Safaris Unlimited
Safaris Unlimited
5
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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
47 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mary C
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Solo
Riding on safari with Gordie and Felicia Church is a first class experience. The horses are safe and well schooled, and the opportunities for interaction with wildlife are abundant in the private and unspoiled Mara North Conservancy. Their staff are truly special people. They prepare fresh organic foods, bake fresh breads, and serve three wonderful meals each day with smiling dignity. The horses are clean and well fed, and all are guarded at night under the watchful eye of the Masai. The camp on the banks of the Mara River was spectacular, and Gordie and Felicia are warm and charming hosts, making everyone feel like members of their family. They are extremely well informed about the Mara and it’s animals, and they make managing a staff of 25 while hosting up to a dozen riders and their guests look effortless and easy. Riding amongst the giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, lions, eagles, and cape buffalo is an extraordinary, bucket list experience with Safaris Unlimited. Don’t miss it!
Written January 21, 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.
deirdre d
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Solo
What a trip, it was simply magnificent! Gordie and Felicia have created a beautiful experience. Their attention to every detail made it truly perfect. From the immaculately prepared camps, (hot showers and laundry!) cocktails around a campfire, to the elegant dinners by candlelight, after dinner stories, sleeping to the sounds of hippos and lions and waking up to the lovely staff bringing coffee to us in bed. It was beyond all my expectations.
Best of all were the wonderfully schooled horses, so kind, generous and happy to take care of an assortment of riders. Really professional! If you prefer to ride in the car and see even more wildlife, that option includes a very knowledgable guide who managed to find something wonderful in every drive. and he was a bottomless source of information.
This is an amazing trip! DO IT DO IT DO IT!!! You'll regret it if you don't.
Best of all were the wonderfully schooled horses, so kind, generous and happy to take care of an assortment of riders. Really professional! If you prefer to ride in the car and see even more wildlife, that option includes a very knowledgable guide who managed to find something wonderful in every drive. and he was a bottomless source of information.
This is an amazing trip! DO IT DO IT DO IT!!! You'll regret it if you don't.
Written October 7, 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.
Martin S
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
The expectations were very high. The trip was supposed to be the dream holiday with horses, excellent riding in an Out of Africa setting. The expectations were exceeded. Gordie Church and his team made it very personal - in the end we all parted as friends. The mobile tends are equipped with all comfort possible in the wilderness with outstanding focus on detail and style (Marylin Streep in Out of Africa would have loved this).
The food was excellent just considering that there are no possibilities to go shopping at all. The whole team not only very caring, trying to support and help at any time but also always thinking of how to make the days not just an outstanding holiday but an experience for life.
The horses very well trained and in excellent condition. They take great care that horse and rider match very well. No guest needed to ask to change horse during our ride. The horses are excellent and easy to control in good canter even in challenging situations. Only my son had wished to not only canter but ideally gallop longer distances, which we did not do. Overall we had three to four longer canters per day also taking few smaller jumps over tree trunks for the people who saw this as a challenge. They take very high care of safety, even more than all other rides we have done in Africa.
The game was plenty. We had hoped to see part of the big migration, which was not possible. Also the crossing of the Mara River was not possible as the water level was too high. Still Gordie and his team did everything to make up for this including a game drive in the Mara Triangle. Considering the game we were riding with even more game then in the Okavango Delta, which I always considered to be the top spot for seeing game on horseback. Only Leppard and Rhino we did not see. We had the chance to observe Lions in all circumstances as big families with little kids, mating, plays, fighting, eating with fresh kill…. Gordie took care that we did not go too close to especially elephant and buffalo (on some other safaries people tend to go closer). Doing a canter with Zebras cantering with us, getting to greed herds of Giraffes in extremely close distance, observe majestic lion close by interacting with close by herd of elephants will always be remembered.
Gordie and his team are probably the most outstanding and most knowledgeable team to ride with in Africa. Thank you very for this once in a lifetime experience. Hope to be able to come back in 2025.
The food was excellent just considering that there are no possibilities to go shopping at all. The whole team not only very caring, trying to support and help at any time but also always thinking of how to make the days not just an outstanding holiday but an experience for life.
The horses very well trained and in excellent condition. They take great care that horse and rider match very well. No guest needed to ask to change horse during our ride. The horses are excellent and easy to control in good canter even in challenging situations. Only my son had wished to not only canter but ideally gallop longer distances, which we did not do. Overall we had three to four longer canters per day also taking few smaller jumps over tree trunks for the people who saw this as a challenge. They take very high care of safety, even more than all other rides we have done in Africa.
The game was plenty. We had hoped to see part of the big migration, which was not possible. Also the crossing of the Mara River was not possible as the water level was too high. Still Gordie and his team did everything to make up for this including a game drive in the Mara Triangle. Considering the game we were riding with even more game then in the Okavango Delta, which I always considered to be the top spot for seeing game on horseback. Only Leppard and Rhino we did not see. We had the chance to observe Lions in all circumstances as big families with little kids, mating, plays, fighting, eating with fresh kill…. Gordie took care that we did not go too close to especially elephant and buffalo (on some other safaries people tend to go closer). Doing a canter with Zebras cantering with us, getting to greed herds of Giraffes in extremely close distance, observe majestic lion close by interacting with close by herd of elephants will always be remembered.
Gordie and his team are probably the most outstanding and most knowledgeable team to ride with in Africa. Thank you very for this once in a lifetime experience. Hope to be able to come back in 2025.
Written October 6, 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.
suegj14
San Luis Obispo County, CA92 contributions
Jun 2022
Wow. So hard to find the words to describe the magic and wonder of our week with Gordie in Kenya! Three years ago, I went on Safaris Unlimited's equestrian safari on the Mara for a magical trip with my daughter. When I began to plan a second trip to Africa, I reached out to Gordie and Safaris Unlimited, For the second time, Gordie planned out our week perfectly. Every connection was met, every accommodation lovely, every detail covered. Going on safari with a private guide is a game-changer, provides more opportunities than traveling with a group, and is worth every penny. We spent three days in Laikipia at Ol'Malo, then five days on the Mara at Alex Walker's Ngare Serian Camp. In both locations, we felt like part of the family. The food and experiences were stellar. Ol Malo included visits to the Samburu market and village, camel rides, outdoor bbq, horseback safari, a night sleeping in a treehouse, and a helicopter ride over the Great Rift Valley. As a sustainable farm, all food is grown and prepared on site and is simply amazing. Our stay at Serian Camp was also wonderful, complete with a truly welcoming staff, great food, and of course, fabulous game drives and a walking safari with Gordie. Our game drives with Gorie were personalized and were spectacular! We fell asleep each night to the sound of the Mara River and it's resident hippos. We felt pampered the entire week, but it was truly Gordie's personal touches that made the difference. Thank you, Safaris Unlimited, for an epic adventure! @Ol'Malo
@NgareSerian
@NgareSerian
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.
