the best expierence ever
this was our second time with Marurumi safaris. the first time was splendid and this time even better. we did amboselli and tsavo east. our new driver and guide Peter was a verry good an carefull driver , also a superb spotter for big wild as well birds an little animals. he really saw everithing even from far away. we have no complaints all was well orgenized. Peter was also very helpfull and friendly, nothing was to much. lot's of thanks to the Marurumi family. you will see us surely back again. Luc & Gina
Distressing incident
What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime safari turned into a distressing incident involving our tour guide abandoning myself and my elderly mother at a toilet stop 3 hours into our trip and fleeing in the truck with all of our belongings (money, passports, baggage) leaving us with no resources (including my mothers medications). The company has avoided my calls and emails and have not provided any compensation for what we endured and have given empty promises of a refund for the alternative vehicle for the past 6 months. We are deeply disappointed in how this was handled by the company and therefore cannot recommend booking with them.
Safari da sogno!!
Abbiamo fatto un tour privato di 8 giorni visitando 4 parchi: Amboseli , Masai Mara , Naivasha e Nakuru con Marurumi é stato meraviglioso! Lo staff attento e gentile fin dalla prenotazione ci ha fatto vivere un sogno. Una settimana di Safari in 4 diversi parchi in totale armonia con la natura. Le strutture che hanno prenotato per noi sono di altissimo livello e il cibo ottimo. Il nostro Autista/Guida Peter é instancabile simpatico molto competente e sempre a disposizione. La nostra esperienza é stata incredibile. Consigliamo a tutti di scegliere Marurumi per un safari di lusso. Ps: Peter é riuscito a farci vedere tutti i big 5!!!! Infinite grazie ancora a tutti voi.
Poor professionalism, worn-out vehicles, inefficient service, and evasion of responsibility
I booked a trip for my guest from January 18th to January 24th, 2026 on November 18th, 2025. Good review:The cars in Tanzania are relatively new and the drivers are also good;It is bad:1.our confirmed itinerary was to stay at the Fairmont Hotel for one night and at the Mara Bushtops Luxury Camp for one night. We charged accordingly, but it was very unprofessional to inform us a few days before the trip that we could not arrange Mara Bushtops for at least two nights. Why wasn't the itinerary confirmed?2.Regarding the bush dinner, it is the same. It was informed at the last minute that there were at least four people and it lacked professionalism.3.On the second day of the trip on March 19th, from Amboseli to Navasha, the vehicle broke down, causing a delay of at least five hours that day, and the subsequent trips were disrupted.4.The promised open Jeep on April 20th was not arranged properly, resulting in a delay of over an hour in the afternoon's Safari due to a direct car change.5.From May 18th to January 22nd, the tour guide service in Kenya was poor. On January 22nd, we were forced to charge $200, but this was not actually required. We have already given enough tips. And the promised refund of $200 has not been refunded.6.From January 18th to January 22nd, the cars in Kenya were very poor and very old.7. It should be the boss James Macharia who communicated with me. The response speed is slow, and when problems arise, it's not a sign of good service.
