Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
386 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
"My Nov 2021 trip"
Very good game viewing all around. Well run camps with amazing guides.
That's what it is all about." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"Kenya Oct 2021 trip"
Perfect combination of camps and locations.
All organised at very short notice (as soon as Kenya came off the red list).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service?
NO !!
We have been travelling to Africa with Expert Africa for very many years and have always had expert and friendly service with people that have really listened to what we were looking for - and delivered !!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2021 trip"
Hi Richard,
A Big THANK YOU!!!!! to you! This was an experience of a lifetime. I literally had tears in my eyes many times during this trip. Kenya is ❤️. The people are warm. The Off Beat Mara staff went above and beyond. And our guides—- Symon and Muli —- became almost like family. We didn’t want to leave.
As you know, I had hesitations initially because of the cost. But thank you for your gentle push because I would have missed on this life changing experience if I were not open to your suggestions.
We saw the BIG 5 and were blessed to see the wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River. Our heart, minds and eyes were full with the abundance of wildlife that we saw up close. All these, in addition to out guides knowledge, expertise and generous sharing of relevant information, made me look at wildlife from a totally different perspective. I have greater appreciation now of Kenya, its people and its culture.
We will definitely be back. There is so much to explore in Africa. And we will definitely reach out to you again because this experience has been so pleasant, I could not imagine doing this again with anyone else.
Thank you, Richard." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2021 trip"
It was wonderful to be back in Zambia, and I was determined not to go another year without a Zambia safari, so I departed for this trip before Zambia was removed from the red list. The 10 days in Kenya were to "launder" my red list trip, although this was rendered unnecessary during the trip by the removal of Zambia from the red list.
The two days walking in Chikoko were a highlight of the trip and I wish I could have done more walking, but my timings were constrained by needing to fit in the 10 day "quarantine" in Kenya.
One disturbing development I found in South Luangwa was the proliferation of film crews, both on the Kaingo side of the river and the Nsefu side. These do negatively impact game viewing for tourists as the crews monopolise access to certain high profile animals and either don't allow tourist vehicles to approach or at least only allow access when nothing interesting is happening. I understand that next year there will be SEVEN film crews operating in the north part of South Luangwa. I appreciate that some operators have had to find other sources of income in the absence of tourism due to covid, but when tourism returns to normal levels (hopefully next year) I can see this becoming a major issue." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
"Experience of a Lifetime - Safari Aug. 2021"
This trip was planned to perfection, and the details all fell into place without a hitch. We are looking forward to planning future safari trips, and I know that I will be coming back to Expert Africa for the knowledge, skill, and genuine kindness we experienced while planning this one. You won't be disappointed if you plan your safari with Expert Africa!
Thank you Olivia for a perfectly planned trip and for giving us a honeymoon we will never forget. I blame you now for the fact that I'm already dreaming up the next opportunity for safari.
It was perfect. Thank you!
And sorry for doing this form over a year after our trip! It's been a crazy year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
"Our July 2021 trip"
Planning was unpredictable but offered the opportunity to see places on short notice that were normally booked out, and we settled on Kenya, the classical safari location, in a country that is well organized and has good control over Covid.
We benefited from Claire's wealth of experience that saved us weeks of finding places ourselves (if we found them), and she stayed fully engaged at all times. It was key for us that Expert Africa offered a peace of mind guarantee relating to the pandemic." Read full review: 51 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
"Brilliantly organised last minute"
We were already about to fly to Kenya when we contacted Olivia and gave her a list of our requirements, including quite detailed covid concerns. She did an absolutely brilliant job organising a trip to Hemingways Ol Seki which delivered everything that we had requested despite having next to no time to arrange it. We travel a lot and regularly go to Africa.
This was our first experience of using Expert Africa and they absolutely lived up to their name and we will be in contact before our next trip." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari
"My Jan 2021 trip"
Work out what tests and paperwork you need to get into the country (there is a lot of information on various websites), JKIA entry is very efficient and tests can be arranged for departure with no fuss.
