Some letters/comments have been edited for space and similar reasons

Featured Client:

Safari Clients

Dear Alnoor,
Just a short note to express our thanks to you and your team for such a wonderful vacation. Our trip to Kenya and Zanzibar turned into what can only be described as the "vacation of a lifetime". Aside from the facts that the natural beauty of both countries and the friendliness of the people left a lasting impression on us, the wonderful experiences we had were greatly facilitated by the impeccable organization and the warmth and friendliness exuded by you and your team. We never once experienced a moment of doub't that we were in safe hands at all times as the Safari, connecting flights, accomodations and transfers flowed together seamlessly. As one of our drivers said "We do not want you to have to think while you are in Africa". If this is indeed a philosophy of your team it works! I would also like to highly commend our tour guide Joseph Kamau for his professionalism throughout the Safari. His knowledge and ability to communicate with his clients is second to none. Joseph went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and safety and to ensure that we saw what we came to see. Once again, thanks ever so much for a wonderful vacation and experience of a lifetime. Your services will be highly commended to our friends and relatives.
Greg and Cynthia Stanley.

Jackie and Bill's Eight Day Highlights of Kenya Safari

Had to share some of our pictures with you. 
   
This was a trip of a lifetime. The in-dept information and advice you gave us before we left was most beneficial, and resulted in our having a flawless and splendid safari. Working with you here in the states, and your people in Africa was a most pleasurable experience. Everyone was polite, friendly and very professional. Our guide will be a friend for life. He knew his animals, his birds, and was able to give us information we would have never picked up on our own.

I will recommend Ivory Safaris to all my friends, and I know they will be as pleased with their experience as we were.

Thanks for the memories,
Jackie and Bill

Letter from District Commissioner

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

To: Mr. S. H. Dossa

RE: TURKANA DROUGHT OPERATIONS
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER
TURKANA DISTRICT
P.O.BOX 1, LODWAR

June 5th, 2000

I wish to sincerely register my hearty appreciation due to your kind gesture towards the Turkana Community who are faced with serious famine as a result of prolonged rain failure in the District.

Ivory Photo Safaris, Friends from America and Hill Barrett Company have shown their love for mankind at this time of dire need and on my own behalf and the entire DSG membership wish to acknowledge this noble deed with pride and immense gratitude.

Peter K. Mooke, District Commissioner, Turkana District

Quotes from former Ivory Safaris clients:

Travel Agent comments

"Dear Karimah:
You have done it again... the trip for Mr and Mrs E was perfect in every way. They called to tell me how absolutely marvelous the entire trip was for them which, I knew it would be but it made me so happy hearing it. The W party we sent in June, is still talking about how wonderful it was and the A family tells me that they will do it again when their grandsons get older. I do want to thank you both again for not only your efforts, but for the skill with which you obviously carry it out... and look forward to sending many more to you in the near future."
Ellie, Vista Travel, NY

Family Safari

"Dear John:
Thank-you for planning our African Safari. We absolutely loved our time there. Everything worked went very smoothly, we were very well taken care of, and we especially liked the Serengetti. Our guides were attentive - Frank Saria was especially a good guide and companion. We hope to go back one day."
Molly

"Dear Alnoor, Salima and Shirley:
Thank-you very much for your generosity and kindness in providing me with a beautiful cake and the book, 'The Hunters and the Hunted.' The guide gave me a birthday gift of 20 'real live cats', one for each year - he found 16 lions, 3 leopards and 1 cheetah. Back at the Seronera Wildlife Lodge, the staff surprised me again after dinner."
Elizabeth, Washington DC

To: karimah@hillbarrett.com
Karimah and Alnoor -
I was just thinking of forwarding a note to you when I received your bulletin. Alnoor, just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful trip to Africa. We have our album out on the counter as we follow along last year's itinerary. We were in Amboseli today. The grandchildren are doing the same with their albums. WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!!! 
Thanks again. Jane and Bob

Adventure Tour Operator

"Greetings Karimah and Alnoor:
I'm not sure if you can see it from Equatorial Africa, but there is a bright new star system visible in the Northern Heavens. Here in Vancouver, it has been labeled the Alnoor constellation. It shines very brightly! Further investigations reveals the origin of the constellation to be ...a huge and enthusiastic abundance of praise generated by an extremely thankful Shanon and her husband. For all that you did for them, I am extremely grateful too. It is always comforting to know that our clients are in such caring hands."
Charlie, Fresh Tracks Adventure and Travel Centres, B.C.

