Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
384 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
Ms F
California, USA
"My Sep 2024 trip to Kenya"
I visited Kenya between 12 Sep 2024 and 27 Sep 2024
"Living in the U.S. and using a company in London and communicating via email, is a leap of faith that everything will go smoothly and as planned. Expert Africa and Lyndsey have never let me down and every safari they have put together has been an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much! This was my first safari in Kenya and it was incredible. Outstanding guiding throughout. And the camps were all in conservancies, so there were no crowds. The wildlife was abundant and we got really close to elephants and lions. It was absolutely thrilling. Hats off to Lyndsey at Expert Africa who put together this fantastic itinerary.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Lyndsey has put together several safaris over the years. There is nothing to improve upon! My only concern is that Lyndsey might leave Expert Africa!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Lyndsey has put together several safaris over the years. There is nothing to improve upon! My only concern is that Lyndsey might leave Expert Africa!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Sarah & Carl
CA., USA
"My Sep 2024 trip"
I visited Kenya between 12 Sep 2024 and 27 Sep 2024
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs A. & Ms. K
Canada
"My Sep 2024 trip"
I visited Kenya between 7 Sep 2024 and 1 Oct 2024
"What can I say? My best friend of 65 years said that she had never seen me at a loss for words about anything before.
This trip was beyond beyond. I now understand why people go back time and time again. The animals, the people, and the land get under your skin and into your soul. I told my brother that the only way to describe it is that it is everything that is real. Animals living their lives the way they are intended to. A good day for a cheetah hunting and catching a young gazelle, not a good day for the gazelle. The circle of life and all that that means.
To witness: a large elephant family moving across a huge dry lake; seeing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, cape buffalo, all together on the move; meet and see Craig the Tusker, that magnificent old elephant; and giraffes nibbling on tree tops; there truly are no words...it is all emotion.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything, for every little detail and putting us into the care of so many exemplary people in Kenya.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not one!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
This trip was beyond beyond. I now understand why people go back time and time again. The animals, the people, and the land get under your skin and into your soul. I told my brother that the only way to describe it is that it is everything that is real. Animals living their lives the way they are intended to. A good day for a cheetah hunting and catching a young gazelle, not a good day for the gazelle. The circle of life and all that that means.
To witness: a large elephant family moving across a huge dry lake; seeing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, cape buffalo, all together on the move; meet and see Craig the Tusker, that magnificent old elephant; and giraffes nibbling on tree tops; there truly are no words...it is all emotion.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything, for every little detail and putting us into the care of so many exemplary people in Kenya.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not one!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mark
London
"My Sep 2024 trip"
I visited Kenya between 3 Sep 2024 and 12 Sep 2024
"When planning the holiday we asked for camps that not only offered the potential for high quality game viewings but were also high quality; intimate; a little off the beaten track; and a bit different from each other. Expert Africa pointed us towards Kicheche Laipikia (3 nights) and Kicheche Mara (4 nights) and the combination delivered in spades.
Both were luxurious yet intimate, feeling like you were in the heart of the African bush. Both were a little away from most other camps, meaning that many viewings were on our own. Both provided an excellent service and dedicated and knowledgable guide to show us around. The food was excellent at both camps as was the camaraderie around the fires in the evening.
However, the main reason you come is for animal sightings and we were not disappointed. The two camps offer slightly different landscapes. Laikipia is more bush and has a proliferation of rhinos. Mara is more classic African plains where the big cats are a bit easier to find.
Over the seven days we saw plenty of black and white rhino (all in Laikipia), 3 cheetahs (2 Mara, 1 Laikipia) and 2 leopards (1 each). Lions were too many to count - well in excess of 20, along with numerous elephants, giraffes and hippos.
It was an exceptional trip in all regards and will live forever in the memory." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Both were luxurious yet intimate, feeling like you were in the heart of the African bush. Both were a little away from most other camps, meaning that many viewings were on our own. Both provided an excellent service and dedicated and knowledgable guide to show us around. The food was excellent at both camps as was the camaraderie around the fires in the evening.
However, the main reason you come is for animal sightings and we were not disappointed. The two camps offer slightly different landscapes. Laikipia is more bush and has a proliferation of rhinos. Mara is more classic African plains where the big cats are a bit easier to find.
Over the seven days we saw plenty of black and white rhino (all in Laikipia), 3 cheetahs (2 Mara, 1 Laikipia) and 2 leopards (1 each). Lions were too many to count - well in excess of 20, along with numerous elephants, giraffes and hippos.
It was an exceptional trip in all regards and will live forever in the memory." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Maidstone
"Maasai Mara 2024 trip"
I visited Kenya between 27 Aug 2024 and 6 Sep 2024
"A very good trip. We have steered clear of Kenya for many years because it has become so popular and crowded but felt we would like to give it a try again in the hope that we might see the wildebeest crossing the rivers with all the action that the crossing produces.
In the event we were unsuccessful in that regard because animals are not always predictable! Having entered the Mara pretty much on schedule they decided to turn round and go back into Tanzania. In fact this the third year running they have not travelled as far north as previously.
In this respect it was our fault for relying on historic data and we had not taken the trouble to update ourselves on recent trends. It will always be difficult to make predictions on this subject and while there are websites which give up to date information this is not relevant at the time one has to make a booking.
