madalinahk

Has anyone recently used DK Grand Safaris? The reviews I have seen are all a little dated and would appreciate feedback from recent travellers.

sandi

DK Grand is a new company, so don't know what reviews you're reading that are "a little dated."

LyndaS recently did a trip thru DK and has her report posted here. Do a search on her name - LyndaS

LyndaS

Here I am - Sandi is correct - DK has just started up this year.

I'm slowly getting my report done,but in a nutshell - they are fabulous! Together we planned a fully-escorted, mainstraim/luxury private safari for my husband, myself and my son for 2 weeks & not a thing was out of place! Everything ran smoothly. I really can't say enough good things about Daniel, or his company - he gives a top-notch safari.

He will do any kind of safari that you would like - private, group, escorted or not, budget, luxury, mainstream or combinations of eveything if you like!

Please follow along on my report - click on my name and it's the report that starts with 'Ohmigosh - Wild dogs, angry leopards, etc....' I've at least got the first day of the actual safari done & will have more soon.

As I am so slow though, please don't hesitate to ask me anything at all in this thread - I'll be glad to respond!

LyndaS

Forgot to add by the way, that Daniel (DK Grand Safaris) will do both Kenya and Tanzania - he works with cClamian from Warrior Trails on the TZ portion.

LAleslie

It sounded like LyndaS had a great trip. But just be aware that the conventional wisdom in the travel industry is that you have much more security with a company that's been around a few years. And there are plenty to chose from.

mikpreston

Funny enough I was on a safari with LindaS (& Jim) a few years ago with Daniel as our guide (this was before he started his own business, DK Grand Safaris, last year)and he was terrific. I've stayed in touch with him and I know for a fact that he has been doing a lot of safaris. I recommended him to a group of my co-workers from Columbia University. He took them on a safari last month (July)and they were really enthusiastic. One of them is bringing her family back for another safari this fall.

madalinahk

Can I ask how you made your payment? I have more or less decided to go with Daniel...

LyndaS

mikpreston, what a nice surprise to see you on the board! I do of course remember you & have often thought of you guys!

madalinak, I sent Daniel two wire payments in USD - a small deposit to hold it in February, and then the balance of it 60 days before the safari. Everything worked just fine, except I live in Canada and I made the final payment right at the point that our dollar was the lowest! Darn! Now I look at the exchange rate (our dollar is not so far off the USD now) & think, maybe we should go on another safari....

You have made a wonderful choice, you won't go wrong with Daniel!

MSchetzel

Madalinahk, I am currently in the process of booking with Daniel at DK Grand, he has told me that I can either pay with a wire transfer, or also can use a Visa. I have a Capital One Visa specifically for this trip, they have no extra fees or charges for using a credit card internationally. I have found that they are the only credit card company to do this! Daniel did say he would give a slight discount for a wire transfer, but it doesn't cover the 5 percent fee I would have to pay. So far my experience with booking with him has really been great.

atravelynn

I tend to agree with LAleslie on the longevity issue, but then I am more risk averse than the average person. If I had met and gone on safari with the owner, I'd probably feel differently too.

Now, tell us again how Warrior Trails and DK Grand relate?

The no charges for a credit card is a big plus.

LyndaS

MSchetzel, that's great news about DK taking credit cards, I didn't know this! That would have been a lot of BA points on my BA visa that could have earned! Mind you, I guess I would have had to weigh that against the 'foreign currency' charge, that particular card charges 2.5% on all foreign transactions.

That is a real plus though for people who worry about paying by wire, it would be worth the 2.5% for the peace of mind - and, as you have mentioned that you found a card that doesn't charge anything for foreign transacions, that is a real big plus.

You will have a really good trip with Daniel, I'm very happy that you have chosen him as your TO, where are you going and when? We love to hear all about the trips on the board!

When you mentioned the 5% fee above, were you referring to a wire transfer charge? If so, that's a pretty hefty fee for a wire transfer, I would think?

