Review by Yiwei
My friend and I travelled with Eva and Joseph from Adventure Alternative in Feb 2023 - ten days passed in safety, beautiful landscapes, diverse fauna, and rich cultures. As two women in sub-Saharan Africa, we value security; our guides ensured that we understood proper precautions, and supervised us nearly 100% of the time. Joseph is top-notch driver, calmly taking us through challenging off-roading. Eva's cooking is incredible - ugali, sukumawiki, local fish, chapatis - and despite being on campgrounds, none of us ever got an upset stomach. Our day hikes on Mount Longonot, Sleeping Warrior / Ugali, Eburu Forest, and Mount Suswa were fun and moderately technical. At Lakes Elementaita, Navaisha, and Bogoria, we saw many species of endangered birds, including hundreds of thousands of flamingoes, described to us by knowledgeable local guides. The conversations we had with Eva and Joseph, and other guides such as Masai guides, really opened our eyes to Kenyan culture. Gavin was so responsive in helping us plan this customized trip, 20+ emails back and forth to ensure we did all the adventures we wanted. Thank you Gavin, Eva and Joseph!
Review by Philip Brearton
Hi Andy and Rosie,
I want to thank you for your help and patience with the planning of our life transforming bespoke vacation in Kenya. From the first introductions to the final goodbye both Ruth and Moses tirelessly shared their knowledge and guidance with humour and kindness. The trip was an eye-opening experience and more than what we hoped for. We learned from Ruth and Moses that Adventure Alternative operates like a family with a philanthropic purpose which is all the more reason to choose Adventure Alternative. Since our return to Canada we have recommended you to our friends and family.
Sincerely,
Philip Brearton
Review by Clodagh Ryan
My family and I, 6 in total, travelled with Adventure Alternative, around Kenya this Christmas (2017). I can honestly say we had one of the best and most unconventional festive holidays we have ever had. Kenya is a beautiful country with lots to do and see but I can safely say we would not have had anywhere near as much fun if we were not with the Adventure Alternative team - they were knowledgeable, flexible to our needs, friendly and really integrated themselves into our group - we felt more like a family of 9 than of 6 by the end of our trip and we met some wonderful people along the way. I cannot recommend them more highly. Asante Sana!!
We did many different activities, including safari, camping, visiting rescue centres, sanctuaries, boat ride to see hippos, tea and cake at Joy Adamson's house, gorge walking, cycling through safari parks and visiting friends of the organisations charity, Moving Mountains. It was a new and unique way to spend the end of the year and not like anything we have ever experienced before.
Review by Rachel Peek
We started out with a charity climb of Mt Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer's Australia NSW. There was a group of 18 people to start ranging from early 20s to 64! Then 5 of us moved onto a post climb safari in Ngorogoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire which AA head office set up for us. It was nice having the same operator covering both so they knew the drill and made the transition out of Moshi so simple. We did our own thing for a couple of weeks then met up with another AA team in Kenya for a Masai Mara safari with just my husband and I.
Adventure Alternative from the main office were only too willing to give oodles of guidance and answer an array of silly questions over the past 6 months. On everything from altitude advice to which camera lenses to pack, they answered everything.
The safari in the Ngorongoro crater etc was good but I think we found the set up of the Kenyan one a little better with separate guide and driver to help with alertness on the long drives.
I was originally so sad that I wouldn't have time to visit Moving Mountains projects to learn and see more about the charity arm, but having Kelly in the car with us was perfect. Pete and I got to ask all the questions we wanted and learn all about what Moving Mountains does there. We talked the whole trip to the Mara. We also found him very knowledgeable about all things Kenya. We quizzed him on politics, logistics, religion... You name it, and he had good solid conversation on each of them. We were really impressed.
Kamau, the driver, was also awesome. He tried so hard to find things for us and was super chilled with a sly sense of humour. He was gutted he didn't spot a leopard but seriously tried harder than any other safari driver I've ever had. There were a couple of technical problems but they acted like total pros in how they dealt with the obstacles and were even sorting things out at 3am to make sure we had as minimal impact as possible. They really did a good job, I'd go with them again in a heartbeat.
Review by Mary O'Connor
From the time we landed to the time we left, the holiday was one surprise and experience after another (all good) - From bike riding in Hells Gate, searching for Hippos at sunrise to hiking in Suswa it is impossible to say what the highlight was as it was all fantastic.
The staff were outstanding. Friendly hard working and I left feeling I had made friends for life.
Review by Chloe Winstanley
I just wanted to say a big WOW, WOW,WOW about our experience on the Masai Mari safari. It is one that both myself and Ryan will never forget. Our experience is hugely down to Kelly and Kamau who were truly amazing from start to finish. They met us at the hotel and Kelly had the biggest warming smile and welcomed us with open arms. The journey to the safari was long, dusty and tiring but Kelly's infectious laugh kept us smiling all the way through. We were so well looked after throughout the whole trip.
Kelly's knowledge of Kenya was incredible and we kept saying how lucky we were to have the two of them as throughout the whole safari, and even going through the local Villages we were being educated on everything. It really helped to make us understand everything we were seeing and doing. The safari was busy with many tours however having the private tour with Kelly as our tour guide we felt unbelievably privileged as he continually explained about the animals movements and behaviours so it helped us to appreciate everything so much more.
Can I just say as well that Kelly is an absolute credit to the company. We found out all about the staff, how Gavin set up the company, the company morals and everything you guys do with moving mountains. He cannot speak more highly of everyone and the company. It really makes me want to book more trips with you guys, and I hope that one day I will do. Not only did we find out about the company but he taught us all about Kenya and the history, the people, the traditions and was also teaching us words. Not that I ever got them right, but we laughed-a lot!
This was certainly a holiday of a lifetime and the best experience by far! I cant wait to go on another trip with Adventure Alternative.