Kenya: reviews from our travellers

"We'd like to start by commending our drivers, who did our land transfers from Nairobi to Nanyuki and then from Wilson to the international airport via an afternoon in Karen (where we recommend the Talisman restaurant where we dined). Both our drivers, John at the start of our trip and Edward at the end, were first class.

Second, we should also mention why we land-transferred to Nanyuki, ie to visit the Karatina market, reputedly the second biggest food market in East Africa. While we had a business-specific reason for making this unusual visit, we can certainly recommend it for anyone who wants an interesting and different experience for a couple of hours in the Nanyuki area, meeting and chatting with local small business people.

All this being said, the heart of the trip was, of course, the safari in general and, in particular, the opportunity to visit - and therefore support - three community-based projects in Laikipia which are all run in somewhat different ways. Our growing sense for some time during our regular visits to Africa since 2006 has been that, with national parks in some parts often failing to provide adequate environmental and wildlife protection, much of the future may well lie in community-based and private (eg Mundulea in Namibia where we stayed in sept 2013) projects. This trip firmed up this view further, especially as it gave us a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the commitment of the local community to the projects and its aspirations, including for the education and related opportunities available to future generations.

Despite the ready sharing of views by those we met, we are cautious about trying to draw firm conclusions other than in the following respects. First, Laikipia is a fabulous part of Kenya and well worth visiting for both its wildlife and its culture. Second, we feel that these community-based projects are genuinely helping the local community consistent with its aims and aspiration and are, therefore, well worth supporting. Third, it will nevertheless likely to difficult to balance preserving tradition with the evolving way of life which inevitably ensues.

Finally, a word of thanks to the Expert Africa team, especially Richard Trillo, for their efforts putting together for us what was another excellent trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari

"We found all the arrangements for our trip excellent and we had no problems with any of our travelling arrangements.

We saw lots of game and our guides were superb, very safety conscious but determined to give us an excellent safari experience which they succeeded in doing. Their knowledge of the game was brilliant and they were very informative.

In retrospect travelling with a 23 and 25 year old we might have been better going to Zanzibar instead of Mafia, we found Mafia very undeveloped and therefore relaxing , they found it a bit quiet with some of the other activities expensive.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No you did a brilliant job." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip was amazing. We have wonderful memories and have learnt alot about a new country, culture and peoples. We enjoyed the different destinations that we selected and the variety in activities that they provided. Our concerns about traveling with a young child to Kenya were managable and we are pleased that we undertook this adventure despite many people telling us not to. We'd love to go back one day.

It was nice to feel like we had a common 'acquaintance' in Richard, when talking to the owners of the various lodges. They all seemed to respect his work and knowledge of Kenya.

However, we also feel a bit sad that parts of the holiday were not as perfect as we'd hoped despite careful planning and a significant budget (see issues mentioned about El Karama and Driftwood)." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"We absolutely loved it

It was all very informative and well organised." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"Good. Loved Offbeta Meru. Liked Offbetat Mara but it had issues Giraffe Manor was great but I think it's expansion has made it less of an experience.

Still good though." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"Could have chosen a better airline. Pinewood to Satao far too long by road.
Food was mainly from good to excellent as was accommodation.
Would not choose again or recommend this particular itinerary." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"I am pleased we took Richard's advice to spend our first day at the Emakoko Lodge in Nairobi National Park, it gave us time to 'catch our breath' and relax before heading out into the bush.

The two Offbeat camps were just the safari experience I wanted for the family and we had some brilliant sightings.

This was a special family trip which lived up to all expectations with some wonderful memories." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"We enjoyed our holiday even more than we expected. The two camps complemented one another very well. Meru is a splendid park to visit.

There was lots of wildlife without the pressure of other visitors and vehicles and Offbeat Meru was an excellent camp from which to explore it. Samburu was rich in wildlife, although a little busier, and the river-side setting of Elephant Bedroom was ideal.

We happily recommend our trip and combination of camps. In retrospect, our transfer arrangements from and back to Nairobi was the weak link and could hopefully be improved. We will email separately on this." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 3 on a Kenya safari

"The trip as a whole was very well organised and everything was as expected. All of the camps and accommodation were excellent and would have no hesitation to recommend them.

The only negative point was that the road trip to the Meru national park took much longer than the 5 hours that was expected. It realistically took us 6 hours plus the time from the gate to the camp, so in total it was roughly 7hours. It was interesting to see Kenyan life but it is a very long drive after an overnight flight. After speaking to the camp manager they have not experienced any problems with the flying option but we understand that it was our choice to take the road option but just wanted to make you aware when advising clients that the journey is very long." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"We had an amazing trip and everything went smoothly, including airport transfers etc. The car journey to and from Nuarro was longer than we thought and the layover in Nairobi was unbearable, but clearly unavoidable!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday