CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The service is really good!
The service is really good!
- trip preparation: 0ken helped us with the plan of the trip. even though we have a lot of demands, he solved with most of the problems effectively.
- during the trip: Godlisten is our tour guide, he is super experienced and full of passion, we saw a lot of animals especially for the lions. I really recommand him to be the tour guide.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very nice trip with Francis, see all the things we want
very nice trip with Francis, see all the things we want in Africa.
He can always find the animals and also a good storyteller to share his experiences about wild animals and Africa grassland.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
I joined in josana tours for six-days.Because the whole trip is unforgettable,so I worte the review on the plane back to China.Truthfully,I feel nervous before I arrived at Kenya.But my consideration is superfluous. People in Kenya are very friendly and kind. Joseph is responsible.He planed everything for me.Of course,the schedule is reasonable. My pick-up driver Kim was waiting for me for a long time after I met him.He don’t complain about anything. And the person I am most grateful for is my guide. He is really patient and funny.In Masai, he driven us to see a lot of animals,the lions,the zebras,the giraffes…We didn’t communicate much,but he seemed to know what I need. He often tells us the stories of these animals. The most noteworthy thing is that I was sent to the airport that day. Unfortunately, the wheel broke down halfway. But in the end, because of my tour guide，I still caught up with my flight in the last hour. You know, this is the first time I've boarded the plane so late. It may also be a life experience for me.In short,everyone is very good. I spent six wonderful days with my other companions in the car. But separation is the norm.I will always remember that moment！
CN
A perfect Safari
I was happy to have the perfect Safari with extra miles. I saw so many animals here, they were so alive and cute. Joseph was amazing, he was very prompt in responding to messages before and during the trip and helped me with a lot of difficulties. In addition, our guide Fred was wonderful, very professional and experienced, showing us all the animals we wanted to see, including lions, hunting leopards and cheetahs, and he was a very helpful friend, taking care of us all the way and answering our questions, thank you very much. If you come to Kenya Safari, this is a very good choice and I recommend them to you.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsible
Our guide Sadam is a wonderful guy full of accountability and knowledge, we can reply on him about everything and he was pretty funny and kind that we always laughed during the trip. Meanwhile of course he has excellent driving capability with the most rapid efficiency to find the greatest watching spot in safari! Thanks for everything !
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good communication - Nice lodges - Amazing guides
- Animals spotted (not a guarantee but it's always nice to know what you could see) : Rhino, monkeys (different species), wildebeest, buffalos, giraffes, cheetahs, lion (and a climbing one!), rhino (from far away), hyenas (from far away), flamingos, hippos, gazelles (different species), birds (different species), crocodile (very subtile), elephants, leopard, warthogs
- The guides : As I was travelling alone, I had 4 different guides. All of them were very nice and knowledgeable, it's kind of the russian roulette, I had a HUGE love for my last guide Mike (if you go with Ngeweka I really advice you to ask for him if he is available). He always chose the best spot for the pictures while respecting the animals, extended knowledge about the wildlife -animals and plants- and on our way to the game kept feeding me with info about the cities, the country, the culture etc... it was amazing and I would take him again without a doubt if I ever come back. Guides have good english, I met some that spoke very good french (i am french native).
- Joshua / The office : Always responding, great communication and answered all my questions. I had a little encounter with one of the group I was put with but after communicating with Joshua he found a perfect alternative for me. Very trustable.
- The lodges : The lodges in Serengeti were amazing, the hotels were nice too. I think it depends your budget ofc, I have seen better and worst lodges but for my budget I was very happy with it. In all of them, the service is AMAZING. People are really nice.
- The route : I did Tarangire twice, Ngorongo Crater (not like the pictures, it was cloudy but that's not something you can predict), Manyara Lake, Serengeti. For Serengeti, after talking to my last guide, I would advice to take more time there and go up north were apparently you do see amazing sceneries there. I did a game night as well as a air balloon one (highly recommend).
Overall it was my first time in Africa and first safari ever. Joshua answered all my concerns before coming, and was still reachable during the safari. I advice you to have your own data and not rely on wifi for emergencies (questions to Joshua for example during the day etc..). If you are travelling alone or by 2, I would highly suggest you to take a private guide for your safari. I didn't and ended up with a group in Serengeti (2 days) were there were some encounters. I switched to private for the last day and it was game changing - Joshua found the best guide ever and I couldn't have been more satisfied of that last day, best day of the entire trip. I would recommend Ngeweka with my eyes closed. I would however be more vocal about what I don't want before planning the safari now that I have experienced one so give in detail exactly what experience you are looking for and I am pretty sure Joshua will accommodate it.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic tour with very knowledgeable guide, unfortunately some problems with the van
We were lucky to have Peter as guide, top driver that teach us a lot of things about animals, and also about Kenya and the tribes living there. We saw all animals we wanted.
