AUTHENTIC Kenyan safaris.

Our Story: From a Subaru Leone to a family legacy

Galilee Travels is a boutique, family-owned tour and safari company born out of a 30-year dream, built on grit, and operated by a father and his two daughters. We don't believe in rigid, one-size-fits-all travel templates. Instead, we engineer private, deeply personal Kenyan safaris tailored entirely around your specific pacing, budget, and curiosity.

While our business has grown, our core philosophy remains unchanged: we treat every traveller who steps into our vehicles not as a client on a spreadsheet, but as a guest in our mobile home.

150+

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Trusted by thousands

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As the industry shifted toward 4x4 Land Cruisers around 2012, Sammy faced a crossroads. The price however of the vehicle was about five times more than his van. In what looked like a step backward to some, he chose a stepping stone; he entered formal employment with major luxury tour firms, relinquishing his own vehicle to drive theirs. Sammy sold his van, deposited the funds in a Sacco, with the hope of growing the funds to eventually buy his dream vehicle. This pivot gave him exactly what he needed - mastery of the premium 4x4 Land Cruiser, rigorous professional training, and a deep unmatched well of boots-on-the-ground experience across East Africa. For three years, he navigated the country's most rugged tracks, building a flawless reputation with international guests.

Then came 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, locking down the entire world and bringing the booming tourism industry to a grinding halt. With no international flights landing and little to no movement allowed, Sammy did what any resilient operator does: he adapted. He headed back to his rural countryside and waited for the global storm to quiet down.

By 2022, the world had slowly begun to breathe again, and tourism had started its quiet, gradual recovery. Sammy returned to the wheel, navigating the post-pandemic landscape with a renewed sense of purpose. Through those rebuilding years leading up to 2024, his determination never wavered. Every safari he guided, every disciplined shilling he saved from his time driving that Explorer Kenya Land Cruiser, was moving toward one definitive goal: absolute independence.

In 2024, the ultimate dream finally materialised. Sammy bought his very own, premium 4x4 Land Cruiser, reclaiming his independence. Today, the late-night talks between a father and his two daughters have finally been actualised. Galilee Travels is a fully integrated family enterprise. Sammy remains on the grounds doing what he loves most - guiding and driving, while his daughters handle the behind-the-desk management, digital architecture, and client relations that keep our business visible, secure, and thriving.

ABOUT US

Our Story, Our Family, Our Journey.

Who We Are

Every great journey starts with a spark of curiosity. For our founder, Mr Sammy, that spark caught fire over thirty years ago while working at a restaurant in coastal Mombasa. International diners would frequently ask him about his experiences on safari, and his answer was always the same: no. Eventually, that curiosity got the better of him.

A close friend in the industry began tagging him along on safaris whenever possible, and Sammy was hooked. He saved enough to buy his very first car in 1999, a modest Subaru Leone. By day, it was his work car; on weekends, he used it to show tourists the rich history of Mombasa on city tours. It wasn't a safari vehicle yet, but it was the structural blueprint of a dream. Soon, Sammy got employment with Franco Rosso Travel Agency, and later with Rhino Safaris while in Mombasa.

By 2002, the dream demanded more. Now, a married father of two young daughters, the stakes were higher. Sammy sold the Subaru, took out a loan, and bought his first 9-seater Toyota van. A few years later in 2006, Galilee Travels was born. To make the business survive, he made the difficult, heartbreaking sacrifice to leave his family settled in Mombasa and move alone to the bustling safari hub of Nairobi. This was after the nudging of a friend and repeat German client who worked with Sammy in Nairobi. This friend also happened to be the director of Phoenix Safaris. In 2008, after working with Gamewatchers Safaris, he upgraded to a sleeker van.

Among the sea of massive, corporate travel agencies, here is why discerning travellers trust their milestone African journeys to Galilee Travels:

Thirty Years of Unmatched "Ground Truth"
We don't rely on office managers looking at Google Maps to design your route. Our lead Director and Chief Guide Mr Sammy, has lived on the savannah tracks for over three decades. His legendary ability to read wildlife behaviours, anticipate predator movements, and navigate changing terrain safely means you are travelling with a true master of the craft.
You are Guided by an Owner, Not an Employee
In large coroporate fleets, drivers are often stretched thin, managing rigid schedules for standard wages. At Galilee Travels, your driver is the original founder of the company. Sammy has a deeply personal stake in ensuring your safari is safe, adventurous, and highly inspiring.
We Scale to Your Blueprint
Because we are a tight-knit family business, we have zero corporate bureaucracy. We don't force you into pre-packaged time blocks. Whether you are looking for a rugged, budget-conscious camping adventure under the stars, a mid-range boutique eco-lodge experience, or absolute luxury, we sit down as a family and design the logistics around your budget and ideal duration.
The Safety of a family Foundation
We understand that travelling across the world to a new continent requires immense trust. because we run this business as a family, our communication is seamless and transparent. from the moment you send your first inquiry to our desk, to the moment Sammy waves you goodbye at the airport, you are fully protected by a team that watched over your peace of mind like your own.

Mr Sammy in safari gear during a sundowner with clients at Maasai Mara

Why Choose Galilee Travels?

Mr. Sammy (Founder & Lead Safari Director): The soul of Galilee Travels. Thirty-plus years on the ground, master tracker, and your private guide through the wild.

The two daughters - Njeri & Wambui (Operations, Tech & Client Relations): The engine behind the desk. Transforming raw client ideas into smooth, digitized itineraries, ensuring seamless B2B communication, safety compliance, and flawless logistical backing.