NAIROBI KENYA
Balu Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Member Of:
- KWS & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,013 to $6,886 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
TR
Email Gökhan Ünal | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator quickly assessed our application and perfectly accommodated our request for a phot
Our driver James was smart, attentive and friendly. He took us to all the photographic spots in Amboseli. Our 4x4 vehicle was spotless on every new game drive in this dusty region. I thank him and Balu Tours.
CZ
Email Filip Hrdlicka | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 3 day trip to Meru NP
We were picked up at our accomodation early morning by our driver - Carlos. And we proceeded straight to our accomodation near Meru NP - iKWETA safari camp. Scenic drive by Mt Kenya.
Accomodation was beautiful tent with everything needed, pool in camp and delicious food. We went for few hour long game drive in the afternoon/evening. We sadly didnt see many animals but the sunset was beautiful.
Early morning next day was a start of full day safari again in Meru. We saw a lot of animals - hippos, a lot of different types of antelopes, hippos, elephants, rhino, lions... etc. We also saw a lot of baby elephants, baby giraffe and baby lions.
Third day after breakfast was the start of our way back to airport. Stopping for a quick break at the equator line. Our driver was very professional and knowledgeable.
Email Dorsel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Balu Travel exceeded my expectations - and they are very high - 10 stars
This summer, my family visited the Masai Mara Reserve for a safari with Balu Travel Limited, so our 8-year-old son could experience wild animals in their natural habitat, and we had such an incredible experience.
Upon our arrival at Nairobi International, the Balu team met us at the airport and transported us to our hotel. This was a no-hassle experience which started the trip on a wonderful note. After a long flight and landing in a strange international airport for the first time, it was awesome to walk outside and have someone meet you right where you were. We stayed overnight at Hotel Boulevard. This hotel was one of about 5 recommended by Balu and it was a great choice. The hotel had all the toiletries and a very attentive front desk staff. There is a restaurant on site.
I was in constant communication with Mr. Morris, who always answered my many many questions – thoroughly. He told me exactly what time our guide would pick us up the next morning.
The next day, our tour guide, Mr. Isaac, picked us up from the hotel at about 6AM and transported us via our private tour bus to the Masai Mara.
When we got to our luxury hotel, ‘Jambo Mara Lodge,’ we were welcomed with watermelon juice and a wet warm rag to wipe and refresh ourselves. The staff provided exceptional service, and we were escorted to the restaurant because we were on time for lunch. We were then escorted to our personal glass cottage. The meals we ate there for the duration of our time were wonderful as we enjoyed African dining at its finest. The water/juices were safe to drink. The spreads and varieties of food – for every meal – was awesome. It was all displayed so elegantly, and tastefully. The staff was so wonderful, pleasant and helpful – attending to our every need.
Later that afternoon, we embarked on our first ever -Game Drive (safari) where we saw a wide array of animals in their natural habitat including gazelles, impalas, zebras, wilde beasts, vultures, elephants, baboons, and lions. That was a taste of great things to come.
On day 2, we started our game drive at 7:30AM, and we shared our anticipated animal encounter list with Isaac, and he said he will take us to the various animals. First up, we saw a lion and lioness up close, along with other tour trucks, as they gave us a dating and mating show. The experience was amazing, and Isaac told us that this can happen many, many times a day. From there, Isaac took us where we saw a giraffe tower (many giraffes together-tallest animal in the world). We also saw cheetahs, cranes, ostriches, warthogs, meercats, water buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, and many more lions, gazelles, impalas, zebras, wilde beasts, giraffes, and many others. Many of the animals walked alongside our vehicle on the tour trail, and this was very exciting to behold. We always felt safe with Isaac and focused on enjoying the experience.
Around midday, we found a balanitis tree in an open area where we had our first bush lunch with many wild animals in the background. This was in the Serengeti Park in an area were Kenya borders Tanzania. The feeling we experienced during this moment was phenomenal. We were able to call family back home as far as the Caribbean (via what’s app - video) and share the experience with them.
After lunch, we continued our game drive where we saw many more animals. We were taken to see Crocodiles and hippos, where a special ranger took us along the bank of a river to see them. This was one of the animals my son wanted to see. This is an experience we will never forget.
We enjoyed every bit of our game drives.
Now I will talk about our tour guide – Isaac. I do not have enough positive words to describe Isaac. This man was exactly what we needed. On the way to the Maasi Mara, he introduced us to the local music and had us dancing and learning Swahili very early on the trip. Isaac is down to earth, warm, friendly, caring and just downright awesome. He bonded with my 8-year-old in a way that makes this mother’s heart so happy. Isaac is now part of our extended family. We gave him a list of the animals we wanted to see and (I still don’t know how) but he knew how to maneuver that great span of Safari and find the animals we wanted to see. There are no road or directional signs on the safari. It is amazing to see how he knew where to go.
