Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
386 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
"Excellent support"
We were disappointed with Malawi for the reasons mentioned and also for the costs associated with Lilongwe airport. The actual internal flight departure tax is $7 per person and the external departure tax is $35 per person. Visa charge is $75 per person.
Considering the country is regarded as 'poor' and want to encourage tourism the Tourism Board should consider requesting the Government to reduce the fees involved. Suppose the UK equivalent is Air Passenger Duty (APD) which is £13 per person for flights of less than 2000 miles." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
"Overall Kenya Trip was terrific"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I have to say that the service and friendliness is outstanding and great value for money. Thank you big time" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"Christmas 2016"
Another time if going at Christmas ( we had requested Rekero) I might avoid Rekero simply for the Mara being so busy over Christmas but I would certainly highly recommend it for other times - it is a fabulous location.
On the last day we had a very long wait ( 12 noon to the planned 11pm flight out - delayed to 1.30am the next day) and it would have been nice to have had a place booked with a day room. We organised this ourselves in the end, or rather Darren of Kicheche Bush Camp organised it. However overall the trip worked perfectly and met our expectations.
All camp managers were simply splendid and the guides all knowledgeable - Andrew at Kicheche Laikipia and Charles at Kicheche Bush Camp were particularly good." Read full review: 40 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"A Leap Into the Unknown"
From the point of view re health matters, it should be noted that doctors generally are reluctant, in the UK, to administer Yellow Fever vaccinations to anyone over the age of 60. After I had made an appointment in the UK, had paid a fee and then waited to see a nurse, it became apparent that I was not going to receive the vaccination - because of an increased risk of serious reactions. The medical practice refunded my payment, but I still had had to pay for taxi service to and from the practice, plus having most of an afternoon wasted. It might be wise for Expert Africa to include a bit of information re Yellow Fever & age.
There were a few delays when we requested more information re the booking process, which we felt could have been avoided or made more clear to us." Read full review: 39 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari
"Fall, 2016"
"2016 african adventure"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Weight limit of 20kg on safari flights would be an improvement" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"Super trip to Kenya"
Two very small things that could be improved:
1) On the first day we had to wait about three hours for our flight to Nanyuki. In that time we could have gotten there by car, which might have been cheaper and would have spared Ilona getting sick on the plane
2) On the last day the guide was a bit overly nervous regarding traffic in Nairobi. This left us at the airport with six hours to kill before our flight. It also meant we left Nairobi NP an hour before closing and skipped eating at a nice place before going to the airport.
Note: the above are really very small things and didn't impact our overall enjoyment of the trip at all!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"Great return trip to Kenya"
"Fantastic Safari experience"
We saw lots and lots and especially wildebeest which was the main reason for the trip. The accommodation was great (except Ngorongoro which was just not our style), and all the guides were excellent.
We could not have asked for more and were very happy." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari
"Our fourth safari"
The staff there has such intimate knowledge of the camps that they are able to offer us wonderful advice. They know what we value most and have the background to know how to guide us to places that we will enjoy.
This was a trip that took us to some new regions of Kenya and we enjoyed the variety of environments that we experienced. Thank you, Ellie, for helping us plan another amazing adventure!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 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.
