Come As Guests, Leave As Family.
Odyssey Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- IATA, APTA & KPSGA
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $12,146 to $17,351 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 Ellen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent value; wonderful trip
I had a wonderful experience with this trip. The travel was seamless, the staff helpful, the lodgings lovely, the food excellent, the wildlife terrific. You will be driving a great deal - some days upwards if 5-6 hrs. But I'm not sure how else you could see as much as we see; if you have back issues it could be problematic, but if you're ok with it and make sure to take care of yourself (stretch, etc.) you'll just love love love the experience. I'm very grateful.
CA
Email Judith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Another Amazing Safari
We had travelled with Odyssey before, so when I went to book our Great Migration safari, I knew what I wanted - tweaking their base safari to cover a few things I had noticed and wanted time for. They were very agreeable, and arranged everything, even coordinating between ourselves and the 2 friends we were travelling with. One of our friends added an extra stay to the end of the itinerary and that was booked with ease. They even arranged a pleasant surprise for us in the form of very upgraded accommodations for two nights. Our driver/guide was terrific, and knowledgeable. 5/5 stars, would travel again.
Email Shirley | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Odyssey Safari was a great value, well planned and included everything we wanted to do and see.
The key to a successful safari is your driver and guide, a small and compatible group and a company that works with you from planning to getting you back safely. Odyssey Safaris met this criteria. Once we decided which Safari to take, everything fell into place. Mark and Lucy were quick to respond to any question we had. Our accommodations were excellent, the lodges, food and settings. We traveled by Toyota 4 wheel drive, no mini vans. There were 6 of us, never having met before, but compatible. Our guide, Charles, kept us on schedule, whether on game drives, driving from one park to another ,or optional tours. He also knew the history of Kenya. He had a good sense of humor. He knew the names of all animals and could find them and always stop for our photos. He kept plenty of water in the vehicle for us. The roads in Kenya are not too good, so expect some bumps. You will get a list of what and what not to take. I recommend a pair of rubber shoes,( keen, or similar) that can be washed and worn the next day, NOT sandals. Take less clothing . we stayed in each lodge 2 nights making it easy to get clothes washed. Get 6 people and go together. It is an awesome adventure. Odyssey safaris will treat you well. remember ==some bumpy roads in Kenya. Oh, and yes, a great value compared to some other companies that take you to the same places for twice as much money.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great travel company to go through for an amazing vacation
An African Safari is a must do for any avid travelers. But doing it is not something that is easily done alone. We heard about Odyssey through a friend who had went recently. We considered a couple Safari companies and ended up going with Odyssey. The trip was well planned out and organized. We had an amazing time. We had one hiccup at the end of the trip where we were scheduled to sit in the DAR airport (if you call it that) for 7 hours. After some back and fourth, Odyssey was able to come up with a solution for us to stop at the Serena in DAR. Overall, we had an amazing trip and going through Odyssey was a big reason for that.
Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a fabulous time but communication with the company was a little limited
The safari itself was everything we expected. Our tour guide Kim was awesome and very knowledgeable. The accommodations and food were good also. The tent camps are cool and they have electricity and bathroom and shower in them. I never received a packet from odyssey and some things aren't very clear. You definitely need to bring your yellow fever vaccination card...Kenya and Tanzania will need to see it but that wasn't on the list of things to bring. Also get your Kenya and Tanzania visas online prior to going so you don't have to carry that cash and wait in longer lines. If you do those things prior to going, things should go smoothly and you will have an amazing time :)
Email woodrow | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari!
We just returned from our travels and I’m happy to report we had an outstanding time on the safari! We saw way more animals than we expected, the accommodations were great and the ground crew (Erastus, Simon and Eliud) were knowledgeable and friendly. The trip was well worth the costs and we are super happy we went.
I don't give this trip 5 stars because we had some issues with the air travel part of the trip prior to leaving . Specifically - getting assigned seats and tickets with correct names. Based on conversations with other people on the safari, my own problems with air travel were not isolated issues. Several people remarked about air travel problems. Although in the end our flights, seats and air travel were fine for my wife and me, we did experience some stress leading up to departure.
Once again we are glad we went and are still speaking excitedly about all we saw and did!
Email Scott and Stephanie K. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya - Simon is the best!!
My wife and I went on our first ever trip to Africa through Odyssey Safaris through a Groupon deal and it couldn't have been better. We were taken care of the whole way and never felt unsafe at any point. We didn't get to see all of the Big 5, but it was the trip of a lifetime. It couldn't have been better with panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and an all-inclusive end at Diani Beach. Simon was the ultimate guide - he was very friendly answered every legitimate and ridiculous question that came up and was a heartfelt professional. We would love to go again with Simon any day. I highly recommend Odyssey Safaris to anyone who is the least bit intimidated (like I was, but not my wife) in taking a trip to Africa. Maeshi marefu!
Email Heather H. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Perfect Experience
This is an experience of a lifetime! Odyssey Safaris is spectacular!
Our Tour Guide - There is no doubt that our guide, James (Kiarie), is the best safari guide in all of Kenya. He was able to track and spot every creature. His well established network of guides in every park enabled us to locate the most elusive animal. Hearing him share his expansive knowledge of each species was like having a National Geographic documentarian in arms length. James was patient through our first sightings and our special needs related to getting just the right photo. Additionally, James is a talented driver and navigates the under developed roads with skill and courtesy. He curated our stops along the way and advised the group on how to interact with the locals. He built trust with each of us from the start, with his impeccable manners and smart guidance. He customized each days times and priorities based on our needs. We affectionately called him James Bond.
Sightings - We spotted the Special 5 and Big 5 within the first 2 days of our adventure....but that was only the beginning... 3/4 of the field guide was checked by the time left. James helped us all learn the variations of antelope, birds, rhinos, zebra, giraffe, etc.
Hotels and Staff - The hospitality in the tent camps are outstanding. The staff was extremely friendly, welcoming, and helpful, particularly at Safari Park Hotel, Samburu Ashnil, Sarova Lionhill Lodge, Sweetwater and the Masai Mara Ashnil. The guards were my favorite staff members- they help you feel safe and they are more than happy to chat with you about their unique tribes, traditions and culture....and they are very curious to learn about your world as well. Sweetwater was amazing for the watering hole - we called it the lazy man's safari. My least favorite hotel was Masai Mara Ashnil, the staff was far less friendly and accommodating than the all others- with the exception of the guards and bartenders. I think we were spoiled by the A M A Z I N G service everywhere else. We stopped for a rest at Mara Serena Lodge - this looked and felt like a much better experience...I will opt for this one next time. Overall, amazing wonderful staff that added to the magic of Africa.
Village Visits - Visiting the Samburu Village and Masai Village was a wonderful addition to our trip. I preferred the Massai Village as it seemed more authentic and less about selling goods and asking for money. I am thankful that we visited both and could compare the two.
Karen Blixen Museum - If you love Out of Africa, you will L O V E visiting her home. Don't expect bells and whistles...this is a very simple, straight forward museum experience. Just spending time there was delightful. Learning more of her story will stay with me. I recommend the book about her life in the gift shop.
Itinerary - Our 10 day package was perfect. This Odyssey excursion is well-curated, with a variety of different experiences. You are given the flexibility to opt in or out of drives, which helps when you are weary mid-week. It was fun for my 70 year old mother and for me at 42. We visited Sambaru-Buffalo, Lake Nakuru, Sweet Water, Masai Mara. We had plenty of time to take in the overwhelming beautiful scenery, shop for souvenirs, enjoy cultural entertainment and, of course, see every animal our heart desired.
Preparations - Odyssey made it easy for us to plan for this extensive trip with their well organized pre-trip packet. All relevant information was included about immunizations, safety precautions, weather, accommodations, options and an easy to follow day-by-day itinerary. The staff was very responsive to our pre-trip questions and we felt completely prepared for our adventure, which eliminated much stress prior to departure.
CA
Email Mahasri W. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely awesome!!!!
Our family of 5 are seasoned travellers, doing regular trips twice a year for the past 10 years. A Safari in Africa has to be on everyones bucket list of things to do, so I searched for tour groups. We live in Edmonton, Canada, and there are so many that offer tours. I found 'Odyssey Safari's' from New York. NEW YORK! WTH!! Why would I book through theses people when I can book face to face with someone right here in Edmonton, and I have never before booked through anyone other than directly through the Airline or personally going to the travel office, but after speaking personally to Mark Cahill at Odyssey, I was skeptical at 1st, especially with so many scams going around, but this guy sounded honest and was very up front about everything and not pushy at all. So, us 5 and 5 others, a group of 10 got a great price and took a chance a booked not knowing what to expect coz 5 other family members have always wanted to join us on our many travels, so this time I was worried coz I was responsible for them too if things did not go as planned. But they sure delivered!!! OMG!! What a trip! Stuff that movies are made of - like a Black Rhino charging us and a lioness and her 4 cubs playing just outside our Jeep and giant Giraffe's and Hippo's munching right outside our cottages! All made possible by Odyssey and their fantastic drivers and Vehicles, but people, please expect some minor breakdown's!! When you see the Terrain and the horrible roads that are totally neglected by the Kenyan Govt, it's no fault of the Hotels or the drivers. Us in the western 1st world nations are so spoilt with everything going perfect. We had one flat tire and one other minor issue which was quickly taken care of but what you experience on the great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru! Nothing compared to a minor break down. From the time we landed in Nairobi, it was awesome, fantastic, fabulous, great and did I mention the part about we experienced 'what movies are made of' - thanks Odyssey! We had the best vacation ever. I recommend Odyssey to anyone & everyone, coz they walk the talk. I would ask for Erastus and Simon, if they are available - Great drivers/Guides, and please TIP these guys coz they are poor and we have so much here.
CA
Email Angi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure through Odyssey Safaris!!
Recently back from an amazing safari adventure in Kenya organized through Odyssey Safaris. Odyssey tailored the trip to our specifications and instructed us on payment schedules, visa requirements, medical requirements, etc ... basically made everything simple and easy for us. Mark Cahill ensured that our flights were booked to take advantage of the best routes and prices and our accommodations were excellent (in fact we were given upgrades in a couple of instances). Our guide, Kieri, was friendly, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating -- he ensured that we got to enjoy the landscape and culture of Kenya. I would highly recommend Odyssey Safaris -- they will do everything possible to ensure that your safari experience exceeds your expectations.