Dear Jianan,Thank you so much for taking time to write us your review. We truly appreciate both your positive comments and your concerns, as they help us improve our services.One thing that we strive to ensure is that all our clients are handled with utmost attention, confirming that everything is okay. However, along the way at times, we are faced with challenges, and since you are in this same line of duty, you can attest to it.On the whole itinerary package, thank you for informing us that the Tanzanian side was good and that your clients were contented. It is still us that made the plans even on that end and a clear indication that the running was as smooth as we intended. At the same time, we sincerely regret the inconveniences they experienced during the Kenya portion of the trip, and we apologize for any frustration this may have caused you and your guests.On the Kenyan side, we want to inform you that we do not have any other connections with the hotels apart from us providing them with clients. That is why we confirmed to you the itinerary as it was initially, without any doubts that the hotels would respond to us with new rules. Were it that we knew earlier, we would have advised you before you proceeded.Honesty is of importance. Immediately, the hotels responded, the information was shared with you so that you could communicate with your clients, and together we could make the changes immediately and not wait for the last-minute rush.On 19th January, the vehicle breakdown resulted from an issue with the car battery, which we explained to you, not because the car is old or poor. There was no earlier sign of the battery causing havoc, thus it could not have been fixed earlier before the clients had started their journey to Naivasha. It would be against our rules to agree on letting any of our vehicles leave Nairobi, knowing very well it will be out for days and provide our clients with a damaged car. The car battery could not have been accessed in Amboseli, thus causing delays on your client's schedule. We are sincerely sorry about that.On 20th January, the vehicle that they were supposed to use was already in place. The guide communicated with them and informed them that in the conservancy, there were areas that they, as our company guides, could not access, but when they were taken by the hotel's guide, they would be able to view more. This was done to ensure that the clients miss nothing since they were staying in the conservancy. With that, they would later use their designated open jeep the following day, thus doing the normal game drive.The issue of them being charged $200 was not to be handled by your clients. Any charge not contractually agreed upon is not in line with our company policy, and we take this concern very seriously. That is why the matter was reported to the authorities, and we informed you of the same. We are committed to resolving the refund issue promptly and transparently if only you fulfill our earlier request of sending the details of where the money should be credited. Despite the fact that you sent the money online, your information has been encrypted.Yes, you have been communicating with James Macharia, owner of Marurumi Safaris. We regret that the communication did not meet your expectations. Mr. James Macharia oversees multiple operational matters; that is why, at times, calls were not answered. We recognize the importance of timely responses, especially when issues arise.Once again, thank you for your honest feedback. We value our partnership and hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our services in the future.Regards,James Macharia.
Jan S2026.02.02
Verified
Marurumi Safari delivered
Planning our first safari, we were stunned by the large number of providers and all the different tours to choose from. We ended up choosing a tour were the duration, price and bush camp option fitted us - 4-Day Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru/ Masai Mara Mid-Range Migration Tour.The later mail dialogue gave us a feeling of seriousness.Our guide and driver, James, was punctual, safety- and very service-minded. He was experienced, knowledgeable and respectful regarding wildlife and all other aspects of Kenya.He even took us to a coffee plantation in the outskirts of Nairobi on our way back. Bush camp accomodations, cleaning and food were good and gave us a more authentic feel of a safari.We were advised to bring warm cloths for the safari. Coming from Norway and being used to cool summers, we thought that was an exaggeration. Fact was that we were glad we brought the warm clothes and raincover. It gets surprisingly cold standing up in an moving open jeep for hours at almost 2000 m altitude. With our experiences from this safari we have no doubts recommending Marurumi Safari.
Dear Jan,We want to take this moment to express our sincere gratitude for taking the time to write us a review about your recent safari experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and it helps us continually improve our services. We are thrilled to hear that you had the BEST safari adventure experience with us, and your kind words are a testament to our team's hard work and dedication. We are committed to providing exceptional experiences for our clients, and your review reinforces that we are on the right track. If you have any further comments or suggestions, or if there's anything else we can do to enhance your future safari experiences, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to ensure that your next safari with us is even more remarkable. Once again, thank you for choosing us and for sharing your thoughts. We look forward to welcoming you back on another exciting safari adventure in the future.Warm regards,Marurumi Safaris
Luigi C2025.12.04
Verified
Unforgettable experience...Best Kenia...
Working since 35 years in tourism and hospitality around the world within 5 continents my opinion is based on objective analysis.Maruruminsafary is a local personal/family company based on giving the best service focus on providing the best experience cuatomers are looking for.I made a tailor made 13 days voyage/journey with outstanding results thanks to James and Haivi.They have been able to fullfill all our expectation.Our Safari was full of emotions, James was very good in find the spot where was possible to shoot good pictures and see all animals present in the various parks.We have seen the big 5 and many other species...I will definately promote with full score Marurumi company.Above all the sense of humanity is one of the big carateristic of them...For me i can attest that it was the best choice possible...Thank you Marurumi for what you did to.make unforgettable oir visit to Kenia.Jambo....Travelling with James is reallyHAKUNA MATATA....all the best
Fabulous experience!!!
My partner and I have just returned to Italy after spending 13 fantastic days in Kenya!! .....The safari organised by Marurumi Safaris was impeccable, with attention to the smallest details. James accompanied us to the various parks with great patience, showing great experience and professionalism, giving explanations and valuable advice.
Unforgettable Kenyan safari with Marurumi—expert guides, seamless planning, and stunning experiences!
We just got back from an unforgettable girls' trip to Kenya and are already planning our next adventure!Planning a safari can feel overwhelming with so many providers out there, but we struck gold with Marurumi. Here’s what we were looking for in a tour company:Private tour with the opportunity to socialize in the evenings.Mix of activities alongside the classic jeep safari.Flexible schedule with a relaxed pace when needed.Fair pricing without compromising on quality.Marurumi ticked every box! We chose their 7-day tour starting in Nairobi, covering Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, and the iconic Maasai Mara.Why we picked Marurumi: Their base package stood out because it already included unique activities like a boat ride and a walking safari. We added on a few extras, like a bike ride in Hell's Gate (a must-do!), a visit to a Maasai village (great for understanding their culture and crafts—book the traditional welcome ceremony if you can), and the once-in-a-lifetime balloon safari. The balloon ride was the most expensive add-on, but worth every penny! From early morning pickup to the breathtaking flight and the Champagne breakfast in the reserve, it was a highlight of our trip.Our guide, James, made all the difference. As the founder and owner of Marurumi, he brings unmatched experience and insight into the safari world. From the moment we set off, we felt safe, comfortable, and in good hands. Safaris involve long days together, often driving across vast distances, and James made us feel completely at home. His car became our home base, where he shared stories about Kenya's landscapes, wildlife, and culture, and he gave us space to rest when we needed it.James went above and beyond every step of the way—whether it was arranging late checkouts so we could freshen up after a game drive or adjusting activities to help us make the most of each day. With him, we saw The Big 5, captured incredible photos, and witnessed nature in all its raw beauty. His eye for spotting wildlife, even from afar, is incredible, and he always helped us get the perfect shot and shared fascinating details about each animal.From start to finish, Marurumi exceeded our expectations. We left Kenya with memories that will last a lifetime and a deep appreciation for the people, wildlife, and landscapes we encountered. For anyone considering a safari in Kenya, I can’t recommend Marurumi enough!
A family safari beyond expectations: Highly recommended
We had a truely amazing safari adventure with Marurumi Safaris, and felt so safe and comfortable from the very first contact and throughout our safari. We are a family of four, with two girls aged 15 and 18. We chose the 6-day tour exploring Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. Each park had their own character, both in terms of nature and wildlife, so I would definitely advise to explore more than one park when on safari in Kenya. The drive through the countryside from park to park was also a huge part of the experience, seeing the African daily life unfold.We stayed at Sopa Lodge in Amboseli and Nakuru, Mtito Mara Camp in Masai Mara and Sopa Resort in Naivasha. They were all very lovely and clean, with great food and service. The latter had sebras, giraffes and waterbucks roaming freely around the hotel premises, and lots of hippos coming up to grass at night, inside a fenced area for safety. We reached out to Marurumi Safaris with our date of arrival and departure in Nairobi, and brief wishes for the safari experience. They tailor made the trip for us, including all accommodation, transport, game drives and other experiences. Everything was thought through and taken care of, and communication was great.We were greeted at the airport by our guide/driver John and Ivy from the office. John was an excellent guide, very friendly and experienced, sharing insight into the wildlife in addition to Kenyan culture and everyday life. Half way through our safari, John had to attend to urgent family matters, so James, the owner of Marurumi Safaris, stepped in as our guide. He was just as experienced and friendly as John, and we had many interesting and insightful conversations. After a week on safari with Marurumi ,we are left with our cameras and minds full of amazing memories and experiences. We got to see all the big five, including several close encounters with the "lion king". Amboseli's big tusker Craig is another highlight - and so many more.We give Marurumi Safaris our warmest recommendations!
