Maurice, Your Personal 24hrs Safari Consultant
Africa Safari Classics
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, ASTA, NTA & FTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,340 to $7,811 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Daria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip
We had a great trip with Africa Safari Classics. The itinerary was tailored to our budget and places we wanted to visit and it ended up exceeding our expectations. We had an excellent guide, Tony who had an impeccable knowledge of all areas we visited, provided lots of interesting info, was very patient on road and with us taking photos. He also got the best angles every time we spotted an animal and drove around so we could get different snaps. Needless to say, we saw the Big Five (including two leopards in one day) and we saw two cheetah kills. Maurice organised the trip perfectly, we got the best tents everywhere we went and everything worked out smoothly. It was a trip of a lifetime and I hope to go back soon, I'd definitely use the company again and would recommend to anyone.
Email Nacho | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bespoke Safari, exceeding our expectations
We spent 10 days in several reserves and national parks (Samburu, OL Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara). The trip was a bespoke affordable safari perfectly organised by Maurice who was on top of everything from day 1, not only in the communication flow before arriving but also once we got to Nairobi and started the Safari. He even drop by our hotel on the last day to have a chat and spend some time with us on a Sunday afternoon.
The trip was beyond any expectation we had. The camps were unbelievable, all the best locations within the reserves, we always got the best tents/rooms, the service and the staff was kind and willing to help if need be. Vegetarian/vegan food was organised for us as well.
Tony, our driver, did a fantastic job. He is very knowledgeable of all the areas and was very patient with us. He always found the way to get the best angle of the scene for us to witness and take photos.
I’d definitely recommend Africa Safari Classics to anyone. High quality at affordable prices.
CA
Email Linda & Ben | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life long dream come true!!!
Just got back from our dream trip. Thanks to Maurice for his excellent service in planning the 12 day safari. His professionalism made our trip so wonderful. Everything was top notch!!!! A special thank you to our 2 guides Felix and Jones for 12 awsome days . You made sure we saw lots of animals and taught us about the animals and life in Kenya. You took great care of us. We have souvenirs in our heads and hearts. We already miss you all and hope to be able to go back and visit more of Kenya one day.
Thank you again and big hugs to all of you
CA
Email Alain Campagna | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
over than we expect
we just comeback from a 11 days safari in Kenya with Africa safari classics ltd and everything go so well from the start to the end Maurice is perfect he book for us the better lodges with the better room. Everything was perfect, our guide Felix and Jones was the best, we see the big fives closer than 20 feets for each . They work hard to make my dream come true and i remember them forever. Asante sana Maurice , Felix and Jones and hope the best for you.
Email Michaela, Sharon & Trish | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Trip of a Lifetime!!
Words can not discribe the unbelievable Safari we had and it's all thanks to Maurice for organising a great itinerary and Jones (Muli) our Guide/Driver for not only meeting, but by far exceeding our wildest expectation of what our first African Safari would be like! We especially went in SEP to witness the great Wilderbeast migration in the Maasai Mara, and what a spectacle it was! What we did not realise was that we would see mating Lions, Cheetahs chasing and killing a Wilderbeast, a lone Waterbuffalo charging 4 Lionesses with their 12 cubs and the list goes on! Driving to several different areas and parks in Kenya was great, as they were all quite different from one another and we got to see the beautiful countryside and got more of a feel for the country and it's people. We fell in love with Africa and hope to be returning in the next few years to explore other parts and will definitely be asking Maurice to once again organise another awesome and epic adventure for us!
Email Ken | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Three days in Kenya's Maasi Mara National Park
I've been on Safari in several countries across different continents, and this was the most like a fairy tale. From the moment we touched down on that remote grass airstrip I was amazed to see - through the single prop airplane window- giraffe sauntering up to feed on the treetops, and elephants grazing alongside the ubiquitous Wildebeest.
Kenya's free-range safaris are reputed to be the best in the world, and of Kenya's parks, the Maasai Mara to be the most diverse. The Serengeti ecosystem of Tanzania is much more expansive, but during the dry season migration, the animals follow the green grass up into Kenya, crowding themselves into the "Mara".