This disappointment was compensated by several rare sightings. We were able to spend a lot of time and able to follow a Serval mother and three kittens and on two separate occasions we witnessed a cheetah making a successful chase and kill right in front of us. Over many years of going on safari we have occasionally seen cheetahs with the result of a successful chase and kill but never before have we seen the actual chase right in front of us.
We selected the two camps because they are operated by a company with several locations in southern Africa and who work with Expert Africa and whose camps we have visited at four other locations in Tanzania and where we were suitably impressed.
One particular aspect which pleased us was the flexibility of the ranger/guides to check with their guests on the duration of the trips. The fact that we always had a packed breakfast with us meant the duration of each trip was not governed by the need to get back for a cooked meal." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
In the event we were unsuccessful in that regard because animals are not always predictable! Having entered the Mara pretty much on schedule they decided to turn round and go back into Tanzania. In fact this the third year running they have not travelled as far north as previously.
In this respect it was our fault for relying on historic data and we had not taken the trouble to update ourselves on recent trends. It will always be difficult to make predictions on this subject and while there are websites which give up to date information this is not relevant at the time one has to make a booking.
This disappointment was compensated by several rare sightings. We were able to spend a lot of time and able to follow a Serval mother and three kittens and on two separate occasions we witnessed a cheetah making a successful chase and kill right in front of us. Over many years of going on safari we have occasionally seen cheetahs with the result of a successful chase and kill but never before have we seen the actual chase right in front of us.
We selected the two camps because they are operated by a company with several locations in southern Africa and who work with Expert Africa and whose camps we have visited at four other locations in Tanzania and where we were suitably impressed.
One particular aspect which pleased us was the flexibility of the ranger/guides to check with their guests on the duration of the trips. The fact that we always had a packed breakfast with us meant the duration of each trip was not governed by the need to get back for a cooked meal." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Nicola
London, UK
"My Aug 2024 trip - Kenya"
I visited Kenya between 12 Aug 2024 and 27 Aug 2024
"Overall an excellent trip, Expert Africa's team - Lyndsey in primis - was attentive, highly communicative, competent and were able to suggest the best itinerary and options given our budget and our wishes.
We were very happy dealing with them, as well as with the quality of their partner companies and staff on the ground, and would highly recommend them to anyone wishing to undertake a safari trip in Africa." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
We were very happy dealing with them, as well as with the quality of their partner companies and staff on the ground, and would highly recommend them to anyone wishing to undertake a safari trip in Africa." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Joyorins
UK
"My Aug 2024 Kenya trip with 10 yo"
I visited Kenya between 10 Aug 2024 and 20 Aug 2024
"The trip was excellent with everything arranged perfectly bar a small hitch with arranging private game vehicle which I recommend if travelling with children.
Accommodation was above expectation. 3 days on safari with a 10yo is enough and kept him engaged, before heading to the beach for snorkelling etc.
There are a few people on the beach in Diani trying to sell but they are generally polite and can be waved on.
Overall the trip exceeded expectations and we will go back!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Accommodation was above expectation. 3 days on safari with a 10yo is enough and kept him engaged, before heading to the beach for snorkelling etc.
There are a few people on the beach in Diani trying to sell but they are generally polite and can be waved on.
Overall the trip exceeded expectations and we will go back!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr W & Ms W + kids
NL
"Maasai Mara 2024"
I visited Kenya between 4 Aug 2024 and 13 Aug 2024
"Another wonderful trip to Kenya. We were only gone for a bit longer than one week, but the intensity of such trips and all the things we saw along the way makes it seem like a much longer trip. We have many great memories and hope to return soon."
Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
J and R
Bedford
"My Jul 2024 trip"
I visited Kenya between 14 Jul 2024 and 31 Jul 2024
"Thank you so much Expert Africa!
I first went to Kenya in the seventies and have since done many, many trips to Africa, mostly holidays but also school sports tours. I can honestly say that, despite the rain, this has been the most enjoyable and rewarding of all!
Of course Steve Carey had a lot to do suggesting the itinerary but Kicheche was the perfect climax. All the arrangements worked seamlessly and you have helped make us very privileged. For Hannah it was a first trip to Africa and she has had the most incredible experience.
We will all be back......" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
I first went to Kenya in the seventies and have since done many, many trips to Africa, mostly holidays but also school sports tours. I can honestly say that, despite the rain, this has been the most enjoyable and rewarding of all!
Of course Steve Carey had a lot to do suggesting the itinerary but Kicheche was the perfect climax. All the arrangements worked seamlessly and you have helped make us very privileged. For Hannah it was a first trip to Africa and she has had the most incredible experience.
We will all be back......" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms & Mr WB
London
"A memorable trip that exceeded our expectations"
I visited Kenya between 8 Jul 2024 and 20 Jul 2024
"It was fabulous. Safari was a highlight that exceeded our expectations.
Lyndsey was patient, knowledgeable and always responded promptly and effectively to our questions and requests. Thank you" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Lyndsey was patient, knowledgeable and always responded promptly and effectively to our questions and requests. Thank you" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
384
reviews of Mara Conservancies by travellers since August 2007
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