Top safari experience
We really enjoyed our trip to Kenya, James from Marurumi Safari made it special - he showed outstanding knowledge of his country, shared with us some fascinating stories about Kenyans and animals, made us fell in love with the country. Absolutely recommended. Tip: don’t plan activities for absolutely every day, just make sure to stay in one of the beautiful lodges, relax and take your time! Marurumi will make every day you plan special.
Great experience!
Great experience. From the first contact, communication was very good. They adapted the script according to my request. Robie is the most polite and helpful guide you can find. Thank you very much.
A dream come true. Thank you, Rocking Robin.
What a fabulous experience we had with Marurumi Safaris. Our guide, Robin, was exceptional. At the start, he asked us what our expectations were. We were on a private safari and really wanted to see the Big 5 and as many of the animals as we could. Robin made our dreams come true. We couldn't believe how close we got to the animals. The van we were in allowed us to stand right through the park for great views. Robin also understood that we wanted maximum park time.The accommodation at Mitto Mara was extremely good. The staff were amazing and so well trained. It was a great choice of business partner.There was just one fly in the ointment. On the night before our safari, we were presented with an additional invoice, which was a bolt from the blue. We were fortunate that we could honor the invoice, but we were also disappointed with this unwanted surprise.
Amazing experience of a lifetime
Marurumi Safaris proved to be the best choice in the whole process. From the early operator selection 6 months before, delivered a good price, provided confidence with a clear and quick communication showing expertise and cordiality. 3 different payments along the way were an easy task. The manager James did a great job with the best safari planning and even came to our hotel in Nairobi the night before departure to propose an improvement to the plan (without extra payments) that we apreciated. The accomodations, type of car, meals and optionals were just as expected and agreed in advance. The safari itself was one of the best experiences in our lives thanks to our experienced guide Lawrence who, we're almost certain, is the best guide in Kenya. :-) He has an expertise of 14 years experience, is very knowledgeable about the wildlife and always drove us safely and knew where to go and to spot animals, positioning the vehicle in the best spots and angles. Thank you so much Marurumi!
Amazing unforgetable experience!
Wow! It's been over two months since the end of our safari and I still haven't stopped thinking about it. It was perfect every step of the way. We took the 7 day economical tour and we got more than our money's worth. James met us at the start of the tour and was super friendly. Robin was our guide for the trip and I couldn't say enough good things about him! He was kind, fun, and had an absolutely insane eye for spotting animals! We not only saw the big five, but the big nine, and more! The accommodations were great too, not super posh, but more than acceptable and comfortable, with good food, and such great people. I would recommend them to anyone and when I go back, they're the first people I'll be looking up!
Great and safe safari experience.
My daughter and I had the best experience with Mararumi Safaris. Robin (Robinson), our driver made it a lot of fun by customizing it for us. We chose this company because of their great communication and prices. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. I would recommend them and I would go with them again.
An absolute value for money!!
What an incredible value for money!! Right from the moment we asked for a quote for our safari we were treated with kindness by the owner, James, who provided us with detailed information on the parks, the lodges, the pricing, the route etc. so we had a good understanding of what we could expect and stayed in touch with any further relevant information. Upon arrival at the airport we received a warm welcome by James and Robin, our guide and driver during our stay in Kenya and were given a thoughtful and typical welcome present. We started our safari in Amboseli and continued to Lake Nakuru and then Masai Mara, which according to us is absolutely the best route and we would not recommend the other way around as many other tour operators do. The car with open roof was well taken care of and made clean every day. It offered a lot of space for our family and was equipped for the off-road terrain. It even had chargers, unlimited bottles of water, extra pillows for comfort etc. The lodges were excellent! All fairly luxurious, located in great locations in the parks or right next to the park and amidst the wildlife, with amazing views, very good food, comfortable and clean lodging and with plenty of facilities like swimming pool, bar, etc. Robin was an amazing guide! A calm driver, very friendly, well organized, with a lot of knowledge, always available, great with our children. They actually missed him when we continued our trip to another country. Robin was also keen on making sure we saw all that we came for. Don’t hesitate and book with Marurumi!
