Gorillas & Masai Mara: Safari Holiday, Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 127 reviews.

GILLIAN BODY

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2012
Great trip, with highlights that just kept coming. Some long travelling days, but only as described in the trip notes. Reverse itinerary trip, which for me I think was better; starting with the genocide museum and building up through some smaller parks to the Masai Mara.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me, the Cheetah chase we saw in the Masai Mara was the highlight. The gorillas were great - but they chose (some would say sensibly) to sit under the hedge and try and avoid the rain, mist and drizzle that fell on us, every now and then raising an eyebrow and looking round as if to say what are you doing in the rain?

What did you think of your group leader?
Often was great. Good sense of humour, relaxed but still leading. Obvisouly respected by those he came into regular contact with - at campsites etc. Excellent driver - much smoother than Francis whose leadership skills also were not so smooth! I think he just needs a couple more years of experience. Bernard could conjure up great food at all times, and soon realised a regular supply of cups of tea was the way to keep us happy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear closed shoes for the Masai village visit!
The trip notes were quite explicit about the size of the bag for going in lockers under the seats - this wasn't the case in our truck. The bags stayed in the back and the lockers under the seats were just for a few bits and bobs and valuables. Maybe worth checking if you were about to go and buy a new bag! I think some trucks you do need to unpack.....
The crafts in Nakuru town were cheaper than those on the way to and from the Masai Mara, where one craft 'emporium' certainly quoted outrageous prices. They came down with some bartering - but still £££. You are seen as rich tourists though, so expect people to take their chance. What we have is way more than most of the people you will meet, so you need to decide how much you are prepared to pay.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I liked the reverse itinerary - starting with the genocide museum seems much better than it being the final memory of the trip. Seeing it while jetlagged may also have meant that the full horror did not impact as much as it might have otherwise. Still horrific though.
We were only 11 and it meant we wern't cramped in the truck or in the Mara vehicles - made such a difference.
I really liked the remote campsites - particularly the one in Nakuru NP. It was a real feeling of wilderness, and a world away from the hustle of everyday life.
Cameras don't like rain - as many of our group discovered at the gorillas. Be prepared for them to not do a lot - ours for the most part sat under the hedge. One did get up and beat his chest running down the hill - amazing, but he kind of caught us by surprise! They will be closer than you expect - you will get good photos with a small compact camera.
The extension for the generator to charge batteries in the truck was a little temperamental - but I expect they have bought a new one by now. Take a spare battery as I expect with 16 on a trip charging time will be short - so a spare battery charged when you are in a hotel / guesthouse will be useful.
Get your boots cleaned if they offer at the guesthouse in Ruhengeri - $1 and boots like new! There was a slightly anxious moment when we all just gave our boots away - but they all came back.
We seemed to change money frequently! Sterling or dollars is fine - you can change both. Often would suggest places or sort it for us, I expect other leaders will too. Higher value notes got a better exchange rate. Do watch out though - there was occasionally a little 'miscounting' - worth working out what you think you should get (the leader will tell you) before you handover your cash.
The orphanage would also like shoes and clothes - so if you have a little space in your bag - expecially if doing the reverse trip see what you can fit in.
The only problem with our reverse trip was that Often and Bernard went off to meet the new group - so didn't spend the last night with us. This was a shame.
The Masai village was full of litter. I have no problem with mud, cow manure and traditional lifestyles - after all that is why we want to visit (though I would recommend closed in shoes!). The litter I found upsetting. It felt like us visiting was an easy way for them to make money. I see why that village is chosen (right next to the campsite) but I wonder whether changing the village around every now and then would lead to a better experience.
If mobile contact is important - be warned, not all networks work in all countries. O2 had signal in Rwanda and Uganda - but not Kenya for instance.
Not all optional activities appeared available - especially around Naivasha. The balloon flight weas expensive but worth it - even if we did miss the leopard the non balloonists saw!
Sara Dawson

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written January 2012
Fantastic!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The gorillas without a doubt, but also our visit to the little angels school was close to our heart.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very friendly and approachable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a good camera with plenty of memory space.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Can't wait to to return to the Masai, so much to see.
Phil Barker

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written November 2011
Great trip for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Long days but rewarding.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Gorillas: Okay well it has to be the mountain gorilla encounter. You really do get incredibly close and the guides are fantastic. Our group got to see a family with a three day old baby, huge silverbacks and little ones who roly poly to touch your feet!

Masai Mara: I've been on safari in Africa many times and the shyer big cats always seem to elude me but at the Masai Mara I got to see an abundance of cheetah, lion and yes, we got to see a leopard, not just a fleeting glimpses either.. relaxing, stalking, eating kill etc. Also thanks to group leader Often's incredible spotting eye... three leopard tortoises!

Adrift: I also really enjoyed the adventure day in Uganda; white water rafting down the nile and quad biking.

