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.

Sarah Thorneycroft
GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
Wonderful trip - from the Masai Mara to the Gorillas in Rwanda. Often and his crew couldn't have been more helpful and informative - and I travelled with a really nice group of people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Lots of inspirational moments:
Wildlife - lots of it including lions, white and black rhino, elephants, hippos, zebra, wild dogs, warthogs and of course the mountain gorillas - haven't seen leopard but a good excuse to come back!
New experiences - have never travelled in a balloon before or jet boated - really enjoyed both experiences.
Orphange in Uganda - Led by someone (Duncan) who was sponsored himself and wants to give others the same chance he had - on school number 2 but already has aspirations for a third if he can raise enough money.
What did you think of your group leader?
I read the previous reviews about Often - and was so pleased to find out he was leading our group - and he definately lived up to and surpassed all expectations. The whole crew - Often, George, Peter and Onasemus all worked together really well and helped each other when needed. I enjoyed helping out as it gave me the opportunity to find out more about their lives. They all worked so hard - rarely having any time off in the whole trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you usually rely on internet cafes to communicate with home they are few and far between. Although it's voluntary, I enjoyed helping put up tents, chopping veg and helping with the washing up (flapping the plates dry) - give it a go - definately helps with the team spirit!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Can't recommend this holiday enough - thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Peter Rogerson

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
I really enjoyed this trip, we had an excellent group of people (15) who all got on great throughout. "Often" (his name) our tour leader was fabulous and we visited some amazing places and had some wonderful experiences. There was quite a bit of driving but the places we visited and the views of the countryside meant that this didn't really seem too onerous. I'd certainly recommend this trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Visiting the Gorillas was awesome, and was of course the highlight of the trip, but there were many others too, such as the balloon flight, which although expensive ($450 per person) felt worth it. The lodges and accommodation was generally really good in some wonderful locations, and the wild camping nights were great fun, sat round the campfire with hippos in the background or Impala and Warthog keeping us company close by. I did the Quad Biking at the Adrift resort by the Nile, which I loved, and I really enjoyed the visit to the orphanage too. Lake Nakuru is wonderful, as were the other national parks, and Rwanda was a real eye opener, the country is so clean. I'm risking running out of characters to type, so suffice to say, this was one of the best trips I've been on, and I'd recommend it to anyone considering it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader was "Often" whom I'd seen mentioned in the reviews before I went on the trip, so I was very pleasantly suprised when we were told he was also our tour leader. "Often" is an great guy and I really enjoyed getting to know him, he was a real character who seemed to enjoy leading the tour as much as we enjoyed being passengers on it, even though Exodus seem to keep him very busy (he met us a bit late in the day as he had to see off his previous group, and we left him at the airport in Kigali welcoming his new group). He was efficient, cheerful, mischievious, witty and great company. I'd go on any trip he led without hesitation in the future.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Plugs in Rwanda are of the European (French) two prong type - we were caught out by this. Kenya / Uganda are UK plugs.
$20 notes and less are considered small notes when changing money and attract a much worse rate.
Take UK £ if you are planning on changing it for the local currency (which you will have to do) as you will avoid paying 2 conversion rates by first changing to dollars and then again into the local currency.
Take some toilet roll.
It can get a bit chilly in the evenings, so take something warm to were in the tents
Don't spend loads of money on souvenirs early on - I paid over the odds for things in Kenya and left myself a bit short later one, when things seemed to get cheaper.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was a great trip and there were some very suprising things, such as how attractive the Ugandan and Rwandan countryside was. We had a great group of people, and having Often as our tour leader, certainly made this a memorable adventure.
jennifer cranfield

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
One of the best holidays we have been on, every day was special. Ideal holiday for wildlife and adventure loving people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Gorillas definitely were the highlight of the trip. To be able to see these magnificent animals in their natural environment is something we shall never forget. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the staff eg rangers, trackers etc in their attempt to save the gorillas.
In addition we were very fortunate in experiencing some fantastic wildlife sightings; pair of male Cheeters, lioness with her two week old cubs, both black and white Rinos, and a Hippo giving birth in the river Mara.
We also enjoyed the trip to the orpanage and the wild camping.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader, Often, was exceptional the whole trip ran smoothly and he did everything possible to accommodate everybody's requests, our safety was paramount to him. He was always cheerfull and a delight to be with. His local knowledge was impressive, and if he didn't know the answer he would find out for you.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepaired for a great time, however, local tipping is generally expected everywhere and can leave you short of cash.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We felt there was the right mix of animals and adventure, although we would have liked time to visit Diane Fossey's memorial, the golden monkeys or a trek in the Visoke mountains.
Sally Donnelly

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
Best adventure of my life, prolific wild life and instils a love of Africa
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a hippo born, a 3day old lion cub and of course the gorillas
What did you think of your group leader?
Often was absolutely superb, he really ensured we were looked after and that everything ran smoothly. His knowledge and good humour were well appreciated by all and he had great people skills
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You need high denomination dollars but can just as easily change sterling often at a better rate.
It is much easier not to have to take all your luggage out of the locker every night, esp on the 1 night stays, you can use your locker as a cupboard and just take out what you need.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy every minute it's over too fast !
Think the trip was made even more enjoyable by being with a great group of people, it makes a lot of difference to all get on as you share some amazing experiences and the banter gets better & better !
Peter Edwards

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
Trip of a lifetime! Brilliant from start to finish!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The gorillas were undoubtedly the highlight of this trip! To get so close to them and spend an hour with them is something I will never forget!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Often was amazing! He was knowledgable, friendly and spoke great English! 10 out of 10!
Can't forget the rest of the crew though, George, Peter and Onesmas worked so hard to ensure we had a brilliant trip and without the 4 of them it would not of been the same experience!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't be put off by the camping element. There were only 4/5 nights of conventional camping, the rest of it was in posh safari tents with proper beds!
tim watts

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
Just loved the trip if thinking of doing it go for it you wont regret it
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Tracking for two hour up steep slopes was hard work but as soon as we saw the first of many gorillas you couldn't help in forgetting everything else. always wanted to see then and better than you could ever dream.

Also loved the trip to the orphanage so friendly the children.

Then the game walk and drive seeing all those anamals you only seen on the tv before.

And the first time ever done rafting but loved it
dont worry there no poor reviews as i did the trip is just that good
What did you think of your group leader?
The Leader Often was very good and also his group of helpers they couldnt be more helpfully.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
dont worry there no poor reviews as i did the trip is just that good

Dont worry about doing the trip or anything on it just read the trip notes and your have more than you need.
other review say long drives and thats true but always something to see on the way and a number of stop so for me was all part of a great experince.
the most important imformation would be just go for it your love it and make new firends and your have a trip of your life.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
HAVE FUN
Peter Clarke

GORILLAS & MASAI MARA

Written February 2013
Awesome trip, best holiday ever! Often the best tour by far guide in Africa, in fact the whole crew exceptional. Every day just got better and better. We saw all the wild life we wanted to see and more, great food cooked by an exceptional chef, and a great group of people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the gorillas and White and Black Rhinos and more
What did you think of your group leader?
1 word exceptional!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take sterling, BOOK the trip you want be disapointed