Photographic Safari in Kenya

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 64 reviews.

Haydn Adams

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
An amazing trip. Great accommodation in the heart of the Masai Mara with excellent bush camp staff and wonderful food. Brilliant game watching led expertly by Paul and his team of very knowledgeable guides. A close connection to the wildlife and breathtaking photo-opportunities. And all done with sensitivity for the environment and respect for the local communities.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many but the single best moment was seeing a female leopard with her three cubs high in a tree and no more than ten yards away from our Landcruiser. This was followed no more than two hours later by a massive wildebeest crossing, one of natures great spectacles.
What did you think of your group leader?
A very knowledgeable and highly expert wildlife guide during the day and a great raconteur during the evenings with a constant stream of highly amusing jokes and anecdotes. A larger than life character.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just sign up and enjoy a fabulous holiday. Once in the Mara the experience is faultless. Be prepared for periods of relative inactivity during the day, the wildlife does not perform to order, but on our trip there was always a spectacular sighting in the offing to maintain a high level of anticipation.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A big thank you to all the staff including the tents boys, the chefs and servers, the guides, Emma and Darren the site managers, and of course Paul Goldstein!
Michael Skelding

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
Wow! What else is there to say except book this trip now.! Bush camp is superb, the food amazing, Darren and Emma are camp hosts extraordinaire, the guides are simply the best and most of all Paul Goldstein an inspiration to all. I've bored all my friends and family raving about this trip so I can't wait for the next.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
How can you single out one inspirational moment? I would say that one whole day was extra special. We went looking for a leopard with 3 cubs, saw two leopards on the way in the Landcruiser headlights then found the leopard with the 3 cubs who then casually climbed the perfect tree just in front of our vehicle! And all this before 7am! On the same day seeing one of the largest Widerbeest crossings of the season and on the way back to camp stopping to check on a cheetah and her 2 cubs. But that was not all before we got back to camp we saw a lone leopard draped over a tree branch and with Paul's help took sone awesome photos silhouetted against the evening sky.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein exudes passion and inspires all around him. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious. His main desire is perfection and second best is simply not good enough, which gives rise to occasional outbursts when you forget his advice. All this serves to ensure you get the best possible shots in the best position possible.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a fleece as it gets very cold in the mornings, especially when you are travelling at speed in an open-sided Landcruiser. And if like me you are on your first trip with Paul be prepared to have the 'mickey' taken out of you mercilessly. Join in and have fun and give as good as you get and you won't go far wrong. If you are good at telling jokes (un-pc especially welcome) you will fit in well. Oh and don't forget to take some sweets with you as Paul kept asking me and I hadn't any.
I only have one complaint about Paul. Why on earth would you support a football team like Spurs when the Arsenal are so much better and nearby?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bush Camp is amazing! The hosts Emma and Darren make you feel like you are part of the family. How do you cook such amazing meals in the middle of the bush? All the staff are exemplary.
A big thank you to all and I hope to be back again.
Emmanuelle Rolland
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
Absolutely fantastic safari with abundance of wildlife, witnessing special and spectaculars sightings, staying at the intimate Kicheche Bush Camp where all the staff is ever so friendly, outstanding service and delicious food.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
17 October - 6 leopards before 7.30am! Most spectacular! The group and the guides alike were just amazed and thrilled to share this special moment when the leopard and her 3 cubs climbed up the perfect tree for all of us to see. For afters, we witnessed one of the biggest wildebeest migrations. All thanks to Paul's experience and flair to take us there on that memorable day.
Following Narasha, the cheetah and her 2 cubs, the excitement of the fawn chase on the first day, the drama of her missing cubs and the relief when we found them safe and sound, the worry when the 2 cheetah brothers walked past them, but simplest of all on the last morning - having breakfast in the jeep watching them just meters away.
Following the Marsh Pride, skilful team work of lionesses hunting and 6 adorable cubs fooling around providing endless fun
What did you think of your group leader?
Very charismatic, Paul's passion for wildlife and photography is infectious. It's clear to see that he loves what he does, hardworking and helped by exceptional guides, they make sure the group have the best opportunities and working as a team we always were at the right place at the right time. He shares his time fairly within the group, giving some tough love to get the best out of your photos with excellent results. Not forgetting lots of unPC jokes and silly games to keep the group entertained.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You don’t have to be an expert photograph to enjoy this safari, just do some homework and learn the basics before, and you will have a brilliant time. I will recommend it for any wilderness fan, the abundance and variety of wildlife is fantastic, along with beautiful scenery, amazing sky and stars gazing on clear nights... Saying that it’s a real bonus when you take stunning pictures, and you will!! I will recommend it for people travelling on their own. I felt safe at all time, part of the group with like-minded people enjoying wildlife and photography, and never lonely.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of the most thrilling and enjoyable holidays I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back! Thanks to Paul, Patrick, Charles and Nelson, for their knowledge and expert guiding. Thanks to Emma and Darren and all the staff at the Kicheche Bush camp for their welcoming and making you feel at home. It’s truly the perfect place!
Matthew McKean
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
Wow wow wow. The Mara is a truly amazing, Kicheche is the icing on the cake of an amazing trip. 'I've been to Africa eight times and saw no Leopards. I came to Kicheche and saw Nine..' Nothing more to say really, its Leopard Heaven.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many moments on this trip, its hard to summarise but 3 that stand out.