Good price for the 4 days tour. Cannot put 5 stars because we got problems with van in 2 different days
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and Beyond Service
We did a 10-day tour with Lulu Safaris covering Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania), Rwanda, and Gorilla Trek (Uganda). The entire trip went extremely well and smoothly. All meals, transport, and park fees were included, along with knowledgeable guides, so we had literally nothing to worry about! Here are detailed reviews for each destination:
Masai Mara, Kenya
The safari in Masai Mara was probably the highlight of our tour. We saw all the animals and everything there was to see in just one day! We had Tony as our guide, and he was beyond amazing. He was fun, knowledgeable, and very thorough. You can tell that he is passionate about his job and will go above and beyond in everything he does. Thanks, Tony, for making this trip fantastic! The Jeep was also well-maintained and clean.
Serengeti, Tanzania
We drove to Serengeti, which took about 9 hours from Masai Mara due to the border being far away. Nevertheless, the safari there was also fantastic. We saw all the Big 5 in Tanzania. However, keep in mind that the Serengeti is much bigger than Masai Mara, so there is slightly more driving involved. We had Roger as our driver. He was very sweet and caring, always keeping the car clean with drinks topped up and making an effort to engage with us during dinner and breakfast. The accommodation we had in Serengeti was beyond our expectations. It was a luxury tent in the middle of the park! Thanks, Elvis, for organizing a great stay.
Rwanda/Uganda
We flew into Rwanda and then drove to Uganda for the Gorilla Trek. The trip was well thought out, and we had some form of activity each day until the trek. The Gorilla Trek was amazing, but it does require a good level of fitness to complete! We were lucky to have met Smith on our last day. Smith went above and beyond with his service in just six hours. He stopped at many places along the way and took great care of us until we got to the airport! Guides like Smith and Tony honestly make trips so wholesome and fun! Highly recommend both of them!
Lastly, we want to thank Elvis for his patience. Initially, we were a bit doubtful about the trip due to a lack of communication. Elvis would always take action on our requests, but we didn’t get confirmation at first. After expressing our concerns, we reached out to Elvis through WhatsApp, and he was super responsive. He answered every question and ensured we felt safe throughout the trip. We had issues with paying Elvis, and even then, he never bothered us. Instead, he insisted we enjoy the trip first. I’ve never met a service provider as trusting as Elvis! Thank you, Elvis, for making our trip wonderful!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The team at Elsewher Adventures, a local operator, was friendly, hospitable and professional.
Elsewhere Adventures - A Seamless and Memorable Adventure
Our recent adventure with Elsewhere Adventures was nothing short of fantastic. The entire experience was well-organized, professional, and truly enjoyable. From the moment we landed, the team made sure everything ran smoothly. The pick-up and drop-off at the airport worked out seamlessly, even though my partner and I arrived at different airports. It was uncomplicated and hassle-free, setting a positive tone right from the start.
Edgar was highly competent in organizing the trip, both in the lead-up and on the ground. Justo, with his warm smile and decades of experience, welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at ease on the climb. Andrew, another guide, brought a calm and professional presence, making the journey even more enjoyable.
One of the highlights was when we made a last-minute request to visit a Maasai village. The team managed to organize everything with less than a day’s notice, which was truly impressive. They arranged a driver, provided lunch packages, and coordinated our transfer to the airport afterward. This flexibility and ability to accommodate spontaneous requests really showcased the advantages of working with a local tour provider who is well-connected and adaptable.
Though we faced some technical challenges with initial communication due to internet issues, this didn’t cause any major problems. In terms of cost, Elsewhere Adventures offered excellent value for money compared to other providers. Despite being a more economical option, the services were on par with the best, and no corners were cut. We were treated to 3-course meals every day, a luxury we didn’t expect on a mountain expedition. The only thing we would ask to change for our next trip would be to provide slightly thicker mattresses. However, this could also be a personal preference.
All in all, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Elsewhere Adventures delivered exceptional service, and their friendly, knowledgeable team made the trip unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a well-organized and authentic adventure!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best tour operator we have ever used...
Spirit of Kenya were the most fantastic company to deal with from start to finish. We booked this safari for our honeymoon and I can honestly say it was the best week of our lives and that is largely to do with Spirit of Kenya, our tour guide Michael and the amazing places we were able to stay as part of our package.
I found Spirit of Kenya through their great reviews online and after enquiring I was immediately contacted by Vanessa who was excellent at explaining the different accommodation, vehicle type, locations and activities we could choose from. The thing I liked the most was that there were 3 or 4 different accommodation options for each leg of our stay that ranged from more affordable to luxury so we could tailor our stay within the budget. There was never any kind of attempt to upsell us or get us to spend more money which I certainly appreciated. Vanessa was then always on hand from the point of booking to when we arrived on the tour to quickly answer questions for us. She was great throughout the whole process. My advice, if you are willing to pay the 5% charge, would be to pay by card as my bank would not release the payment when I tried to pay through bank transfer and the card option was much easier and gave peace of mind that your payment is protected.
