge maned males 6 lactating females- we were breathless with wonder. We even witnessed a huge drama when 2 young marauding males stalked the herd to try to get at the cubs. The females repulsed them just before their males returned and who then pursued the two troublemakers- it was so real that it felt unreal. Only two days before that we actually saw a pair of lions breeding.
The whole experience was truly incredible and a real value - I feel that we got double the experience for a fraction of the cost of the big name companies we all know. Jartan made it fabulous, seamless, wild yet safe and created memories of a lifetime for all of us. I also enjoyed all the accommodations and food, too. Thank you Team Jartan Laizer!!! Highly recommend!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience money can buy!
Teacher and his team at Kwesa Tours led our group of 20 from the USA (CO, IL, IA, and TX) via the Marangu route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It was one of the most fun, safe, challenging, and life changing experiences. The Kwesa Team took care of us at every step from the preparations, briefings, dining, hiking, and ultimately the preparation for the summit attempt. Most of our group was successful in summiting in large part due to the assistance and fortitude of the Kwesa team. We all felt confident about our safety (especially since Teacher has climbed over 1,000 times), and the Kwesa Team shared our objective to get to the top as a whole. I am grateful for Teacher’s friendship and the cooks, guides, and porters who looked after us so well. I don’t think we would have had such success in reaching the top if it wasn’t for this wonderful team. I would definitely choose Kwesa Tours again and would recommend them to my family and friends. It was a wonderful physical, mental, and cultural experience that I will never forget and I hope to recreate.
PL
Everything was well planned from start to finish. I felt safe all the time.
We saw all the animals I wanted in one day: a panther, a lion, a cheetah, elephants, a rhino and hippos. We saw all the animals from a very close distance, which was ensured by our great guide Jack. He has a lot of knowledge and is very polite.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic once in a lifetime experience!
We initially booked a 4 day / 3 nights Safari with Beacons (Robert was our contact for this) in a private van.
Due to unforeseen industrial action at the airport our arrival flight was unfortunately delayed by a day.
Although we lost an important chunk of the Safari time - Robert and Harun (our guide) were really helpful and helped us make the most out of the shortened experience.
We ended up doing 3 days instead of 4.
We spent 2 days in the Masai Mara at the Mara Sopa lodge and 1 in the lake Nakuru at Nakuru Sopa lodge.
We were super lucky to see many many animals - basically seeing a National Geographic documentary live just a few meters away from us!
Harun was really friendly, great at spotting the animals and making his way through the other cars for us to have a fantastic view.
The lodges were absolutely beautiful too and the staff very welcoming and friendly.
Food was delicious in the Mara Sopa lodge, and a bit less in the lake Nakuru but still good. They had buffet with some local dishes and various options.
Given the circumstances I am glad we went for a private tour in these lodges.
This allowed us to be more flexible with our time (as our delay didn’t impact anyone else) and the lodges were inside the parks - something you may want to consider when you book as the commute is quite long.
Overall I am delighted with this once in a lifetime experience! Truly magical!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
She is so accommodating and flexible
Donwel Tours & Travel is the best company to travel with. Their services are well coordinated plus top notch hospitality. Always the best.