Travel reviews by The H family from Berks
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
A memorable holiday in the best sense
Kenya between 7 Jul 2013 and 22 Jul 2013
"This was a really well organised holiday where everything went like clockwork from our first contact with Expert Africa to getting off the plane at the end of the trip.
The Meru and Pinewood resorts were faultless and the quibbles with Mara could easily be fixed.
I would highly recommend both Expert Africa and the itinerary that we followed, it really was a special experience for all 4 of us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, keep up the good work!"
The Meru and Pinewood resorts were faultless and the quibbles with Mara could easily be fixed.
I would highly recommend both Expert Africa and the itinerary that we followed, it really was a special experience for all 4 of us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, keep up the good work!"
Arranged By Richard Trillo
The Emakoko
"The Emakoko review"
1 night
Arrived
8 Jul 2013
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Offbeat Meru, Kenya (this camp has since closed)
"safari at Offbeat Meru"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Jul 2013
"The camp was in a really beautiful setting and has a wonderful tranquil atmosphere. Sean and Tanitha run a really good team who all take great pride in working together to make your stay memorable and really manage to create' a house party in the bush' atmosphere.
Nothing was too much trouble, the jugs of hot water delivered for washing in the mornings and the accompanying hot drinks ordered the night before were much appreciated touches.
Our guides Dominic and Bernard were really excellent and the quality of our guides was probably the most important single factor in making our safari such a success."
Nothing was too much trouble, the jugs of hot water delivered for washing in the mornings and the accompanying hot drinks ordered the night before were much appreciated touches.
Our guides Dominic and Bernard were really excellent and the quality of our guides was probably the most important single factor in making our safari such a success."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Encounter Mara
"Encounter Mara review"
3 nights
Arrived
12 Jul 2013
"lovely large well appointed tents with good view but not as well served as Meru so no morning tea or fresh hot water for washing. Very good guide, knowledgeable, interesting and did a very good job.
The camp was very impersonal after Offbeat Meru. The manager Chris who I believe had only been in post for a couple of months met us on arrival and gave us an introduction although he did not introduce us to any other staff but after that was not available and we only saw him and his wife briefly on our last evening.
Unfortuanately 3 out of 4 of us had acquired a nasty stomach bug on the way to Encounter and we spent 24 hours confined to our tents and whilst Immodium was provided along with rehydration sachets that were great it was very difficult to find out who if anyone was in charge during the managers absence and so took some time initially to get some assistance.
Meals were served at individual tables and so there wasn't the opportunity to meet the other guests in the way that there had been at Meru and again no way of knowing who was who among the staff.
The tents were very well appointed except for the shower which I had to operate using two coat hangers as the controls were too high to reach."
The camp was very impersonal after Offbeat Meru. The manager Chris who I believe had only been in post for a couple of months met us on arrival and gave us an introduction although he did not introduce us to any other staff but after that was not available and we only saw him and his wife briefly on our last evening.
Unfortuanately 3 out of 4 of us had acquired a nasty stomach bug on the way to Encounter and we spent 24 hours confined to our tents and whilst Immodium was provided along with rehydration sachets that were great it was very difficult to find out who if anyone was in charge during the managers absence and so took some time initially to get some assistance.
Meals were served at individual tables and so there wasn't the opportunity to meet the other guests in the way that there had been at Meru and again no way of knowing who was who among the staff.
The tents were very well appointed except for the shower which I had to operate using two coat hangers as the controls were too high to reach."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We had a response to these comments from Encounter Mara, who are pleased that the H. family enjoyed the tents, views and guiding, and sorry that their stay wasnt perfect. It was unfortunate that the family were unwell, which may well have tainted their overall impression. The manager thought he and the staff had done all they could to make them family comfortable with their illness, though he acknowledgess that in the middle of the day during siesta, it can sometimes be difficult to locate a senior team member.
On the question of hot water, the camps usual policy is to fill a thermos flask in guests bathrooms every evening for washing the next morning. It would seem that their thermoses were not being refilled and Encounter have addressed this. They have also altered the height of shower chains and apologise for the oversight.
Encounter do provide wake-up calls with tea/coffee on request, and it has been stressed to the waiters that they must offer this the evening before.
The dining arrangements are very flexible here and the manager believes guests should have a choice. This may not have been communicated clearly to the family, who obviously enjoy the group-dining experience, and the camp apologises for that.
Encounter Mara have assured us that they greatly value constructive feedback. As a result of this they have tightened up their early morning hot water procedure and improved the way they communicate information about wake-up calls and dining options.
On the question of hot water, the camps usual policy is to fill a thermos flask in guests bathrooms every evening for washing the next morning. It would seem that their thermoses were not being refilled and Encounter have addressed this. They have also altered the height of shower chains and apologise for the oversight.
Encounter do provide wake-up calls with tea/coffee on request, and it has been stressed to the waiters that they must offer this the evening before.
The dining arrangements are very flexible here and the manager believes guests should have a choice. This may not have been communicated clearly to the family, who obviously enjoy the group-dining experience, and the camp apologises for that.
Encounter Mara have assured us that they greatly value constructive feedback. As a result of this they have tightened up their early morning hot water procedure and improved the way they communicate information about wake-up calls and dining options.
East Africa Manager
Pinewood Beach Resort
"Pinewood a perfect chill out after safari"
6 nights
Arrived
15 Jul 2013
"I can hardly fault Pinewood. The staff were outstanding to a man/woman. They were all easily identifiable and went out of their way to greet you and appeared to take a genuine pride in their work.
The white sand beach was very clean and the hotel pool, beach area and gardens were extremely well kept and staff were always available.
The gardens are a particularly attractive feature of Pinewood and the wildlife they attract especially birds are lovely.
The whole hotel has a very good combination of the perfect relaxed beach holiday atmosphere and a very efficient well managed operation."
The white sand beach was very clean and the hotel pool, beach area and gardens were extremely well kept and staff were always available.
The gardens are a particularly attractive feature of Pinewood and the wildlife they attract especially birds are lovely.
The whole hotel has a very good combination of the perfect relaxed beach holiday atmosphere and a very efficient well managed operation."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
The drive from the airport with our guide James was a mini safari in itself and he like all the staff we met could not have done a better job."