ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Maria Arreba
In October, there were very few animals around. Migration had already ended. However, the amount of lions we saw was very big, and we had the opportunity to watch how they behaved. The fact than migration wasn't on, reduced the number of vehicles around and we could see some lions and other animals alone.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not my best experience but nice to see big animals in real life
Tsavo east and west + Amboseli / Lansdcapes were nice but very dry in many places so no animals as it was desertic.
Compare to my souvenir 13 years ago, (only 2 nights in Nairobi) this new experience to let my kids discover Kenya was really poor. Only possible to see one lion's family from closeby. A lot of driving with no animals in the parks.
Kenyan people see you as only m a way to make money and give you pay same price as in Europe. They really abuse on the price they want you to pay and when you see the difference in fixed price shops... When I spend a lot of money in my travel all inclusive, I don't expect to spend so much extra money when I go to Africa... 50Ksh a coffee in one place and 250Ksh at the next stop for the same instant coffee. And also, as a single woman, not feeling safe outside the hotels or without the guide in the safari.
+ The tour organizer made a big story and refused to let my 3 days safari continue because 1/3rd of the amount was still to pay after 1 day safari. Like if I will fly away for the safari... We were late starting the safari and he really made me feel like a thief, breaking my holiday feeling.
It could be a beautiful place to visit but I did not like how European are threaten. We are not all stupid tourists full of money...
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Easy, nice, reliable but greedy
The communication with Lydia was very easy and fast. She is very responsive and reliable. Just make sure she understands what you write, because sometimes she understands the exact opposite. She is very a very nice person, so no problems there, it was great and we got what was described, even if it was the wrong order. Days 5 and 4 were switched :-)
But (prices according to October 2023):
1. She charges 30$ each for the Massai village although it only costs 10$.
2. She charges 35$ for the boat tour although it only costs 20$.
3. She wanted 25$ for a taxi from our hotel to the airport although with bolt it costed less than 6$.
4. She wanted from us 80$ more (which she didn't take in the end) because the gas prices went high.
I would have no problems with her charging a bit extra, but this, for people who are on a budget, is not proper and is strictly greedy. So more like 3.5 stars instead of 5.
As for the tour:
1. Don't pay for the extra activities ahead. This way you can see what the activity is all about and if it is worth it for you.
2. For Massai Mara, I think it does make a big difference if you get there before or during the migration. Else (like us) you have more than 1 million zebras and wild beasts (and flamingos in Lake Nacuro) less.
3. The Massai village was nice and you get a good feeling thinking you help them by donating your money. You can also buy some souvenirs at the market in the end of the tour they give you.
4. The boat tour IMHO has nothing to offer and is not worth it. There are a few hippos under water, a few birds and sea eagles, but that's about it. If the sun is out, it means sitting in a scorching heat for an hour or more.
5. I found the Amboseli Camp great, but the morning tour there is a tourist trap. 10$ for a Massai guy taking you for a 4km walk through dusty ground with a promise of maybe seeing some animals and ending up seeing a few giraffes. Better get 2 more hours of sleep and save your money. And better yet, take a tour through one of the sanctuaries around Lake Navashi, where you really actually walk next to the animals. Many different ones.
6. I think the Amboseli reserve is actually nicer in the dry season, because many animals are concentrated in areas around the swamp. There is also a great variety of birds there regardless of the season.
7. Hopefully you get a good driver that will no where to go so you can see interesting animals, will turn off the radio when watching them and will give you a good angle for your camera. If not, don't be shy to ask for it.
All in all it was much fun and full of very nice people.
If you are booking only the safari, consider booking or going afterwards to Mombasa or somewhere along the coast.
I hope I helped somebody with this review.
Take care and have fun.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing experience but the toilets and ablutions at the entry gates were horrendous.
Been to this reserve a number of times but I must say my experience today left me disappointed. No pos machine at the main gate to pay by card . No pos machine in the Hilltop restaurant and the food was mediocre . Limited wine available as their liquor license had expired. The gardens at hilltop have also deteriorated since my last visit and I can see attention to detail is missing .
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No follow up
A few mistakes in our flight itinerary, one of the hotels dropped the ball regarding transfers, had to be stressed out and contacted Chris he got back to us and said he would look into it. He said he would get back to us but never heard from him again. Chris never followed up after the trip either as we expected he might do to get our feedback or explain what happened. One of the hotels we stayed at was under construction. Things happen on holidays that are out of peoples control I get it but we feel with how things happened there would have been some follow up. We are well travelled and have done many private tours with follow up afterwards.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by Yolanda Moerkens
Sure this is nice but after Masai Mara this is a bit empty
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good for the ones that want a hassle free hotel reservation
Safari365 knows suppliers and can provide you with good options of hotels and local activities. However their influence to make adjustments (example we took a train for 4 nights at my mothers birthday and our cabine was ar the first car meaning that to reach the restaurant or smaking longe we had to cross the entire train about 25 cars... Luckly we managed to have the staff moving us to another car and also make a note on my mothers birthday) or understand your specific needs to fine tune itineraries is very poor.
As per consultants - the exclusive one in Brazil is very arrogant and talks to you as if you did not know what an airplane is and have never left home before leaving the core aspects that should be addressed out of the loop.
We managed to be supported by a South African consultant after requesting for a change. Clive is very friendly but yet, did not add much in terms of adjusting our itinerary and was kind to reply my message when asking for a change on hotels/City with Google and YouTube links with tips for activities where we were (??? Really??). Details such as the fact that electricity is an issue and South africa has to follow a schedule in which everybody stays in the dar at least 3 hours a day, were never shared in advance.
Again - I did not feel supported with qualified information on the itinerary preparativos not had I a 24x7 assistance. Actually, still waiting to understand if our shark dive activity that was cancelled due to a storm will ever be reimbursed. Not to mention the safari we missed due to poor logistics abd pick up time at the airport.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Non-fussy 4 days/3 night Mt. Kenya
I did the 4 days/3 night Mt. Kenya hike solo with Kelvin as my guide. Kelvin was great, limited English but it was still good. I chose the cheapest option, so camped all 3 nights. The entire trip included a guide and cook. The food was okay (ramen/beans/bread). If you aren't looking for luxury this is a good affordable option. Kelvin and I took the public bus to the town closest to the park entrance from Nairobi. I think it was 3 hours. Had lunch before the hike. I think I paid $530 for everything.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jeffrey, our Safari driver, was great; the rest of the logistic was below par.
The best part of the tour: Jeffrey, our safari driver, did what he could to show us some good sights. However, there are better months to see the big five at Kruger than September and October.
Good: Dinner at Gecko Lodge was good; the lunchbox they give you for taking early in the morning before your safari, not so much.
Below par: the rest of the logistics, poor communication, pick-up was late, lodge had some issues.
Overall: I would not repeat it, but it was a decent experience.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You get what you pay for
Me and my friend went for the month of September. We chose the budget safari. They provided with lodging and food. The lodging at times did not have hot water, Wi-Fi, or lights. The food that they served were repetitive and nothing to really write home about. I was hoping to get some food that I could say was Kenyan so I could learn about the culture, but it was nothing like that. Like for example, we got mashed potatoes, some vegetables and pasta.
I must say though that the driver was very good and that we get to see a lot of animals. We’ve seen the Big Five. He was accommodating.
Everyone was very nice to us including drivers from other safari. Although, at the end of the Safari, there was a driver from another group that came to our group and was verbally aggressive and disrespectful. And to top it off? We didn’t get to finish the Safari with our driver. It left a bad taste in the mouth.
