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
Email Hugo and Jane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent, great value and attentive
My mother and I did the five day safari to Amboseli and Masai Mara. Our driver Meshack was amazing, he picked us up at 7:30 on the first day and looked after us very well for the whole period from Nairobi. We chose the 4x4 jeep, and would absolutely recommend to do, for comfort and convenience.
Meshack drove like the wind and got us from A-B faster and any other car on the road. He was incredibly kind and worked so hard for us, he wanted us to see everything we could in the time. When we told him that we didn’t like being around all the other vehicles of safari, he listened and went out of his way to give us a really special day away from most other land cruisers. His knowledge of the Masai Mara was amazing, but we would recommend learning about the animals beforehand or taking guides. He loved watching the animals, which made it even more special because you could tell he loved his job and his home in the Masai Mara. He was incredibly proud to be Masai, and that made it special as well. Would recommend going to the village as well, but be wary not to be pushed into spending money on things that might not be as authentic as they say - but it’s a great experience. They were kind.
The value for money was very good, but the food probably wasn’t as good as other parts of Kenya that we have experienced. Sangura was incredible and they were very attentive and kind, Simba Oryx was ok, but probably wouldn’t choose it again.
Thank you Balu and Morris. You were brilliant and we would 100% recommend to our friends.
RO
Email Andrei Stanescu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very serious, trustworthy and easy to communicate with. Amazing guide!
SHADDY — we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the most amazing safari we had. We enjoyed every second and never expected it to be so surreal. Balu is very trustworthy and they replied to our questions in the beginning much faster than all other companies — that’s also the reason why we booked with them. 🐅
As for our guide Shaddy, I’ve never met a more professional, passionate, well-hearted, committed and better guide in my life. He took us so close to the animals and knew exactly where to find all animals even when other groups had given up. 🙏
I’ll recommend you Shaddy and Balu Travel for all Safaris in Kenya over and over again!
Asante sana! 🇰🇪
Email Andrew and Hana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator was communicative, professional and our tour guide Shaddy was amazing
Our 5-day safari in Kenya was absolutely unforgettable. We spent 3 days in the Masai Mara and 2 days in Amboseli, and every single day felt like something out of a nature documentary.
A huge part of what made the experience so incredible was our guide, Shaddy. His knowledge of the parks and the animals was outstanding. He seemed to know exactly where to go and when, and he shared fascinating insights about animal behaviour, the ecosystem, and the Masai culture throughout the trip. It felt like we were exploring with a true expert who genuinely loves what he does.
Thanks to Shaddy’s skill and patience, we were lucky enough to see the Big Five during our safari, including an incredible sighting of a leopard. Some of the most memorable moments were watching lions high up on a hill with their cubs, and witnessing another pride feeding on a buffalo. We also had amazing close-up views of elephants and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The positioning of the vehicle was always perfect for photography and viewing, and we never felt rushed.
Both the Masai Mara and Amboseli offered spectacular landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. The vast open plains of the Mara and the iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli made the experience even more special. We consistently had incredible views and magical moments that we’ll be talking about for years.
If you’re considering a safari in Kenya, I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. With Shaddy as your guide, you’re in the best possible hands. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Email Neshan Kishoiyan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent organisation and communication
We had 4 days excellent safari for Samburu & Meru and all our expectations were exceeded by this operator.
JP
Email KOHEI | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing
it's my first time on game drive
we have been looking forward to this and it was actually a great experience more than I imagined!!
we could find out giraffes, lions, elephants etc,,
Finally, i sincerely appreciate to Shaddy and Morris for accommodating the sudden schedule change and my request.
Email stefania | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience
Our 3-night safari in Nakuru and the Maasai Mara with Balu Travel was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, everything was seamlessly organized, allowing us to fully relax and immerse ourselves in the experience.
What truly made the trip unforgettable, though, was our Maasai guide, Kasaine. His skill behind the wheel was extraordinary—navigating tough, uneven terrain with confidence and precision, even in challenging conditions where other vehicles struggled. We always felt completely safe in his hands, which allowed us to focus on enjoying every moment of the adventure.
