Kenya: reviews from our travellers

"As a "once in a lifetime", the gorilla treks were incredible even if they were hard work. One of the things I really liked about Rwanda was driving in the countryside, seeing how Rwandans live. Normally on a safari, you fly into your destination airport and then "hop" to your National Park so don't get the opportunity to see the real country. That difference made this trip really interesting.

The Serengeti was a real pleasant surprise. Beautiful countryside and plenty of great game. After the lack of elephants in the Serengeti, it was a pleasure to see so many in Tarangire, but due to the repetitive nature of the game drives and tsetse flies, I can't imaging wanting to return.

All in all a memorable trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall, an awesome experience. Would definitely go back to Kenya.

People were lovely. Guides were great.

The only serious glitch was right up front when the driver wasn't there to collect us. Not a great start after a long flight and we were disappointed and frustrated by this especially when he tried to pretend that he'd been there all the time. Otherwise everything went very well

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, nothing more to add" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"Kicheche camp was extremely well run with great service and management. Rekero was quiet, and a wonderful unique experience, but clearly management is going through a transition. This is understandable. Walks at Naboisho camp were fantastic, as was the wildlife there. Service was decent but not up to standards of the other camps. Transfer on the final day in Nairobi with Southern Cross was a disappointment and uncomfortable since the two guys took us to the mechanic to switch vehicles, stopped at an unsolicited tourist shop, got lost, and were nowhere to be found after dinner, requiring us to search the hotel to find them and tell them we were ready to go to the airport." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"As someone who has travelled for many years I am a late comer to Kenya and I now regret all those missed opportunities. I first went to Kicheche Mara Camp 15 months ago and loved it so was determined to return. I did so with some trepidation in case I was disappointed but I need not have worried. The whole holiday exceeded our expectations.

The Kicheche Camps are well managed and in beautiful settings with amazing wildlife. They tick the box if you are wanting to stay in comfortable, small, traditional bush camps governed by sound ecological principles.

I have visited many countries to see wildlife and the Masai Mara ranks number one as far as I am concerned. I can understand why Kenya and Kicheche Camps get so many repeat visitors and I will be one them." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari

"A friend and I had always wanted to see gorillas in the wild. Being limited on the time we had for holidays, we decided we would try and make the trip a long-weekend over the bank holiday. It turned out to be one of the most wonderful holidays I've had. We could have headed to either Uganda or Rwanda and, based on recommendations, including a discussion with Ellie at Expert Africa, we chose Rwanda and I am so pleased we did. Arriving in Kigali on a Saturday (at the cleanest and calmest airport I've ever been in), we were met by Sura, our local guide who showed us round Kigali and, in particular, took us to the Genocide Memorial Centre. Having only a limited knowledge of what happened, this proved a really good way of getting to understand a lot more about the background to events and how the country is dealing with the aftermath. From there we headed to our lodge and, talking to Sura on the journey, began to appreciate how friendly and proud Rwandans are of their country. We trekked to the gorillas on two consecutive days - we were graded as 'young' (very flattering) so were assigned to family groups that required a quite arduous trek to get to - but it definitely added to the spirit of adventure - we took porters both days - and decided that this was definitely the right thing for us to have done - not only did they carry our bags but they also helped us up the steep and slippery parts of the trek (and, in addition, you are providing a day's work in an area where it is important for conservation reasons for the local people to be able to make a living from the park). Both days we had brilliant 'sightings' - spending an hour with the gorillas. The set up at the Volcanoes National Park, the guides, the trackers and the rangers were all excellent. We also fitted in a visit to the cultural village - being true Brits we found it slightly awkward (the Americans staying in our lodge thought it was great) - but, it was something we agreed was worth doing because it was an additional contribution to the conservation effort and we did find parts of it very interesting. Both of us have travelled quite a bit in Africa and kept coming back to what a remarkable country Rwanda was - we felt safe the whole time we were there and they are doing an amazing job with respect to conservation and democracy (what you get if 63% of your parliamentarians are women!). On Tuesday (when it was raining all morning making us realise we were so lucky to have had fine days both of the days we trekked), we headed back to Kigali and flew home - back in the office on Wednesday morning having had a trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Rwanda safari

"The overall experience was very satisfactory and we could very easily go back there. The owners however need to change the driving directions and make them a little bit more precise especially from sb who comes from NBO.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The service is excellent.

In the beginning I thought that since we live in NBO it would have been very difficult for me to organise our trip with Expert Africa. Eventually it was very easy and the engagement of Richard Trillo made it an incredible experience. He is definitely a person to trust. He loves Africa and he understands exactly what his client is looking for." Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Kenya safari

"Exceeded our expectations - a perfect way to celebrate my 70th birthday." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari

"Very good." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"We had wanted to visit Western Serengeti and Lake Victoria for many years and they did not disappoint.

The migration wasn't where it was supposed to be but we still saw it. Rubondo island is very different but we highly recommend it. Cheetahs abounded in southern Serengeti.

Travellers to Tanzania should be aware that all timings of Coastal flights are subject to change and that lodges should be asked to check them for you - every one of ours was changed. Also that if flying from Nairobi your point of immigration may be different from that on your ticket - we were told Tarime but ended up going through Musoma.

Thanks Ellie - you will not be surprised that we have ideas for our next trip!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

All staff are always friendly and helpful even though we are, to quote Chris 'particular' about our travels. However that means we have always had wonderful trips and is why we keep coming back again, and again, and again!

For first-time Africa travellers more information on the vagaries of internal flights might have been helpful." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"Great trip came back refreshed, the private conservancy stuff is well worth doing it may cost a little more but you have the pleasure of watching great wildlife without anyone else around still busy in the mara with loads of trucks/combis but not such an issue in Samburu which I think is my favourite park in Kenya.
Compared with the prices in Botswana and Zambia given the wildlife we saw Kenya is a Safari Bargain!
Please GO!

Cheers to all at Expert Africa and thank you once again for pointing us in the right direction!
Will be back for some more punishment in the near future!

Martin & Loz" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari