traveljunkie69

Hi Friends

I know this is the million dollar question but can anyone recommend a local tour operator in Kenya who is reputable, easy to work with, handles high end safaris and luxury tented accommodations?

Any feedback would be profoundly appreciated.

Thankyou.

tracilee

We used Spirit of Kenya and were very happy with them. They offer three levels of accommodations, we took the highest and were happy with all of our choices. This was our first safari and Spirit of Kenya was recommended by my Goddaughter who had used them on her honeymoon a few years ago.

jennyzaltz8446

Can you please share your itenurary?

tracilee

Jenny, assuming the above question was for me, here’s our itinerary as sent to us prior to booking from Spirit of Kenya:


Monday, April 08, 2024 tour on own
Day 0 - Nairobi: Pick up from Airport (flight number: xxxx, arriving at: xxx) and transfer to Nairobi. Overnight at Nairobi (hotel not included). Tuesday, April 09, 2024 tour on own
Day 1 - Nairobi/Amboseli (5hrs): Pick up at 7am for transfer to Amboseli. Picnic lunch and afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight Wednesday, April 10, 2024 Day 1 - Nairobi/Amboseli (5hrs): Pick up at 7am for transfer to Amboseli. Picnic lunch and afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight
Day 2 - Amboseli: Full day game drive in Amboseli including a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight Thursday, April 11, 2024 Day 2 - Amboseli: Full day game drive in Amboseli including a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight
Day 3 - Amboseli/Lake Naivasha (5-6hrs): Early morning transfer to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride and lunch and relaxing at the lake. Dinner and overnight Friday, April 12, 2024 Day 3 - Amboseli/Lake Naivasha (5-6hrs): Early morning transfer to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride and lunch and relaxing at the lake. Dinner and overnight
Day 4 - Lake Naivasha/Mara (6hrs): Early morning depart to Maasai Mara. Picnic lunch and afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight Saturday, April 13, 2024 Day 4 - Lake Naivasha/Mara (6hrs): Early morning depart to Maasai Mara. Picnic lunch and afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight
Day 5 - Mara: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara including a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight Sunday, April 14, 2024 Day 5 - Mara: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara including a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight
Day 6 - Mara/Nairobi (5-6hrs): Morning game drive in Mara and late morning transfer to Nairobi with arrival around 5 PM. Monday, April 15, 2024 Day 6 - Mara/Nairobi (5-6hrs): Morning game drive in Mara and late morning transfer to Nairobi with arrival around 5 PM.
Notes: Transfer duration is mentioned as a reference, may vary according to traffic and road conditions.


We actually arrived in Nairobi on Sunday night, April 7th and did a couple day tours of the area on our own prior to beginning the safari on Wednesday, April 10th. For first-time safari goers, we liked the itinerary very much and we’re happy with all we saw.

glover

We had a great experience with Justu Wambua of Justabus tours out of Nairobi.
TEL NO:0722829448 EMAIL:justabustours@gmail
He was recommended to us by a friend.

I have a long trip on Fodors from 2022/3. We spent a few days each in Meru, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Mara, and Navaisha- 9 days total in November. It was all wonderful

jennyzaltz8446

tracilee,
Would it be posible to let me know where did you stay? What day trips did you take on your own? How did you do transfers: car or flight?

tracilee

Jenny, from my notes:

Our airport transfer on arrival in Nairobi was included with our safari package with Spirit of Kenya even though we arrived several days ahead of our start date. Our hotels:

Nairobi - Sarova Stanley Hotel - very nice hotel in downtown Nairobi. This was not included in our safari price.

Amboseli- Elewana Tortilis Camp
Lake Naivasha -Enashipai Resort and Spa
Masai Mara - Mara Bush Camp Private Wing
The three hotels above were included in our safari were all excellent. Meals were included at each; there were many choices and we never had trouble finding something we liked.

Travel between locations was via our private safari vehicle. We were picked up the first day by our driver/safari guide, Michael, in the Landcruiser (we had a choice between that and a minivan - definitely recommend the Landcruiser). He was with us the entire week and we enjoyed him very much.

Transfer back to the Nairobi airport was included; Michael dropped us there on our return from the Masai Mara.

The two day tours we did in Nairobi were at our own expenseooked through Get Your Guide:

1. Nairobi: Historic and Modern Highlights Walking Tour English • 3 hours$ 54.18 for 2 people
Booked through Waymark Safaris, I think we paid about $100 for the two of us.

2. Day tour with Kennedy. We went to the Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen House as well as a tour of Kobe Tough, a bead and jewelry making facility that benefits women.

We enjoyed both tours and would recommend them, but occasionally felt pressure to buy merchandise from locals.

Hope this helps!

jennyzaltz8446

Thank you very much, it looks like our trip is planned by you!

tracilee

LOL, happy to help!

Not sure where you’re flying from but we were on Qatar Airways and took advantage of their stop-over program to spent 4 nights in Doha on our way home. We had never been nor thought about going there but really enjoyed our stay. It is a fascinating city!