Kasaine’s ability to spot wildlife was equally impressive. His knowledge, sharp eye, and intuition meant we never missed a thing. Thanks to him, we were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five within just 24 hours—something we know is incredibly rare. Each sighting felt special, but the absolute highlight was an unforgettable leopard lounging in a tree. We had the best possible view, completely unobstructed, and were able to spend time observing this magnificent animal in a way that felt truly magical.
This safari exceeded all expectations, and a huge part of that is down to Kasaine’s expertise and passion. We couldn’t recommend Balu Travel more highly for anyone looking for a well-organized, authentic, and truly memorable safari experience. Huge thanks to Morris for organizing such an amazing trip
PL
Email Aleksander | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Big Five Achieved!!!! We are so thankful for everything. Ours dreams came true.
I recommend it wholeheartedly. We saw tons of animals on the first day of the evening safari, but the best part was the next day, a full-day safari with Isaac and... We saw the African Big Five. Simply wow! Isaac, you're amazing, the Landrover is great, and everything was perfectly organized by Balu Travel at Mara Hilltop. We didn't miss anything; it was perfect, we even had lunch among the birds in the middle of the Masai Mara National Park. An incredible experience!!! I have to do it again, the Big Five in one day!!!! And we even got to see a lion eating a buffalo. Wow!! The best days of my life, thank you Isaac, thank you Balu.
DE
Email Tatjana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exceptional guide made this safari unforgettable - thanks to Shaddy
Our safari to Lake Nakuru and in the Masai Mara was simply a dream experience – we couldn’t have imagined anything better! From the very first minute, everything was perfectly organized and we felt completely cared for and warmly welcomed.
The game drives were breathtaking: we were able to see (almost)the “Big Five” up close - lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and even a cheetah and many, many other amazing animals.
Our guide Shaddy was incredibly knowledgeable, warmly, passionate, and had an impressive instinct for locating the animals. Every drive was exciting, educational, and full of magical moments.
We were especially impressed by the flawless organization of the entire trip. Transfers, schedules, and activities were perfectly coordinated, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy the safari to the fullest.
This safari was a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with emotions, adventure, and unforgettable encounters with wildlife. We wholeheartedly give it 5 stars and would book this trip again anytime – an absolute recommendation for anyone who wants to experience the Masai Mara in an authentic and immersive way!
An unforgettable Safari experience
We had an unforgettable safari experience, and that is entirely thanks to our incredible guide, Junior. From start to finish, he was kind, patient, and exceptionally knowledgeable. As a Masai man, Junior took us on unique, hidden excursions that we never would have found on our own—experiences that made the trip feel deeply authentic and truly special. His professionalism was unmatched, and he always made us feel safe, informed, and genuinely cared for.
Because of Junior, I would highly recommend Balu without hesitation. He is a rare guide who goes above and beyond to create a meaningful and memorable experience.
A special mention as well to Morris, the owner, who was equally impressive—extremely professional, responsive, and quick to answer any questions we had. The entire operation felt seamless and well-run.
Email Alishia Jones | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, knowledgeable, and friendly
had an incredible safari experience in the Maasai Mara from January 19 to January 21. The safari was absolutely amazing, and my guide was exceptional—professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about both the area and the wildlife. As a solo traveler, I felt completely safe with him and with every single person I engaged with from the company. My guide worked tirelessly to make sure I saw every animal on my list, along with many others I hadn’t even expected to encounter. His dedication and expertise truly made the experience unforgettable.
I also want to highlight how wonderful the company’s owner has been throughout the entire process. He has been consistently professional, responding to emails in a very timely manner and replying quickly to WhatsApp messages. No matter how big or small my questions were, he was incredibly helpful and reassuring every step of the way.
I highly, highly recommend this company to anyone considering a safari in the Maasai Mara. They deliver an outstanding experience from start to finish.