If plans change (as mine did whilst there) Expert Africa sorted everything with no fuss." Read full review: 42 nights in Africa; 56 on a Kenya safari
"My Dec 2020 trip"
Our trip exceeded every expectation, and while we initially thought it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip, we are already talking about when we will return. Richard helped to organize the trip and make the endless changes for us. While he was generally patient, I couldn't help but feel like he was sick and tired of me in the final months of planning.
Perhaps there's a difference between how Americans communicate and how the British communicate, as I found that getting on the phone helped tremendously. Overall, the trip was one we will never forget and we are beyond grateful to Richard and Expert Africa for all of their assistance in planning." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"My Nov 2020 trip"
It was an extraordinary and wonderful experience. I am very grateful and felt very protected by him every step of the way.
Considering 4 or 8 flights were cancelled, and considering what a crazy time it is, I feel very grateful and fortunate." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Where to stay in Mara Conservancies
Our suggestions for safari camps in Maasai Mara Conservancies
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp is a smart and intimate tented camp with a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect base in the Mara for keen photographers.
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara Camp has just ten tents and a rustic and comfortable feel. It is set by a stream in a pretty area of the Mara ecosystem's Mara North Conservancy.
Kicheche Valley
Kicheche Valley is a boutique tented camp in a wooded district of the Mara ecosystem's Naboisho Conservancy, with plenty of wildlife in the area.
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Camp is one of the most luxurious of the handful of camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. It offers day and night game drives, game walks and full creature comforts in the bush.
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara is a small traditional camp that appeals to safari traditionalists, located in one of the Maasai Mara’s quiet conservancies.
Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara is located in the private Naboisho Conservancy – a game-rich area of the Mara ecosystem – and offers a contemporary take on the traditional, low-impact luxury safari camp.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp is a small 10-tent bush camp, put together in the traditional "campaign" style, and including a large honeymoon/family tent.
Serian
Serian is a luxury tented camp on the east bank of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. It is the sister camp of Ngare Serian, on the west bank.
Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains is one of the very best camps in the Mara ecosystem. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Mara reserve, it has access to three wildlife-viewing areas.
Kicheche Fly Camp
Kicheche Walking Wilderness Fly Camp is a temporaray dome tent camp set up for participants in Kicheche's two-day walking safari between Kicheche Valley and Kicheche Bush Camp.
Basecamp Eagle View
Basecamp Eagle View is a community-focused safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy, with a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and a spectacular location.
Hemingways Ol Seki
Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Saruni Wild
Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is a pioneering, community focused eco-camp, with excellent guides and game viewing, in the predator-rich, Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Offbeat Ndoto
Small and intimate, Offbeat Mara is set in a valley above the (often dry) Olare Orok River within the Mara North Conservancy.
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp is a small, pioneering eco-camp in the first private conservancy in the Mara region, with comfortable accommodation and a range of activities.
Ngare Serian
The luxurious Ngare Serian and its sister camp Serian face each other across the Mara River on the western side of the Mara North Conservancy
Basecamp Leopard Hill
With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp sits on a meander of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, just beyond the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a classic, luxury tented camp with a 1920s safari theme, located in its own conservancy on the southeast border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Leleshwa
Leleshwa was a delightful, boutique safari camp on the picturesque banks of a tributary of the Talek, with an extensive, little visited game area on its doorstep.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a strikingly modern tented camp in the Virgin Limited Edition group, in a remote part of the Mara ecosytem's Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has lovely views and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a luxurious permanent lodge, on the remote northern edge of the Mara North Conservancy, with stunning views, good guiding and very private and comfortable rooms.
Mara Nyika
Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.
Basecamp Wilderness
Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.
Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is a luxury safari hotel on a private concession, outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the emphasis on comfort, relaxation and good food and wine.
Mara Toto Tree Camp
Mara Toto Tree Camp is located on a wooded bend of the Ntiakatek River, 1km south (as the pied crow flies) from its sister camp, Mara Plains. It's the offspring of the original "Mara Toto" which was swept away in floods.
Cottars Private House
Cottar's Private House is one of the few truly luxurious, modern private houses in the Mara ecosystem, spoiling its guests with first-rate staff, a swimming pool and wonderful views.
Entumoto
Entumoto is a high-end tented camp, with a swimming pool, situated in a very pretty location on the east side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
