Travel reviews by Mark from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
3
Excursions taken
0
My Sep 2024 trip
Kenya between 3 Sep 2024 and 12 Sep 2024
"When planning the holiday we asked for camps that not only offered the potential for high quality game viewings but were also high quality; intimate; a little off the beaten track; and a bit different from each other. Expert Africa pointed us towards Kicheche Laipikia (3 nights) and Kicheche Mara (4 nights) and the combination delivered in spades.
Both were luxurious yet intimate, feeling like you were in the heart of the African bush. Both were a little away from most other camps, meaning that many viewings were on our own. Both provided an excellent service and dedicated and knowledgable guide to show us around. The food was excellent at both camps as was the camaraderie around the fires in the evening.
However, the main reason you come is for animal sightings and we were not disappointed. The two camps offer slightly different landscapes. Laikipia is more bush and has a proliferation of rhinos. Mara is more classic African plains where the big cats are a bit easier to find.
Over the seven days we saw plenty of black and white rhino (all in Laikipia), 3 cheetahs (2 Mara, 1 Laikipia) and 2 leopards (1 each). Lions were too many to count - well in excess of 20, along with numerous elephants, giraffes and hippos.
It was an exceptional trip in all regards and will live forever in the memory."
Both were luxurious yet intimate, feeling like you were in the heart of the African bush. Both were a little away from most other camps, meaning that many viewings were on our own. Both provided an excellent service and dedicated and knowledgable guide to show us around. The food was excellent at both camps as was the camaraderie around the fires in the evening.
However, the main reason you come is for animal sightings and we were not disappointed. The two camps offer slightly different landscapes. Laikipia is more bush and has a proliferation of rhinos. Mara is more classic African plains where the big cats are a bit easier to find.
Over the seven days we saw plenty of black and white rhino (all in Laikipia), 3 cheetahs (2 Mara, 1 Laikipia) and 2 leopards (1 each). Lions were too many to count - well in excess of 20, along with numerous elephants, giraffes and hippos.
It was an exceptional trip in all regards and will live forever in the memory."
Arranged By Lyndsey Marris
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"
1 night
Arrived
3 Sep 2024
"We got in late from our flight and got up early to leave, so had no real experience of the hotel apart from checking in, sleeping and checking out."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Food
Good
Rooms
Good
Kicheche Laikipia
"Kicheche Laikipia review"
3 nights
Arrived
4 Sep 2024
"An excellent camp, away from the busy part of the conservancy.
Our guide Peter was tremendous and along with his skill and a bit of luck we had some great sightings, seeng the big 5 and a cheetah in just a couple of days.
The tents were of an extremely high quality, the drinks around the fire fun, and the service impeccable. There is nothing the staff would not do.
The only improvement I would make is to try and eat outside more. The lunches and dinners felt dark and gloomy inside the tents."
Our guide Peter was tremendous and along with his skill and a bit of luck we had some great sightings, seeng the big 5 and a cheetah in just a couple of days.
The tents were of an extremely high quality, the drinks around the fire fun, and the service impeccable. There is nothing the staff would not do.
The only improvement I would make is to try and eat outside more. The lunches and dinners felt dark and gloomy inside the tents."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
Many sightings
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
White Rhino
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Kicheche Mara
"Kicheche Mara review"
4 nights
Arrived
7 Sep 2024
"An excellent camp in an excellent location, a little away from the busy area around the river. Dixon, our guide, was great at finding sightings and sharing his knowledge about the conservancy and his life in it.
We saw the big 5 (except rhino) and two cheetahs over the course of three days. A highlight was packed breakfasts set in the conservancy and overlooking the Mara River or sweeping views.
The food at the camp was truly excellent with the chef providing going above and beyond to serve innovative meals. The service was very good, but now and then things had to be asked for twice. A minor quibble in an otherwise excellent stay."
We saw the big 5 (except rhino) and two cheetahs over the course of three days. A highlight was packed breakfasts set in the conservancy and overlooking the Mara River or sweeping views.
The food at the camp was truly excellent with the chef providing going above and beyond to serve innovative meals. The service was very good, but now and then things had to be asked for twice. A minor quibble in an otherwise excellent stay."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings