Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara National Reserve
125 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Maasai Mara.
"My Nov 2021 trip"
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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
"Bucket list trip to Amazing Africa"
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When Richard organized this trip, he used the word "bespoke". We had no idea what that meant. We do now and will be forever grateful. He did an amazing job. I have done planned tours before where I felt that I could have planned the same trip and saved money. But on this one, I was quite certain that I could never have done what Richard did, and it was absolutely magical. We looked at economy, budget, comfort and the luxury Expert Africa tours. At the beginning of the process I was quite sure that we could not afford the high end. But after seeing the packed economy tour vans, and experiencing Africa the Expert Africa way, I would never even consider anything else. It would be like going to Disney Land and staying in the parking lot.
There is nothing that can substitute for experience and knowhow." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"A faultless experience!"
Our experience was extremely positive. Everything was very well organised and effectively executed. The arrangements on the ground (e.g. Safarilink and Southern Cross) were flawless. This made for a relaxing and worry-free trip.
The Expert Africa website is the best that we have ever encountered.
We loved the new travel wallet!
We would definitely book with Expert Africa again. Thank you Claire!" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari
"A wonderful safari and beach experience"
A great safari experience with a bit of Zanzibar adventure thrown in at the end.
Expert Africa have come up trumps again." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"My February 2020 trip"
A couple of our drives were impacted by some quite heavy rain but we were never not able to go out, and overall we felt - in large part thanks to our very determined guides - that our sightings were probably pretty much what we might have hoped for had the weather conformed more to the norm for the time of year.
In addition, we absolutely loved both camps, which really hit the mark for us in terms of their combination of comfort without over-the-top luxury, fantastic guiding, and excellent (but not excessively busy) locations. Many thanks to Richard (initially) and Olivia for recommending them to us." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
"Very good."
We maximised our drives at both camps though at Little Governors we were severely restricted and at no point after the initial arrival were we able to cross the river." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Jan 2020 trip"
Thank you." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Maasai Mara
Our suggestions for safari camps in Maasai Mara National Reserve
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.
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.
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.
