Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
390 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
Pandc
Evesham
"Fantastic trip despite the airlines!"
I visited Mozambique and 1 other country between 23 Aug 2019 and 9 Sep 2019
"I have already covered airline problems, we also had a very unfriendly and unprofessional experience with immigration at Nampula.
As advised we were prepared to get our visas at the airport. We were met on the run way by a shouting official, eventually determined he wanted our visa. He took our passports while we waited for the luggage which did not appear.
In the visa office we presented the visa forms provided by yourselves which were rejected, with a lot of shouting, and new cards were presented to us to fill in. The official asked my husband what we were doing in Mozambique, replying ‘tourist’ he shouted that we could have our visas after everyone else. After issuing visas to at least 2 other people who arrived after us we got our visas. Full finger prints were taken, photographs taken, our money was checked for fakes! We definitely got the feeling we were being treated as badly and as slowly as possible.
Another point to make is that the immigration clerks who were issuing the visas were very incompetent, almost ruining my husbands passport. Can I advise that anyone's travelling via Nampula does not try to get their visas at the airport. If they don’t live near London then get a visa company to do it for them and pay extra.
After all this drama we then had the 4 hour journey to Nuarro all in the dark.
Another point is that we were expecting to pay $30 each exit from Mozambique. No money was requested.
Another note regarding visas. We had not booked our return flights on the same ticket so needed to retrieve our luggage in Nairobi and re-enter the airport. This was easily done at the visa desk, a transit visa was issued for $20 each." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday
As advised we were prepared to get our visas at the airport. We were met on the run way by a shouting official, eventually determined he wanted our visa. He took our passports while we waited for the luggage which did not appear.
In the visa office we presented the visa forms provided by yourselves which were rejected, with a lot of shouting, and new cards were presented to us to fill in. The official asked my husband what we were doing in Mozambique, replying ‘tourist’ he shouted that we could have our visas after everyone else. After issuing visas to at least 2 other people who arrived after us we got our visas. Full finger prints were taken, photographs taken, our money was checked for fakes! We definitely got the feeling we were being treated as badly and as slowly as possible.
Another point to make is that the immigration clerks who were issuing the visas were very incompetent, almost ruining my husbands passport. Can I advise that anyone's travelling via Nampula does not try to get their visas at the airport. If they don’t live near London then get a visa company to do it for them and pay extra.
After all this drama we then had the 4 hour journey to Nuarro all in the dark.
Another point is that we were expecting to pay $30 each exit from Mozambique. No money was requested.
Another note regarding visas. We had not booked our return flights on the same ticket so needed to retrieve our luggage in Nairobi and re-enter the airport. This was easily done at the visa desk, a transit visa was issued for $20 each." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C
Devon
"My Aug 2019 trip"
I visited Kenya between 19 Aug 2019 and 30 Aug 2019
"A great safari. Was very well looked after and saw all the animals on my wish list. Only slight blip the safari link fiasco."
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr and Mrs G
Bucks
"Beautiful Intro to Kenya & Tanzania"
I visited Kenya and 2 other countries between 15 Aug 2019 and 5 Sep 2019
"Glorious trip to Kenya and Tanzania, our first visit to those countries. Having travelled in Africa extensively before, the punctuality and efficiency of collections etc was impressive. We thoroughly enjoyed the insight into local culture and the safari opportunities were stunning. All guides very kind and friendly, always keen to please.
Our limited constructive feedback as follows: All camps provided toiletries and washing powder, so no need to bring. Camps advertising laundry services still did not wash underwear (male or female), nor handkerchiefs. Drive to Il Ngwesi from Wilson airport was interesting, but ended up as quite an odyssey as driver did not know the way through Lewa Conservancy to the camp. As no signs available, this ended up as an additional 2 hours of desperately trying to find the camp before dark. All good in the end, but maybe check drivers know their destination before setting off." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Our limited constructive feedback as follows: All camps provided toiletries and washing powder, so no need to bring. Camps advertising laundry services still did not wash underwear (male or female), nor handkerchiefs. Drive to Il Ngwesi from Wilson airport was interesting, but ended up as quite an odyssey as driver did not know the way through Lewa Conservancy to the camp. As no signs available, this ended up as an additional 2 hours of desperately trying to find the camp before dark. All good in the end, but maybe check drivers know their destination before setting off." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs K & 5
Maryland
"My Aug 2019 trip"
I visited Kenya between 10 Aug 2019 and 26 Aug 2019
"Fantastic - we've been singing the praises of Expert Africa since we returned. Everything was seamless and we didn't worry about a thing from the moment we arrived in Kenya. We had no idea what to expect on our first trip to Africa and this was the perfect introduction. I don't think we would have done anything differently.