When we arrived in Nairobi we were picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel ready for our safari to start the next day. This process was easy and worked well. The next morning, Michael (our tour guide) was waiting for us early to start the safari. Michael was outstanding from the start until the finish of our trip. We honestly could not have asked for anything better from him. He was well presented, polite, eloquent in his explanations, had great knowledge of anything we asked and went above and beyond at every stage to make sure we had the best possible safari. Right from the very start it was obvious how passionate he was to deliver the best service possible. He was always willing to tailor our activities and what we were doing around what we wanted to do but we were so confident in his ability to deliver the best service that most of the time we said 'whichever you think is the best option' and it always turned out just as we would have liked. Again, if your budget allows, I would recommend getting the 'private' vehicle so it is just your group in the vehicle as it makes the experience more intimate whilst also not having to worry about what other people would want to do on the trip.
The 3 locations we stayed in were the Kongoni Lodge, The Cliff and Amani Mara. Kongoni Lodge was our more affordable choice but we were actually pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We were only staying for a night stop and it was exactly what we needed. Very spacious lodges, comfortable and the food was good. The people taking care of us there were also very polite and we enjoyed our time there. The Cliff was our luxury option and it was spectacular. The view was incredible and we loved our luxury tent room. Do not think of it as a tent, I haven't stayed in many actual hotel rooms that were better! On request, the staff even come and bring the blinds up on the tent in the morning so you can watch the sunrise from your bed. It was just amazing. The staff here were also brilliant and the food was lovely as well. Our favourite place was Amani Mara - I do not think I have ever stayed in a more amazing place. You are right in the middle of the Maasai Mara and are surrounded by the animals and when it gets dark you even need to be walked to and from your room by the staff. It is completely safe but really makes you realise just how close you are to the wildlife. The views were stunning and the staff were out of this world. Sallie and William were particularly great and made our stay beyond memorable. Another thing we loved about Amani Mara is the amount of conservation work they do and my wife and I got to plant a tree on their grounds as part of one of the projects which I thought was a lovely touch. We paid extra to have a bush dinner and it was worth every penny. You get driven right out into the reserve, watch the sunset and then get served a lovely dinner surrounded by the zebra, wildebeest and the other animals settling down for the night. We even got visited by some curious hyenas but, again, we were perfectly safe as the staff were all there to make sure they did not get too close! I could not give Amani Mara high enough praise, they were just amazing.
I would recommend all of the activities we did - we did the Crescent Island walk, rode bikes through Hells Gate National Park and visited the Maasai Village. The Crescent Island walk was amazing and highly recommended. You are able to walk in amongst all the animals (avoiding the hippos!) and you get so close it is surreal. We had the giraffe's walking around us completely unbothered by our presence and it was just the nicest experience to kick start the safari. The bike ride was also great fun and a different way to experience some of the beautiful scenery. My wife and I are pretty active and found the riding great but I would caution someone that perhaps is not particularly active that it may be a struggle, especially if it is very hot. We were very glad we went to the Maasai Village to experience some history and culture. We were well looked after and we did leave with some goodies from their stalls. It is more expensive to buy stuff from their stall (make sure you negotiate hard as they will try and get a lot more from you!) but we were happy to do so as it was money going to the local villagers and we thought that was something worth paying a bit more for.
Finally, the game drives. They were all fantastic and Michael could not have done more than he did to maximise our experience. We did game drives around Lake Nakuru and then in the Maasai Mara itself. Michael was so patient and expertly navigated his way around to make sure we saw everything that was possible to see. We saw 4 of the 'Big 5' and despite everyone's best efforts including the other tours and even Sallie from Amani Mara, we did not get to see a leopard because they decided to take a few days off and hide. Literally nobody saw them for that few days but this did not take away from our experience in the slightest. It is nature and nature does not always go how you intended. We saw so many lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, wildebeest, cheetahs and every other kind of animal you could imagine. It shocked us how much you would get to see them as we thought you might be lucky to see a few here and there but we got to see so much of them we felt extremely lucky. I could have driven around for 8-10 hours a day just taking in the scenery and wildlife and been completely happy. We really did feel so lucky to be there and experience what we did.
Michael then drove us to our hotel in Nairobi to end the tour. Although booked separately from Spirit of Kenya we would recommend the Villa Rosa Kempinski (although quite expensive) and to visit Sheldrick Trust elephant orphanage before you go home. Sheldrick Trust was also incredible!
All in all, this was a 10/10 experience and Spirit of Kenya / Michael could not have done more for us. I would recommend them 100% and if we were to do the same or something similar again in the future they are the company I would go for without a doubt.
