Cisticola Tours
Cisticola Tours
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
Welcome to Cisticola Tours LTD, your home for all East African Tours and Safaris. We offer top birding, wildlife, photography, landscapes, history and cultural tours in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Our birding and wildlife safaris offer you the ultimate African safari experience.
Nairobi, Kenya
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
92 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Denis Jungmann
1 contribution
Oct 2019
We did a one day Birding Tour from Mombasa to Mida Creek with Johnson as driver and guide, a one day birding tour to Lake Naivasha and one day to Nairobi NP, both from Nairobi with John as our Guide and two different additional drivers. We had 3 lovely days with really much great sightings.
In advance Washington was very obliging with organising the tours and finding dates. He also was very, very helpful with other things which were not related to the tours. I can definitely, definitely recommend Cisticola Birding Tours. The Guides are very smart and very kind in birds. If you plan a Birding Tour in East Africa contact Washington and support this great company. We will do it again! Thank you very much Washington, John and Johnson!
In advance Washington was very obliging with organising the tours and finding dates. He also was very, very helpful with other things which were not related to the tours. I can definitely, definitely recommend Cisticola Birding Tours. The Guides are very smart and very kind in birds. If you plan a Birding Tour in East Africa contact Washington and support this great company. We will do it again! Thank you very much Washington, John and Johnson!
Written January 12, 2020
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.
Hallo Denis,
Thank you very much for your kind review and feedback.
It was a great pleasure working with you to plan and execute your wonderful tours. All our guides really enjoyed birding with you across Kenya.
We look forward to meeting you on your next tour, for much more amazing experiences.
Much appreciated,
The Cisticola Team.
Written January 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elmondo1
4 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Washington (guide) and Nicholas (driver) provided outstanding service during a morning birding and game drive in Nairobi National Park.
Washington’s knowledge of birds is exceptional. A real expert and enthusiast. I would highly recommend his tours to novice and expert alike, as he will tailor the guiding according to your requirement and level.
COVID-19 precautions were in place during the tour and at the Park. Indeed, Kenya has higher levels of protection than is evident in Europe and N. America. Now is definitely the time to visit, with minimal crowds at the Park.
Overall, an excellent morning, with multiple viewings of game and birds. I will definitely use Washington and his team again for future trips during my next visit to Kenya!
Washington’s knowledge of birds is exceptional. A real expert and enthusiast. I would highly recommend his tours to novice and expert alike, as he will tailor the guiding according to your requirement and level.
COVID-19 precautions were in place during the tour and at the Park. Indeed, Kenya has higher levels of protection than is evident in Europe and N. America. Now is definitely the time to visit, with minimal crowds at the Park.
Overall, an excellent morning, with multiple viewings of game and birds. I will definitely use Washington and his team again for future trips during my next visit to Kenya!
Written December 14, 2020
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.
Hallo Emlondo1,
We had an amazing time birding with you in Nairobi National Park.
Our team really enjoyed planning and implementing your great tour.
We look forward to meeting you soon for many more tours.
Thank you very much,
The Cisticola Team.
Written December 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dia316
Olympia, WA17 contributions
Feb 2020
My husband and I booked a two-week bird watching tour with this company. Even before signing up, we received prompt and accurate answers to all our questions from Washington, the director. When we arrived in Nairobi, we were met at the airport by our guide Wilson, and driver/guide Alex, and from that point on, these two men looked out for our every need, assured our safety, and ultimately became our friends.
Wilson is an amazing guide. His knowledge of the birds including sound, habitat, behavior, and also other wildlife, is thorough and like having a living guidebook crammed with facts, to lead us. Alex also has extensive knowledge, and I felt very safe with his skilled driving ability through heavy traffic, rough roads, and scary driving conditions.
Both men provided exceptional customer service, with patience, tolerance, and understanding. We shared stories and humor throughout the trip which added much to the quality of our experience. We made two great friends and will never forget Wilson and Alex.
Wilson is an amazing guide. His knowledge of the birds including sound, habitat, behavior, and also other wildlife, is thorough and like having a living guidebook crammed with facts, to lead us. Alex also has extensive knowledge, and I felt very safe with his skilled driving ability through heavy traffic, rough roads, and scary driving conditions.
