BE
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great park for a quick safari
If you are in Nairobi and like safaris/wildlife, don't miss the opportunity and visit the Nairobi National Park, even if it is just for few hours.
The wildlife is rich considering how small and how close it is to the Kenyan capital.
During a 1-day visit, we spotted several rhinos, antelopes, a large group of buffalos (probably 100+ buffalos), lions, ostriches, giraffes, impalas, hippos, monkeys, zebras, wildebeests, boars, baboons and kudus. The landscape/vegetation is nice.
The guide told me that the wildlife was a bit more abundant during that particular time of the year because of the start of the Great Migration, which crosses the park. I am not sure how the wildlife is during other times of the year.
Considering the proximity to the city, the park is quite crowded with tourists.
I visited the park with a private guide/compact car.
In general, it was fine because the vegetation in large areas is grass, so you can see spot the animals from distance even in a compact car. A 4x4 or a taller vehicle would allow you to take some dirt roads and see farther, still the experience was great.
You can stay in Nairobi, as the park is really close to the city - from my hotel it was just 40min by car.
BE
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kenya by HHM
Good infrastructure supporting tourism. Several options for safari/wildlife/landscape visit.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
overall good. Required a lot of questions to get all of the information needed
this was a great way to plan and book our own vacation.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Edge Travel does it best!
As I write this long overdue review for Mark Stodel and Edge Travel, I am reminded of why I am booking another trip to Africa in 2018 for our travel club members. Our club puts together 4 or 5 trips a year (not the same people necessarily) and when it was time to go back to Africa, there was no second guessing--Edge Travel and only Edge Travel would do this new trip. Twenty-four of us traveled to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe in 2012 and Mark took good care of us with every detail including a last-minute canceled flight. The camps and hotels were perfect, the tours arranged around our preferred timing and choices. We look forward to Summer 2018 for our trip to Tanzania with Edge--20 traveling friends.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
Just came back today from Masai Mara safaris, and couldn't resist the temptation to write the review. Richard, our guide and driver was fantastic. His knowledge about the routes within Masai and his connects with all the tour guides helped us to see the Big 5 on the first day itself, within few hours. We were lucky enough o see 3 rhino out of 47 in the Masai park. Lions were in plenty and so were cheetah and leopard. Richard, ensured we were fully comfortable in the tents and also had ample water bottles for the entire journey. His knowledge about the different species of animal is commendable. He really ensured that he went all out to ensure we get the expired eif a lifetime. Thanks Richard and team for this great trip. I am surely coming again with you guys again soon.
MX
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I only use "Gorilla Tours"
I have been working with Gorilla Tours now for 13 years and have done at least that many tours with them as well. I guess the fact that I have used them so many times says it all, I think they are great. The owner has worked with me every time to create the experience I want as I have travel with different friends each time.
The driver I use has now become my good friend, as has the owner!!
You will have a wonderful time, be with an experienced driver and see every thing you came to see, it will be the best trip of your life!!
Diane (Mexico| USA)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
SO much better than I expected, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is an animal viewing paradise
All of our connections were seamless, including airport drop off. The personal attention by Stephen, our guide, was fun and informative with several very up close lucky sightings. We were feed well and our lodgings were perfect for our more adventurous wants, with lots of animals roaming through the grounds of the delightful cabins. A perfect end to our wonderful month in South Africa.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, responsive, on time, polite and extremely knowledgeable guides.
Communication was perfect. They responded positively to a number of last minute changes we had to make. Introduced our group to the wonders of wild life in Uganda. Every member loved our guides: Paul and Abdul.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best trip we ever had
We just returned from a Safari with Augustine, and his field guides, that was hosted by the former Director and his wife, of the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana California. Augustine's Adventure Africa was the tour operator, and did the entire coordination of the trip. We travel twice a year, and this trip was by far our most rewarding trip. Augustine selected first class lodges, and destinations, and we saw animals abundant. Augustine, and his two field guides Casey, and Emmanuel were very knowledgeable, and quick at spotting game wildlife, that it amazed me they had such sharp eyes, to spot the animals, birds, and also the terrain of Africa, including trees, plants, and the ecological system of Tanzania.
We saw animals including many lions, wilder beasts, zebras, buffalo, a rhino, hippos, crocodiles, wart hogs, gazelles, and a caracal and her baby.
We also visited a village in Africa, and a school and experienced the native culture of Africa's people, including a visit to a Massai tribe. Augustine also took us to a wood carving place in a small village, where you could purchase and witness the talent of it's experienced artisans. The prices were so incredibly cheap for the work of art that we purchased.
We also visited the Arusha Cultural Center, which is a wonder in itself, with art from all over Africa. It's tantamount to a museum, and if you are looking for special piece that is the place to go.
Augustine is very personable, and a lot of fun to be with. Our daughter enjoyed him and he made her laugh, and gave her an experience into the Great Migration that very few people have the opportunity to see.
Also, for concerned travelers, Augustine kept us safe, and the land rovers, were in excellent condition, and I highly recommend his tour operation. It surpassed my expectations truly.
Lisa Andric
Irvine, California
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari
After obtaining various itineraries from different companies, Safari Trackers had proposed one of the more appealing ones. I was a bit hesitating due to the few reviews and the one bad review, but after having talked to Charles over the phone and hear his side of the story, I decided to go with Safari Trackers.
At the beginning of the safari it became clear that some miscommunication had occurred, but Charles immediately came with a good solution for it. Next we went to Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro for 5 days and saw so many animals, including massive elephants, lions, lionesses and their cubs, cheetahs and cubs, leopards and many more (unfortunately no rhino). Our guide Elli spotted so many animals from far away, had a lot of knowledge about the animals' behaviour and was very sociable and funny. The cook Amidi prepared us some great meals and I especially liked our breakfasts. A few items of the lunchboxes were a bit less tasty in my opinion. But it included 7 or 8 items each time, so enough to choose from. And there was so much food each time, so you'll definitely not be hungry during the safari.
Overall I thought the safari was good, mainly do to the amount of wildlife we saw, our guide Elli and the great food served by Amidi. I would also recommend to spend enough time on the Serengeti, as the area is massive and it is a 4 to 5 hours drive to the park and back. We drove up there in the morning, did a afternoon game, next a full day game and a morning game, before heading to Ngorongoro in the afternoon. I think you'll need this time to also see the uncommon animals, like the cheetahs, the leopards and the cubs.