Reviews of trips to Nairobi
521 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Nairobi.
"October/November in the northern Serengeti"
"Safari highs and airport lows"
Our experiences at Nairobi airport, both with Coastal and Kenyan Airways/immigration sadly tainted a great trip.
I would probably not repeat the mobile camp stays, which in loo and shower terms were not satisfactory.
The quality/experience of guiding in Serengeti and Ngorongoro was not a patch on Selous Impala and Ruaha in Southern Tanzania, nor compared to Robin Pope camps in Zambia.
Our guide at the crater was lazy and not motivated - probably due to lower absolute level of tips from only two clients.
Lamai was a unique setting and well set up.
Pole Pole had a fantastic location, but was let down by poor maintenance of the showers - no hot water in that climate, and at that price is not good news. The staff were friendly, but not nearly as professional as at Kaya Mawa in Malawi. The Dive and watersports centre made our visit to Mafia memorable, in particular the fish BBQ on the sandbar after snorkelling at the reef." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
"Fall, 2016"
"I wrote a blog."
There was no question however trivial that was not explained fully and my complicated itinerary ran like clockwork. Yes, it was an expensive trip but I was travelling alone and to some more remote parts of the Serengeti so my safety and health was important to me.
I have to thank Richard and the staff at Expert Africa whose current knowledge and expertise about my trip was exemplary. I was a complete stranger to them yet there was minute attention to all the details.
The experience will stay with me for a lifetime. So many thank you’s." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
"A wonderful safari and an excellent holiday"
Everything went like clockwork, it was very relaxing but also an intense safari experience.
Our final week on the Zanzibar beach at Pongwe Beach Hotel was the ultimate in exotic pampered chilling out - very informal and laid back with just the right mix of excellent service, great food, and wow location.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As everything worked so well, and the advice we were given was so good, I can't think of anything to improve it - just keep it up!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
"2016 african adventure"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Weight limit of 20kg on safari flights would be an improvement" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"Tanzanian Safari October 2016"
You have not provided a link for feedback on the taxi services between main airports and our hotels in Nairobi and Arusha i.e. Southern Cross and Asillia.
Southern Cross collected us on arrival at the airport at the start and end of the holiday. Collection and delivery to the hotel went smoothly on both occasions. However, pick up and return to the airport was a different matter.
After arriving in Nairobi at the start of the trip my first question to Benson of SC was what time we were to be collected for our flight to Lobo. His answer was what time is your flight and where are you going. I showed him the ticket for Precision and stressed the 7am flight time and the 6am meeting at terminal 2. Because it was an international flight he was suggesting arriving at the airport 3 hrs before departure. To cut a long storey short we were collected at 4.30am, taken first to terminal 1C then 1B then finally the driver took us to terminal 2. It was now 5.15 am and of course there was nobody there to meet us. Eventually someone from Tradewinds collected us and took us through to check-in and then the aircraft.
Similarly, on our final return to the airport for our return home we arranged with Benson to be collected at the hotel at 14.30pm. The driver arrived at 10.00am. He hadn't been in contact with Benson but had been given instructions from the main office. He came back at the requested time.
OK this wasn't life threatening and it is Africa but we could have missed a flight. SC don't appear to follow instructions, either from the client at the time or from whatever Expert Africa arranged with them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
"Our Rwanda/Botswana trip feedback"
Great itinerary from Expert Africa - good variety of camps and length of stays were perfect.
Our main Expert Africa contact was actually Megan, not Tracy, but she is not in the pick list.
It would have been nice to have received a phone call on returning from the trip to ask us how it had been.
Our guide Theo was excellent and negotiated two fabulous groups for our gorilla treks." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
"My September 2016 holiday"
We felt that Laikipia Wilderness Camp was truly special and suited us perfectly as we are all country people who adore the bush. We loved the amount of freedom and lack of routine which meant that every day was different. We could relax in a bush environment, seeing animals, birds, fishing etc. and feel that we were in 'proper' Africa.
This was balanced well with more luxury at Elsa's Kopje which we all enjoyed. Elsa's is in a fabulous location and there is always very good game and birding there. The managers, Philip and Charlie, run the camp extremely well and are very attentive to guests needs. We did a lot of driving on this trip, first to Laikipia and then between Laikipia and Elsa's. The drivers were good but each drive was a bit long and bumpy, although very interesting. This was not helped that on both occasions, the drivers were very late.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
"Great return trip to Kenya"
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.
