CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Claire Leonard

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI - Feb 2010

  

  Written March 2010

  I have always wanted to go on Safari and this year I did it.  I wasn't really sure what to expect and had a few hesitations about it.  However, it exceeded all of my expectations and everyone else in the group said the same thing.  Every day had something special that I will remember forever.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Its difficult to say as there were so many.  The journey to the Masai Mara was a real eye opener, seeing how the Africans lived.  Arriving in the Masai Mara stands out, seeing the vastness of it all and seeing our first Giraffe and Elephant.  I arrived in the camp on my birthday and was really impressed.  It is camping, so its not luxury, but as soon as we got there all of the staff couldn't do enough to help.  Great food, a shower in the tent (if only for 3 minutes a day), your own personal wake up call with tea and coffee and a hot water bottle warming your bed up when you went to sleep.  Much more special than staying in a generic 5 star hotel.

   Others included seeing 2 lionesses with 3 recently born cubs, visiting the Masai village, seeing the small pride of lions just outside our camp on our morning drive and how they affected all the other animals around them.  Seeing 8 giraffes all stood completely still watching them before all running away together was pretty special.

    

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had 2, Charles and Davies.  Charles was our bus driver but both were involved with everyone.  Not only were they very informative during game drives, they could spot game from miles off.  We also had regular evening meetings round the camp fire explaining what would be happening the next day, what we would need to take with us etc.  They were very informative, very helpful and a lot of fun too.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't take sterling, most of the money you need is either US dollars or in Kenyan shillings.  Take extra money for souveniers.  You get dropped off at alot of these shops and they can be quite pushy, but you will probably want to buy something.  So be prepared. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  There are alot of early starts so be prepared to go to bed and get up early.  The camp is luxury in the world of camping, however, its not a 5 star hotel so don't expect that.  The holiday exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to everyone.  I was dubious about going with a group incase we didn't get on, but everone got on really well.  In fact, I am glad we did the group trip because we all buzzed off each other.  We had a lot of single travellers on this trip, so if you want to go alone its no problem but couples and groups fitted in too.

   
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  Carole Matthews

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written November 2009

  A really excellent, well-balanced holiday.  The variety and amount of wildlife we saw far surpassed our expectations.  We couldn't believe how close we could get to the animals.  The camp is very comfortable and the staff are a wonderful bunch of people for whom nothing is too much trouble.  The food is great too. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Wow - almost too many.  Seeing lions close at hand and then lying in bed listening to them roar at night was pretty amazing.  The day at Nakuru park was mind-blowing - the birdlife there is spectacular.  We also saw lots of cute babies - zebra, rhino, elephants, monkeys... Awh...

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our guide, Ben, was charming, funny and very knowledgeable about the wildlife and the area.  Excellent.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The balloon trip is fabulous, but very expensive for what it is.  Bear in mind you might only do this once in your life.  And you don't need to book it in the UK - you can do it out there.  When we phoned the UK office to ask more details they couldn't give us any.  See what you feel like when you get out there - and you can pay in dollars, shillings or pounds or plastic. 

  Don't miss the nature walk at Lake Elementaita.  If the guide is Joseph, he is totally brilliant and a hell of a nice man.

  Take warm clothing for the evening as you eat al fresco and it can be chilly and windy, particularly at kicheche camp.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is a really great holiday.  There's not really the time for lying around in your hammock as it says in the trip notes - it's pretty full-on, but then you wouldn't want to miss a thing.  Take great binoculars and a good camera, otherwise you'll regret it.

  Don't fuss about going to Carnivore on the last night - the Holiday Inn where you stay do a great buffet at the poolside for a very reasonable price. 

   
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  Kevin Stokes

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written November 2009

  A great starter safari 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The fantastic sunset, and seeing lions close up.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Great guy, most informative

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take cloth bags to keep your cameras in, it's dusty out there, when your on safari.

  Always put insect repellant on i managed the whole holiday with no bites, until the last day when i didn't put any on and got 12 bites from a "no seem um" they must have been small but it didn't see the pesky things.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A bit frantic sometimes.