lauriefeinstein@aol.com
1 contribution
Sep 2020
If i need to give this review a title it would be "Attention to Detail". From beginning to end, Gordie and Felicia have thought of everything. From our pick up at the airport, to our transfers to and from our hotels before and after safari, to safety measures for traveling in the time of Covid 19, is unparalleled. To give my praise context, i have been on multiple horseback safaris throughout southern and east Africa over the last 15 years, and this safari surpassed all my expectations. Our Hemingway style tents and camp locations were perfect. From the high quality linens, shampoo, soap, and body lotion, to fresh flowers at our bedside were welcome comforts. For a horseback mobile safari it was the most luxurious i have experienced. Of course the reason you go on a horseback safari is to experience great riding out in the bush amongst the African wildlife. First, i must complement Felicia on the quality of her horses and beautifully maintained tack. She took great care in pairing horse to rider and made adjustments when necessary. You can tell she is a skilled horsewoman and her four legged charges are treated like family. It is not easy running any stable but to do it in the middle of the Mara, well the challenges are endless and she does it with great care and skill. Second, riding out on the Mara with Gordie, seeing lion on horseback, galloping with giraffe, it was always exciting and exhilarating, yet you never felt unsafe. The other reason to go on an African safari is to witness mother nature, and with Gordie as your guide you will not be disappointed. You an tell this is his life blood and his enthusiasm is infectious. This review would not be complete with out commenting on the food. It was as good as any 5 star restaurant. From fresh baked breads, cookies, and pastries, to the most amazing fresh produce. Lastly the entire team at camp staff, from the grooms, to kitchen, mechanics, housekeeping, etc. were top notched. They were all so welcoming and kind and it was obvious how much they love their jobs. Though one of the more expensive safaris i have been on it is worth every penny!! i am definitely going back for a second time.
Written November 27, 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.
ebosshard1
Cleveland, OH6 contributions
Oct 2020
My wife and I have been blessed to travel the world, checking a number of bucket list spots for both luxury (St Barts, Blackberry Farm, Wolgan Valley) and adventure (night diving the Great Barrier Reef, hiking the fjords of Iceland). Our time with Gordie and his amazing wife Felicia is now at the top of this list. The covid protocols to get to/into Kenya were quite manageable, and 8 days with Safari Unlimited felt like a trip to a time forgotten on so many levels. The serenity of time in nature, the adventure of riding our world class horses across the Mara river, the companionship with our hosts during perfect lunch siestas in the bush, a friendly “jambo” wake up with hot coffee and cookies each morning in our so comfortable tents all reflect what this team has to offer: generations of experience refining the most spectacular way to take in this most exceptional place on earth. What was surprising for us was pretty much everything, including feeling part of the Church family with Gordie, Felicia, and their staff who are really their (and now our) friends. When Gordie met us on the airstrip, and discovered this was our first safari, he said “well, after this trip you will be spoiled to see the Mara in any other way.” And over the next 8 days, this crew effortlessly made this promise more than come true. If you are reading this post in order to determine if this is a trip for you, you can stop reading now, just get in touch with Gordie and start counting the days until what will be the greatest travel experience of your life.
Written December 1, 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.
A Champion
3 contributions
Feb 2022
We arrived to the warmest of welcomes! From the moment we met this magical family (that are Safaris Unlimited), we knew that our time in Africa was going to be amazing!
I travelled to Africa with my daughter Tess Champion and didn't know what was in store. We could not have been more impressed. We love horses and so it was especially heart-warming to see the care and devotion which is given to each individual animal. They are all in excellent condition and there are different stamps of horse to suit different rider capabilities and weights etc. Their health and happiness is of utmost importance to Gordie, Felicia and their loyal and hardworking team. The team are the nicest people too - nothing is too much trouble and there is a happy vibe and an incredible loyalty to Gordie & Felicia.
The hospitality is second to none! Food, drinks and comfortable surroundings are top notch!
I think I am right in saying that Gordie is 4th generation Kenyan and is the most knowledgeable and interesting guide/conservationist. He & Felicia have an instinctive ability to predict the movements of the game which gives you the greatest chance of viewings and their knowledge of each species is incredible. It was beyond our wildest dreams to spend time with these people in such beautiful surroundings and I can recommend Safaris Unlimited as one of the best times of my life!
I travelled to Africa with my daughter Tess Champion and didn't know what was in store. We could not have been more impressed. We love horses and so it was especially heart-warming to see the care and devotion which is given to each individual animal. They are all in excellent condition and there are different stamps of horse to suit different rider capabilities and weights etc. Their health and happiness is of utmost importance to Gordie, Felicia and their loyal and hardworking team. The team are the nicest people too - nothing is too much trouble and there is a happy vibe and an incredible loyalty to Gordie & Felicia.