Memorable and amazing
Amazing trip with so many memories. Robinson, our driver and guide, was fantastic. He helped navigate the way and helped us understand what we were to do next. Each place we went to offered a different experience.
Amazing trip
I had an amazing trip with my guide Robie. The entire trip was well organized and Robie was very attentive. The hotel at Masai Mara was over booked, but Robie explained to me very well and I got to stay at another hotel (Simba Mara) with amazing experience.
Absolutely amazing!
We had a fantastic time with Marurumi! As this was our first time on safari and in Africa we were initially apprehensive, however there was no need to be as we were in very safe hands with our guide Robin and absolutely everything exceeded our expectations. Communication prior to our trip was excellent - James was always very prompt and happy to answer any questions we had. On arrival in Nairobi, we were met by James, Robin and Ivy. James provided thorough introductions and reviewed the itinerary, ensuring we were happy before we left for our safari. Across our six days we stayed in 3 different camps and visited 3 different parks (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara) all of which were fantastic. The hotels were of exceptional quality with fantastic food, service and amenities (we chose the budget package, but the hotels and service were anything but!). The staff's hospitality was unmatched, they regularly asked how our safari was going, what we had seen that day as well as consistently inquiring about our well-being and ensuring our comfort. Opting for a private safari granted us the flexibility to tailor our itinerary. Robin expertly suggested timings to maximise our experience, yet graciously accommodated our requests if we fancied a later start. The game drives were exceptional. We saw over 40 different types of animals and not only did we see the ‘big 5’ across the first 4 days, we were also extremely lucky to see all 5 in one day during our last day at the Masai Mara - very rare and absolutely amazing! This was in large part down to Robin and his knowledge of the locations we visited. Considering the size of the parks and the sometimes elusive nature of certain animals Robin expertly guided us throughout the day as well as providing information about the animals and parks and sometimes being our photographer! Finally, we must extend special recognition to our fantastic guide Robin who really made our trip unforgettable. Robin's brilliance and tireless dedication ensured that our trip surpassed all expectations - nothing was too much trouble, and we couldn’t have asked for better. Robin was extremely professional but also very personable and friendly and it was great to get to know him over the week. His commitment to our satisfaction and his fervour for showcasing all that his country and its parks had to offer really made an impression on us. He eagerly shared insights into safari and Kenyan culture, even going the extra mile to teach us a few phrases in Swahili (despite our sometimes-faltering attempts!). Robin's unwavering enthusiasm and genuine care made him an invaluable part of our experience. Throughout the week, Robin consistently went the extra mile to ensure our trip was truly exceptional. A small example of his dedication was on our departure day when, despite our evening flight, he stayed with us until 7 pm, ensuring we weren’t waiting around at the airport. We had a fantastic trip with Marurumi and can’t thank them and Robin enough. We wholeheartedly intend to recommend them to our friends and family. We were very sad to leave Kenya and our guide Robin - but we will definitely be back!
Amazing safari experience!
The safari with Marurumi safaris was amazing! The communication was fast and clear and they arranged everything perfectly. Mr Robinson was our guide and was a great tour guide. He went out of his way to show us all the animals, which he could all identify, really took his time and was always friendly and patient. The accomodations we slept in were also great. It was a good mix of different surroundings, the food was always good and the staff very friendly. It was especially very special to sleep in a hotel where the girafs and zebra’s just walk around! I think the price-quality ratio was very good. We would recomment Marurumi safaris
Verified