  Would have loved to stayed in the camp sometimes to relax it was very nice, but didn't want to miss anything, and wanted to see a leopard (never did but saw everything else).

  Would have been nice to sit out and watch the stars but the animals were out every night!!!

  An extra day would have been good, with more time by the river to try and see the migration.

   
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  Anne Barr

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written November 2009

  Best holiday I've ever had. Exceeded my expectations. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing a leopard on our first drive took my breath away - it was so close! Also watching the zebra at the river crossing as they dodged the crocodiles, then seeing a wildebeast attacked (we all quietly cheered when it escaped). Also watching a lion with its kill on our last drive. No-one wanted to leave to go back to camp to pack!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ben and Davis led our group. Both were excellent. Davis drove our safari vehicle and was very good at spotting game - also had extremely fast reactions to get us out of danger when the matriarchial elephant became aggressive towards a young bull.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  My only disappointment was that I had mistakenly thought we were staying at Kicheche Mara camp. The Kicheche Private camp - also mentioned in trip notes - is not as luxurious but very comfortable nevertheless. I felt the notes could have been clearer by not mentioning Kicheche Mara. Other members of the group had made the same mistake.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I couldn't believe how close we got to all the game, and how much we saw  in one week. If you plan on doing only one safari - this is the one to go for.

   
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  Gemma Eason

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written November 2009

  Even better than I thought it would be - an amazing experience  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There are too many to mention! Seeing the big five, visiting the masai mara village, camping in the middle of the masai mara...the list goes on!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Absolutely brilliant, Ben made the trip. He was so knowledgeable and could spot an animal from a mile off!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just be prepared for a very tiring but brilliant experience

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This trip is just the right length of time to experience a magical safari. I cannot wait to plan my next one

   
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  Mark Eden

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written March 2009

  A great group of Exodus people, two superb guides and very cooperative wildlife with excellent accommodation and food and a good program made this a very enjoyable trip, with superb photographs to jog the memory. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching a water-buffalo attempting to revive its mate who had been killed by a lion - and then chasing the lions away.

  Being charged by a 4 month old elephant, who was then "spanked" by an elder sister for doing it.

  Seeing all the big five close and personal and active.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Very knowledgeable, hugely experienced, incredibly helpful, understanding of our needs and wants, an excellent communicator and a good organisor.  Same for his assistant.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Let Exodus take the hassle - all you have to do is enjoy yourself.  Know what you want to get out of the trip before you go - and you will probably achieve it.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Camp Kicheche is to die for.  Such luxury, I mean to say a tent with its own loo and shower (because you do not go outside alone in the dark) in the middle of the Masai Mara with wild animals all around.  The staff went the extra mile at all times - and with a beaming smile!

   
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  Kevin Cranston

  CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

  

  Written March 2009

  After going to the Balloon trip over the Masai Mara, which entailed visiting another safari camp and meeting other tourists and guides, I realised what it is that makes Exodus so special. This had all the classic ingredients of an Exodus trip really interesting and engaging fellow travelers, staying in well run accommodation that had genuinely unique character being looked after by outstanding guides who really knew their stuff. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Visiting the local primary school that was achieving so much with so little. The dedication of the teacher and the enthusiasm of the children moved me to tears. (Erm! well a manly damp eye.)

  Until then the highlight had been watching a lion eating a gnu followed by hyena and a cheeky jackal and finally the vultures.

  Also hearing a Leopard in the night close by my tent. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Davies and Peter were excellent guides. They have a host of talents best summed up by their ability to drive minibuses over difficult terrain and simultaneously look for a safe route whilst spotting animals at some distance, dealing with complex questions on anything from animals to local politics from 4 people in the back of the bus and giving comprehensive answers  in the their 2nd language. They also have a good understanding of human psychology and  managed the group very nicely.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take Kenya Shillings rather than US Dollars. The Exodus trip notes need to be updated to take account of current conditions. Think carefully about if you really need Anti Malarial tablets. This trip was in the dry season and I saw more Lions (20+) than Mozzies (0).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Does anyone ever come back from an Exodus Holiday less than happy? This my third trip with Exodus and each has been equally successful.

   

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