Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara National Reserve
121 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Maasai Mara.
"Family trip June 2022"
Logistically, the connections between cities, lodges, and airlines were flawless. This was our second trip with Expert Africa (and working with Richard Trillo), and it was more complex than our last one: international, bush, and charter flights; three sites; two countries. This trip would have been impossible for us to have pulled off on our own - especially with the two-year delay forced by the pandemic! We were very happy to have these experts on our side!
Regarding the pandemic, Rwanda had the strictest protocols at the time of our trip - requiring four tests in seven days - but our driver arranged all three in-country tests and kept tabs on our results and paperwork for us. Masks were required in all airplanes, but the COVID numbers are so much lower in Africa than in the USA that we all felt very safe in the lodge settings - venues were spacious and largely open-air. We definitely had some anxiety about passing a PCR test in order to go gorilla trekking (we'd had COVID just 45 days before), but we hoped for the best and it worked out for us (and trip insurance would have come through had it not).
I would say that while COVID introduces a "wild card" into the proceedings, the travel-related requirements were well managed for us while overseas, and, in my opinion, going on safari is far safer than going to an American movie theater!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
"My Feb 2022 trip"
We were delighted with the way that Richard Trillo listened to what we wanted and then shaped a trip to meet these criteria.
We would strongly recommend booking with Richard for anyone going to Kenya." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Feb 2022 trip"
We must mention the support offered by Richard Trillo. Richard is always helpful and on this occasion he was put to the test due to the documentation requirements for travel. He always offered timely and accurate advice and did so with a high degree of patience which was probably necessary at times. We have total confidence in Richard organising these trips for us.
We must point out that Heathrow airport was extremely well organised in terms of documentation etc. Nairobi airport was the opposite.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
"My Feb 2022 trip"
The wildlife in the Masai Mara was abundant. We saw 50+ lions, 7 cheetah, 3 leopards and 4 serval cats. Lots of elephants and topi. My guides Sophia and Dalton were very knowledgeable and good drivers. I loved our conversations over the picnic breakfasts. It was a real bonus that Tangulia gives every guest/couple/group a private car if possible.
The roads in the Masai Mara were often very bad due to the rains we would have during almost every night. In the Mara Triangle the roads are better, but there we saw less wildlife partly due to the long grass at the time.
Expert Africa has organised my stay very efficiently, as usual. I had to defer my trip twice, which was dealt with in a pleasant way by Richard Trillo." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"My Jan 2022 trip"
Expert Africa were excellent through the whole booking and travelling process
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It was all first rate so no improvement necessary!!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Kenya safari
"My Jan 2022 trip"
I especially appreciated her extra effort in altering arrangements to include my friend in the itinerary. Any glitches were small ones." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
"My Nov 2021 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
"Fantastic safari to Kenya!"
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
"My Oct 2021 trip, long awaited return to favourit"
I love staying at the smaller lodges, never tire of game drives, guides stories and a chill out by the coast." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2021 trip"
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
Where to stay in Maasai Mara
Our suggestions for safari camps in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Rekero
Rekero is an unpretentious, high-end safari camp, for travellers who take their wildlife watching seriously and are prepared to pay for an exceptional location.
Little Governors'
Little Governors’ Camp sits by a swamp (an old oxbow of the Mara River) in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It has its own balloon-launching site.
Tangulia Mara
Tangulia Mara is a rustic and traditional safari camp on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve owned by Jackson Looseyia of Big Cat Diary fame.
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp is a large tented camp on the Mara River and one of the oldest in the Mara region, dating from 1972. Although unfenced, and regularly visited by elephants, the whole compound is always busy with human activity.
Serian Nkorombo
Serian Nkorombo is a luxury bush camp in the Musiara sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve on the east side of the Mara River.
Sand River Camp
Luxury colonial-style tented camp on the banks of the Sand River close to the Tanzania border – a great spot to see the wildebeest migration.
Sala's Camp
Sala’s Camp is a comfortable and intimate tented camp, with seven tented rooms, located on the banks of the Sand River, in the far south of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Governors' Il Moran
The smallest and most expensive of the three camps in the Governors’ group, Governors’ Il Moran Camp hugs a meander of the Mara River just 1km north of the main Governors’ Camp.
Mara Expedition Camp
Mara Expedition Camp is a small luxury camp located in a slightly elevated area of bush and woodland, just outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Basecamp Maasai Mara
Basecamp Maasai Mara is a family-friendly, award-winning eco-camp on a U-bend on the north bank of the Talek River, on the boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ilkeliani Camp
Ilkeliani Camp is a smart elegant camp overlooking the Talek River, on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Angama Mara
Angama Mara is a top-end luxury tented camp on the Siria-Oloololo escarpment of the Maasai Mara ecoystem, just above the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ngenche Safari Camp
Mara Ngenche is a non-hosted, luxury tented camp with an antique style, which is perfect if you're looking for private dining while staying somewhere small and personal.
Tipilikwani Camp
Tipilikwani Mara Camp is a larger, mid-range tented camp offering good value from its base on the Talek River just outside the Mara National Reserve.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large safari hotel with views of the Mara River, in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Mara Explorer Camp
Mara Explorer is a smart tented camp is in a scenic location on a bend in the Talek River.
Governors' Private Camp
Located on a secluded bend of the Mara River, Governor’s Private Camp has just eight tents and is booked on an exclusive basis.
Entim Camp
Entim Camp is well located in the heart of the Mara National Reserve, offering traditionally styled tented accommodation.
Naibor Camp
Naibor has a great location in the Mara reserve, and offers accommodation to suit different budgets, with stylish high-end tents and some simpler ones too.
Ishara
Ishara is a highly luxurious safari camp in the Maasai Mara, located on the Talek River, which is one of the best areas in Kenya for wildlife.
