Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
392 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
Mr & Mrs M
Ascot
"My Dec 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 16 Dec 2021 and 1 Jan 2022
"Wonderful trip made by the camp plus staff and the abundance of wildlife."
Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms A.
London
"My Dec 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 12 Dec 2021 and 22 Dec 2021
"Wonderful ! Only suggestion maybe it would have made sense to drive from JKIA to Laikipia in view of the inevitable layover time waiting for the plane from Wilson?
Also suggest that passengers book to take an authorised LFT kit with them to avoid last minute hassles with testing at the JKIA base. Also JKIA require proof of payment for the UK PCR test - the number on the Passenger locator form was not enough...!
The checkin queue for the 9.30 am KQ flight to London was chaos (and this is apparently always the case) - if one has the nerve go c. one hour ahead to avoid the madness of 9 prior flights and only 3 desks open!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would happily rebook with you though I would prefer being able to book the international flights with EA rather than go elsewhere - particularly in Covid times." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Also suggest that passengers book to take an authorised LFT kit with them to avoid last minute hassles with testing at the JKIA base. Also JKIA require proof of payment for the UK PCR test - the number on the Passenger locator form was not enough...!
The checkin queue for the 9.30 am KQ flight to London was chaos (and this is apparently always the case) - if one has the nerve go c. one hour ahead to avoid the madness of 9 prior flights and only 3 desks open!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would happily rebook with you though I would prefer being able to book the international flights with EA rather than go elsewhere - particularly in Covid times." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M&A
Geneva
"My Nov 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 29 Nov 2021 and 3 Dec 2021
"Our trip to Kenya was fantastic - Expert Africa and especially Richard were a major reason for that.
Richard has profound knowledge of the country and gave us excellent advice during the initial planning phase, but we truly came to appreciate his support when things went pear-shaped due to COVID just a few days before we were to depart. We were able to work with him to reconfigure our itinerary at the very last minute; Expert Africa processed our partial refund quickly and without a fuss.
It's when things go wrong that you really find out if you chose the right agent and clearly we did." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari
Richard has profound knowledge of the country and gave us excellent advice during the initial planning phase, but we truly came to appreciate his support when things went pear-shaped due to COVID just a few days before we were to depart. We were able to work with him to reconfigure our itinerary at the very last minute; Expert Africa processed our partial refund quickly and without a fuss.
It's when things go wrong that you really find out if you chose the right agent and clearly we did." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The VD family
London
"My Nov 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 27 Nov 2021 and 6 Dec 2021
"Fabulous and extremely well advised by Claire who made sure we had a great trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the last day I would next time spent my late afternoon/dinner at Talisman restaurant instead of the Four Points as it has more authenticity and character though Four Points is extremely convenient location wise." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the last day I would next time spent my late afternoon/dinner at Talisman restaurant instead of the Four Points as it has more authenticity and character though Four Points is extremely convenient location wise." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr BG
Newport Coast
"My Nov 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 16 Nov 2021 and 30 Nov 2021
"Wonderful trip, felt very safe from Covid throughout. Don't wait!"
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr B
London
"Fantastic safari to Kenya!"
I visited Kenya between 13 Nov 2021 and 29 Nov 2021
"What a really wonderful trip! After waiting almost two years to travel internationally because of the pandemic, it was so fantastic to be away on safari again.
Aside from a few extra bits of paperwork to organise before flying, everything on the ground felt very 'normal'. The camps felt very safe and were mindful of covid protocols (all staff were double vaccinated), without detracting from the experience. If anything, being outside in the fresh air all day is probably safer than being in a UK city anyway! It was also clear that all of the camps were so happy to be welcoming guests again.
A big thank you to Expert Africa for all of their help organising such a memorable trip." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari
Aside from a few extra bits of paperwork to organise before flying, everything on the ground felt very 'normal'. The camps felt very safe and were mindful of covid protocols (all staff were double vaccinated), without detracting from the experience. If anything, being outside in the fresh air all day is probably safer than being in a UK city anyway! It was also clear that all of the camps were so happy to be welcoming guests again.
A big thank you to Expert Africa for all of their help organising such a memorable trip." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Lola
Canada
"My Nov 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 2 Nov 2021 and 14 Nov 2021
"Great 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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Kingston
"Kenya Oct 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 12 Oct 2021 and 24 Oct 2021
"Great 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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Jayce
NJ, USA
"My Oct 2021 trip"
I visited Kenya between 1 Oct 2021 and 9 Oct 2021
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Trillo.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss P
London
"My Oct 2021 trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 1 Oct 2021 and 25 Oct 2021
"As a solo traveler, the lesson from this trip was what a massive difference the hosting and management can make to my enjoyment of a camp. In this respect, it really highlighted the appeal of owner run camps like Tafika where, as a repeat guest, you know you can expect to see the same faces (more or less) and get the same welcome time after time. Whilst I did also really enjoy Rekero, I know that there would be no guarantee of the same experience in a couple of years time as managers move on.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
392
reviews of Mara Conservancies by travellers since August 2007
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