Micato Safari’s

We just came back from a truly life changing safari with micato. Everything was perfect. These guys are the most expensive I believe but they are worth it. It’s the little and big touches. From the exceptional service to the well planned trips to the safari director and the lodges. No detail left out. Jane and Felix pinto who founded this company decades ago still meet each guest and have them over to their home for dinner. We saw everything. Honestly I can’t say enough. If a safari is in your bucket list, do it and do it with Micato.

Micato Safaris — The Heart of Kenya and Tanzania Trip — August 2014
Our recent vacation to Africa with Micato on their «Heart of Kenya and Tanzania Safari» exceeded all our expectations and was simply the best vacation we have ever had!
We have long wanted to visit the African continent and after careful consideration and research we chose Micato to help us realize this trip of a lifetime. From the time we landed in Nairobi to leaving our guide at the departure gate there we always felt the professional care and honest affection of all the staff we encountered. Every aspect of our journey to Africa was a pleasant surprise that filled us with wonder as well as desire to learn more about the place and the people that live there.
Micato understands the importance of finding the best people to staff its positions. Our relationship began via email with the NYC office. They were always there to help us plan efficiently for our trip. On Safari, we met so many friendly, professional and competent staff and all were simply fantastic ambassadors for Africa and Micato. There was nothing they did not know. They were our teachers and mentors whose words went well beyond telling us simple facts about what we saw. They also added a context that fit into the «circle of life» in the bush that was so new to us. These people representing Micato defined the company and the country for us and Micato has nothing but the brightest gems on their staff.
After experiencing Nairobi traffic and congestion first hand and some of those initial excursions in the city gave us pause. We wondered how this fit into our safari experience. Without knowing for sure we determined that Micato’s purpose was giving us the opportunity to see urban life contrasted with life in the bush helping us to begin to understand the «growing pains» and economic struggles being experienced by Kenyan’s and Tanzanians as they try to move ahead.
This notion was verified after meeting Ms. Jane Pinto at her residence in suburban Nairobi for lunch and conversation. She took some time to explain how the company her and her husband, Felix, began so many years ago was based upon providing an authentic safari experience but also giving back to the community and it seems they have been increasing their efforts in that regard each year since. We saw many sides to African life. In addition, we were very pleased to see Micato giving back to the people in various ways including the AmeriShare project and facilities we visited. On that visit our guides took us through the Mukuru Slums to see first hand what parents and their children must experience each day to make it. At the end of that drive, through crowded, litter strewn streets, was the AmeriShare facility, a sanctuary for many, providing a glimmer of hope for many impoverished kids. That visit also gave us a way to participate so that we could give a little back as well. Micato never forced any of this on its patrons. This part of the Safari is optional but we were glad we went.
In addition to the people the overall planning was simply stellar. Although we knew there were no guarantees our guides managed to find us all the Big 5 (BRELL — Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard) as well as Zebra, Antelope, Impala, Gazell, Topi, Dic-​Dic, Hyena, Wildebeest, Heartebeast, Élan, Hippo, Nile Crocodile, Cheetah, Monkeys, Baboons, various eagles, owls, birds beyond counting and so many more. Our guides and drivers were all from local tribes and knew much about tracking, scatology, silvics and local herbal remedies (luckily we didn’t have to try any:). We were simply blown away by the depth of knowledge we encountered. Not only that but the camaraderie they created between and among all the travelers was contagious. Micato has a flare for the little touches that make the day truly special. From private bush lunches, sunset viewing around a huge bonfire, visits to Ranger camps, Karen Blixen’s home, Oldupai Gorge (Olduvai is the common, but incorrect, name), baby elephant orphan camp, Rothschild Giraffe Refuge, Massai Village to special little gifts on your pillow along with colloquial bedtime stories we were transfixed by the African story that Micato artfully laid out for us to experience.
This trip of a lifetime was something truly special for us. There is so much more that we can say but I believe I have summed it up as best as I can. Will we visit Africa again? Not certain, but I hope we can. If we do, Micato will be our go to outfitter for sure!
In a word the experience was «Exceptional»!!