Customized Safari

Subject: many thanks
Dear Karimah, Alnoor and the staff in Kenya:
    Many thanks to all of you for arranging our trip to the Mara. Lil Governors Camp was even more than we expected. It was a trip we will never forget. Thanks for advising us to bring t-shirts to barter with. I bartered 3 t-shirts for a Masai beaded bracelet and a beaded calabash. The walking safari was magical. The Masai dance for Bert's birthday was an added treat. As for the animals...words can not describe how seeing so many different types and so many of them so close has touched us. Thank you.
    My enthusiasm has sparked much interest in many of my co-workers and hopefully with your help, I can plan a trip back to the Masai Mara in two years time.
    With much gratitude for all your expertise.
Sam & Bert Weiner

Dear Alnoor,
    Jambo!! What a trip!! What an experience! The four of us will never be the same. Africa is in our very souls. In fact, we are pretty sure that Heaven must look like the Masai Mara. It should come as no surprize that we are planning for our next trip.
    Your attention to every detail impressed us greatly. We wanted for nothing - except possibly more time to enjoy Africa and all the wonders of Kenya. Julius, our guide in Samburu, was wonderful. He was informative, experienced and also had a great sense of humor (necessary with this bunch). Peter, who guided us through Masai Mara, was a gem as well! We thoroughly enjoyed his wit and learned a great deal about Africa from him. Our accomodations were excellent and the FOOD! No one told us how great the food was going to be.
    I heartily recommend Ivory Photo Safaris for any adventure to Africa. The experience was truly beyond words and we came back, better for having seen the sights and felt the wonder of it all.
    Asante Sana,
Vicki & Sergio Montoya, Truett & Malena Hancock - Los Angeles, CA
(United Airlines)"

"Dear Alnoor and Karimah:
Words can never express how much we your hospitality meant to Kit and I, Please if you are ever in California, let us return the favor and open our doors to you."
Sandy and Kit, CA

"Jambo Bwana! Our safari was an incredible experience!! We were all very well taken care of and especially pleased with all the accommodation. ...Old Swahili proverb: he who has tasted honey will return to the honey-pot. We are already talking about our next trip to Africa!"
Joe and Susie, San Diego, CA

Artist Clients of Safari Representatives

"Ivory Safaris:
At long last we are writing to thank you for our most wonderful experience in Africa, last February.....We have been telling everyone about the animals, balloon ride, village people, etc, etc. I can't praise John enough - no one could wish for a more perfect driver. we are just starting to paint from the sketches."
Joan and Carlton, Award winning Watercolor Artist

Couple on Customized Safari

"Dear Ivory Safaris:
Thank you for taking such good care of us on our safari in July. We truly enjoyed ourselves and have many wonderful slides to remind us of the trip. We will be back someday and in the meantime will refer our friends..."
Molly and Skip

Special Interest Tour Operator - Escorted Group Safari

"Dear Karimah:
I want to thank you again for a wonderful stay in Kenya. Everyone in our group was very impressed by your service and professionalism. Your choices of hotels were excellent."
Ray, Ontario, Canada

Customized Family Safari

"To Ivory Safaris:
We were a party of six including my mother, husband and three sons. Peter was able to have a marvelous rapport with all ages. His kindness and sense of humor added so much to our trip. It became so very clear to our whole family how fortunate we were to have Peter. We thoroughly enjoyed the Safari. It was well planned, our accommodations were most pleasant and Ivory safaris will happily be recommended by us."
Ann, MA

Dear Karimah and Alnoor:
Thank you so much, not just for all your excellent arrangements for our trip - it's quite a commendation to have no complaints at all on a 2.5 week trip! ...Jackie is already talking about going back to Africa - he has told about 20 people to call you! Mahalo nui loy."
Leilani, Jackie and Samantha, Hawaii

Wedding Anniversary - Customized Safari

"Dear Alnoor:
You were absolutely right - Africa gets into the blood! We have been back only a few days and already we find ourselves missing so many of the wonderful experiences that made our trip so memorable. Indeed where to begin and what say? ...the elephants strolling past us in Amboseli, the symphony of birds at Lake Naivasha, the profound beauty of the Masai Mara from a serenely floating balloon, the warmth of genuinely friendly people everywhere all so committed to our comfort, the great food, the Cold Tusker! (beer). We want you to know not only how much we enjoyed our trip but also how much we realize that the unique and personal attention afforded us by you and your staff made our trip so very special. We have no doubt that the fun, warmth and feeling of belonging we experienced was a direct result of your thorough planning. Indeed, it is any wonder that our friends are amazed (and a bit envious) when we tell them of the wonderful surprise celebration my wife and I experienced for our wedding anniversary while we were halfway across the globe! We would also like to highlight the contributions of our driver / guide / teacher / protector / advisor / leader / companion, John. His knowledge, patience, concern and obvious dedication to the journey's fulfillment and enjoyment were simply nothing short of amazing. We will be back!"
Vickie, Jamie, Bruce & Shari, Douglasville, Georgia

Letter in the 'International Travel News' from a Safari Client

"Our group of four recently returned from a custom planned Kenyan Safari. We found the country and the animal life magnificent, observing at close range...Ivory Safaris' arrangements were faultless and the lodges and food were very good to excellent. We highly recommend Ivory and appreciate the flexibility of the tour itinerary and the guarantee of an uncrowded safari van."
Bob, MA

Customized Adventure Safari

"Dear Karimah and Alnoor:
Africa has been the topic of all conversation for 2 months......I do want to thank you both again for such a fantastically planned adventure. Ivory staff provided every kindness and comfort for all the various unexpected turns during our trip. Our pictures do no justice to the beauty and variety of all that we saw. I am bitten by the African Bug! Again my thanks for your extra efforts to make our trip so very special! It truly was. Mahelo nui loa."
Patsy and Michael, Hawaii