We did go to Karen Blixen's home and while interesting - it isn't worth a stop if under a time crunch.
One of the reasons we loved Il Ngwesi so much was because of the community involvement in the lodge. It meant a lot to us that the money was going back to the 7 villages, who sat on the board of the lodge. We spent a long time talking to the staff at Porini/Gamewatchers and while their arrangement with the company and the villages is better than most, it is still not owned by the Maasai. It would be wonderful if there were more lodges and guide services owned by native Kenyans.
We had mixed feelings about the village visits. The one at Il Ngwesi was better because it was presented as "traditional" while acknowledging that things had changed. Yes, they use matches and cell phones and dress in tshirts, etc. The one at Selenkay seemed a little more artificial. While it was really good for us to learn how the Maasai have lived traditionally, we were really interested in their lives today. How have things changed? What do they see for the future? Our guides were willing to discuss it, but it would have been nice to talk to some of the villagers about it as well. For instance - none of our guides had multiple wives and almost all of them chose their own. One didn't own any livestock. Quite a few lived in more modern homes. We felt like it was perpetuating a view of Africa that was not up to date.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Recommend some more trips for us!
Also, I didn't see any multi-country trips on the website. We asked everyone where to go next and some recommended Namibia, Botswana, Victoria Falls trip.
Would be lovely to see an itinerary for that." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
We did go to Karen Blixen's home and while interesting - it isn't worth a stop if under a time crunch.
One of the reasons we loved Il Ngwesi so much was because of the community involvement in the lodge. It meant a lot to us that the money was going back to the 7 villages, who sat on the board of the lodge. We spent a long time talking to the staff at Porini/Gamewatchers and while their arrangement with the company and the villages is better than most, it is still not owned by the Maasai. It would be wonderful if there were more lodges and guide services owned by native Kenyans.
We had mixed feelings about the village visits. The one at Il Ngwesi was better because it was presented as "traditional" while acknowledging that things had changed. Yes, they use matches and cell phones and dress in tshirts, etc. The one at Selenkay seemed a little more artificial. While it was really good for us to learn how the Maasai have lived traditionally, we were really interested in their lives today. How have things changed? What do they see for the future? Our guides were willing to discuss it, but it would have been nice to talk to some of the villagers about it as well. For instance - none of our guides had multiple wives and almost all of them chose their own. One didn't own any livestock. Quite a few lived in more modern homes. We felt like it was perpetuating a view of Africa that was not up to date.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Recommend some more trips for us!
Also, I didn't see any multi-country trips on the website. We asked everyone where to go next and some recommended Namibia, Botswana, Victoria Falls trip.
Would be lovely to see an itinerary for that." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms. K
Laramie
"Rwanda and Kenya August 2019 Trip"
I visited Rwanda and 1 other country between 5 Aug 2019 and 13 Aug 2019
"The trip as a whole was AWESOME!! The trip by far exceeded our expectations and was so so so so much fun!! Olivia spent countless hours talking to me on the phone and answering non-stop questions over email to make sure this trip was tailored exactly to our preferences. From the moment we stepped foot off the plane in Rwanda, to the moment we flew out of Nairobi, my family had an absolutely phenomenal time. Each aspect of the trip fit my family like a glove, and was a once in a lifetime experience. The entire trip, including transfers and activities were flawless and my family and I never had to worry about what was next. A guide or staff member always made sure we were where we needed to be, and that we were well taken care of.
Olivia recommended Kigali Serena and Encounter Mara, and Encounter Mara was the best time! Expert also booked all of our transfers for us and the guides were personable, knowledgeable, professional, and a blast! This was such an excellent trip and there is not a single thing about the trip that we didn't love!!
