Our staff
Jamlan Holiday Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2021)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,166 to $14,755 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Mark B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime Safari didn’t disappoint.
We had a 4 day safari - Masai Mara, lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha and had an amazing time
Firstly I would say that the extra £500 we spent on having a private jeep rather than sharing was well worth it.
It gives you more space to move around, a view for everyone to look out both sides of the jeep and space for everyone to stand up while touring. It also means that the flexibility of the schedule that was necessary due to a little rain, and excellently accommodated, was in our control rather than having to negotiate with other passengers. Especially the early starts as we were keen to use entry second of our trip and not be delayed by other passengers being up late or slow at breakfast.
We saw everything we wanted too and much more, the big 9 and loads of birds.
Thanks to John’s constant communication with other drivers on the Masai Mara we saw an extraordinary lion hunt and kill, and a resting male lion lying next to his Hippo lunch.
The Masai Mara was far the best part of the trip as there is the ability to go anywhere and follow the animals rather than sticking to roads. It was slightly frustrating in Nakuru being just too far from some animals to see them clearly and get good photos after being spoilt on the Masai Mara but that is the case in many more managed parks.
That’s not to say the more controlled Nakuru wasn’t good but just not as wild.
The Masai Mara village visit was well worth it as was the boat trip at Naivasha but I would also recommend adding the conservation walk for around $20 a head as walking so close to the animals was magical and great for photo ops.
The hotels were lovely and well styled - especially the Navaisha hotel where you shouldn’t miss a hippo walk after dark which finished off seeing them from the boat wonderfully.
One point to note is that many roads are not the best in Kenya, which is just how they are, but don’t used Google maps other anything similar to calculate journey times - they widely underestimate, unlike John who knew the times all to well.
Finally the communication via WhatsApp was rapid and constantly helpful.
Well done Jamlan Safari’s
DE
Email Ulrich | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very good guide but lack of organisation and support by operator
First of all: Our guide was friendly and competent, so we spend a pleasant time.
Now the reason for the two star review:
- First of all, we did two gamedrives less compared to the itinerary. This was strongly recommended by the guide since the location of the lodges would not allow to complete the program as it was foreseen by the operator.
- Second, the transport to our hotel after completion of the tour was organized poorly and took several hours more than necessary. After suggesting an alternative transport I was offered transfer by car for 230 US Dollars, more than three times the price charged by our hotel.
- In the morning of the last day the operator approved our request to be dropped at Sala Gate, instead of Voi Gate. Thereafter I ordered a transfer to the hotel. Two hours later, shortly before departure and after I ordered the driver, we were told that a transfer to Sala Gate would not be approved, since the operator did not want to pay the fuel for an extra 150km (of course, the two gamedrives less were not refunded).
- Instead we should rush to Voi, where we were supposed to take a car from Voi to Malindi. So we left the lodge early and skipped the gamedrive scheduled for this day
- Arriving in Voi it turned out that there was no space for us in the car - so we had to wait two hours two hours to take the train to Mombasa.
All in all there was a total lack of organisation and support once the money was paid. The refusal of driving us 75km to Sala Gate was rediculous, considering the price of the safari and the fact, that the operator delivered two gamedrives less than promised.
Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Posted on Sep 3, 2024Dear Ulrich, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you found our guide to be friendly and competent, and that you enjoyed your time with him. However, we are deeply sorry to learn about the logistical issues you encountered during your safari. Your experience does not reflect the high standards we strive to maintain.
We apologize for the changes to your itinerary, including the missed game drives and the confusion regarding your transport arrangements. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially given the expectations you had based on the original plan. The miscommunication regarding the drop-off at Sala Gate and the subsequent transportation delays are not acceptable, and we regret the inconvenience this caused you.
Please know that we take your feedback very seriously and will be reviewing these issues with our team to ensure that such problems do not occur in the future. We value your business and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much-improved experience should you choose to travel with us again.
Thank you once again for your honest review.
Email Pam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Isabella displayed an impressive breadh of knowledge and obvious passion for her work!
My family and I recently had the pleasure of visiting Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience, all thanks to Isabella and the incredible team at Jamlan Holiday Safaris.
From the moment we started planning our trip, Isabella's expertise and attention to detail were evident. She took the time to understand our preferences and crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly matched our interests. Throughout the entire process, she was extremely responsive, addressing all our questions and concerns with patience and professionalism.
Isabella's dedication to ensuring that we had a memorable and seamless journey was truly exceptional. Her passion for providing outstanding service was evident in every interaction we had, and it made a world of difference to our overall experience.
If you're considering a safari adventure in Kenya, look no further than Jamlan Holiday Safaris for an exceptional and personalized experience.
Thank you, Isabella and Jamlan Holiday Safaris, for an incredible journey that we will cherish for a lifetime.