Tour Operator Client on an Ivory Safari

"Dear John:
What a great trip we had to Kenya! It was even better that we had anticipated... our flight was two hours late arriving into Nairobi - it was so good to see our driver there to meet us at the midnight hour. If you remember, I had asked that we have a pleasant, informed driver/guide - -he was that and more! We always felt that he had our safety and pleasure as his #1 priority. We chose Ivory Safaris because of your recommendation ...we were lucky to have chosen the best for our first venture into Africa."
Kathy

Airline Safari Client

"Dear Mr. Dossa:
Our gratitude for all you did to make our safari in Oct/Nov so wonderful. Even as we look at the photographs, its hard to believe that we were really there - that we really saw all those beautiful sights! Your arrangements were impeccable - every single detail went perfectly - we loved our driver/guides and we will never forget the wonderful birthday and dinner you arranged at the Ibis Grill. I wish I could do it all, all over again! Thank you so much for all your efficient and gracious help."
Kaye, British Airways, Miami, FL

Regular Safari and Professional Seminar Client

"Dear Karimah:
As we come back for longer and shorter periods we are happy to be able to come back to Ivory Safaris for qualified assistance with our travel arrangements. We have always been pleased with your services and thank you for your professional guidance in all matters to travel and seminar arrangements during our stay in Kenya."
Professor Frants, International Health Advisor

Travel writer - (self organized and paid Family Safari)

"Karimah, Ivory Safaris
Nat, John, Thelma and I had a fantastic time. The animals, scenery, lodging, food, people, etc were outstanding. We did not have a single experience with a Kenyan which was not a pleasure ...we cannot say enough about our driver Mwangi. He did so much to make our a memorable one that it would take 10 pages to recount. While we might do things different if we were to do it over, we do not regret one single second of our trip - we would stay at Larsens Tented Camp longer and would add a day or two at the Mara Serena Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Asante sana sana sana (thank you very very very much) for your courtesies, concern for our welfare and our wonderful memories. At every possible opportunity, we recommend your facilities, Kenya and the people of Kenya."
Ted, N-Rev Book, Airline Guide, Florida

Description of possible road conditions extracted in parts from 'The Times' - Motoring article by motoring journalist Marv Berg, on a safari with Ivory Safaris

Naro Moru River Lodge, Kenya - sitting here at the edge of a cool brook on the lawn of the Naro Moru River Lodge at the foot of Mount Kenya, this morning's rainy trip seems far away. And indeed it is. From this base camp to the Mount Kenya Park gate is about 15 miles, and from there our four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser took us up to the 10,000 foot level where we began our hike to the higher ground. The Toyota went up the on dry, graded roads but on the trip down in the wet was enough to tax the finest driver. This time I was merely a nervous passenger on the third day of our safari. Previously, the Land Cruiser was tested even more in the Aberdare National Forest. Our driver, a Kenyan stalwart named Steven, was able to navigate past a Land Rover and a large water truck blocking the road up a very steep and muddy grade in this tropical range hills. Steven by-passed the road by going through a shallow river. It was absolutely superb driving, but an everyday experience for these men who take the tourists through Kenya's exhilarating country.

...I had hoped to road test a new Range Rover in the bush, but that never panned out. And a good thing, too. The outfitter, Ivory Safaris Tours Ltd., uses a Nissan (or Toyota minibus) for 'normal driving' and the Toyota Landcruiser for the tough going. Both are equipped with popup roofs for unobstructed views of the game.

...These vehicles take a terrific beating, not to mention the passengers. Most roads are strewn with rocks, deeply rutted with little or no shoulder. It's a wonder that there are aren't more serious accidents. Still, thousands of tourists are brought back alive to Nairobi to battle the street and shop vendors - no less a menace than an angry Cape Buffalo.

...As you would expect from a vehicle of this type and use, we were constantly tossed around inside and if it weren't for Steven's expertise some of the deeper ruts and holes would have torn the suspensions apart."
Marv Berg

Director's notes on safari vehicles:

* The minibuses (Toyota or Nissan) are some of the most functional vehicles for safari use. Almost every safari company has these 'bush beaters' for transporting visitors to the National Parks and Game Reserves. There are normally three rows of 2 seats each behind the driver and are eminently comfortable for long rides. There is adequate leg room and luggage space.

* The Land Cruisers/Land Rovers are for rugged use and not as comfortable as the minibuses. There are two rows of seating behind the driver for vehicles used on extended safaris or three rows if the wheel base is extended to handle the added passengers and their luggage. The dedicated vehicles at the luxury camps and lodges normally have 3 rows as they are used almost exclusively for game drive purposes.

* Both the minibuses and the four wheel drive vehicles usually have leaf springs in the front and rear with double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers. Ivory Photo Safaris stress that both these type of vehicles are built to do a specific job and not compromised by such things as power windows, air-conditioning, or any fancy accessories. They are straight forward kind of bashing-around vehicles.

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