Wildlife Safaris Kenya
I have taken the advice of this great forum and contacted the Kenya tour operators association and got a list of names..Wildlife being one of about 8-10; been in safari business over 20 years and has an "A" designation from the Tour Association. I believe I read a trip report using them but of course cannot find it now. For a l0 night safari in SEPT. 2008 -staying at Tortilis(2), Loisaba (2), and 6 nights in Mara, split between Explorer and Saruni I was quoted $6,600. It includes the first night at Serena in Nairobi and a day room the last day. And, it is only $100 more than a similar itinerary using Intrepids rather than Explorer. Other operators were about 6,500-7,600 and only one other included Explorer. Because of the huge differences in prices I wanted to get input from the best source I could find - Fodorites. Of course I did write and ask for a list of US clients that could give recommendations. Any info on this operator would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much, ChaCheetah

The initial itinerary you posted was for $6,500 that you felt was too high and included 3/nts Tortilis, 3/nts Loisaba and 6/nts in the Mara split between two camps, one of which was Intrepid's. So that was 12/nights @ $540/person/nt. This one you inquire about is 10/nts at $6,600 or $660/person/nt. $120/person additional per night! So which is the better deal?

Wildlife Safaris? Is this the name of the company? Doing a Google search on the name can bring up lots of safari operators that provide wildlife safaris, could you provide the actual web link.

Thank you Sandi for taking the time to reply. This particular operator is www.africa-wildlifesafari.com, but their email is wildlifesafari.co.ke, so I apologize for calling them by the wrong name. The reason I was interested is the fact they included Explorer rather than Intrepids in the price whereas the first company was using Intrepids for the 2nd portion of the Mara trip. This company was mentioned in a forum, perhaps not this particular one by a retired Travel Agent who used them as their Kenya operator. I thought the purpose of the forum was to ask questions, find out who the operators are and if anyone had indeed used them. They are on the Kenya Tour Board - As recommended to be used by this forum. I was merely trying to find out if anyone had heard of them or used them for a trip. I am trying to compare itineraries and if one uses a 300pp/pn rate vs. a 500+pp/pn (these rates I just pulled from several sources-- once again recommended by this forum)its over 200 pp pn extra to stay at Explorer. Wildlife Safari included Explorer so the l20pp a night seems reasonable. To drop a night at Loisaba in order to stay at Mara Explorer may in MY case be a better deal. Having never been to the Mara, I do not know. I was not just looking at prices, NOR did I ask if it was "a better deal." Rather I was looking into the Quality, Reliability, etc.of Africa-wildlife-safaris. I really was not looking for criticism of my math abilities - just wanted to know if anyone knew of this operator who offered Explorer in lieu of Intrepids. Thank you as always. CC

cc

No experience with Wildlife Safari but I was just wondering if you've asked the different operators to quote the same itinerary?

For example, if you're happy with the 2 night Tortilis, 2 night Loisaba, 3 night Explorer and 3 night Saruni combination, then I'd have the other operators quote that itinerary for comparison. In Sandi's defense, it did sound like you were also comparing prices in your original post (in addition to inquiring about the operator) and I wouldn't consider it fair to call the previous 12 night itinerary and the current 10 night itinerary "similar" as those two extra nights (1 at Tortilis and 1 at Loisaba) would account for at least a $1000 per person difference.

BTW the letter designation listed on the KATO member directory is, I believe, based on a tour operator's annual sales volume and not any kind of a grading system (in case you were wondering).

I hope my post hasn't caused any offense.

No offense taken Patty, I guess the point was, I was not asking about the prices as I knew (and even mentioned) in my post the difference, I was just asking about the operator - his recognition factor; which I can assume is none.
I asked the operators to offer Explorer; none except this one did; in fact as I posted the other day, I got an email saying Explorer was pretty much booked throught the season! So imagine my surprise when someone finally looked at my request and actually added Explorer to the itinerary. The price differential to me staying in a 30 tented lodge that does not include everything (paying for water, etc. is what I heard) compared to the more expensive, yet apparently (from postings here) much nicer and more inclusive Explorer seemed insignificant. BUT to get back to what I was asking - it was not a price review; it was just a question about the integrity or qualifications known about the safari operator. I see many many postings asking about operators based in Kenya. I should have just inquired with the Africa-Wildlifesafari name.
But thank you both for taking the time to respond. CC

I'm surprised that all the other operators quoted for Intrepids when you asked for Explorer. Has Wildlife Safari confirmed availability for your dates at Explorer? Operators can quote an itinerary but that doesn't mean there is availability.