Email Sara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very responsive
Our family had a wonderful time in Kenya. Bella was very responsive and always answered my messages quickly. If I had one suggestion, it is to have more discussion with Jamlan upfront about desires, needs, travel times between locations, and modes of transportation. We were not expecting to spend as much time traveling as we did. That was not the fault of our agent, but perhaps we’d have developed an itinerary better matched to our family’s needs had we had more discussion at the beginning with Jamlan. Kenya is an amazing country with much to see and experience!
CN
Email Cecilia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent journey and unforgettable experience in Maasai Mara
We booked a 3-day trip with Jamlan and the lodge we stayed at 1st night was fully booked. So Isabella recommended another luxury camp to us which was much surprisingly fantastic. The driver/tour guide is experienced and kind. The balloon company they booked was also professional. I will rate 10 out of 10 to the journey we had.
Email Michael Graf | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable, Professional, competitive price for individually designed package, fantastic experience
We had a wonderful 3 days in Masai Mara with Jamlan Holiday Safaris and their driver, Simon. Booking and payment was easy with Phinorah always being available for answering questions and staying in e-mail contact. Pick up at our private address in Nairobi was on time at 7am on a Sunday morning. The safari car was fit for purpose and comfortable enough for the road trip from Nairobi to the park. Simon our driver/safari guide was not only a master of his Land Cruiser even in difficult offroad situations, he also had a sixth sense for the hidden whereabouts of the animals such as lions and leopards. We saw all that we wanted to see in a very cordial and relaxing atmosphere. The balance of game drives and resting at the beautiful serena lodge was perfect and Simon managed to deliver us back to Kenyatta Airport after a demanding 8 hour drive in good time for check-in and departure back to Kigali. It doesn't get better than this.
Email Beryl | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A RELIABLE TOUR OPERATOR
Jamlan helped plan and execute a 7 day safari and 3 day beach relaxation at Diani beach when my Mexican boyfriend visited. Of the luxury lodges and camps that we spent in, I loved The Cliff at Lake Nakuru and Elephant gorge in Amboseli most. Sam was always checking on us while on safari to ensure that everything was executed accordingly. On the other hand, Sasine is a keen driver and highly talented at spotting animals even from far. We saw all the Big 5 among other animals.
For those who plan to have safari in Kenya, here's a perfect company for you. Ask them to give you Sasine as your driver-guide.
Beryl & Den
Email Tomkins family | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great personalised service
Family of 2 adults and two children (15 snd18), initially was worried about the whole process, in particular would the tour company turn up, how do I pay, what if it’s a scam, Teddy was excellent, WhatsApp video called him prior, arranged payment and all worked out perfectly. They turned up as promised and then took us on a 2 week tour that exceeded our expectations… would definite recommend
CN
Email Jack | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks to Jamlan Holiday Safaris, our Kenyan safari was unforgettable.
We had an unforgettable safari experience with Jamlan Holiday Safaris, and I would like to give special thanks to our travel consultant, Teddy. From the very beginning, Teddy was patient, professional, and extremely responsive to all of our questions and requests.
The itinerary was well-planned, with a great balance between game drives, optional activities, and relaxation. Teddy went above and beyond to secure our preferred hotels, even when availability was challenging, and his persistence really paid off.
Our guide John was very experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly. He made every effort to maximize our wildlife viewing opportunities, and thanks to him we saw the Big Five (except the leopard), as well as the “Ugly Five” and the Great Migration. Although the vehicle broke down once in Nakuru, John quickly arranged a replacement and ensured our trip was not delayed.
The vehicles were comfortable overall, though some of the roads were very bumpy and dusty—which is part of the authentic safari experience. All logistics, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins, were handled smoothly.
We did encounter a small hiccup at Naivasha, where staff on Crescent Island tried to charge us extra tickets (which were already included in our package). Also, when leaving the island, due to miscommunication, our boat did not arrive in time and we had to wait about 10 minutes in the rain. Despite these minor issues, the overall trip was extremely enjoyable.
Although we unfortunately didn’t see the leopard, and due to weather conditions missed the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, the safari still far exceeded our expectations.
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Suggestions for Improvement:
1. Payment Transparency – Please kindly inform clients in advance that credit card payments in Kenya attract about a 3.5% surcharge. We paid the balance by card and were charged over $500 in fees. If we had known earlier, we would have chosen another payment method and avoided this extra cost.
2. Vehicle Arrangement – For groups of 4 or more, it’s strongly recommended not to use small vans to save costs. Our group of 6 found that the initial vehicle was too small to fit both passengers and luggage. Although Teddy quickly arranged a larger vehicle for us, it would be better to plan a properly sized car from the start for maximum comfort.
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This trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we felt well taken care of at every stage. I highly recommend Teddy and Jamlan Holiday Safaris to anyone planning a safari in Kenya.
IT
Email Cristina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent in every aspect of the organisation
It has been a really excellent experience in every aspect! Very reliable tour operator, they organised the trip plan as I wished managing every single detail and transfer. Their representative Teddy has been really patient and kind.
Definitely, I strongly recommend them!