pollman's tours & safaris

I did a safari with Pollmans to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Nakuru and L Naivasha in early August 2014. The chosen Lodges were excellent. Our guide, Abdi Latif was capable and a good driver, but seemed at times to be more motivated by his commission at souvenir shops and tourist traps (e.g. Masai Cultural Village ) than by provision of a good experience for clients. We in the mini-bus all got the feeling that he was doing other business on the side. Once time, travelling at 120kph towards Narok on a narrow tar road we all felt scared for our safety and had to ask him to slow down. Game viewing was good; possibly even excellent if you have had little prior experience of wildlife in Africa. This remark of course excludes experiencing the wildebeest migration, which was unique and unforgettable. Pollmans is very good but the satisfaction you will finally feel will depend a lot on the driver/guide. For the record, we were told by Newton, the coordinator in Nairobi before the safari, that a normal tip for the driver/guide is from USD 5 to 10 per day. Few Australians or New Zealanders would pay more anyhow. As far as tips are concerned, in Kenya tourist areas in general, I think Europeans, Asians and Americans would tend to be exploited as fair game, from the local perspective, so beware.

We booked a safari via a french travel agency in France. They asked Poolman's to organize the safari.Pick up at NBO airport was on time and the Pollman's representative made a review with us of the safari. Also, they told me that there was a 30 USD per day tips for the driver...! I said I was surprised by that and he answered me I could pay what I want. After that, we met our driver (FRANCK) and we started our safari.We spent very good time to visit Amboseli, Navaisha and Masai Mara. No problem with the organization and the hotels even if there were small differences between what scheduled by the French agency and what booked by Pollman's. For example, we should have 2 bush lunch but Pollman's did not booked for that... Disappointing.Moreover, on the ways, the driver made several stops on touristic shops full of chinese groups. We asked him we didn't want to make stops in such place and we preferred to stop in small village but he didn't want.....Many times, the driver put pressure on us to book for a balloon ride (350 USD/pax) and for a Masaï village visit. We told him we did not want to ride balloon and that we want to visit real Masaï village and not Masaï Cultural Village. We told him we were ready to give money to the Masaï village for that but he did not want again...Not only, he refused all we asked him for but he made us guilty to not participate to touristics activities... incredible situation !!!!Moreover at the end of the safari, we gave him 10 USD/day for tips. He started to be very agressive with us and required us to give him 30 USD/day. I told him we booked a tour with a French Agency which did not advise us about this very high tips. He did not want to listen us and continued to yell in our hotel room !!!! I finally called his boss which confirmed me that I had to pay the amount I wanted. After 30 minutes to explain, he decided to leave very angry but we gave him no USD more !I called the French Agency just after the incident and they agreed with me.In fact, it seems that Poolman's ask tourists to pay 30 USD/day for tips to drivers in stead of giving them a bigger salary.... Just for comparison, a school teacher has a monthy salary of 350 USD/month in Kenya. I just cannot imagine that a driver could be paid twice only thanks to tips.In summary, if you booked with Pollman's, refuse the driver called FRANCK.

We had this seven day safari as part of a safari tour to Kenya and Tanzania. Our guide, Alex King'oo was amazing. He had an excellent knowledge of the wildlife, flora, agriculture and people of Kenya and a great sense of humour. The vehicle was a two wheel drive Nissan Urvan with a pop-top roof, but it went to all the places four wheel drives were going. We saw lions feeding and mating, the great migration of zebra and wildebeest and lots of elephants, gazelle and buffalo, warthogs, vultures etc etc etc. Our accommodation was excellent wherever we went and the meals were too big. All staff were friendly and we always felt safe. Highly recommended!!

Pollmans have always been in the forefront to help MEAK ( medical and educational aid to kenya) with transportation of medical teams and patients in Nairobi. Thank you Pollmans for your generosity.

We booked a tailor made safari directly with Pollmans from the 17th April for 4 days, all 5 star from the booking with Arthur in the office to the trip its self. We requested Titus who had been our driver guide before, a very knowledgeable guide he can tell you the name of every bird you see. Our vehicle was spotlessly clean every time we got in . We stayed at Ndololo camp Tsavo East, Oltukai In Amboseli and Ziwani Tsavo west all great camps. A wonderful experience giving a real insight into Kenya.