Reviews of trips to Nairobi
521 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Nairobi.
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Parita from Expert Africa gave brilliant advice in putting our trip together. We ended up spending more than we budgeted for, but it was worth it.
I don't know if we will ever be able to do anything like this again, but I hope we can!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
When booking, I asked for quiet camps where we would not be overrun by other people when game viewing and this is what we got.
We stayed at 2 Kicheche camps, the first at Laikipia and then at Mara North.
Both camps had wonderful game viewing which was slightly different and excellent guides. For our first safari we saw much more than we ever hoped for, lion kills, lions with cubs, hyena stealing part of a lion kill, a cheetah kill, leopards mating, elephants wallowing in a mud bath and the last 2 Northern White Rhinos. These were the highlights but we also saw so much more.
We ended our stay by relaxing at Kinondo Kwetu which had a golden sand beach, lovely large swimming pool and excellent fish suppers." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
We have used ExpertAfrica for many trips to Africa and each has been very good. The company understands the types of accommodation and activities we enjoy so can recommend the best camps for us. They delivered again this time. Communication was good and recommendations spot on.
The camp managers all commented on how much they value their relationships with Expert Africa.
One of the managers noted "they have chosen their name well - they are Experts".
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions - keep up the good work and your staff well informed on each country/camp." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
The exception was Mara expedition camp." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"Our last Safari. Age has caught up"
We deliberately wanted to go to Camps which were unspoilt and/or rustic as they used to be when we started and also in areas with few vehicles and unspoilt countryside. Hence our choice of Laikipia and Tangulia and they both met our our wishes. The highlight of the safari has to be the migration particularly as it was unexpected as we thought the dates were not right for this sighting.
We will miss the sights and sounds of Africa (and the cuts and bruises!!) all of which we experienced on this safari.
Our thanks must be given to all the staff at Expert Africa who we have dealt with over the many years without whom we would not have had our African Adventures.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service
A simple NO." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip to Kenya"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Lyndsey has put together several safaris over the years. There is nothing to improve upon! My only concern is that Lyndsey might leave Expert Africa!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
The guides, aside of the Tanguila guides, were excellent. I was hoping to see more lions and maybe a hunt but instead we saw leopard Natito and her cub, twice and you can't beat that. I was surprised at how close the guides could get us to the large animals.
We got to see big Tusker Craig up close and personal for over an hour. We had the most comfortable accommodations and fabulous food.
I liked the lined ponchos provided by Kicheche camp. Early mornings are cool and they were fabulous.
Overall, as they say, a trip of a lifetime. I'd like to do it again but can it be topped?" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
This trip was beyond beyond. I now understand why people go back time and time again. The animals, the people, and the land get under your skin and into your soul. I told my brother that the only way to describe it is that it is everything that is real. Animals living their lives the way they are intended to. A good day for a cheetah hunting and catching a young gazelle, not a good day for the gazelle. The circle of life and all that that means.
To witness: a large elephant family moving across a huge dry lake; seeing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, cape buffalo, all together on the move; meet and see Craig the Tusker, that magnificent old elephant; and giraffes nibbling on tree tops; there truly are no words...it is all emotion.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything, for every little detail and putting us into the care of so many exemplary people in Kenya.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not one!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"Our Sep 2024 trip to Kenya. "
Game viewing wise, this wasn't perhaps the most exciting safari we've ever had - no leopards, no wild dogs, only one dozy cheetah - but, as always, there were some unique moments that will remain long in the memory. Just three examples: two giraffe families together, each with a baby no more than a few weeks old. Also, a single male lion, early morning, trying to find his mate from the previous night. We spent about an hour with him as he sniffed the air and the ground, scent marked and peed on our and the other three or four vehicles that were present with him ... all in beautiful dawn light: magical. Thirdly, a rare, good sighting of a serval, initially hidden in the grass but then walking out into the open.
Waterlovers hotel on Diani beach is a great place to stay for a few days to recover from a safari. It's small enough (~ 30 guests max?) for the service to be personal, just five minutes from Diani airport, has very good rooms and decent food. The Indian ocean is a few metres away if you want it.