Both men provided exceptional customer service, with patience, tolerance, and understanding. We shared stories and humor throughout the trip which added much to the quality of our experience. We made two great friends and will never forget Wilson and Alex.
Written March 6, 2020
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.
Hallo Dia316,
Thank you very much for your kind review. It was a great pleasure working with you to plan and run your Kenya Birding Tour. Our team enjoyed every moment working with you.
We look forward to meeting you on many more future tours.
Much appreciated,
The Cisticola Team.
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon C
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
Dec 2019
Our trip was tailored to our quite specific needs, and Washington and colleagues were very helpful and accommodating of our schedule and commitments. It may not be immediately obvious from the website, but Cisticola will build tours in this way to suit the needs of individuals or small groups, and we were very happy with the arrangement.
We spent 10 days with Jackson as our driver/guide. He was an excellent driver, very proficient and safe. He is a young, enthusiastic and competent guide, continuously adding to his knowledge and sharing his already considerable experience, and adjusting to our day-to-day needs and preferences.
Highly recommended.
We spent 10 days with Jackson as our driver/guide. He was an excellent driver, very proficient and safe. He is a young, enthusiastic and competent guide, continuously adding to his knowledge and sharing his already considerable experience, and adjusting to our day-to-day needs and preferences.
Highly recommended.
Written January 9, 2020
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.
Thank you very much Simon for the kind feedback,
It was a great pleasure working with you on your great custom tour.
We are very happy to hear you enjoyed birding with our team.
We look forward to many more tours with you.
Much appreciated,
The Cisticola Team.
Written January 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jay314
316 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Fantastic experience!! Hands down one of the best safari experiences I've had.
From the organisation of the tour through to the tour itself everything was handed smoothly, professionally and tailored to suit. We did the Nairobi National Park excursion and saw over 60 different species in a matter of hours
Special thanks to Maureen for coordinating the tour and to our guide and driver Alex who provided exceptional knowledge and insight into the birds, their calls, habitats and behaviour.
Would highly recommend, the photos speak for themselves
From the organisation of the tour through to the tour itself everything was handed smoothly, professionally and tailored to suit. We did the Nairobi National Park excursion and saw over 60 different species in a matter of hours
Special thanks to Maureen for coordinating the tour and to our guide and driver Alex who provided exceptional knowledge and insight into the birds, their calls, habitats and behaviour.
Would highly recommend, the photos speak for themselves
Written April 1, 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.
Greetings Jay314,
We are very happy to hear from you.
It was indeed a great experience for our team working with you on this tour.
We look forward to many more.
See you soon,
The Cisticola Team.
Written April 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
goldfinchUK
London, UK82 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We chose the 16 day birding trip and Cisticola arranged everything really efficiently. Jack was a wonderful guide who managed to find us many birds despite the unexpectedly dry weather. We had great views of a large number of species and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The itinerary covered several different habitats and we saw different parts of the country driving between them. On our travels we also saw The Big Five incidentally and had excellent views of serval cat and cheetah which were a bonus. Our only regret was that the trip was not longer! Thank you very much indeed.
Written March 26, 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.
Hallo @goldfinchUK,
Thank you very much for the kind tour review.
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the recent tour.
It was a great pleasure hosting your wonderful trip.
We look forward to meeting you again on many future tours.
Much appreciated,
The Cisticola Team.
Written April 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucy_Anne_Mel
Melbourne7 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Created an individual Nairobi National Park half-day itinerary for me on request to allow escape from the airport during a long transit at Nairobi airport - only wish I'd known in advance about a flight delay so I could have done a full day! Francis was a knowledgeable (not just about birds) and personable guide with impressive bird-spotting skills. Good response time when contacted. Prices seem in line with the area, but may be more than you expect if you've not travelled in this region before.
Written January 24, 2024
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.
Greetings @Lucy_Anne_Mel,
Thank you very much for the kind tour review.
It was a great pleasure hosting you here.
