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.

Ali Mehmed

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI with Experience Seminars

Written October 2011
The Masai Mara was a unforgetable experience and was just like I've seen it on TV so many times. There were so many brilliant wildlife photographic opportunites, not only because there were so many animals, but becuase our Kicheche drivers/spotters were so good at finding them.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a wild leopard walk so close to our vehicle, and having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph it, was one of the highlights of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our Group Leader (Brian Hall) was absolutely fantastic. He took great care to make sure we were as happy as possible on the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you take a good suncream and sunhat, because the sun is extremely intense during the middle of the day! Also, make sure you take warm clothes for the mornings and evenings, because it does get cold at night.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was the second time I had visited the Mara and the second time I had stayed at Kicheche Camp. And I will stay there again if I ever visit the Mara again, because the service at the Camp was truly exceptional: The food was fantastic and we were so well looked after. The drivers/spotters (espcially Joseph) were extremely patient with us and were abolutely superb at finding the wildlife for us to photograph. Everyone at the Camp worked very hard to ensure our stay, and our trip, were as enjoyable as possible.
Helen Cubitt

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written September 2011
Fantastic location deep in the bush. The camp is unfenced so we had the wildlife 24/7 and as this is a photographic safari you can stay with the animals, if they are doing something interesting - you're not racing from beast to beast with a tick list!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
On the last morning we found a cheetah beneath a thorn bush with two week-old cubs. To watch them and then to see her stalk off a howling jackall was a real taste of 'wild Africa'
What did you think of your group leader?
So entertaining and yet brilliant at helping us to take good photos. Anyone who has been on a holiday with Paul Goldstein will know exactly what I mean!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Pack sun block,insect repellant, plenty of memory cards and batteries plus anything you could take to boost your energy levels!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thoroughly recommend this trip...it was worth every penny
Kimberley Gaynor

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written September 2011
If you don't like to sleep much on holiday, don't mind getting really dirty, are not afraid of strange noises in the night, and want to stimulate all of your senses, then this is the trip for you! From start to finish the trip was perfectly organised, by a team dedicated to getting us to take better pictures than we thought possible, and everything served with a smile! Impeccable, inspirational, unforgettable!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
As a beginner photographer, it was easy to feel intimidated at first, but Paul and the rest of the group made me feel at ease. I saw 23 species of animals which I had never before seen in the wild, and took over 2'000 photos! The most inspirational moment was seeing a male lion being mobbed by hyenas at 6am and hearing the collective howling of the pack. I will never forget that sound.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein is nothing short of a force of nature. He runs a boot camp for photographers. If your ego is easily bruised, it would be best to choose another trip. However, you have to admire someone who denies the existence of time and space (as in cursing at everyone when it takes more than 5 minutes to cross 20 km of off road terrain). This trip is not for the faint hearted, or the prudish, but if you want to be pushed to your limits, then Paul is the best man to do it with. In a very weird way, he grows on you, I guess that is why all the other members of my group were repeat travellers.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Sleep before you come, bring warm clothes for the chilly mornings, bring high factor sun screen, bring more memory cards than you think you will need, be prepared to go with the flow...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Emma and Darren are charming, the Masai staff are extraordinary--they never stop smiling. They remembered every one's name from the first day...how is that for amazing! And you have to admire the Masai driver guides who can spot animals from incredible distances, and who can drive those land cruisers through absolutely anything. Food was great, and those sundowners...I have brought the tradition home to my house. Thank you to everyone!
Neil Stewart

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written September 2011
My photographic safari based at Kicheche Bush camp, surpassed all previous wildlife trips by virtue of the abundance of game, plus the manifest non-stop action, coupled with animal behaviour that I have never witnessed before.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Where to begin? I have indelible images in my mind's eye of the hyena pack harassing a male lion in the dawn light; the wildebeest escaping from the pursuing hyena by jumping into the river - again in the dawn light; the cheek of the jackals attempting to steal a kill from other predators; the lion killing and carrying off an infant warthog; the spectacle of the three cheetahs chasing and killing an impala; not to mention the grand finale - a female cheetah with two cubs, estimated at less than two week old.
What did you think of your group leader?
The inimitable Paul Goldstein delivered in spades! Backed by Darren and Emma, running the camp and our drivers and trackers: Charles, James and Patrick. A winning combination.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If wildlife photography is your thing - don't hesitate - sign up and go!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I shall return.
Ray Hems