In our three day excursion we witnessed non-stop animal activity: A herd of Wildebeest crossing the Mara River, a pack of five cheetahs run down a juvenile Wildebeest, a Leopard, three Lions resting in the shade, hyenas galore, troops of baboons, and flocks of every kind of hoofed animal. We literally were driving through herds of beastly cape buffalo, scores of Zebra, Topi, Tommy Antelope, etc. At times the herds were so vast they dotted the Savannah as far as my 45 year-old eyes could see.
We never saw a rhino, but hey, it gives me something for which to return.
It was difficult to choose a booking company. From my computer screen in the 'States every company promised the best. There are many operators as this is big business in Kenya. Through a friend of a friend we stumbled across Africa Safari Classics, and they delivered the goods. They set us up in a great camp that was within our budget. Our luxury tents overlooked the Mara river. So after our morning game drive we would return to camp for our Noontime meal - only to observe more game! From the camp itself we could watch Hippos staying cool in the Mara River while a baby and a giant crocodile sunned themselves on its muddy banks.
After the sunset game drive we returned to a buffet meal which always satisfied. Our rooms were spacious and comfy. A system of window screens and bed netting calmed any fear of nighttime mosquitoes.
Mr. Maurice was only a phone call away when we needed transit hotels in Nairobi, ATMs, and flights in and out of the bush. I can't wait to bring my wife and kids next time.
Email Nathan N | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless planning for trip of a lifetime!!
Maurice planned a flawless trip for my wife and I in Tanzania that included a 6 day safari and 5 days on the beach in Zanzibar. From the second we landed until being dropped off at the airport to leave, we did not have a single worry as all transportation, food, and lodging was taken care of! Would recommend Africa Safari Classics services to any friend. They allowed my wife and I to plan a perfect trip at gorgeous accommodations and we saw the big 5! Zanzibar was amazing and the resort where we stayed was unbelievable! Thanks Africa Safari Classics!
Email Romina Bella | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya by Kenyan
The trip was organize by Kenyan who love their beautiful country. It was an amazing trip, an experience that will always remain in our hearts. I recorded the sounds of Samburu and Masai Mara during sunrise and I have played them every morning since we left. Maurice and his staff from Africa Safari Classics was extremely kind as well as the safari drivers. I am definitely recommending them I am already talking with my friends and family to encourage them to visit Kenya with Maurice and his team.
Email Jenna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time, can't wait to go back!
My sister and I went on an East African 9 day Safarai in Kenya and Tanzania with Africa Safari Classics and have finally got around to doing a review (almost a year later, whoops)! We had a great time - loved the people and the environment. We'll attempt to give you a brief, or not so brief summary.
First night we stayed in EKA hotel in Nairobi, which was lovely, clean and had good food. Maurice, our contact for Africa Safari Classics met us at the hotel the morning of departure for safari and went through everything with us again, prior to introducing us to our first guide, Mackenzie, who looked after us very well in Kenya and taught us our first Swahili words.
The next morning we headed to Maasai Mara reserve, where we stayed for 2 nights at Basecamp Mara, which was amazing! We were blown away by the welcoming staff, fantastic accommodation and mass amounts of food (delicious, but a bit too much for us - 3 courses 3 times a day). Grounds were beautiful, 'tent' was amazing, loved the eco side of things and the positives for the environment. Also note Obama and his family stayed at Basecamp Mara too. We were warned to lock our tents to stop the Baboons 'taking our passports' and going through things. Basecamp is mostly fenced, however one sides boundary is 'fenced' by a river that also backs onto the reserve. You can often see animals passing through the reserve from the camp grounds. The Maasai staff also danced for us one night too, which was great to see their culture. Reflecting back, I think Maasai Mara was the best animal viewing we had. We managed to get up close to Lions, Cheetahs and many others. We managed to see a small crossing at the Mara River also, and Mackenzie did a great job getting us good spots while not interrupting the animals or other viewers. I liked the accessibility of Maasai Mara - there were a lot more tracks that meant you could get to other spots more easily if you saw something in the distance.
