Travel reviews by Mrs S from Kansas
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
All that I Expected and More
Kenya between 2 Sep 2014 and 14 Sep 2014
"The trip as a whole was wonderful, thanks to the great planning of Richard Trillo and anyone else who made this trip so easy and yet exciting.
My only negative comment was the lack of internet access. We had WiFi at Macushla House, which was great. My husband was happy to hear that I had arrived safetly. When we got to Offbeat Meru, I was told the the internet was "down" temporarily. I assumed this could not be avoided, but was concerned because I had not expected this.
We had WIFI and Sosian so I was once again in touch with my family. But at Offbeat Mara I could not contact my husband. I just wish I had been told this ahead of time so I would know what to expect."
My only negative comment was the lack of internet access. We had WiFi at Macushla House, which was great. My husband was happy to hear that I had arrived safetly. When we got to Offbeat Meru, I was told the the internet was "down" temporarily. I assumed this could not be avoided, but was concerned because I had not expected this.
We had WIFI and Sosian so I was once again in touch with my family. But at Offbeat Mara I could not contact my husband. I just wish I had been told this ahead of time so I would know what to expect."
Feedback response
We're sorry to hear that Mrs S was under the impression that Wi-fi would be available at Offbeat Mara and Offbeat Meru as we do indicate on the camp reports that Wi-fi isn't available at these camps. In many camps, especially those in more remote areas, Wi-fi is still the exception rather than the rule. Offbeat have responded to say that Offbeat Mara has no mobile phone signal in camp, but in the manager’s office there is limited Wi-fi for those who really need it, and it can be accessed mainly in the evenings. Offbeat Meru has good mobile signal in camp so guests can use their smartphones to get internet access. Again, limited W-fi is available on special request in the manager’s office in the evenings, but this isn't for casual browsing.
Arranged By Richard Trillo
Macushla House
"Macushla House review"
2 nights
Arrived
2 Sep 2014
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Kitengela Glass is at the end of a rough 9-kilometre track, and travellers need to allow a good half-hour to get there from the main road. As an unusual visit, which we don't currently mention on the Expert Africa website (it is covered in the Rough Guide to Kenya), we agree it's very worthwhile place if you have time. We have asked our drivers in Nairobi to check they know the route and are aware of the road condition!
East Africa Manager
Offbeat Meru, Kenya (this camp has since closed)
"The animal sightings were wonderful"
3 nights
Arrived
4 Sep 2014
"We were met at the landing strip by our guide, Stanley. All the guides on the safari were exceptional, but Stanley was the best. I think we listed 35 different mammal species during our 3 day stay.
The accommodations were good. Not having any expectation of what a tent would be like, I was pleased. However, the bucket shower situation was not ideal. I had a cold shower the first two evenings, and then the last evening the shower was hot, but there was something wrong with the mechanism to spill the water so I ran out of water.
The host was wonderful. He was present at mealtimes and around the campfire. The setting of the camp was really beautiful. The most amazing part was the fact that the animals, including baboons, warthogs, and elephants were so close.
My only issue was the water in the showers. I know that Offbeat Mara and Offbeat Meru are owned by the same group of people. I recommend that some effort is made to upgrade the tents at Offbeat Meru. The setting and the guide were so wonderful, it seems a shame to not have the facility as great as it could be."
The accommodations were good. Not having any expectation of what a tent would be like, I was pleased. However, the bucket shower situation was not ideal. I had a cold shower the first two evenings, and then the last evening the shower was hot, but there was something wrong with the mechanism to spill the water so I ran out of water.
The host was wonderful. He was present at mealtimes and around the campfire. The setting of the camp was really beautiful. The most amazing part was the fact that the animals, including baboons, warthogs, and elephants were so close.
My only issue was the water in the showers. I know that Offbeat Mara and Offbeat Meru are owned by the same group of people. I recommend that some effort is made to upgrade the tents at Offbeat Meru. The setting and the guide were so wonderful, it seems a shame to not have the facility as great as it could be."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Average
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
Offbeat have got in touch with us to apologise for this client's cold showers. They have had the same tent attendant team for several years and believe the showers at Offbeat Meru have always been very good, so this is a bit of a mystery as the hot water was delivered to this client and her friends in another tent at the same time. Offbeat agrees that the tents at Offbeat Mara are smarter, newer and larger than the Meru ones and this is reflected in the price, as the Mara rates are around 15% higher than the rates at Meru.
East Africa Manager
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Sosian
"Wonderful Lodge; pure luxury"
3 nights
Arrived
7 Sep 2014
"This setting was outstanding. The rooms were beautiful and the food and service were the best of the trip. Our hosts were very attentive. One morning after we had been out on safari for several hour, we drove into a little valley where there was a wonderful brunch set up for us. We at by a river eating food that had been prepared on the spot.
This same day we saw the wild dogs. Our guides made such an effor to be sure we got to see them. I am so impressed that all the guides took their jobs so serioulsy and were alway more than willing to search out the special animals for that area.
I visited a school and read a book to a group of children; one of the highlights of my entire trip. I encourage anyone who makes this stop to include a school visit. We also visited a village; another must.
The setting of Sosian was superb. The hosts and food were the best we had."
This same day we saw the wild dogs. Our guides made such an effor to be sure we got to see them. I am so impressed that all the guides took their jobs so serioulsy and were alway more than willing to search out the special animals for that area.
I visited a school and read a book to a group of children; one of the highlights of my entire trip. I encourage anyone who makes this stop to include a school visit. We also visited a village; another must.
The setting of Sosian was superb. The hosts and food were the best we had."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Offbeat Mara
"Here we saw The Crossing and the Leopard"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Sep 2014
"This tent camp was great. The tents were very well appointed, the food was wonderful as were the hosts and guides.
Here we took a night safari, which I thought was outstanding. We also were lucky enough to see the crossing to the wildebeasts. Amazing. The leopard in the tree was awesome. Our guides were so helpful in making sure we saw these rare amimals. They really went out of their way to see that we had an exceptional experience.
One day as we arrived back at camp, there was a herd of zebras just outside our tents. Friends and family really can't believe that we were that close to the animals."
Here we took a night safari, which I thought was outstanding. We also were lucky enough to see the crossing to the wildebeasts. Amazing. The leopard in the tree was awesome. Our guides were so helpful in making sure we saw these rare amimals. They really went out of their way to see that we had an exceptional experience.
One day as we arrived back at camp, there was a herd of zebras just outside our tents. Friends and family really can't believe that we were that close to the animals."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Hemingways Nairobi
"Hemingways Nairobi review"
0 night
Arrived
13 Sep 2014
"Thid hotel was just as it was advertised; fabulous. We had lunch, a spa treatment, and I finally got some of the news happening around the world on CNN.
I only wish we had stayed a day longer."
I only wish we had stayed a day longer."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
The rooms were located in a separate, new building a short walk from the main house. This was very acceptable.
Our guide took us anywhere we wanted to go the next day. We went to a bead factory, a glass factory, and bought some keepsakes to take home. My only issue was the ride to the glass factory. It was too long and very bumpy. The guide had never been there, but he was willing to take us. A noe should be made that the trip is very long and difficult but worth it."