US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This company is first rate in all aspects of booking a wonderful African travel experience.
African Welcome Safaris delivered top shelf service in coordinating our multifaceted tour to Cape Town and Kruger National Park. Kathi Simon, our contact at AFS, was most helpful and professional in providing information in a timely manner. All questions and/or concerns were addressed promptly. The tour itself was a truly wondrous experience on every level. The accommodations were second to none. Managers and staff at all locations were always helpful, courteous and responsive. In Cape Town, our most knowledgeable tour guide, Rhys Bradshaw, was a true gentleman and a delight. Alistair Leuner and Emily Booth at Tintswalo Safari Lodge provided an absolutely fantastic experience of great food and lodging in an elegant space with the twice daily excursions to view the magnificent animals - a profound moment in and of itself. In all, the whole trip was a grand, fabulous time from beginning to end.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Memories Safaris Provides an Outstanding Trip
Traveling to Kenya is not new to me. This trip in March 2017 was my 7th visit. When trying a new trip operator, I have typically put them under the microscope. For the last 3 trips, I traveled with All Seasons Safaris. My first trip went well so I traveled with them the next 2 trips. All went well with only a couple of minor issues revolving around the mPesa system. More recently, a couple of clients I had referred (which I have always followed up with) had more significant issues. Based on those issues, I decided to get quotes from other operators.
I requested a quote from Amazing Memories Safaris. From my initial contact, Anne was extremely helpful and communicated professionally. For this trip, a slightly shorter one, I decided to go to only 2 different camps but stay 4 nights in each. The most significant change was that instead of traveling in a van with the same driver/guide throughout the whole trip, I opted to fly to locations. This was a big challenge to me because of the total weight restriction of 15 KG (33 lbs total for all luggage). My camera gear weighs almost half of that allowance. Anne assured me that I could do it, but also offered to store anything I wished to leave in Nairobi with her to decrease weight to the bush. Excellent. The challenge was on.
Originally I was thinking I’d travel in June but the international flights were a lot higher in price. By traveling in March, the low season, I took advantage of the lower air fares, as well as one camp (Offbeat Mara) offered a special, pay for 3 nights, stay 4. The other camp (Laikipia Wilderness Camp) had low season rates. And the best part, both camps did not have a single supplement which is good because I travel solo.
On my initial arrival into the Nairobi airport, although the plane was on time, clearing immigration (with my eVisa in hand) took 1 hour plus 20 minutes. I was one of the first persons to exit the plane but due to some sloppy handling of the lines, one of the last to clear their check point. Luckily my bag was still there waiting for me. I was never so happy to see my tour operators waiting for me. It was a very late night for them as we didn't arrive at Southern Sun Mayfair until 12:30am.
Even though I had been to Kenya 6 times, I had many questions for Anne, especially those that involved the air travel portion on the domestic flights. I was unaware that during the low seasons, often the small planes either don’t fly or if they have only 1 passenger, that person has to purchase a 2nd seat (the policy on Safarilink). Now I’m all for feeling like you have your own plane, but I didn’t want to have to book an extra seat. Anne said she could find a solution. What she was able to do, was to have me fly to Nanyuki and then instead of flying directly to the Mara (where I was the only passenger), she had me fly back to Wilson and then fly from there back out to the Mara. That solved purchasing the extra seat. She also said someone from the company would come to Wilson on that day I had to make the transfer to another domestic airline to help me with my luggage so I wouldn't have to carry it and strain my back. I was impressed. As it turned out, there must have been a change on flight passengers because I was the only person on the flight from Nanyuki back to Wilson but Anne said they would take care of the charge.
A big concern I had during this trip had to do with the disputes going on between the cattle herdsman and the ranch owners in the Laikipia area. I was extremely nervous not knowing what was happening on the ground. Anne stayed in continuous contact with Annabelle from Laikipia Wilderness Camp as to the situation and said there were no problems there and there were currently guests at the camp. This reassurance from Anne went a long way to making me feel more comfortable (as well as my husband at home who was very concerned).
Anne also communicated well to the camps about my preference to have a larger bed as well as my dietary requests. On arrival to the camps, they verified this information.
Upon arrival at Wilson (coming back from Laikipia) Anne and company co-owner Joseh met me at Safarilink to assist me with my bags to SAX airline. Since there was some time between flights, we had the opportunity to talk more. They wanted to know all about my experiences so far and was there anything they needed to correct. No, all was perfect. They waited until my flight was called to make sure I was off on the next part of my adventure, the Mara.
When I arrived back from the Mara, Anne was there to greet me again. I had a day room at the Eka Hotel and she got me checked in, even getting them to extend their normal 6pm check out time to 7pm to give me some extra time prior to my flight home at midnight. At 8pm, I was picked up promptly by my driver for the short trip to the airport and the long flight home.
My experience with Amazing Memories Safaris was excellent. They are very professional and go the extra mile to make sure all your desires are met (and then some). They have bumped to the top of my list of tour operators to use when I return and I would definitely refer others to them.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely responsive, very flexible, unbeatable rates and so friendly!
I absolutely recommend sunsafaris and Natasha in particular! She's extremely responsive, answers all your questions literally within minutes. And nothing is too much to ask, you decide what you want and they get it done for you. They also showed us very kind flexibility when we wanted to make some changes later to both camps and transfers, much appreciated! People often think you pay for using an agent but the opposite is actually true, we got better rates than if we had booked the lodges/camps directly and you get the dedicated help of an experienced on the ground agent on top. Plus, Natasha is just very friendly, a pleasure to communicate with! Don't hesitate to send them your business!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant experience! 100/100 for customer satisfaction
I had the best experience with Kenya Safari Arcade and especially Edith. She went far and beyond to help me and was very prompt and helpful in selecting the itinerary best suited for us. I asked her so many questions and she was always there to answer them. I would definitely suggest them for all your Safari needs in Kenya!
BE
Parks were amazing but organisation, communication and trust with the agency were quite poor.
The safari experience in itself was fantastic but this is mostly due to the beauty of the parks rather than the tour agency. We've had too many last minute changes, very poor communication, quite antipathetic driver and we were stolen a significant amount of money during the trip. I'm not accusing anyone from the agency, I just think that the conditions were really not trustworthy.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Satisfactory
We 2 couple had traveled for 3 day Masai Mara park in February 2017 via Kichaka Tours & Travels. We had a satisfying tour . Before planning our tour we had regularly communicated with madam Jackline and she had always replied immediately to all our querries.
We had asked her for budget tour which she had arranged at the price as settled between us. Our stay was quite comfortable and our guide cum driver Mr Francis was an exellent person , very energetic and cooperative.
We didn't found anything controversial as our tour went according to the schedule and as per the intennerary which she had given to us.
I found Kichaka tours very cooperative and adjustable . you can remain confidant that they want take you for a ride. I mean they were quite clear about what they will provide , there were no extra demand other then what they had quoted .
US
We had an awesome time and arrangements an accommodations were well planned.
Our experience was good and plan to come back. Communication was good and our driver was friendly and very knowledgeable. We saw and experience above our expectations.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Trip of a Lifetime
From the first contact when planning our safari, what we were wanting was the most important thing for Maasai Wanderings. Donna worked out a fantastic 10 day safari for us which included Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and two parts of the Serengeti. From start to finish everything went like clockwork. Chris was an absolute fabulous guide. His friendliness, knowledge, driving and professionalism were top notch and he made our trip. The welcome in the camps we got was fantastic and the staff made us feel at home from our first moment with them so thank you to Pietro, Expedito, Hassan, Muddy and all the others who made us feel so special. The food was terriffic so thank you to those wonderfully trained chefs.On top of all that we also got to tick off another bucket list item with a balloon flight over the Serengeti - just wonderful. And then there were the animals of Africa. Just superb. I don't know how many safari guests get to see 3 cheetahs take down a three quarter grown wildebeest but it is an experience that even the nature shows can't prepare you for.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Maasai Wanderings as a superb company to do a safari with.
US
Impressive!
The falls were incredibly impressive. Quite a sight! We enjoyed the wildlife both on safari and on the boat ride beneath the falls - though I was told that there were a lot fewer animals to see than in other visits by people who'd been more than once. It may be luck-of-the-draw because I had a friend visit the week before I did and saw 11 lions close up right after a kill and we only saw a few lions far away with binoculars. The nature of nature! :-)
IT
Ascent to Kilimanjaro
Unforgettable experience to the top of Africa through Machame Route. Getting to the top is not only a mountaineering trip but a travel into human boundaries. Crossing multiple ecosystems from the forest to the glacier is something unique. Sharing the experience with the the team and in particular the magnificent guides and porters has been simply wonderful. Thanks to everybody and Barafu Tours and Safaris for accomplishing my dream