Cha -

I wasn't questioning your math abilities at all, rather (being in the business) these numbers, as compared to your earlier post, jumped out at me so I commented. And without the actual name or link (it doesn't seem to be working, cannot access) to the particular provider, went onto look at the offering/s themselves.

As Patty says, its a matter of comparing apples-to-apples. And, again as Patty mentions, an operator can quote just about any itinerary with camps you wish, but it's not till you are ready to book, providing specific dates, that you'll know what is/isn't available. If a particular camp isnt available on the specific date, the operator should offer a comprable alternative and waitlist you for your initial request... which may or maybe become available. For peak-season, you have to be somewhat flexible as space is booking quickly.

So, in the end - I have no idea who this Wildlife Safaris (or Africa-Wildlife Safaris) maybe and what reviews, pro or con, to offer.

Who are the other operators provided by KATO? With that, comments can be forthcoming from those who have done business with them.

Hello Sandi and Patty, I really do appreciate your interest and help in coordinating my first ever trip to EA. I know both of you are generous contributors to this forum which I have found to be the most informative one I have found on the web. Sandi, the tour operator who gave me the "Explorer" included option is www.africa-wildlife-safari.com. When I google that I get it and it says, "skip intro" (Obviously could use better help with their web site - but once on it, I received pretty good info. A Mr. Tom Fernandez is the owner of over 35 years, according to the website. It was sent to be via email by a friend in SF NM who used to work for a t/a named Dave Patterson who is now retired and has a home in Capetown. I felt pretty secure knowing that; although I DO NOT personally know of Mr.David Patterson.
Anyway the other tour operators chosen (this was by a consensus of my family - who I am sure you remember started this whole thing) and by reading trip reports themselves,everyone threw in a name to contact. So, these are the names: African Quest (very responsive); Eastern and Southern (Patty, I know you used them so i chose them - very responsive), Safariline, Big Five, Gametrackers and Southern Cross. All within l00-200 of each other; but none gave me the option of a smaller tented lodge - which I really prefer as I would like some much needed quiet in groups, not large, family groups as may occur at Intrepids..I am sure you can understand why. When I pressed for Explorer most came back with an additional 1,000 a night - of course out of my budget. Thats why I was inquiring of Africa-Wildlife. They did not add anything additional cost wise for Explorer and have been consistent in responding to my emails daily. I have had many questions - air schedules, ground transportation, etc.

Well that was strange; see I am not a "techie: it just jumped off the page and poof! was on the forum - no preview, no edit..nothing. So....they are all quite capable and reliable I am sure. Now I will spread them out on the table and let everyone examine them and send me on my way. I do have an email into the tour operators assoc. asking about their reliability, etc. as far as they would know.
As far as whether they know Explorer is available all I can do and will do is write and ask if they can assure me. From reading other trip reports, I guess no one truly knows until they arrive. Seems quite a few operators switch.
Actually most of the operators came in at l0 days and looking back on my first I did misread some of the dates, as days (1, 2, 3, etc. were used, and I obviously cannot count so I mispoke originally -counted days "leaving "as days already spent which I should not have. Every itinerary is written a bit differently and when scanning - the way I unfortunately read as I am always in a hurry so I miss things. So all in all, it is a l0 day plan with 2 days travel time. Eastern and Southern came in initially at 6,936 for l0 days using Intrepids and when I wrote back to say thanks but not thanks, they came back with 6,549!(I was a bit surprised but glad to see they would do that.) THEN I received the Explorer itinerary and got quite excited at only 50 more. I should probably bite the bullet on size of lodge and go with them as I know Patty -you think highly of them - and who knows they may upgrade me!
There were about 5 others not worth mentioning who tried to steer me on a Group type itinerary...I tossed them.
This is the gist of my search and now I just have to make a decision. Thanks to both Sandi and Patty, it will hopefully be more informed. You must know how easy it is to do this "emotionally" because of the built up excitement when an itinerary comes in. I really was trying to follow all the postings that used Kenyan operators, but not having a real personal interfacing is not as much fun.
Again thanks to both of you for all the info and encouragement. cc

So are you saying that you've been comparing the same length itineraries (10 nights on safari) with the same inclusions (camps, transportation, etc. with the exception Intrepids vs Explorer) after all? If so, and if Wildlife Safari has come back with an itinerary with the camps you'd like at a cost within your budget, I'd check out their references and if you feel comfortable with them, go for it.

