Travel reviews by A from Reunion Island
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2024 trip
Tanzania and 1 other country between 28 Oct 2024 and 11 Nov 2024
"This is my second trip to Tanzania and organized by Expert Africa. As the first one, everything was well organized which made the trip stress free: from the time I arrived in Tanzania until I left Kenya. Even the transfer from Tanzania to Kenya went smoothly.
Just a minor issue with wasn't really a problem: I was supposed to be guided through immigration when I landed in Kilimanjaro airport but no one was there. That wasn't an issue because it was my second there and I already know my way around. But it would be different if it was my first time.
When I landed at Wilson airport Nairobi, at first I couldn't find my transfer because my driver arrived earlier and was park on another street. Thanks to Expert Africa confirmation invoice I had all phone number needed and could get a hold of him.
Expert Africa cover every aspect of the trip and helps you plan a great trip. You can ask them any questions, they will have the answers. Lyndsey knows the area and the camps very well and did an excellent job at organizing this trip for me.
Overall, I enjoyed that trip better than the last one. Of course, there is a good amount of luck involved (weather and having my own car every time). I could see all animals I wanted and it allows to understand better what I am looking for in future safaris.
Lyndsey assisted me when there was a change with my international flights which disorganized the initial trip. Thanks to her experience and knowledge of the camps we could work out a new trip which over all I think turned out better."
Just a minor issue with wasn't really a problem: I was supposed to be guided through immigration when I landed in Kilimanjaro airport but no one was there. That wasn't an issue because it was my second there and I already know my way around. But it would be different if it was my first time.
When I landed at Wilson airport Nairobi, at first I couldn't find my transfer because my driver arrived earlier and was park on another street. Thanks to Expert Africa confirmation invoice I had all phone number needed and could get a hold of him.
Expert Africa cover every aspect of the trip and helps you plan a great trip. You can ask them any questions, they will have the answers. Lyndsey knows the area and the camps very well and did an excellent job at organizing this trip for me.
Overall, I enjoyed that trip better than the last one. Of course, there is a good amount of luck involved (weather and having my own car every time). I could see all animals I wanted and it allows to understand better what I am looking for in future safaris.
Lyndsey assisted me when there was a change with my international flights which disorganized the initial trip. Thanks to her experience and knowledge of the camps we could work out a new trip which over all I think turned out better."
Arranged By Lyndsey Marris
Katambuga House
"Katambuga House review"
1 night
Arrived
28 Oct 2024
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Oliver's Camp
"Oliver's Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
29 Oct 2024
"Nice camp in a southern part of Tarangire, close to the wildlife and the swamp. I like that the camp is unfenced.
The camp is well design and has a nice bush feeling. You feel close to nature. Although to my liking the camp is a little bit to big with it's 15 room.
It wasn't full when I went there but I had a the feeling it can be too crowed in high season.
I was put in what used to be "little Oliver's" which I prefer because it felt more intimate than the main area.
The staff is amazing and always try to accommodate you. Although they don't serve breakfast before heading out on a game drive in the morning, they were happy to prepare a cold breakfast for me (yogurt, cereal and fruits) to eat in the camp before heading out.
John my guide was very knowledgeable and always made sure I enjoyed my time. He timed our departure from the camp to make sure I was in a good place for the photos (best light).
Tarangire the park itself was a bit too bushy for me because I prefer open plain area"
The camp is well design and has a nice bush feeling. You feel close to nature. Although to my liking the camp is a little bit to big with it's 15 room.
It wasn't full when I went there but I had a the feeling it can be too crowed in high season.
I was put in what used to be "little Oliver's" which I prefer because it felt more intimate than the main area.
The staff is amazing and always try to accommodate you. Although they don't serve breakfast before heading out on a game drive in the morning, they were happy to prepare a cold breakfast for me (yogurt, cereal and fruits) to eat in the camp before heading out.
John my guide was very knowledgeable and always made sure I enjoyed my time. He timed our departure from the camp to make sure I was in a good place for the photos (best light).
Tarangire the park itself was a bit too bushy for me because I prefer open plain area"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
5 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Namiri Plains Camp
"Namiri Plains Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
31 Oct 2024
"Namiri Plains is excellent. I love this place so much. Every things was prefer from the moment I arrive to the moment I left.
