Reviews of safaris to Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills

"It was simply wonderful to be back in Africa. If you're even slightly thinking about making a trip, take the plunge if you can. Everywhere felt safe (more so than at home) with the coronavirus being treated very seriously and the camps were clearly delighted to be back in operation.

Everyone was beyond welcoming and emphatic that we tell friends and family that Kenya is open for business and welcoming travellers.


At a personal level we were aching to return to the bush having had to reschedule this trip three times. We had been in Ethiopia and Kenya (the Mara conservancies) in February and early March 2020 and got home just as the world went into lockdown and it was a privilege and pleasure to finally return.

There was some additional hassle with paperwork, testing et cetera but once on the ground it felt almost like old times and was totally worth the effort. And in Meru we barely saw another visitor during our stay. Just awesome.

Planning was inevitably very last minute due to travel uncertainty and changing entry requirements but Richard was very patient and did a great job. The entire trip went like clockwork and we couldn't be happier with the arrangements made for us. We have already made plans for another trip in early 2021.

Last minute trips are great :-)" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"The trip was perfect!

Everything was very well organized, i feel 100% safe and satisfied I was traveling alone but did not have any problems as everything was perfectly organized and under control!

I highly recommend to visit Kenya and see its beauty!

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Richard did his best, was very helpful and fast in problems solving.

Richard Trillo is very very professional!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"Kenya was the most genuine, helpful, kind, place I have ever visited. It was like stepping into another world. Everyone was wonderful, Kenya has definitely taken conservation and hospitality to the next level. I believe that Kenya is the best place to visit in all of Africa. Definitely something that nature lovers have to put on their bucket list.

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When Richard organized this trip, he used the word "bespoke". We had no idea what that meant. We do now and will be forever grateful. He did an amazing job. I have done planned tours before where I felt that I could have planned the same trip and saved money. But on this one, I was quite certain that I could never have done what Richard did, and it was absolutely magical. We looked at economy, budget, comfort and the luxury Expert Africa tours. At the beginning of the process I was quite sure that we could not afford the high end. But after seeing the packed economy tour vans, and experiencing Africa the Expert Africa way, I would never even consider anything else. It would be like going to Disney Land and staying in the parking lot.

There is nothing that can substitute for experience and knowhow." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"What was special for me on this trip, my second to Kenya and fifth to Africa, was the opportunity to see more of the country at eye level. Meaning that in driving ourselves around we could more easily stop in little towns and villages along the way.

Kenya, like much of Africa, is bustling with people walking to and from work in the larger cities and towns, or shuttling a goat to market on the back of a motorbike, or working a corn field with a hoe. The individual sellers in a street stall or market are invariably friendly and, they are always happy to show you what they've got and encourage you to negotiate if you like something. The park rangers and guides love sharing their knowledge of the plants and animals.

These are what earn Kenya the nickname, the warm heart of Africa.

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I WAS SUPER IMPRESSED AND THANKFUL THAT RICHARD CAUGHT A MISTAKE IN MY FLIGHTS which gave me time to correct the oversight. I ran into a snafu with my outbound flight that caused me to have to rebook on a different airline and would not have noticed the error on the return flight until I got to the airport, potentially either missing my flight or losing my last day of the trip.

So kudos again, Richard, for your thoroughness!

[Ed: This traveller booked her own flights. As is our usual practice, we'll always try to bring any flight issues the the attention of our travellers as/when we become aware of them, even if our travellers have arranged their own flights.]" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"Enjoyed being in two contrasting locations. Amboseli is elephant heaven and I had some wonderful, very close, encounters with ele families and watched a cheetah and her cubs dining on her catch of the day (brilliant guiding by Joseph). After the open plains, Meru was deep bush - so much rain, even the lions had taken to the trees - and different animals to see.

Accommodation in both places was great, especially Elsa's Kopje, with its lovely staff and attention to detail." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"The trip was influenced by unseasonable rains throughout the country. Everywhere did the best they could with the conditions and should be praised for their efforts.

Kicheche Valley in Naboisho Conservancy and Il Moran in the Mara Reserve were wonderful places to stay. The welcome, the location, the staff, the food and the guiding were all very professional and we would certainly go back to both of them.

Satao Elerai is in a beautiful location especially if you are lucky enough to see Kilimanjaro. Satao Camp is tired and would benefit from some energy from management.

The guiding problems we had with Southern Cross definitely affected our safari in both Amboseli and Tsavo East. Guides are vital to the enjoyment of these wonderful places and make a huge difference to what you see, learn and enjoy. If they are not of a suitably trained standard, temperament or not enthusiastic about all wildlife, long-anticipated (and expensive) trips will be spoiled. Quick fixes, such as offers of treats or bottles of wines, do not detract from the very bad taste of having to complain and try to get someone to take us seriously.

As travellers are told to do, we complained to the management and sent emails with our concerns and experiences to Expert Africa. Although Richard was liaising with Southern Cross what he was being told was often not what we were experiencing on the ground. In fact, he was being given false information. Six of the last 7 days on safari had problems. Julius at Satao Elerai did discuss things with us and try to sort out a solution. The problem with that is that the low standards should not have been acceptable to the Lodge or Southern Cross in the first place. During the last 4 days with the final guide, neither camp management nor Southern Cross management dealt with us directly. We are left feeling frustrated, angry and disappointed with a reasonable part of our trip." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari

"It was the best trip of my live but I was really disappointed about the Karen Blixen Camp


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Many Thanks to Lyndsey and the whole team.
I´m 100% satisfied and if I want to go to Africa once more, I would book with you

Many Thanks" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"We have been travelling to Africa for over 12 years and this was our first trip to Kenya. Our overall experience was good with certain aspects being very good.

The majority of our fellow travellers were safari first timers and combining there holiday with a beach experience either on the coast or the island of Lamu. One of the attractions of a safari experience is meeting people from different parts of the world and sharing experiences and we were not disappointed on this trip." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"If something is not broken it does not need fixed. This trip was well planned and well executed at all levels, congratulations to everyone who helped make it a success and a trip of a lifetime.






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Hard to improve on excellence." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari

"This was our first safari. Everything about it matched our expectations.

Highlights were seeing a black rhino, lion cubs and cheetahs on a kill. Another highlight was visiting the Masai which was a very moving experience.

Bush breakfast in Amboseli under an acacia tree was fun too!

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Olivia absolutely found the trip I was looking for." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari