Our staff
Jamlan Holiday Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2021)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,163 to $14,744 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
CN
Email Brad | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jamlan's trip arrangement is disappointing
Last Oct, we booked two trips from two trip operators in Kenya. One 8 - day trip from Nairobi to Amboseli, Tsavo and Diani, which turns out to be perfect; the other from Nairobi to Nakuru to Masai Mara operated by Jamlan Holiday, which is quite disappointing.
We soon found all the hotels Jamlan booked for us are outside the park upon the start of the trip (in most cases, the hotels and lodges outside the park are cheaper than those located inside the parks). That truly cost our much time on the way and largely reduce our time inside the park. For example, when reaching Nakuru, we had to go through traffic jams of a city besides Nakuru to eventually arrive at the hotel inside the city. I then asked Jamlan to make adjustments but was refused with nice excuses like their operation cost is too high.
It seems they don't understand tourists can calculate the average price per day and compare it with that of other trips. Also they don't understand we can talk with other tourists to make comparisons.
So, I strongly suggest all guests planning to book the trips operated by Jamlan Holiday to check the locations and prices of the hotels, as that is an important part to decide the quality of your trip.
Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Posted on May 12, 2025Dear Brad,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights, as they help us continue improving our services.
We are glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience on your first trip and regret that the second trip did not fully meet your expectations. Our team works hard to design itineraries that balance quality and cost-effectiveness, and we always aim to provide accommodations that align with our clients' preferences and budgets. The hotels selected for your journey were chosen with these factors in mind and were shared with you before your trip, with your approval.
We apologize if the location of the hotels outside the parks impacted your experience. We understand the importance of proximity in maximizing time inside the parks, and we are always open to customizing itineraries and accommodation options when requested. We value your feedback and will use it to better communicate with future guests regarding accommodation options and their impact on travel time.
Thank you once again for your feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a more tailored experience.
DE
Email Ulrich | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very good guide but lack of organisation and support by operator
First of all: Our guide was friendly and competent, so we spend a pleasant time.
Now the reason for the two star review:
- First of all, we did two gamedrives less compared to the itinerary. This was strongly recommended by the guide since the location of the lodges would not allow to complete the program as it was foreseen by the operator.
- Second, the transport to our hotel after completion of the tour was organized poorly and took several hours more than necessary. After suggesting an alternative transport I was offered transfer by car for 230 US Dollars, more than three times the price charged by our hotel.
- In the morning of the last day the operator approved our request to be dropped at Sala Gate, instead of Voi Gate. Thereafter I ordered a transfer to the hotel. Two hours later, shortly before departure and after I ordered the driver, we were told that a transfer to Sala Gate would not be approved, since the operator did not want to pay the fuel for an extra 150km (of course, the two gamedrives less were not refunded).
- Instead we should rush to Voi, where we were supposed to take a car from Voi to Malindi. So we left the lodge early and skipped the gamedrive scheduled for this day
- Arriving in Voi it turned out that there was no space for us in the car - so we had to wait two hours two hours to take the train to Mombasa.
All in all there was a total lack of organisation and support once the money was paid. The refusal of driving us 75km to Sala Gate was rediculous, considering the price of the safari and the fact, that the operator delivered two gamedrives less than promised.
Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Posted on Sep 3, 2024Dear Ulrich, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you found our guide to be friendly and competent, and that you enjoyed your time with him. However, we are deeply sorry to learn about the logistical issues you encountered during your safari. Your experience does not reflect the high standards we strive to maintain.
We apologize for the changes to your itinerary, including the missed game drives and the confusion regarding your transport arrangements. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially given the expectations you had based on the original plan. The miscommunication regarding the drop-off at Sala Gate and the subsequent transportation delays are not acceptable, and we regret the inconvenience this caused you.
Please know that we take your feedback very seriously and will be reviewing these issues with our team to ensure that such problems do not occur in the future. We value your business and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much-improved experience should you choose to travel with us again.
Thank you once again for your honest review.
CN
Email Dean | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
unique experience
Thx for teddy's introduction and anrrangement about the safari. And Jackson is a really good and experienced guide for safaris, really took care of us, make it a unique journey for us, saw big fives and all of the big cats in a very close distance.
Every camp was excellent, but elerai camp was a little bit of ordinay. If could see more cats would be perfect, but good enough though.
Email Synthia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exemplary,good customer care service
I loved my trip to Diani, looking forward to more of such amazing experience.i would recommend Jamlan holiday safari to those who would want to have unforgettable experience.Their packages are pocket friends and their services are top notch. Cheers to more travels with you guys.
Email Michael Graf | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable, Professional, competitive price for individually designed package, fantastic experience
We had a wonderful 3 days in Masai Mara with Jamlan Holiday Safaris and their driver, Simon. Booking and payment was easy with Phinorah always being available for answering questions and staying in e-mail contact. Pick up at our private address in Nairobi was on time at 7am on a Sunday morning. The safari car was fit for purpose and comfortable enough for the road trip from Nairobi to the park. Simon our driver/safari guide was not only a master of his Land Cruiser even in difficult offroad situations, he also had a sixth sense for the hidden whereabouts of the animals such as lions and leopards. We saw all that we wanted to see in a very cordial and relaxing atmosphere. The balance of game drives and resting at the beautiful serena lodge was perfect and Simon managed to deliver us back to Kenyatta Airport after a demanding 8 hour drive in good time for check-in and departure back to Kigali. It doesn't get better than this.
