Reviews of trips to Nairobi
529 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Nairobi.
"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
"Our Sep/Oct 2024 trip"
We also thank Maruska for re-booking hotels and transfers when we had our international flight cancelled. And thank you to Chris when an internal flight was delayed and onward travel arrangements had to be re-booked. Aside from those flight problems our whole trip was wonderful. Accommodation was excellent and transfers went smoothly.
We were so happy with this trip that Maruska has just booked another safari for us next year." Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 20 on a Zambia 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
"Maasai Mara 2024 trip"
In the event we were unsuccessful in that regard because animals are not always predictable! Having entered the Mara pretty much on schedule they decided to turn round and go back into Tanzania. In fact this the third year running they have not travelled as far north as previously.
In this respect it was our fault for relying on historic data and we had not taken the trouble to update ourselves on recent trends. It will always be difficult to make predictions on this subject and while there are websites which give up to date information this is not relevant at the time one has to make a booking.
This disappointment was compensated by several rare sightings. We were able to spend a lot of time and able to follow a Serval mother and three kittens and on two separate occasions we witnessed a cheetah making a successful chase and kill right in front of us. Over many years of going on safari we have occasionally seen cheetahs with the result of a successful chase and kill but never before have we seen the actual chase right in front of us.
We selected the two camps because they are operated by a company with several locations in southern Africa and who work with Expert Africa and whose camps we have visited at four other locations in Tanzania and where we were suitably impressed.
One particular aspect which pleased us was the flexibility of the ranger/guides to check with their guests on the duration of the trips. The fact that we always had a packed breakfast with us meant the duration of each trip was not governed by the need to get back for a cooked meal." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Aug 2024 north kenya adventure"
I wanted to see Meru again (last visited in 1978!)
I was very keen to see the Rhino Sanctuary .
Inspired by the book 'Flowers for Elephants' by Peter Martell
I also wanted to see how a northern conservancy and how it is embracing tourism & conservation issues
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. I have used Expert Africa several times, all have been excellent." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
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Inspire meWhere 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.
Ole-Sereni
The Ole-Sereni is a modern, stylish hotel neighbouring Nairobi National Park and located 6km from Wilson domestic 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.
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.
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.
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages
Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens and Cottages is small luxury boutique hotel located in the peaceful suburb of Karen.
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.
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.
The Stanley
The Stanley is a large, traditional hotel – the oldest in Nairobi – offering a range of facilities.
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.