The hospitality is second to none! Food, drinks and comfortable surroundings are top notch!
I think I am right in saying that Gordie is 4th generation Kenyan and is the most knowledgeable and interesting guide/conservationist. He & Felicia have an instinctive ability to predict the movements of the game which gives you the greatest chance of viewings and their knowledge of each species is incredible. It was beyond our wildest dreams to spend time with these people in such beautiful surroundings and I can recommend Safaris Unlimited as one of the best times of my life!
Written March 28, 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.
Ginny S
Kenya14 contributions
Jul 2023
Do it, do it, do it!! The whole experience from beginning to end was outstanding, and will live with me forever! If you love horses, riding, and wildlife, and want an authentic riding safari, with authentic and dedicated safari guides then you need look no further. This trip will fill you to the brim with a joy, excitement, appreciation, peace and a connection with the land and wildlife like you may have never experienced before. The horses could not be better cared for or more loved. They are fit but relaxed, appropriate and very happy with their lives. You'll never meet a more devoted or happy team of camp staff, which is a clear indication to how much they enjoy working for and with Felicia and Gordie, both of whom have a vast amount of experience, knowledge and ability to understand their guests and their horses. Each trip will be unique and you will have stories to tell around a table or fire for many years to come. Just go!
Written July 23, 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.
Katheryn C
18 contributions
Jul 2023
Every expectation was exceeded. This was a truly magical week. I just got back from the 8-night Masai Mara ride. Gordie and Felicia, and their incredible crew think of everything. #1 the horses are exceptionally well cared for, well-trained, and experienced on safari. They have a range of sizes and temperaments and did a great job matching each guest with a horse that fit their temperament and riding ability. These are big, healthy, happy, loved horses!
We rode through the Masai Mara, camping in 4 different locations. We saw elephants, zebra, lions, giraffes, hippos, antelope, hyena in abundance.
The accommodations were very comfortable 'glamping' type tents. Hot showers every day followed by cocktail hour around the fire. The meals were simply delicious. I am mostly vegan and they did such a great job making wonderful plant based meals. (The non- vegetarians looked very happy with their selections also.)
The crew pampers the guests which is so welcome after a long day of riding. I would absolutely book another safari with Safaris Unlimited! You won't be disappointed.
We rode through the Masai Mara, camping in 4 different locations. We saw elephants, zebra, lions, giraffes, hippos, antelope, hyena in abundance.
The accommodations were very comfortable 'glamping' type tents. Hot showers every day followed by cocktail hour around the fire. The meals were simply delicious. I am mostly vegan and they did such a great job making wonderful plant based meals. (The non- vegetarians looked very happy with their selections also.)
The crew pampers the guests which is so welcome after a long day of riding. I would absolutely book another safari with Safaris Unlimited! You won't be disappointed.
Written August 3, 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.
Zoe D
2 contributions
Jul 2022
The Safaris Unlimited set up and the Mara is just magical. Memories and experiences that shape your life and stay with you forever. It’s a place of deep personal reflection where you can quietly do your soul searching in big open plains, by a bubbling river of hippos or around a fire at sundowners with a Dawa in hand.
The crew, the horses, the food, the landscape, the wildlife and of course Felicia and Gordie all make this time the most incredible place you’ll never want to leave.
The attention to detail is simply mind-blowing, the passion is inspiring and the entire environment or should I say family is like no other.
I’d challenge anyone to go and not have experiences that will change your life for the better, forever.
The crew, the horses, the food, the landscape, the wildlife and of course Felicia and Gordie all make this time the most incredible place you’ll never want to leave.
The attention to detail is simply mind-blowing, the passion is inspiring and the entire environment or should I say family is like no other.
I’d challenge anyone to go and not have experiences that will change your life for the better, forever.
Written November 30, 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.
For how much?
How can I get just ridding trip ?
Thank you
Written July 23, 2017
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