Final comment re the Wildlife Survey: please note that the numbers given for some sightings are "there or thereabouts" ... we sometimes saw a rhino or a giraffe or a ... in the far distance and therefore have no photos to stimulate the memory: I suspect we saw more than listed. Apologies for my lack of scientific rigour (CSL)." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Both were luxurious yet intimate, feeling like you were in the heart of the African bush. Both were a little away from most other camps, meaning that many viewings were on our own. Both provided an excellent service and dedicated and knowledgable guide to show us around. The food was excellent at both camps as was the camaraderie around the fires in the evening.
However, the main reason you come is for animal sightings and we were not disappointed. The two camps offer slightly different landscapes. Laikipia is more bush and has a proliferation of rhinos. Mara is more classic African plains where the big cats are a bit easier to find.
Over the seven days we saw plenty of black and white rhino (all in Laikipia), 3 cheetahs (2 Mara, 1 Laikipia) and 2 leopards (1 each). Lions were too many to count - well in excess of 20, along with numerous elephants, giraffes and hippos.
It was an exceptional trip in all regards and will live forever in the memory." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Where to stay in Nairobi
Our suggestions for places to stay in Nairobi
Four Points Nairobi Airport
The Four Points by Sheraton, set within the perimeter of Nairobi International Airport, is ideally located for a first or last night in Kenya.
The Emakoko
The Emakoko is a luxurious, owner-managed safari lodge in a beautiful gorge on the edge of Nairobi National Park.
Eka Hotel
The Eka is an affordably priced business-class hotel in a relatively convenient location between Nairobi International Airport and Wilson Airport.
Crowne Plaza Nbi Apt
The Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (formerly known as the Lazizi Premiere and now part of the InterContinental Hotels Group) is the oldest hotel at Nairobi International Airport.
Ole-Sereni
The Ole-Sereni is a modern, stylish hotel neighbouring Nairobi National Park and located 6km from Wilson domestic airport.
Macushla House
Macushla House is a very pleasant, small, owner-managed bed and breakfast hotel in a leafy part of southwest Nairobi, very convenient for visiting the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.
Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is a unique, perennially popular lodge on the outskirts of Nairobi, offering up-close-and-personal encounters with the rare Rothschild giraffes that roam its extensive grounds.
Aero Club of East Africa
The Aero Club of East Africa is a private members' club in the grounds of Wilson Airport, Nairobi, offering offering comfortable rooms and a good restaurant, bar and swimming pool to non-members.
Tamarind Tree Hotel
The Tamarind Tree is a stylish international hotel in a great location next to Wilson Airport.
Karen Gables
Karen Gables is a small, high quality hotel in Nairobi with expansive gardens and only seven rooms.
Hemingways Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi is a luxury country-house style hotel, with a spa and gym, in the wealthy suburb of Karen.
The Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Nairobi and has a reputation for its colourful history dating back to 1904.
Nairobi Tented Camp
Nairobi Tented Camp is the only tented camp located inside Nairobi National Park, making it a great option for a true safari stay close to the city and airports.
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages
Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens and Cottages is small luxury boutique hotel located in the peaceful suburb of Karen.
Sankara
Sankara is a strikingly built hotel in the bustling central Nairobi suburb of Westlands, primarily used as a business stay, with very good dining and leisure facilities.
Eden Nairobi
One Forty Eight is a very stylish boutique hotel in one of the leafiest corners of the southwest Nairobi suburb of Karen-Langata. The Giraffe Centre at Giraffe Manor is just a 10-minute walk away.
Ololo Safari Lodge
Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm is a luxury property on the southern edge of Nairobi National Park.
The Stanley
The Stanley is a large, traditional hotel – the oldest in Nairobi – offering a range of facilities.
Tribe
Design-led, contemporary hotel in the Village Market area of Gigiri, a largely diplomatic and luxury residential suburb 10km north of Nairobi’s central business district.
Acacia Camp
Acacia Camp is a rustic and affordable safari camp in a wildlife sanctuary a 30-minute drive towards Mombasa from Nairobi’s international airport.