We had so many questions, he answered them all, he went above and beyond each time. He was always on time to start our days. He left no stone unturned for us. He was obviously known and respected by his peers (he seemed to know everybody, and everybody knew and respected him). Our tour guide- Isaac was very knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I could not ask for a better experience than we had with him. We were sad when the safari ended, and my son cried.
As a reference point, we are a family of 3 - 2 parents and an 8-year-old boy. We travelled from Tampa Fl, went through London, to get to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi – Kenya. I was anxious leading up to the travel date. This was a whole new world for us and the media can be cruel. The places we stayed at were top class. I remember contacting one of the hotels and asking if they provide towels and toiletries. I needed to know how to pack. They provided everything – from shower caps to bedroom slippers, toothbrushes and Jambo Mara even had robes. The experience we had was better than most top-class hotels in the US.
If you are reading this and are apprehensive in choosing a company, choose Balu Travel. Morris took care of all the details, and it was a seamless transaction. I had no issues – NO ISSUES. From the time we exited the airport, until Isaac dropped off at our hotel in Nairobi, we were taken care of to the utmost degree. We have no reservations with recommending Balu Travel – there is nothing they could have done better – it was the best.
We will never forget his experience and will be forever grateful to Balu Travel and by extension – Isaac.
RU
Email Vladimir | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very attentive
We went to Crescent Island from Nairobi. Everything was organized perfectly!
Friendly and thoughtful, providing a quality individualisedexperience
We had an amazing four days in Samburu National Park
We had a very experienced and intuitive guide who knew the park like the back of his hand and took great care of us, tuning into our needs and interests. We saw a spectacular range of animals and birds and the scenery was stunning.
Communication with the tour operator was smooth, clear and supportive at all times - from start to finish.
The mid range lodge, Simba Lodge, exceeded our expectations. It was super comfortable with very friendly and attentive staff. We had a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the river. Endless views of elephants - magical. The lodge was very well run in terms of housekeeping and meals and generally made everything look effortless.
It's setting was just lovely.
Email Brinda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional & Patient
We worked with Morris and he was very patient answering all our questions and looking into all our requests. We visited Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. We stayed at wonderful accommodations and our driver Wilson who was from masai mara was an excellent tour guide. He ensured we saw all the animals we possibly could in addition to being very patient and caring about our family needs. Despite the short trip we felt like we accomplished a lot! Thanks Morris and Wilson!
NO
Email David | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Safari Tour
Balu Travel offers an unforgettable safari experience, marked by professionalism and memorable moments. Our driver Jeremy stand out with his extensive knowledge and unwavering commitment to safety, ensuring that every game drive is both enlightening and secure. That's very important while we were travelling with children.
The seamless organization and personalized attention to detail by Balu Travel create a safari adventure that is not just a journey, but a treasure trove of experiences that linger long after you return home. Their dedication to conservation and the local communities adds a layer of meaningfulness to an already spectacular adventure. Good job guys. 👍
DK
Email Abdala | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
It was a fantastic trip and the experience of a lifetime. Safari is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. BALU travel was professional. Morris was easy to reach. He always responded to messages and emails very quickly. We had Isak as our driver for 4 days. He was very pleasant and friendly. He told us about the animals and provided an authentic experience. Isak is also very sociable and makes things comfortable for everyone. I would 100% recommend Isak as a driver as well as BALU.
Email Brady | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect experience
The safari through Balu was great. Morris was incredibly easy to communicate with. And Solomon was such a great guide with so much knowledge about the area.
I did the budget option and the camp had everything you need for a budget safari lodge!
RU
Email Polina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsible, frindle, always on contact, do everything u will be comfortable
The safari was great! I found Balu on TripAdvisor and contact by mail. The manager was very friendly and patient with us, our tour to Kenia was canceled 3 times and Balu moved our safari 3 times forward and was waiting for us. always answered all the questions and made contact. When we finally got to Nairobi, at the 1st day of Safari manager suggest us more convenient place to pick up, it was great! On the way back drive also brought us the same place, it was near the app we leave. Drive was very good, we got to Masai Mara for 4,5 hours with 2 stops, it was very fast and safety. And at the same day we had a drive to Masai Mara, the driver made stops at every single animal we saw, do his maximum to find lions, answered all the questions about Masai living and wild life, it was great experience, on next day we had a full drive to Masai Mara with lunch under the tree in Savana, it was so lovely near u could see animals seat on the ground and eat and at the evening trip to Masai Mara village, it was kind of interesting, but it seems comrecial