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written September 2011
This photographic trip surpassed everything I had hoped it would be, simply superb. Opportunities to get up close to a variety of wildlife, in stunning light, occurred every day, not just once, but many times.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Several dawn incidents are memorable, such as a male lion being chased off by a pack of howling Hyenas, an unforgettable sound and spectacle. Or the frequent chasing around the plains following the three 'cheetah boys' as they hunted. Or the almost daily tracking of leopards. One all-day outing was simply the most exhilerating , full-on experience of wildlife I have ever had, 14 hours of non-stop activity
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein has immense experience of these trips, and it shows. He is dedicated to ensuring everyone gets memorable pictures, constantly aware of where wildlife will be, racing across the Mara at high speed to catch the action, then postioning the vehicles for the best angles and light. He takes the time to patiently explain photographic technique for the less skilled - but expects his advice to be remembered! Anyone failing to do this the next day, resulting in out of focus/underexposed/missed shots can expect a stream of invective in their corrective interview.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You will learn how to get excellent wildlife images, and be given many, many opportunities to take them. You will need plenty of card storage. A second camera is particularly useful as back up and for wide angle shots, leaving the main camera and long lens ever ready to not miss any action
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One lady in our group had been on this trip 16 times.....that tells you just how good this trip is. An unforgettable experience, and thus unreservedly recommended
Rosalind Gray

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written August 2011
If a well known beer did safaris, then it wouldn't be possible to surpass this one. The only reason not to recommend it is that it books out so fast that if I say how good it is I may find myself unable to get on the trip again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I love Africa and its wildlife. I've travelled there quite a bit and seen some amazing things. However, seeing herds of wildebeest battle across the Mara river is something I will never forget. First, you wonder, will they make it across? How will they get out? Then the crocodiles start moving - and the tension increases even further. In the wildlife programmes they tend to show crocodiles winning out every time - in real life, they are known to miss - will they succeed this time? The great thing with this trip, whilst you know you will never forget what you see, you end up with some incredible photos to record it all. You get to spend the time out on the plains that means you have the best chance of seeing, and photographing, Africa's animals at their most interesting - a black rhino taking a morning stroll, a leopard checking a scent, a lion cub battling to climb a tree stump, a cobra eating a Thomson's gazelle - and much more.
What did you think of your group leader?
This trip is made by Paul. His passion for Africa and its wildlife and photography is obvious to all and he is determined to make sure that everyone has a trip they will never forget and that they get to go home with the best photographs they could take. His knowledge of both animal behaviour and photography makes him a brilliant leader for this trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want a trip where you spend as much of your time as possible on the plains of Africa looking to see in real life some of the action you have seen on the wildlife documentaries then I would definitely recommend this holiday. It's important to remember that wildlife is unpredictable and that therefore it's necessary to be patient - there are times when you may begin to think that every animal in the Mara has gone into hiding. Overall, you will come away with some amazing memories. Pack a sense of humour and remember "hakuna matata" and you will have a fabulous time.
Samantha Gargour

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Written August 2011
I had waited two years to join this trip led by Paul and it was definitely worth the wait. Backed with a passion for wildlife and photography , I wanted a trip that would ensure every moment in the Mara wasn't wasted. This was it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being in the Masai Mara is inspiration in itself. There were too many moments to account for but three stand out: spending 6 or more hours with a pride of lions, watching them interact with each other and their lion cub was truly special, seeing a python swallowing a male impala out in the open field was a first for many, but the moment of the week was in our final hour – seeing thousands upon thousands of Wildebeest & Zebra crossing the Mara River eagerly awaited by the crocodiles. I had always wanted to witness a crossing but nothing prepared me for how emotional I would get. One of nature's wondrous spectacles we were all extremely lucky to see.
What did you think of your group leader?
There is no one word to describe Paul. His passion for the Mara is contagious and his drive to get us to the right place at the right time made for some incredible shots. For a beginner photographer like myself, there is a lot to learn from him but he will only say something once, it is for you to retain! He is a true entertainer and storyteller and you will never get bored in his presence. Be warned, his photography skills may leave you on the jealous side!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring a sense of humour and a thick skin! Make sure you have all the essentials with you: a hat, a light scarf or sarong can come in handy for protection against dust, sunscreen etc. Know your equipment well before you go, I only had a small lens 55-250mm, may have been worth hiring a lens for my first trip. Ensure you have a wide-angle lens and your polariser with you. Ensure you bring a second camera body to be on the safe side, lots of memory and extra batteries, as you will need it.

Try not to drop your camera outside the vehicle, however much amusement it provides the lions….

Sweets and a few good jokes if you know some, never go amiss during the long days..

But most importantly, learn to put your camera down from time to time and take it all in. You will never forget it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Paul, Donna and the team were fantastic. The guides, Joseph, Amos & Jackson worked tirelessly to show us something new everyday. They have eyes in the back of their head and can spot game miles away when we were still struggling with our binoculars. Polite and friendly, they would constantly inform us about the animals’ behaviours and their encyclopaedic knowledge never ceased to amaze us. Migration camp was fantastic, the location right on the Mara River unbelievable. Camp facilities were pretty luxurious for where we were and the food was of 5* quality! A special mention to Rasmen, who provided impeccable service all week.

A huge thank you to you all.