Email Beryl | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A RELIABLE TOUR OPERATOR
Jamlan helped plan and execute a 7 day safari and 3 day beach relaxation at Diani beach when my Mexican boyfriend visited. Of the luxury lodges and camps that we spent in, I loved The Cliff at Lake Nakuru and Elephant gorge in Amboseli most. Sam was always checking on us while on safari to ensure that everything was executed accordingly. On the other hand, Sasine is a keen driver and highly talented at spotting animals even from far. We saw all the Big 5 among other animals.
For those who plan to have safari in Kenya, here's a perfect company for you. Ask them to give you Sasine as your driver-guide.
Beryl & Den
Email Tomkins family | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great personalised service
Family of 2 adults and two children (15 snd18), initially was worried about the whole process, in particular would the tour company turn up, how do I pay, what if it’s a scam, Teddy was excellent, WhatsApp video called him prior, arranged payment and all worked out perfectly. They turned up as promised and then took us on a 2 week tour that exceeded our expectations… would definite recommend
CN
Email Jack | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks to Jamlan Holiday Safaris, our Kenyan safari was unforgettable.
We had an unforgettable safari experience with Jamlan Holiday Safaris, and I would like to give special thanks to our travel consultant, Teddy. From the very beginning, Teddy was patient, professional, and extremely responsive to all of our questions and requests.
The itinerary was well-planned, with a great balance between game drives, optional activities, and relaxation. Teddy went above and beyond to secure our preferred hotels, even when availability was challenging, and his persistence really paid off.
Our guide John was very experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly. He made every effort to maximize our wildlife viewing opportunities, and thanks to him we saw the Big Five (except the leopard), as well as the “Ugly Five” and the Great Migration. Although the vehicle broke down once in Nakuru, John quickly arranged a replacement and ensured our trip was not delayed.
The vehicles were comfortable overall, though some of the roads were very bumpy and dusty—which is part of the authentic safari experience. All logistics, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins, were handled smoothly.
We did encounter a small hiccup at Naivasha, where staff on Crescent Island tried to charge us extra tickets (which were already included in our package). Also, when leaving the island, due to miscommunication, our boat did not arrive in time and we had to wait about 10 minutes in the rain. Despite these minor issues, the overall trip was extremely enjoyable.
Although we unfortunately didn’t see the leopard, and due to weather conditions missed the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, the safari still far exceeded our expectations.
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Suggestions for Improvement:
1. Payment Transparency – Please kindly inform clients in advance that credit card payments in Kenya attract about a 3.5% surcharge. We paid the balance by card and were charged over $500 in fees. If we had known earlier, we would have chosen another payment method and avoided this extra cost.
2. Vehicle Arrangement – For groups of 4 or more, it’s strongly recommended not to use small vans to save costs. Our group of 6 found that the initial vehicle was too small to fit both passengers and luggage. Although Teddy quickly arranged a larger vehicle for us, it would be better to plan a properly sized car from the start for maximum comfort.
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This trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we felt well taken care of at every stage. I highly recommend Teddy and Jamlan Holiday Safaris to anyone planning a safari in Kenya.
IT
Email Cristina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent in every aspect of the organisation
It has been a really excellent experience in every aspect! Very reliable tour operator, they organised the trip plan as I wished managing every single detail and transfer. Their representative Teddy has been really patient and kind.
Definitely, I strongly recommend them!
RU
Email Vitalii | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari experience
We really enjoyed our 7-day safari with Jamlan. We visited parks such as Amboseli, Naivasha, Mara, and Nakuru.
In Amboseli, we stayed at the Elerai camp, which offers stunning views of Kilimanjaro and incredible wildlife views from the restaurant. The only downside was that it was June, and the nights were very cold. We had to sleep in our clothes and under 2-3 blankets :) In Amboseli, we saw elephants, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, flamingos, and warthogs.
In Naivasha, we stayed at Enashipai, which was a luxurious hotel with a stunning waterfront area where hippos could be observed at night. We also recommend taking a tour of the island, where the guide provided excellent information and guided us around the area, allowing us to observe the animals up close.
Afterward, we traveled to Mara, where we stayed at Mara Ngenche Camp. This hotel left an incredible memory. Right in front of our tent, we saw wildebeests and warthogs running around. At night, we heard the sounds of hippos, leopards, and lions. It was an incredible experience. We also went on a hot air balloon ride and saw many cats in the wild.
In Nakuru, we stayed at the luxurious The Cliff Hotel. The hotel was absolutely stunning. The views of the lake and the breathtaking sunrise were breathtaking. The food and service were exceptional.
Any interaction with Teddy, the safari organizer, was as easy as possible. He was always available and helpful with any questions we had. I also want to mention his excellent advice on hotels. Everything he recommended was amazing. We were extremely satisfied with his service. This safari was our best experience ever.
The only aspect that could be improved was the guide's performance. We would have liked him to provide more information about the animals and spend less time on the phone. This was sometimes a bit of a hassle.
Overall, the safari was an excellent experience. We will definitely come back to finally see the leopard.