Seeing my first Leopard, simply jaw dropping beauty. I couldn't believe this was on my first game drive and i had a full week ahead. I knew this was going to be a special trip.
The time we spent with the female Leopard and her 3 eleven week old cubs. An amazing experience seen by so few.
The early mornings spent with the lions and the morning rolling mist. Photography heaven..
What did you think of your group leader?
Well what is there to say about Paul Goldstein.

Energetic
Charismatic
Straight Talking

Just a mere 3 things that might give someone an idea about his character.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared:

Early Starts / Long days
Fantastic wildlife
Amazing camp
Superb hospitality
Stupendous guides

This trip will result in a complete imagefest, bring many many cards. You have been warned.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you've looked at Africa and are thinking of going, then there is no better place to see wildlife then the Mara. There is no better place to stay then Kicheche and there are no better guides then Charles, James and Patrick or hosts Emma and Darren at Bush Camp..

'Don't delay, book today' You wont be sorry..
Karen Riddle

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
An utterly amazing week of wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Without a doubt it was seeing a female leopard with 3 young cubs climb a tree; I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed this.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul seems to have endless energy and enthusiasm on these trips! His simple mantra of getting up early and doing time on the plains of the Mara well and truly reaps rewards. I personally wouldn't do a safari any other way.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a laptop and external hard drive to download pictures.
Pack light - there is an excellent laundry service at the camp.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The staff and guides at Bush Camp are amazing; the tents are extremely luxurious, the food as good as you will find in any top class restaurant and the camp managers extremely welcoming. This, combined with the superb skill and expertise of the guides make for an incredible holiday.
Andrew Beavis

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
An outstanding trip, amazing bush camp, stunning scenery, masses of wildlife, great staff, out of this world guides...perfect!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a female leopard with her 3 cubs....so very rare, and I feel so privileged to have seen this. Simply stunning!
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein has bounds of energy, and works very hard to ensure that everyone gets some stunning photos. He is direct, critical and takes no prisoners, but you do end up with some stunning photos.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of memory cards...you will need them, along with a back up device. Travel light, as the camp laundry is excellent.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You may need to go on an exercise kick on your return...the food is great and plenty of it ;-)
Kara Thorne

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written October 2012
Anthropomorphic anecdotes from Hammond and Bradbury? Thankfully not; this safari is strictly for the adults. If you have a penchant for predatory pussies or a fervent feline fetish this is the trip for you.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It was a long shot and if Paul secretly thought he'd made a bad call he didn't show it. Nightjars winged across the bonnet of the Land Cruiser like falling Sycamores, whilst Scrub Hares stared bedazzled into the headlights. To say that we saw a rosetted male feline walking nonchalantly through the grassy plains before we'd had breakfast would just be smug. To say that we saw a leopardess with three small dappled cubs post muesli, well! that's just indescribable.
Permit me one more inspirational indulgence. Preceded by the nights rain, the early morning mist; lions emerge, their breaths condensing in a saffron hue.
What did you think of your group leader?
The lion may well be the King of the African plains but Paul is most certainly Kicheche's King of the "Profanisaurus Rex".
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The Mara offers some of the best predator viewing in Africa but don't ignore the "not so sexy" species. Take every opportunity to look at as many different species as possible and not just through a lens.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Lastly, a big thank you to the stars of the show who gave us drama, sex, intrigue and violence. They performed unaided, unscripted and more importantly they performed LIVE, (well, most of them did).
If the puerile witterings of Planet Earth left you cold, don't despair. Take the opportunity to experience the Mara for yourself. If that's not possible may I suggest that you don't visit the BBC's "Miracles of Nature" but you join Exodus's very own miracle of nature, Mr Paul Goldstein for an evening of repartee and photographic prowess at Mara Watch 2012.

| | | | | | | |

Photographic Safari

Our Clients’ Reviews

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI