Australken Tours & Travel
Australken Tours & Travel
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Australken tours & travel ltd is a family run company that provides luxury lodge/ tented camp safaris, camping and budget safaris, walking safaris, cultural safaris, mountain climbing, gorilla trekking, special interest safaris, eco tourism safaris, holidays beach safaris, special interest safaris and more ...
Nairobi, Kenya
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Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
137 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Miguel M
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Our unforgettable adventure in the Masai Mara, Kenya, with Australken Tours & Travel Ltd. was a truly remarkable experience. From the moment we began planning our safari, we were impressed by the smooth and stress-free process provided by the exceptional service Australken.
From our pickup in Nairobi to our drop-off, Australken's team, mindful of our travels with a 7-year-old child, demonstrated genuine consideration. Our driver, Moses Njuguna, proved to be not only helpful but also highly knowledgeable, ensuring our safety during the safari with his careful and non-aggressive driving. To top it off, we even had access to Wi-Fi in the car, which was a delightful surprise.
There are several compelling reasons why we truly recommend Australken Tours & Travel Ltd. for a Kenyan safari:
1. Effortless Planning: Communication with Australken was remarkably clear and convenient through email. They offered a variety of accommodation options at different lodges and provided quotes that encompassed optional experiences, such as hot air balloon rides and community visits. Whenever we had questions, Australken promptly offered quick and informative responses, whether it was about the type of vehicle or pickup arrangements.
2. Efficient Communication: In addition to email, Australken operates an efficient WhatsApp communication system. We extensively utilized WhatsApp before the safari, which greatly facilitated our preparations.
3. Punctual Pickup: Australken's punctuality was commendable. They went the extra mile by ensuring that the pickup location was prearranged, and any queries were addressed via WhatsApp. This proactive approach greatly enhanced our convenience.
4. Comfortable Journey: The drive to the Masai Mara was a smooth and comfortable one. Moses made strategic stops at places filled with souvenirs, where we found delightful items. His guidance on how to interact with local vendors and what to expect at the Masai Mara gate was particularly appreciated, especially as it made our son feel at ease.
5. Exciting Game Drives: Moses demonstrated extensive knowledge not only in spotting animals from afar but also in accurately identifying their species. This level of detail impressed our son, who diligently cross-referenced the names with a book he carried. Moses maintained a relaxed pace, ensuring that our departures from the lodge were never rushed and allowing us ample time for logistics.
6. Return to Nairobi: The return journey mirrored the calm environment of our initial drive, allowing us a chance to relax and rest.
In the end, we received precisely what we had planned for in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that we will cherish forever. Our safari with Australken Tours & Travel Ltd. was a fantastic journey filled with incredible wildlife encounters and unforgettable memories.
From our pickup in Nairobi to our drop-off, Australken's team, mindful of our travels with a 7-year-old child, demonstrated genuine consideration. Our driver, Moses Njuguna, proved to be not only helpful but also highly knowledgeable, ensuring our safety during the safari with his careful and non-aggressive driving. To top it off, we even had access to Wi-Fi in the car, which was a delightful surprise.
There are several compelling reasons why we truly recommend Australken Tours & Travel Ltd. for a Kenyan safari:
1. Effortless Planning: Communication with Australken was remarkably clear and convenient through email. They offered a variety of accommodation options at different lodges and provided quotes that encompassed optional experiences, such as hot air balloon rides and community visits. Whenever we had questions, Australken promptly offered quick and informative responses, whether it was about the type of vehicle or pickup arrangements.
2. Efficient Communication: In addition to email, Australken operates an efficient WhatsApp communication system. We extensively utilized WhatsApp before the safari, which greatly facilitated our preparations.
3. Punctual Pickup: Australken's punctuality was commendable. They went the extra mile by ensuring that the pickup location was prearranged, and any queries were addressed via WhatsApp. This proactive approach greatly enhanced our convenience.
4. Comfortable Journey: The drive to the Masai Mara was a smooth and comfortable one. Moses made strategic stops at places filled with souvenirs, where we found delightful items. His guidance on how to interact with local vendors and what to expect at the Masai Mara gate was particularly appreciated, especially as it made our son feel at ease.
5. Exciting Game Drives: Moses demonstrated extensive knowledge not only in spotting animals from afar but also in accurately identifying their species. This level of detail impressed our son, who diligently cross-referenced the names with a book he carried. Moses maintained a relaxed pace, ensuring that our departures from the lodge were never rushed and allowing us ample time for logistics.
6. Return to Nairobi: The return journey mirrored the calm environment of our initial drive, allowing us a chance to relax and rest.
In the end, we received precisely what we had planned for in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that we will cherish forever. Our safari with Australken Tours & Travel Ltd. was a fantastic journey filled with incredible wildlife encounters and unforgettable memories.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excursion58931965479
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
Best vacation ever. And Australken is a big reason why.
From the first time I reached out to Zippy, I felt like everything would turn out perfectly. She is considerate, communicative, and wants to make sure you have an incredible experience. We had a flight change and she was helpful making sure we were still picked up at the right time (even meeting us at the airport).
Symon was our guide, and he gets an A+. He was so knowledgeable about the animals and knew where to find them and how to get us the best view, while still staying a respectful distance away (unlike some other drivers we saw). He answered so many of our questions about Kenyan culture and government and society. We all agreed he was the MVP of the trip.
I cannot recommend Australken enough – if you're going to Kenya, use this company.
From the first time I reached out to Zippy, I felt like everything would turn out perfectly. She is considerate, communicative, and wants to make sure you have an incredible experience. We had a flight change and she was helpful making sure we were still picked up at the right time (even meeting us at the airport).
Symon was our guide, and he gets an A+. He was so knowledgeable about the animals and knew where to find them and how to get us the best view, while still staying a respectful distance away (unlike some other drivers we saw). He answered so many of our questions about Kenyan culture and government and society. We all agreed he was the MVP of the trip.
I cannot recommend Australken enough – if you're going to Kenya, use this company.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaime F
Osage Beach, MO120 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I highly recommend booking any safari with Australken. At every step we were met with professionalism, kindness, and a desire to go above and beyond by the coordinator, Zippy, and everyone who was a part of our safari.
My husband and I first booked our budget safari for Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara in 2019 to travel in 2020, but had to postpone it for obvious reasons. They were kind enough to patiently await our rebooking and honor our deposit and 2020 prices when we were finally able to reschedule this year. Then we had a family health issue that caused us to need to move our safari by six weeks. They were kind enough to do that for us to at no additional charge, though I offered several times to pay more.
When we finally arrived in Nairobi, a driver was waiting for us at the airport as described and Zippy met us there too. I had wisely requested two nights in Nairobi before departing for our safari to give us a recovery day from our long travel from USA. The Nairobi hotel was well chosen with a great breakfast included. We were able to walk to the CBD to pick up cash and a SIM card, both of which were helpful, though there was also a pocket wifi provided on the safari. Pro tip: if you're like us and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, pick up a few bottles in Nairobi to bring along because the budget lodgings don't have a cash bar.
We were picked up right on time the day we left for the safari by our driver/guide, Zack, and cook, John. Both gave excellent service throughout the entire trip. We enjoyed John's meals and Zack went above and beyond with his driving to make sure we saw all the animals. We were able to see the Big 5 and so many other animals in enormous quantities. It was really awe-inspiring.
I was happy our itinerary started with Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru NP before going on to the Maasai Mara, which is vast. It felt like the safari just kept getting better and better. We especially enjoyed our accommodations at Lake Nakuru, and the budget tent camp near the Maasai village worked out well for us too. Four days on safari was quite enough for us, though we'd love to do it again in the future. When we do, I will certainly book again with Australken tours. I was very impressed with every aspect of the package that Zippy so thoughtfully put together for us and how well they treated us through the entire process.
My husband and I first booked our budget safari for Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara in 2019 to travel in 2020, but had to postpone it for obvious reasons. They were kind enough to patiently await our rebooking and honor our deposit and 2020 prices when we were finally able to reschedule this year. Then we had a family health issue that caused us to need to move our safari by six weeks. They were kind enough to do that for us to at no additional charge, though I offered several times to pay more.
When we finally arrived in Nairobi, a driver was waiting for us at the airport as described and Zippy met us there too. I had wisely requested two nights in Nairobi before departing for our safari to give us a recovery day from our long travel from USA. The Nairobi hotel was well chosen with a great breakfast included. We were able to walk to the CBD to pick up cash and a SIM card, both of which were helpful, though there was also a pocket wifi provided on the safari. Pro tip: if you're like us and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, pick up a few bottles in Nairobi to bring along because the budget lodgings don't have a cash bar.
We were picked up right on time the day we left for the safari by our driver/guide, Zack, and cook, John. Both gave excellent service throughout the entire trip. We enjoyed John's meals and Zack went above and beyond with his driving to make sure we saw all the animals. We were able to see the Big 5 and so many other animals in enormous quantities. It was really awe-inspiring.
I was happy our itinerary started with Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru NP before going on to the Maasai Mara, which is vast. It felt like the safari just kept getting better and better. We especially enjoyed our accommodations at Lake Nakuru, and the budget tent camp near the Maasai village worked out well for us too. Four days on safari was quite enough for us, though we'd love to do it again in the future. When we do, I will certainly book again with Australken tours. I was very impressed with every aspect of the package that Zippy so thoughtfully put together for us and how well they treated us through the entire process.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria B
Moscow, Russia3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We felt real Africa with Australken! Thanks Zippy for arranging this wonderful trip and our amazing guide Symon for showing us the best of Kenya. The scenery, the animals, the lodges and the people! Everywhere we felt safe and warmly welcomed! The best safari experience, and hakuna matata in its full sense.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco B
Vienna, Austria4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We searched for more than a month for a good offer for a 3 week safari. Australken provided us with a great offer that we instantly took advantage of!
After more than 6 months of traveling we can still say the trip organized by Australken (Zippy) was our highlight with a top service, unbelievable Nature, stunning wildlife sightings and great food!
Our Guide Moses had so much to tell about wildlife, exciting stories and nature that we learned a lot about Kenya and it’s nature. On top of that he showed us the big 5 and a couple of animal hunting experiences 😍 (Cheeta hunting a Antilope, Lions hunting pumbas etc). Even after 20 days of safaris we could not get enough!
Our cool John, surprised us every day with great traditional food that we enjoyed a lot! He was also a very fun guy that made us laugh so many times!
We left this trip with wonderful experiences, memories and friendship!
Thank you Zippy, Moses and John! You are incredible people that have the intention of providing the best experience for your clients!
Best regards,
Marco from Austria
After more than 6 months of traveling we can still say the trip organized by Australken (Zippy) was our highlight with a top service, unbelievable Nature, stunning wildlife sightings and great food!
Our Guide Moses had so much to tell about wildlife, exciting stories and nature that we learned a lot about Kenya and it’s nature. On top of that he showed us the big 5 and a couple of animal hunting experiences 😍 (Cheeta hunting a Antilope, Lions hunting pumbas etc). Even after 20 days of safaris we could not get enough!
Our cool John, surprised us every day with great traditional food that we enjoyed a lot! He was also a very fun guy that made us laugh so many times!
We left this trip with wonderful experiences, memories and friendship!
Thank you Zippy, Moses and John! You are incredible people that have the intention of providing the best experience for your clients!
Best regards,
Marco from Austria
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MC9572
Aix-en-Provence, France2 contributions
Mar 2023
With the whole family, we would like to thank you warmly, for having been able to make us travel in this wonderful country that is Kenya. Whether in terms of the quality of hotels, food, communication, everything was there. And again a big thank you to Symon who made this trip complete by accompanying us during this breathtaking week. He knew how to listen, be patient, observant and supported our fairly energetic family. He will henceforth be part of this unforgettable parenthesis of our lives. He was able to share with us his passion for his country and Kenyan wildlife with professionalism, intelligence and humor.
Symon also made every effort to satisfy our desire to observe the big fives. But he was also able to interest us in the passage of bullet ants and the efforts of a small dung beetle.
We were able to enjoy the beauties of the savannah, but Symon also made us understand all the fragility of this magnificent ecosystem, the importance of respecting it and our responsibility to preserve it instead of fulfilling simple whims!
Asante sana for making our trip unforgettable.
Symon also made every effort to satisfy our desire to observe the big fives. But he was also able to interest us in the passage of bullet ants and the efforts of a small dung beetle.
We were able to enjoy the beauties of the savannah, but Symon also made us understand all the fragility of this magnificent ecosystem, the importance of respecting it and our responsibility to preserve it instead of fulfilling simple whims!
Asante sana for making our trip unforgettable.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shakthi
1 contribution
Feb 2023
We had a great experience on our safari in Kenya and with Australken tours in particular! Zippy was an exceptional communicator throughout the lead-up to our trip and changed our itinerary details several times to include everything we wanted to see.
When we arrived in Nairobi we were pleasantly surprised that Zippy herself met as at the airport! We thought it was an incredibly thoughtful touch. The next morning we left for our safari and our driver, Peter, was absolutely outstanding. He was a very safe driver and thoughtful guide but made it a point to find as many animals as possible and to get us as close as possible to them to ensure we got good photos. There were times when we were satisfied with our views but he was not and found ways to get even closer. He was very knowledgable about both the wildlife and when we had questions about Kenyan culture and politics in general.
On our return to Nairobi it was a very thoughtful addition to see Zippy again and that she had gifts for us prior to our departure. It was not necessary at all but very much appreciated.
Overall, I would encourage anyone who is considering using Australken to go for it! We had an incredible experience! We hope to return with family someday and will definitely reach out to Zippy again (and request Peter)!
When we arrived in Nairobi we were pleasantly surprised that Zippy herself met as at the airport! We thought it was an incredibly thoughtful touch. The next morning we left for our safari and our driver, Peter, was absolutely outstanding. He was a very safe driver and thoughtful guide but made it a point to find as many animals as possible and to get us as close as possible to them to ensure we got good photos. There were times when we were satisfied with our views but he was not and found ways to get even closer. He was very knowledgable about both the wildlife and when we had questions about Kenyan culture and politics in general.
On our return to Nairobi it was a very thoughtful addition to see Zippy again and that she had gifts for us prior to our departure. It was not necessary at all but very much appreciated.
Overall, I would encourage anyone who is considering using Australken to go for it! We had an incredible experience! We hope to return with family someday and will definitely reach out to Zippy again (and request Peter)!
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michala
Brandon, Canada1 contribution
Feb 2023
We chose Australken over other tour companies, as Zippy was super efficient with arranging our safari trip, she was responsive, professional and helpful at all times.
Our safari driver Symon was extremely knowledgable and went above and beyond to ensure that we had an amazing adventure. He was polite and curteous and kept the vehichle clean & tidy. His English was extremely good and very articulate.
His knowledge of the animals and birds was outstanding, and his love for his job shone through.
The trip was excellent value for money, we stayed in 4 of the 5 Sopa Lodges in Kenya and all were excellent and highly recommended.
We travelled to Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Nakuru and Masai Mara
Overall a fabulous tour operator offering more than a personal touch. Highly recommended.
Our safari driver Symon was extremely knowledgable and went above and beyond to ensure that we had an amazing adventure. He was polite and curteous and kept the vehichle clean & tidy. His English was extremely good and very articulate.
His knowledge of the animals and birds was outstanding, and his love for his job shone through.
The trip was excellent value for money, we stayed in 4 of the 5 Sopa Lodges in Kenya and all were excellent and highly recommended.
We travelled to Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Nakuru and Masai Mara
Overall a fabulous tour operator offering more than a personal touch. Highly recommended.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trip4realGEORGIA
Tbilisi, Georgia1,978 contributions
Jan 2023
Australken Tours & Travel offers outstanding experience. Very professional guide Simon and Manager Zippy made our trip unforgettable! They have also good car fleet.
According to Zippy suggestions we made 2 weeks journey.
The main safari circuit takes in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru, with Tsavo West, Tsavo East and Samburu popular add-ons. Any combination of these parks should ensure ample sightings of big cats, plenty of elephants, a few rhinos, and all of the plains game, such as buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and all manner of gazelle and antelope species. We made even big 55 and all wished animals!
After that we visited also Diani beach which was also very nice.
According to Zippy suggestions we made 2 weeks journey.
The main safari circuit takes in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru, with Tsavo West, Tsavo East and Samburu popular add-ons. Any combination of these parks should ensure ample sightings of big cats, plenty of elephants, a few rhinos, and all of the plains game, such as buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and all manner of gazelle and antelope species. We made even big 55 and all wished animals!
After that we visited also Diani beach which was also very nice.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gür
Germany3 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
- 100% amazing safari
- airport pick up
- great driver and guide
- saw the big 5 and all wished animals
- great lunch
- 4×4 Jeep
- sightseeing included
- everything on time
- great organization from Zippy
- airport pick up
- great driver and guide
- saw the big 5 and all wished animals
- great lunch
- 4×4 Jeep
- sightseeing included
- everything on time
- great organization from Zippy
Written 4 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladimir Astakhov
Rostov-on-Don, Russia3 contributions
HI! i want to know about the low-level price for safari in Amboseli from Nairobi for two persons for 1 night. We only want to see Kili and few animals without luxurious. Thank u.
Australken-Safaris
Nairobi, Kenya2 contributions
Hello Astakhov92 Please note that if your travel dates are from 1st November to 19th December,2019 then the cost for 1Night/2 days Amboseli safari will be U.S.D 285 per person sharing based on private safari just for 2 of you only with accommodation at Amboseli Sentrim camp.
Please let us know if you need any further clarification.
Thanking you in advance, Zippy
Jambo everyone,
I messaged a couple of the reviewers directly inquiring about price ranges. It's my understanding that it can vary depending on the package and lodging preferences. I'm just looking for a ballpark figure at the moment for a 5-7 day safari trip for 2-4 people. Nothing luxurious at this point, just the basics. Thank you for your response.
Please disregard. Zippy replied to my email much sooner than expected and supplied all I need to know. Already a good sign.