Rwanda: Beautiful country, very clean, amazingly safe and friendly.. a real surprise. It is truly inspirational how they've turned the country around in such a short period of time.
What did you think of your group leader?
'Often' was excellent with an incredible eye for game spotting. Supported by an excellent team with great humour.
As so many other reviews sing his praises, and rightly so, my one gripe would be that he spent too much time as driver when he could've been in the truck with us so that we could ask questions about the landscapes we were travelling through. He's incredibly knowledgeable about East Africa and I couldn't help feeling we missed out there. Guide books can only tell you so much.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Photographers with SLRs should take a small compact camera (with video) for the gorillas. All group SLRs were struggling with the mixed shade and sunshine of canopy light. I took both and scored some great shots with the SLR but the compact handled the light better. Also some of the more memorable gorilla behaviour was captured on my cheapo compact video setting.

Be warned.. some of the camps are extremely basic and upgrades aren't available. Of all my trips to Africa this was the first one where I personally struggled with the camping because of the rain and the damp.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Africa is Africa.. and sometimes you just have to go with it. Journeys from A to B don't always go to plan.. but enjoy the experience as it unfolds! Getting stuck in a traffic jam and the ensuing chaos and hilarity race to Nairobi airport was for me, an unecpected highlight.

A lot of time is spent in the truck, more than any other overland trip I've ever been on, so if long journeys with few stops is not your thing then find a shorter trip to see the gorillas.

If you do rafting listen to the guides when they say "ENGLISH PEOPLE PUT SUNSCREEN ON YOUR KNEES!"

At Lake Mburo the nature walk is a total waste of time as you've see everything closer up from the truck on the way into the camp.. Exodus please swap the walk to a boat trip so that people can see the abundance of hippos and crocs!

Don't get too close to the friendly warthogs at the Lake Mburo camp. Just saying.
Eleanor Cuthill

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written October 2011
Fantastic. An abundance of wildlife everywhere on this trip from day one, building up to the ultimate viewing experience of seeing the mountain gorillas. An excellent way of seeing three countries in one trip, seeing contrasting landscapes and cultures.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The best moment was, of course, the sight of the mountain gorillas. Magnificent and well worth the steep climb up into their habitat. We were so lucky that the rain held off so that we had a full hour watching individual members of the family. Apart from that it is difficult to seperate out a single moment as every day of the trip was interesting and different. The Masai Mara was fantastic, I felt we saw everything and more. The abundance of wildlife is obvious and lions never fail to impress. Then there was the wildebeast migration and their queue as far as the horizon to cross the Mara river. Tremendous.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chris was excellent. He was ever so knowledgable, very experienced and always in control. I felt total confidence in him. A definate asset to the Exodus team. Tutu was his number two and again was excellent. Very knowledgable, helpful and always had a smile on his face. As for Sammy the cook, he was great. Food was always plentiful and he catered for various tastes in the group. His fish was wonderful, haven't tasted fish as good as that in years. There was excellent team work between the three of them, couldn't have asked for more.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a few warm jumpers for early mornings and evenings, especially if you have a colder temprament like me! Rwanda was rather wet for us and was quite cool.
The gorilla trek was REALLY muddy. Walking boots got caked so much that they were unrecognisable. It was wet but the trek is through undergrowth so don't wear anything you don't want to get wrecked. I wish I had gaiters if honest, as when your feet sink in the mud it would go down your socks! Also the nettles are bad, they sting but disappear eventually. I wished I had worn thicker trousers as they sting you through material but apparently they'll still get you in trouser as thick as jeans.
Don't get left with Rwandan francs. I didn't realise until I got home but apparently its a closed currency so I can't exchange them back to sterling. Luckily I don't have too many as you don't need to much additional spending on this trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Beware the monkeys! There are lots of monkeys in Lake Nakuru where we camped within the national park. The rules are quite strict that no one can feed the monkeys as they can't learn to rely on humans for food. However no one has shared that rule with the monkeys. A sneaky one came at me from behind, took my tuna sandwich from my plate, even removed the cucumber, all in a brief moment that no one else saw a thing!
An excellent trip, don't hesistate book now!!
Melanie Devere
GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written October 2011
3 countries.... stunning landscapes, spectacular game drives, emotional experiences, cultural adventure.... Formidable Gorilla encounter! Breathtaking Hot Air Ballooning over the Masai Mara!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Gorilla encounter...life-time personal ambition finally achieved! The whole experience was so emotional; priviledged to spend time with the Gorilla Family 'Ugendi' - including a spectacular (but not scary) charge from a silverback, who subsequently laid down on his back in front of us...with a smug smile!
Visiting 2 Orphanages and Rwanda Genocide Museum....humbling experiences
Spending private time at the source of the Nile, while watching wildlife at play.... Jinja, Uganda. Pinch me...am I really here!
Hot Air Ballooning over the Masai Mara. Seeing the mist rise over the Rift Valley....spectacular!
Phenomenal Game Drives - Big 5 and so much more
What did you think of your group leader?
Often Konzoro - We could not have asked for a better group leader (or driver and chef (Nebert and Benard) Large amounts of gratitude to Benard. who catered for me as the 'lone' vegetarian, with flair and panache!).
Often truly made this amazing trip an effortless one and I felt completely safe in Often and the crew's hands.
Always approachable, friendly, informative, helpful, thoughtful, even-tempered and so calm.....with an enormous, ever present smile!
Often really came into his own on the game drives, where he appeared to have 'eagle' eyes - or his own in-built 'google maps'!! Superb!
Thank you Exodus for ... Often, Benard and Nebert!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't waste time thinking about it....just DO IT!!!!
Caroline Chambers

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written October 2011
A real experience which I'll never forget. I'd love to give the trip 5 stars as other reviewers had but it didn't live up to my expectations having read others' experiences - it was let down by a change of itinerary (it was the right thing to do but the alternative didn't compare to what we'd had to miss) and disappointing game drives in the Masai Mara.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the gorillas and watching lion clubs playing at the Masai Mara.
Rafting down the Nile
Travelling through the Rwandan and Ugandan countryside.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chris was knowledgeable, highly organised and a really nice guy. My one criticism was that he didn't travel in the truck with us very often to tell us more about the things we saw on the road. I learnt less on this Exodus trip than I've done on other trips.
Tutu (driver) and Sammy (cook) were very nice and looked after us well. The food was very good.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ignore the advice in the trip notes about the lockers as we didn't use them, we had to get our stuff out of our bags which were in a huge "boot" at the back of the truck.
Make sure you pack: repellent, head torch, wipes, hand sanitiser, quick dry towel, loo roll, suncream. I also found taking some medication to help me sleep very useful - in some places it can be noisy (snoring travel companions, wildlife etc).
Clothes - lots of layers, zip off trousers are useful and quick dry clothes.
If you go rafting, you don't need shoes but I'd recommend wearing socks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The continual nights of camping and changing location can be tiring, some of the sites are not deluxe. The majority have working shower blocks but warm water is not a guarantee.
The itinerary can also change - because of heavy rain Chris decided it was unwise to go to Lake Nburu which was a real disappointment. It was a good decision but the alternative was very poor in my opinion so we ended up with a night in Kampala and 1 in Nairobi (we'd picked this tour to avoid the capitals) and a trip to an elephant orphanage. Rain must be a frequent issue so I'm surprised that there is not a better alternative up their sleeve.
Migration is much shorter than the brochure leads you to believe - we didn't get to see the migration as it had already ended.
The game drives in the Masai were a frustration. On day 1 our driver's radio wasn't working so he was driving round aimlessly which meant we didn't see as much wildlife as the other groups. On day 2, in the morning we had a different driver and we saw loads. Mid-morning we picked up the balloon riders and from there on the drivers seem to have a set route to follow to get you to the river and back, wildlife viewing is whatever you see whilst en route which was not what I'd expected.
Peter Gillett

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written October 2011
Crossing three countries in great company and guided by a team of local experts who kept us fed, entertained, safe and amazed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think the highlight of this trip is always going to be the mountain gorillas. No amount of TV coverage can really prepare you for the extreme close encounter with those incredible animals. There are however other high points throughout the trip. The abundance of wildlife in the Masai Mara is sometimes hard to take in. We were literally driving in amongst a pride of lions one minute and then discovering a sleeping leopard up a tree the next. From the left of the truck we’d encounter a herd of Elephants and to the right the landscape apparently filled with striding or reclining giraffes. The variety is endless.

Visiting the orphanage at Lake Bunyonyi was inspiring and humbling, as was helping Soft Power to paint a school building on our free day in Jinja. Just for good measure in this sensory overload there was also the dawn balloon flight over the Mara, an ambition fulfilled.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had the charismatic JJ to guide us (although due to a delay on his earlier flights we were left in the capable hands of his second in command Francis, who coped adequately for the first 3 days). The whole team was very good and a special mention should go to Leo the chef who seemed to rustle up a variety of meals for 18 people, 3 times a day in any number of situations. JJ had skills way beyond the ordinary and always seemed to smooth the way in a calm and dignified manner when confronted with traffic problems or customs officials!! He had the right attitude to deal with all types of request from different group members and still found time and energy to organise an evening pool game or to entertain us with his stories around the campfire.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for all weathers. It gets hot and dusty in the days, cold at nights, it can rain and the gorilla trek is very muddy. As others have said, take gaiters and gardening gloves (I bought both for under £10 before the trip and it was a worthwhile investment).

Shop around for Malarone... at the time of this trip Superdrug were the cheapest :-)

Have spare camera batteries, but there are charging facilities on the truck and at some camps so don’t worry too much.

Take a good headtorch and handwash/wet wipes (had no real problem buying toilet rolls but most camps were well stocked!).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A real trip of a lifetime, it would be impossible to cram anything else in.

I knew more or less what Kenya and the game drives would be like but the green and mountainous landscapes of Uganda and Rwanda came as a pleasant surprise, just beautiful.