We look forward to meeting you again soon.
Kind regards,
The Cisticola Team.
Written May 12, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vgwrtps
Cary, NC7 contributions
Jun 2022
We booked an afternoon birding tour to Nairobi National Park on the first day of our recent visit to Kenya, taking advantage of a day of rest in Nairobi at the beginning of a longer safari booked with a different company. We only booked this tour with a few week's notice and we're so glad we decided to do so. Diana was an amazing guide and spotter, and in the roughly four hours we spent in the park, we saw more than 70 species, had many excellent photo opportunities, and wished we could have stayed longer. All interactions with Washington during the booking process were very friendly, fast, and professional, and the organization of the tour itself with pick-up and drop-off at our hotel went exactly as planned. I highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for a fantastic guided birding experience while in Nairobi.
Written July 11, 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.
Greetings @vgwrtps,
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our team.
It was indeed a great pleasure working with you.
We look forward to meeting you again soon,
The Cisticola Team.
Written July 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
johnfb123
Calgary, Canada27 contributions
Jan 2023
I arranged a birding and wildlife trip for five of us with Cisticola to Northern Tanzania in January 2023.
It was totally amazing. We got to see 447 species of birds including many endemics or hard to find birds. We also saw 4 different cats in one afternoon (leopard on kill, cheetah with kittens, Serval cat and several lion). Chameleons, insects and all sorts.
The logistics were seemlessly organized, accomodation was great, our driver and tour leader was so good and attentive, and our bird guide Martin was great at finding us birds - quick to spot and hear them.
Highly recommended.
It was totally amazing. We got to see 447 species of birds including many endemics or hard to find birds. We also saw 4 different cats in one afternoon (leopard on kill, cheetah with kittens, Serval cat and several lion). Chameleons, insects and all sorts.
The logistics were seemlessly organized, accomodation was great, our driver and tour leader was so good and attentive, and our bird guide Martin was great at finding us birds - quick to spot and hear them.
Highly recommended.
Written February 11, 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.
Hallo John,
Thank you very much for the kind tour update.
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip.
See you again soon,
The Cisticola Team.
Written March 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah M
5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Cisticola Tours were outstanding from the outset. The proposed tour responded perfectly to our needs and the planning and organisation was smooth and straight forward. Our guides, Edward and Michael, were amazing. Their combined knowledge of the animals and birds meant that we saw hundreds of species of bird and many outstanding views of animal including the big five. The guides knew the parks so well (Lark Plains, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti) that they were able to ensure we could enjoy time with each sighting whilst still packing in so much. Every consideration to detail was given and every effort taken to ensure we had a successful and enjoyable trip and that everyone's interests were met. Both have a real passion and enjoyment for their work and great knowledge about the geography, culture and landscape added further depth to our trip. Both Edward and Michael were so professional and their great company made us feel safe and relaxed. Every day was packed with laughter, excitement and awe. The accommodation selected was excellent - clean, good food and service and stunning locations. The combination of hotel and tented lodge worked well with one memorable night listening to a lion roaring close by at the Hippo Trails Lodge. This was an exceptional tour in every way. The passion our guides feel for the birds and animals, the landscape and culture of their country's national parks has made us determined to return for more...
Written October 5, 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.
Greetings @deborahmD3740MZ,
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed touring with our team.
It was a great pleasure hosting your tour and our guides really enjoyed traveling with you.
We look forward to meeting you here again for future tours.
Much appreciated,
The Cisticola Team.
Written October 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is your physical address in Nairobi?
Written December 30, 2019
Hallo RW B, Yes we shall update the same on our profile.
Trip Advisor does not allow posting of contacts and links i.e. "Links, contact information, and advertising are not permitted." in here; happy new year 2020.
Written January 1, 2020
What is your physical address in Nairobi? STEP notifications requires this information
Thank you!
Written December 30, 2019
Hallo RW B, Yes we shall update the same on our profile.
Trip Advisor does not allow posting of contacts and links i.e. "Links, contact information, and advertising are not permitted." in here; happy new year 2020.
Written January 1, 2020
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