The only negatives we had about our trip was some layover schedules, but that was booked through a different US agency, so everything Expert did was great!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
THANK YOU to Olivia for booking this trip with us! She is absolutely wonderful and did such an amazing job! The only suggestions on how you could improve would be pushing more people towards Encounter Mara because it was so amazing :)
There is nothing we think you could have done to improve, great job!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 4 on a Rwanda safari
Olivia recommended Kigali Serena and Encounter Mara, and Encounter Mara was the best time! Expert also booked all of our transfers for us and the guides were personable, knowledgeable, professional, and a blast! This was such an excellent trip and there is not a single thing about the trip that we didn't love!!
The only negatives we had about our trip was some layover schedules, but that was booked through a different US agency, so everything Expert did was great!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
THANK YOU to Olivia for booking this trip with us! She is absolutely wonderful and did such an amazing job! The only suggestions on how you could improve would be pushing more people towards Encounter Mara because it was so amazing :)
There is nothing we think you could have done to improve, great job!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 4 on a Rwanda safari
Overall trip
Excellent
P&JG
Scotland
"A wonderful trip"
I visited Kenya between 2 Aug 2019 and 24 Aug 2019
"This was a slightly complicated three week trip, as we were organising the first two weeks privately, with our son who lives in Kenya, and then segueing this with a final "solo" week planned with Expert Africa. In fact, it became a bit of a hybrid arrangement and Expert Africa (Richard Trillo) was enormously helpful and flexible in assisting us to plan and book both parts of the whole trip.
We covered some 2,500 miles of travel in country (not including flights to/from UK), by road and internal flights, taking in Nairobi, the Aberdare National Park, Nanyuki, Mount Kenya National Park, El Karama Lodge in Laikipia, Sarara Camp in Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust, wild camping north of Archers Post, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shela on Lamu Island, Porini Lion Camp (Olare Motorogi Conservancy), Loldia House on Lake Naivasha, Lake Elmenteita and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Every part of the itinerary booked with Expert Africa went without a hitch and we felt thoroughly well looked after from beginning to end. We saw more wildlife than you could possibly imagine, including all of the so called "Big Five", met wonderful, friendly people and learned something of their lives and cultures. It has been a truly memorable trip and I would recommend Expert Africa to anyone who might be planning a similar experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I really can't think of anything!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
We covered some 2,500 miles of travel in country (not including flights to/from UK), by road and internal flights, taking in Nairobi, the Aberdare National Park, Nanyuki, Mount Kenya National Park, El Karama Lodge in Laikipia, Sarara Camp in Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust, wild camping north of Archers Post, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shela on Lamu Island, Porini Lion Camp (Olare Motorogi Conservancy), Loldia House on Lake Naivasha, Lake Elmenteita and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Every part of the itinerary booked with Expert Africa went without a hitch and we felt thoroughly well looked after from beginning to end. We saw more wildlife than you could possibly imagine, including all of the so called "Big Five", met wonderful, friendly people and learned something of their lives and cultures. It has been a truly memorable trip and I would recommend Expert Africa to anyone who might be planning a similar experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I really can't think of anything!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Weymouth
"Trip of a lifetime"
I visited Kenya and 4 other countries between 24 Jun 2019 and 7 Aug 2019
"We have been to Africa before with Expert Africa and we knew what we wanted to see this time.
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss A
Okehampton
"Wonderful... Beats UK in February!"
I visited Kenya between 26 Feb 2019 and 12 Mar 2019
"Kenya was fabulous. Highspots were Sarara Camp in general (a whole list of things), the fab Villa at Saruna Mara ( terrific staff); Peponi (just being there...). And hotel One Forty Eight in Nairobi was a superb place to arrive at after a long flight...
We were especially impressed by the cheerful helpfulness of all the Kenyan people we met, in all the places we stayed- and in between.
Plus- the weather was perfect...." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
We were especially impressed by the cheerful helpfulness of all the Kenyan people we met, in all the places we stayed- and in between.
Plus- the weather was perfect...." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr M.
Loughborough
"My Feb 2019 trip"
I visited Kenya between 3 Feb 2019 and 13 Feb 2019
"I had not been in Kenya since 1983 so this trip allowed me to revisit old places and to experience new ones.
Standard of all our lodges was very high indeed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Standard of all our lodges was very high indeed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Orpington
"My February 2019 North Mara trip "
I visited Kenya between 2 Feb 2019 and 10 Feb 2019
"We had an excellent trip - with wonderful wildlife viewing and great birdwatching."
Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
390
reviews of Mara Conservancies by travellers since August 2007
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