Lynn, DK Safaris has a business relationship with Warrior Trails, Daniel can only operate in Kenya, so when people want to visit both countries, he sublets the Tanzanian portion to Clamian at Warrior Trails.

MSchetzel

LyndaS,we are going at the end of July and beginning of Aug. with 5 nights in South Africa, and then the 6 nights in Kenya. We will only have time to do Kruger, and then Masai Mara, but I am really excited! I have spent quite a bit of time in Zimbabwe on Safari, but that was 15 years ago, so this will be my first time back to Africa. When I asked my Bank of America about wire transfers I am pretty sure I remember they charge 5 percent for international ones, the shock of it could be making my memory up the percentage, but I think that is what they told me. That could include other fees they charge for the service. Before I found the Capitol One Visa I was finding all of my credit cards were a 2.5 to 5 percent charge for international charges. Crazy! Thank you again for sending me to Daniel, we are all set now with an itinerary, and are just finishing up the reservation. He has been great.

Patty

Mschetzel,
Were you asking BofA about wiring USD from a USD account? Or was currency conversion involved? Generally when there's no currency conversion, it's a flat fee and wiring USD to Kenyan operators is pretty standard. The South African operator however may want ZAR (in which case there would be a percentage conversion fee if coming from a USD account).

MSchetzel

Hi all, we are back from our amazing safari, I have to say DK Grand and Daniel and Ben were amazing! We didn't have to worry about any of the Kenya part of our trip from the minute Daniel picked us up at the Nairobi Airport, it was absolutely wonderful. We spent a night on each end at the Fairview Hotel, which was very comfortable, and 4 nights in the Masai Mara. I will be writing a more detailed trip report eventually, I seriously have mountains of laundry to finish, our children stayed behind with family, so not just ours, but theirs too! My house looks like a bomb hit it, but nothing could take away how incredible our trip was. I told Daniel I will tell anyone and everyone that we recommend DK Grand Safaris, we were already trying to figure out when we could go back on the plane going home!

sallysaab

Glad to hear you had a great time, looking forward to your trip report when you get a chance.

indiancouple

MSchetzel, look forward to your Trip Report. We have selected Daniel Kikemu (DK Grand Safaris) also for our private safari in Kenya/Tanzania this November. Glad to know that your experience was great.

renoduck

Have been lurking here for over a year, researching and planning. As a result, we are leaving Saturday to join up with Daniel in Kenya and his partner in TZ, Warrior Trails. I was hoping that MSchetzel would have a chance to recap their trip before we leave for any last minute advice.

Thanks to everyone on this board for their wisdom, experience, recommendations and packing tips. We are so excited to finally see in person everything we've been reading about for the past year.

This has been a dream of mine for so many years, and the excuse of a milestone birthday gave me the push to finally book the trip. Now if we could only snap our fingers, or click our heels, to be there. Using United miles has made the journey from Reno to Nairobi a very long one (Reno-Denver-London-Cairo-Nairobi)!

Calo

MShetzel, glad to hear you had a great safari with DK. We look forward to your trip report (and pictures).

Renoduck, you'll have the trip of a lifetime. I'm looking forward to another safari with Warrior Trails again next year. Please post your report when you get back so we can all live vicariously through your experiences. As with MShetzel and the rest of us, you'll likely be planning your next safari before even getting home from this one! Safari njema!

renoduck

Arrived back in Reno last night at midnight, about 36 hours after Daniel dropped us at the airport in Nairobi. We had an amazing time with DK Grand Safaris and Warrior Trails. I kept daily notes to be able to provide a trip report (though I'm afraid my writing style cannot possibly match Crosscheck's wit). Our trip was different with much more driving and moving around than the experts here would recommend, but it worked for us. I think I have about 2300 photos to review and organize, so it may be a bit before I start on the report. Just wanted to thank you all again for your help in putting our trip together and suggesting DK Grand Safaris!

Calo

Welcome home, and thanks for checking in, Renoduck. May I suggest that when you post your trip report you start a new thread so that it doesn't get buried in this one? I'm really looking forward to reading it and seeing the pictures.