First of all, because it's big cats country, open plain, isolated and the camp is very good. The staff is amazing and always nice with you. I had to admit it's a bit luxury but still has a nice feeling and still pleasant and close to nature; not so luxury where you feel out of place. Eventhough they don't serve breakfast before the morning game drive they made an exception for me and prepare a cold breakfast to eat before heading out.
The food is very good.
The "tent" is huge, well design. I really like the outside of it where you can relax and enjoy nature. It's the only camp around so in a game drive you don't see many vehicles besides the one from your camp.
I had the chance to have the guide that I requested: Seleman. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and anticipate animals mouvements. He knows the area very well. We always have nice chat on a drive and know how to put the jeep in the best position according to the light for photos.
I think since being in Namiri I have been spoiled and in a game drive it I see more cars at a sighting than in Namiri it will be too crowed for me
There is no others words to describe how much I enjoyed my time there. I felt in love with Namiri plains and I am already planning to return.
This is the best camp I have been to so far and it's going hard to beat"
First of all, because it's big cats country, open plain, isolated and the camp is very good. The staff is amazing and always nice with you. I had to admit it's a bit luxury but still has a nice feeling and still pleasant and close to nature; not so luxury where you feel out of place. Eventhough they don't serve breakfast before the morning game drive they made an exception for me and prepare a cold breakfast to eat before heading out.
The food is very good.
The "tent" is huge, well design. I really like the outside of it where you can relax and enjoy nature. It's the only camp around so in a game drive you don't see many vehicles besides the one from your camp.
I had the chance to have the guide that I requested: Seleman. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and anticipate animals mouvements. He knows the area very well. We always have nice chat on a drive and know how to put the jeep in the best position according to the light for photos.
I think since being in Namiri I have been spoiled and in a game drive it I see more cars at a sighting than in Namiri it will be too crowed for me
There is no others words to describe how much I enjoyed my time there. I felt in love with Namiri plains and I am already planning to return.
This is the best camp I have been to so far and it's going hard to beat"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Cheetah
10+ sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
6 sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Naboisho Camp
"Naboisho Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
3 Nov 2024
"Tents are well decorated, big with everything you need. The outside shower is nice. Great view from the rooms over looking the plains.
Staff are very friendly and the communal dinning is a bonus if you are travelling solo. It allows you to meet other guests. Overall, it's a luxurious camp, sometimes a bit too luxury for me as you don't really get the bush feeling compared to other camp that I have been too. To me , Namiri was a bit more luxury but still retain that bush feeling.
The conservancy area is a mix of open plains and bushy area.
The wildlife is amazing and Naboisho is a really good place for cats especially lions. My guide Dan, is very friendly and knowledgeable.
The down side about the camp: I wanted to take a dip into the pool but the water was a bit "green" to me. But that didn't bother other guest to get in. I am used to swimming pool with a clear water and don't know what to expect from a pool in the bush.
Also, sometimes the food was a bit too salty or sweet to me. But again, that's just my taste and it doesn't really change the fact that overall the food was good."
Staff are very friendly and the communal dinning is a bonus if you are travelling solo. It allows you to meet other guests. Overall, it's a luxurious camp, sometimes a bit too luxury for me as you don't really get the bush feeling compared to other camp that I have been too. To me , Namiri was a bit more luxury but still retain that bush feeling.
The conservancy area is a mix of open plains and bushy area.
The wildlife is amazing and Naboisho is a really good place for cats especially lions. My guide Dan, is very friendly and knowledgeable.
The down side about the camp: I wanted to take a dip into the pool but the water was a bit "green" to me. But that didn't bother other guest to get in. I am used to swimming pool with a clear water and don't know what to expect from a pool in the bush.
Also, sometimes the food was a bit too salty or sweet to me. But again, that's just my taste and it doesn't really change the fact that overall the food was good."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
3 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
7 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Kicheche Laikipia
"Kicheche Laikipia review"
3 nights
Arrived
6 Nov 2024
"Small camp with a friendly staff. As I was travelling solo, Anita the manager shared every meal with me because Kicheche doesn't do communal dinning.
It was nice from her. Although, I would prefer communal because it allows you to meet other guests.
Food is very good and they could accomodate my dietary request (vegetarien).
The tents are small but very comfortable and has everything you need. It looks more to me as a mobile camp (Ubuntu in Tanzania).
When I arrived the short rains has started and it drops the temperature and felt a bit cold to me. It can get slippery on a game drive but the guide know how to maneuver the jeep very well. I felt totaly confident.
