Kenya: reviews from our travellers

"Our experience with Expert Africa was excellent overall. Our contact, Ellie Dunkels, was terrific to work with during the planning and confirmation of our trip. She is professional, knowledgeable and efficient. Our complimentary copy of The Rough Guide to Kenya was also an excellent resource and much appreciated." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari

"We had a fantastic trip.

The second camp we chose was much smarter than we had expected, we couldn't fault it but we would have preferred something more relaxed with the use of the campfire rather than formal lounge. As we were the only ones there we felt they needed to alter their routine a little.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The rough guide was very helpful.

We felt the early visa option was a waste of money as we queued just the same as those purchasing at the airport." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari

"We had a wonderful time and had quite a few 'wow' moments. The weather was not what we expected and we were surprised at how cold it could be in the Serengeti but obviously there's nothing you can do about the weather.

We had one small hiccough at Nairobi airport but apart from that everything went very smoothly and everybody we encountered at every stage of the journey was most helpful.

It has to be said that travel in this part of Africa is now very expensive compared to the competition and we feel that better guidelines could have be given on tipping." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"My trip was excellent from start to finish.

Richard was very helpful in finding two perfect safari spots, the first for three generations of our family at El Karama and the second for me alone. Everything was seamless from the first plane ride from Nairobi to Nanyuki to El Karama with my family all the way to my trip back to the airport in Nairobi from Sosian Ranch.

It was all very exciting for me and I consider it the best vacation I have ever had." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari

"We were in Nairobi for about 10 days for a friend's wedding before going on our Expert Africa safari. There is a lot to see in and around Nairobi and we felt like we saw a bit of the real Kenya.

Our EA portion of our trip was relaxing and friendly, and surpassed our expectations for a safari experience. Our children are already asking to go back to Kenya, especially to El Karama. We travel a good bit and this is not their normal response!

Our trip was well organized and all of our questions were answered by Richard. He is a wonderful resource and I would not hesitate to use his or EA's expertise again when going to Africa. Thank you for everything!" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Kenya safari

"Each day was busy with activities and the seven days were full and rewarding. Offbeat Meru is pretty unique and was made really special by our guide (Dominic) whose eye sight and knowledge were both excellent. We had to work to see animals in Meru national park, which is much more rewarding compared with places where sightings are guaranteed.

Chances we won't return to Offbeat, but we can imagine returning to Sandai not least because it is relaxed and easy going. There's little in the way of procedure and process and a lot to be said for meeting others of like mind. Nearby Solio is good for a satisfying safari and the Aberdares offers a contrast, especially up above 3000m.

Overall we were very happy with the week." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"Everything fitted into place well - the individual elements and transfers worked on schedule.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We have used Expert Africa for many years and have utmost confidence in their organising abilities and information for our trips." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and it was really illuminating to find that the game viewing in the conservancies is even better than in the parks/reserves. With the right guide, wonderful sightings can be had away from the crowds that are associated with some of the main parks. Given the places we specified we wanted to go to, we do not think you could have chosen better camps for us and you did well to recommend adding Lewa to our itinerary.

We went on from our trip with Expert Africa to join a photographic trip in two of the conservancies north of the Maasai Mara, staying at Kicheche Mara and Bush camps. The sightings here were superb and we highly recommend these camps/conservancies too.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the good work! Every trip Expert Africa has planned for us has been superb and we are very grateful.

The client feedback on your website and your staff's knowledge of the camps also really helps us to make the right choices time after time." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"Samburu has stunning scenery and is an excellent place to watch elephants as they are plentiful, calm and unstressed. It is also home to some particular animals not found in other places, the gerenuk, besia oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and Somali ostrich. We saw all of these, as well as numerous dik-dik, impala and Grant's gazelle. However, at this time of year that seems to be about it. Apparently there are buffalo at other times and occasionally there might be waterbuck by the river, but there are no rhino or other varieties of antelope.

We did well with cats, seeing both lions and leopards, but they can never be guaranteed. Birds were abundant, especially raptors, and we saw many eagles, buzzards and goshawks. Kingfishers, bee eaters and waterfowl were also plentiful. Overall, a good game viewing holiday but after 5 nights we felt we had done it thoroughly and seen all that Samburu had to offer.

En route back home we had several hours to spend in Nairobi, during which we had the services of a driver. He collected us at Wilson airport after our flight from Samburu and ferried us to several interesting sites (e.g. the giraffe sanctuary, Karen Blixen's house museum, hotels for lunch and tea) before taking us to Jomo Kenyatta International airport for our flight home. This made the wait much more tolerable – airports are not the most inspiring places to spend hours of time!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

All good, nothing to add." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"We were very happy with all the arrangements made and the whole experience." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari