Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
390 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
Mr & Mrs S
Waco, TX
"would have been 5 Paws without Selous/Manze"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 14 Aug 2015 and 24 Aug 2015
"Selous should not be marketed as having meaningful elephant populations
everyone in the country seems to know it but it was not indicated to me
Lake Manze is overpriced by at least double
should be sold as a budget camp for families going to cheap beach hotels in Zanzibar
because we are very experienced travelers we don't let any single issue spoil a trip but--
We usually do our own bookings but made an exception for this trip due to the number of domestic flights
and our preferred tight flying schedule .Iwas impressed by the service from both Richard and initially, Clare and
the details such as flights,transfers hotels,time usage were well done
I have never paid the pricing of Lake Manze/Selous and received as little
I rate the camp and game experience below modestly priced South African Private reserves near Kruger
eg: Nkorho or Gomo Gomo which are 50% lower
Kwihala was an excellent recommendation and Kicheche was as advertised
I do not think the location of the camp can compare to Karen Blixen tents on the River
where i have stayed previously but they have a different manager from my last visit there
and Kicheche was very satisfying." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
everyone in the country seems to know it but it was not indicated to me
Lake Manze is overpriced by at least double
should be sold as a budget camp for families going to cheap beach hotels in Zanzibar
because we are very experienced travelers we don't let any single issue spoil a trip but--
We usually do our own bookings but made an exception for this trip due to the number of domestic flights
and our preferred tight flying schedule .Iwas impressed by the service from both Richard and initially, Clare and
the details such as flights,transfers hotels,time usage were well done
I have never paid the pricing of Lake Manze/Selous and received as little
I rate the camp and game experience below modestly priced South African Private reserves near Kruger
eg: Nkorho or Gomo Gomo which are 50% lower
Kwihala was an excellent recommendation and Kicheche was as advertised
I do not think the location of the camp can compare to Karen Blixen tents on the River
where i have stayed previously but they have a different manager from my last visit there
and Kicheche was very satisfying." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The C family
S London
"Overall, a fine safari in Kenya"
I visited Kenya between 31 Jul 2015 and 15 Aug 2015
"I think I've summed it up elsewhere"
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Q
Berks
"July 2015 Trip"
I visited Kenya between 30 Jul 2015 and 10 Aug 2015
"Great trip all camps lived up to expectations all offering something different. Game drives excellent lucky to see both leopard and cheetah kills which is rare to see both.
The full migration not yet happening as wilder beast content with grasses in Tanzania and major crossing not expected until Sept/Oct
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No
Would certainly recommend Expert Africa to other travellers." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
The full migration not yet happening as wilder beast content with grasses in Tanzania and major crossing not expected until Sept/Oct
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No
Would certainly recommend Expert Africa to other travellers." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr/Mrs E
Wisconsin US
"A fantastic safari trip"
I visited Kenya between 19 Jul 2015 and 29 Jul 2015
"The trip as a whole was fantastic! I am especially grateful to Richard Trillo, who worked with me through the long process of selecting regions in Kenya to visit, and the sites and the activities. He was very knowledgable and we had a fruitful email "conversation" as we sorted through the details and my wife and I made our choices.
The different parts of the trip - airport pickup with Southern Cross Safaris, the flights, the safari camps and the transfers - all worked together seamlessly.
It was an unforgettable trip, and I feel fortunate to have worked with Richard in crafting it, and am grateful to Expert Africa for having pulled it all together! I will recommend them to friends and family for future travels.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This is not a complaint as much as something to consider. The trip was a large expenditure - akin to buying a small car, for our family! If it made sense to gather information or provide recommendations on travel insurance, that may be worth considering adding to the Expert Africa portfolio. We ended up using SquareMouth, which worked well for us (caveat: we made no claims)." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
The different parts of the trip - airport pickup with Southern Cross Safaris, the flights, the safari camps and the transfers - all worked together seamlessly.
It was an unforgettable trip, and I feel fortunate to have worked with Richard in crafting it, and am grateful to Expert Africa for having pulled it all together! I will recommend them to friends and family for future travels.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This is not a complaint as much as something to consider. The trip was a large expenditure - akin to buying a small car, for our family! If it made sense to gather information or provide recommendations on travel insurance, that may be worth considering adding to the Expert Africa portfolio. We ended up using SquareMouth, which worked well for us (caveat: we made no claims)." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Sarah
Arizona
"My Jul 2015 trip"
I visited Kenya and 1 other country between 10 Jul 2015 and 27 Jul 2015
"We enjoyed our trip immensely."
Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Pegoreag
SC
"Experience of a lifetime"
I visited Kenya between 3 Jul 2015 and 10 Jul 2015
"Our trip as a whole was excellent. We booked our own rooms in Nairobi at each end of the trip. We stayed in the Karen area and were very comfortable. On the first night we stayed at Purdy Arms, which seems to be the happening place on Friday nights. Nice place and Great Pizza.
On the last night, we stayed at the Margarita house. Room was nice, breakfast was good and staff was very accommodating. We hired their driver to pick us up at the airport and to drive us around the last day until our flight left. He was very helpful. We asked to be taken to a place where we could buy some wood carvings and he found a place. Unfortunately, they charged us one thing, but the price on our credit card when we got home was 3 times the amount we signed for. Be sure to keep all receipts for purchases and only use cash in those places. In spite of that, our trip was Awesome!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I think you do a great job.
Our only concern was waiting for the few weeks between payment and receiving the documents without being certain we would ever see them. But, it did in fact come just as you said it would, so that was not really a problem." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 3 on a Kenya safari
On the last night, we stayed at the Margarita house. Room was nice, breakfast was good and staff was very accommodating. We hired their driver to pick us up at the airport and to drive us around the last day until our flight left. He was very helpful. We asked to be taken to a place where we could buy some wood carvings and he found a place. Unfortunately, they charged us one thing, but the price on our credit card when we got home was 3 times the amount we signed for. Be sure to keep all receipts for purchases and only use cash in those places. In spite of that, our trip was Awesome!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I think you do a great job.
Our only concern was waiting for the few weeks between payment and receiving the documents without being certain we would ever see them. But, it did in fact come just as you said it would, so that was not really a problem." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 3 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs F
Herts
"My Jun 2015 trip"
I visited Kenya between 27 Jun 2015 and 6 Jul 2015
"Overall, an awesome experience. Would definitely go back to Kenya.
People were lovely. Guides were great.
The only serious glitch was right up front when the driver wasn't there to collect us. Not a great start after a long flight and we were disappointed and frustrated by this especially when he tried to pretend that he'd been there all the time. Otherwise everything went very well
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, nothing more to add" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
People were lovely. Guides were great.
The only serious glitch was right up front when the driver wasn't there to collect us. Not a great start after a long flight and we were disappointed and frustrated by this especially when he tried to pretend that he'd been there all the time. Otherwise everything went very well
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, nothing more to add" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs JR
London
"My Jun 2015 trip"
I visited Kenya between 14 Jun 2015 and 22 Jun 2015
"Kicheche camp was extremely well run with great service and management.
Rekero was quiet, and a wonderful unique experience, but clearly management is going through a transition. This is understandable.
Walks at Naboisho camp were fantastic, as was the wildlife there. Service was decent but not up to standards of the other camps.
Transfer on the final day in Nairobi with Southern Cross was a disappointment and uncomfortable since the two guys took us to the mechanic to switch vehicles, stopped at an unsolicited tourist shop, got lost, and were nowhere to be found after dinner, requiring us to search the hotel to find them and tell them we were ready to go to the airport."
Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr W & Dr D
Leeds
"Wildlife viewing in Kenya in June"
I visited Kenya between 5 Jun 2015 and 20 Jun 2015
"As someone who has travelled for many years I am a late comer to Kenya and I now regret all those missed opportunities. I first went to Kicheche Mara Camp 15 months ago and loved it so was determined to return. I did so with some trepidation in case I was disappointed but I need not have worried. The whole holiday exceeded our expectations.
The Kicheche Camps are well managed and in beautiful settings with amazing wildlife. They tick the box if you are wanting to stay in comfortable, small, traditional bush camps governed by sound ecological principles.
I have visited many countries to see wildlife and the Masai Mara ranks number one as far as I am concerned. I can understand why Kenya and Kicheche Camps get so many repeat visitors and I will be one them." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari
The Kicheche Camps are well managed and in beautiful settings with amazing wildlife. They tick the box if you are wanting to stay in comfortable, small, traditional bush camps governed by sound ecological principles.
I have visited many countries to see wildlife and the Masai Mara ranks number one as far as I am concerned. I can understand why Kenya and Kicheche Camps get so many repeat visitors and I will be one them." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Ms S
London
"My Feb 2015 trip"
I visited Kenya between 26 Feb 2015 and 7 Mar 2015
Overall trip
Excellent
390
reviews of Mara Conservancies by travellers since August 2007
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