About the vehicule, this is by far the most spacious and confortable safari vehicule I have been on. As a photographer they provided me with a been bag and a mat for me to lay on.
This is a place to see the back rhino and if they are not shy you can spend hours with them. You also get the chance to see the 2 remaining northern white rhino and appreciate all the efforts that are made to protect them.
One thing I didn't like about Laikipikia (that is nothing to do with expert africa or the camp itself) is that on a game drive you could see cattle grazing and houses.
It reminded me of civilisation and you don't get that senses of being isolated from the rest of the world (like you can get when you are in the Serengeti)."
It was nice from her. Although, I would prefer communal because it allows you to meet other guests.
Food is very good and they could accomodate my dietary request (vegetarien).
The tents are small but very comfortable and has everything you need. It looks more to me as a mobile camp (Ubuntu in Tanzania).
When I arrived the short rains has started and it drops the temperature and felt a bit cold to me. It can get slippery on a game drive but the guide know how to maneuver the jeep very well. I felt totaly confident.
About the vehicule, this is by far the most spacious and confortable safari vehicule I have been on. As a photographer they provided me with a been bag and a mat for me to lay on.
This is a place to see the back rhino and if they are not shy you can spend hours with them. You also get the chance to see the 2 remaining northern white rhino and appreciate all the efforts that are made to protect them.
One thing I didn't like about Laikipikia (that is nothing to do with expert africa or the camp itself) is that on a game drive you could see cattle grazing and houses.
It reminded me of civilisation and you don't get that senses of being isolated from the rest of the world (like you can get when you are in the Serengeti)."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
5 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
7 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
4 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Nov 2024
"Great location close to the airport.
The rooms are a bit small for a 4 stars hotel but for a layover this is fine.
Great choice at the main restaurant and the breakfast buffet is very good."
The rooms are a bit small for a 4 stars hotel but for a layover this is fine.
Great choice at the main restaurant and the breakfast buffet is very good."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Serengeti Aug 2023
Tanzania between 31 Aug 2023 and 9 Sep 2023
"I like that everything was planned from the moment I landed until I left Kilimanjaro airport (flights, transfert, camps...).
Lyndsey who helped me planned this trip really understood what I liked and her choice of camp was very good. She really took the time to answer all of my question and explained to me in details the pros and cons of each location. There are many travel agent online and none of the one I contacted before Expert Africa took the time to know what I was looking for in a safari and answer my questions.
Will gladly use Expert Africa again for my next safari"
Lyndsey who helped me planned this trip really understood what I liked and her choice of camp was very good. She really took the time to answer all of my question and explained to me in details the pros and cons of each location. There are many travel agent online and none of the one I contacted before Expert Africa took the time to know what I was looking for in a safari and answer my questions.
Will gladly use Expert Africa again for my next safari"
Arranged By Lyndsey Marris
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
"Safari in Ngorongoro Crater review"
3 Sep 2023 • All-day excursion
I was happy and lucky to have my own car and driver.
I have mixed feeling about Ngorongoro crater as a safari. This has nothing to do with Expert Africa or the guide or the camp. Don't get me wrong I enjoy my time there and I am glad I did it but I don't think i'll do it again. I will explain myself:
The scenery and view from the crater rim is breathtaking. It's very nice and interesting to see all the different ecosystem in one place. But it's very frustrating not to be able to go off road and photographycally speaking very hard to get a good photo; or when you spot an animal it is very far away. Too crowed especially in the afternoon. You loose all sense of wilderness.
Again that's just my opinion and please bear in mind that it was not my first safari; probably for someone who goes on safari for the first time it'll be be great.
I have mixed feeling about Ngorongoro crater as a safari. This has nothing to do with Expert Africa or the guide or the camp. Don't get me wrong I enjoy my time there and I am glad I did it but I don't think i'll do it again. I will explain myself:
The scenery and view from the crater rim is breathtaking. It's very nice and interesting to see all the different ecosystem in one place. But it's very frustrating not to be able to go off road and photographycally speaking very hard to get a good photo; or when you spot an animal it is very far away. Too crowed especially in the afternoon. You loose all sense of wilderness.
Again that's just my opinion and please bear in mind that it was not my first safari; probably for someone who goes on safari for the first time it'll be be great.
I arrived late at night and left early morning so couldn't really experience all that Katambuga house has to offer.
I just didn't like that at check out one of the staff pointed out to me the tip box. It felt like I was forced to give a tip."