Bottom line, I think you really have your heart set on Explorer, so that's where you should stay (provided of course, there is availability). It would be a shame to travel all the way to Africa and wished you'd stayed somewhere else. At least that's my take

Chacheetah - The only thing I can comment on about your post is that I have been on two escorted safari's using "Wildlife Safari". I personally know Dave Patterson and his wife who used to do escorted trips out of Phoenix to Kenya/Tanzania The Patterson's used to live in Phoenix and I took my first Kenya-East Africa safari with them in 1995 and 1997 when they used Wildlife Safari as their ground operator. I had no complaint with Wildlife Safari during that timeframe. These safari's were already set up - so I had no choice of places to stay. We used mostly Serena properties.

Wildlife Safari definitely has been around for a long time and seem to do a good job. The only thing I didn't care for was the use of pop-top vehicles for gamedrives, but that may have changed. This is the website I found for them.

http://wildlife-safari.com/about_us.html

I'm sure you will have a great time on your safari no matter where you stay.

Dana, thank you for taking the time to write about Dave and his trips and your experience with Wildlife safaris. I am flying to and from the safari lodges so I don't need to worry about their vehicles except to and from airport.Glad to hear of someone who knew of them. Really appreciate it! CC

Hi Patty, Yes,thank you..its not so much "Explorer" as l0 tents vs. 30. No one else came up with an option to Explorer except just now African Quest (I emailed them what I had received from Wildlife) and they would substitute another smaller tented lodge near the river to get to see the migration also. That's why I specified Explorer - the fact it was near the river and would have easy access to see migration in Sept. I will wait to see what they come up with! Cc

In that case, have you seen Eben's thread where he describes the various options in this area? http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34932659

As Patty says, if set on Explorer be specific and have dates for the safari operator so they can verify availability. Be willing to be flexible if to obtain space at Explorer you may have to switch routing.

In addition to Explorer on the River, there are a few other camps, so check those out... Rekero (may be too rustic), Naibor, Little Governor's or Il Moran. Right outside the Triangle is Olonana or Bateleur (too expensive). While you have your heart set, just have a back-up plan.

Also, just because it's a small camp, there's still no guarantee there won't be children or families as guests. On my recent trip, with the exception of one camp, all had family groups.

Was able to get into the site with the corrected link. Am familar with Wildlife Safaris, though have never used them. Now, just see whether they can confirm space on the dates you want, then go from there.

Hi again and thanks to all: I wrote three of the companies I felt comfortable with after our initial emails and asked them to look into some of the smaller camps that I pulled from Eben's list. What a great resource; like I said this forum is the most knowledgable one I've ever come across! Too bad you can't bottle it and sell it! Again, many thanks. If a final itinerary ever appears, I will post it. I hope others can learn from me too!
...and please don't anyone think I am not child friendly; I am. I just dont want 30 tent full; it may go back to a rather pricy Xmas trip we took to an island for just 5 days and the one baby there whose mother "shussed" everyone all day long as not to wake her!! She threw her baby blankets on all the pool chairs so they could "nap" together at the price of very few for the rest of the guests. She had a rather "entitled" attitude as she had the baby. It was rather awkward as no one wanted to be the "bad guy" and no manager was there to set things right. So on expensive trips where I may want some privacy and alone time with my own dh, I just avoid a large group-oriented kind of property. Just making it clear so I don't get hate mail! cc

... I'm not all that thrilled with those entitled mothers either. You've got my vote!

Yes, I am ALL for kids experiencing travel and especially the wonders of Africa, and for those that can afford to take their kids and not leave them with the grandparents, I am very happy they take the time and interest. I don't believe an infant really knows or cares so it does bother me that some parents think we should adapt our schedules to theirs. GIVE me a break. I am a Mom, but from a much different era. Guess I better not get started on that one! CC