Day 3 we drove from Maasai Mara (Kenya) to Serengeti (Tanzania). This was a very long day of driving, including through the boarder and immigration. We joined a small family and their guide for some of this day, who had booked with the same company. At the boarder we found our new driver, Abdul. Abdul, like Mackenzie, is a veteran at tour guiding and was a pleasure to be with. He joked with us and answered our many questions.
We arrived in the Serengeti with a little game drive and arrived at our accommodation at Serengeti Tented Bush Camp. Upon arrival it looked like a bunch of canvas tents in a field, but the tents were simply amazing! My sister was actually speechless. We had the most comfortable mattresses there compared to everywhere else on our entire trip (including Singapore). We each had a double bed to ourselves, accompanied by a writing desk and sitting chair with footstool. The ensuite had a flushing toilet, but you need to give notice when you want a shower so they can fill it for you. Worst shower we had, but they made up with everything else, plus what else can you expect in the middle of the Serengeti?! The staff were very friendly and loved teaching us Swahili around the campfire. The food was lovely, but not quite as great as Basecamp Mara. Most of our stories are from our time in the Serengeti. We loved just being with the staff, learning the language and seeing the animals pass through the field. This accommodation is not fenced at all and we loved it! The first night I saw our guard chase away a Hyena over dinner. The second night I woke to hear a pride of Lions killing something right outside the staff tent (roughly 150m away from us), then heard all the Hyena's calling and fighting the Lions for the carcass. Hence why many of our stories come from that time.
Day 5 we left Serengeti and headed to Ngorongoro Crater in the hope of finding a Rhino. The Crater is worth a look as it's quite fascinating. We did see one Rhino from afar, plus many other animals. We stayed at Bougainvillea Lodge, which wasn't the best accommodation we had, but still quite good.
Day 6 we departed for Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara was probably the prettiest park in my opinion due to the rainforest-like trees. Despite being the most beautiful, unfortunately it had the least animals and was quite anticlimactic at this stage in the trip. It's worth noting that we apparently did the cheaper route - Kenya to Tanzania, rather than Tanzania to Kenya, but therefore meant the smaller parks were at the end. We didn't see Lions in trees, which is unique to this park. We were told this is reasonably uncommon to see; not rare, but uncommon, mainly due to accessibility of cars. We stayed at Manyara Wildlife Camp, which was gorgeous once again!
Day 7 we headed to Tarangire National Park, which was quite pleasant. Stayed at Lake Burunge Tented Camp, which was fabulous! We had time to relax with a swim. The staff sang a version of happy birthday to someone, which was joyful, cheeky and simply beautiful!
The only day I felt unsafe was the day we crossed the border. I found the people, it was mainly the children we noticed, were less friendly than in Kenya. Of course some were great, but others yelled at us as we drove past and seemed angry we were there. A few matters later dawned on me. Basecamp Mara in Kenya works well in conjunction with the local Maasai people, and many Kenyan's have experienced the good of tourists and missionaries, and realise the good it brings to their country. However the roads we travelled on our first day in Tanzania went through many secluded villages. The tour cars travel on these dirt roads, generally varying 60-80km/hr, which creates mass amounts of dust and disruption, while the locals are just trying to live a simple life and move their herds from one place to another (generally on the roads).
I would definitely go back (if I ever save the money). The people are fabulous - kind and funny. The culture is fascinating and the animals are marvellous. Thank you, Maurice, for a wonderful time!
[Flights: We flew Melbourne to Nairobi (Kenya) with Qatar Airways via Doha. Loved Qatar Airways - so polite, give you everything you want and free care packages! We left Mt Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), also with Qatar, and flew to Singapore for a relaxing stop over (not realising how relaxing Africa would be).]
Email Rikki | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari fun
We were very happy with our choice of Safari Company with Africa Safari Classics. Maurice was on the ball from the start, helpful and prepared to go the extra mile in transporting a box back to Nairobi by road when we had luggage restrictions.
The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The Lodges comfortable with delicious buffet meals in 2 of them. While the other had a set menu but the food was just as good.
We didn't see as much wildlife as we had expected (not without our guides trying their best). As we had been on safaris before we put it down to the time of year. Tsavo West is a great place to get bird shots.