Classic Kenya Safari & Zanzibar

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 15 reviews.

Christine Meusz

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written January 2013
This trip comprised two very contrasting experiences - a full-on safari followed by a relaxing beach break - although I note it's changed for future trips with Zanzibar being offered as an extension. Both enjoyable but it was the safari I came for and I wasn't disappointed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting in our truck surrounded by a family of elephants, then watching them wander off into the distance was hard to beat, as was drifting over the plains at dawn in our hot air balloon.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two leaders, Ben and Davis. As there were 12 of us we spent most of the time split between two vehicles and we spent most of our time with Davis, who was very knowledgeable and informative. He had gone to great pains to ensure we had an appropriate vehicle for the trip and, despite being dogged by tyre problems, made sure we got the most out of our game drives.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some snacks as the packed lunches are a bit of a disappointment. And do the balloon trip - yes it's pricey but worth it. Breakfasting with champagne on the plains afterwards is really something else!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Beach holidays are not really my "thing" but the few days in Zanzibar actually made a rather nice, relaxing, finale after the safari, despite the somewhat shambolic organisation at the resort. There were times when it felt a little bit like being stuck in an episode of Fawlty Towers - watching luggage being carted from cabin to cabin was quite amusing, so long as it wasn't yours!
The lodge at Lake Elementaita had a sort of faded colonial charm but was perfectly comfortable. My favourite part of the trip though, had to be the time we spent at Ilkeliani camp. This exceeded expectations as the bucket showers referred to in the trip notes had been replaced by fully plumbed in showers. Tents with fitted bathrooms and electricity, Masai guides to escort you around the camp after dark, excellent food - what's not to like? Sitting in front of our tent we watched a crocodile in the river in front and were visited by monkeys. And the hot water bottles in our bed on return from our evening meal were a very welcome touch.
Maria Roldan

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written November 2012
This holiday was AMAZING!!! The perfect mix of Safari and Beach was just perfect.... The Safari started off at Lake Elementaita and just kept getting better each day. The highlight would be the hot air balloon ride over the Mara... its an early start but well worth it! The tour guides, Ben and Davis were brilliant. Excellent guides that cared about you and wanted you to have the best experience of your life.The acommodation was fantastic. Lake Elementaita was probably the most tired looking of all places and in terms of what it delivered it wasn't much, but aside from the nature walk that was on offer there, everywhere else was fantastic.Zanzibar was amazing. It was excellent to finish the Safari seeing everything we'd seen and then fly over to Zanzibar and just flop on a sun lounge and enjoy the tropical humid temperatures...I can't speak more highly of this holiday and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice mix of adventure (Safari) and relaxation (Zanzibar beaches).A++++++++
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Patricia Hartley

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written October 2012
an excelent holiday we saw the big five and much more !!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
the ballon ride at sun rise over the masi mara , and seeing a pride of lions on the same day .
What did you think of your group leader?
Ben and Davey were full of information they were excelent guides.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Zanzibar was a let down after the Masi Mara
Angela Martin

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written October 2012
A very enjoyable and comfortable trip with lots of wild life and a few days to relax at the end. The Masai Mara camp and Fumba Beach Lodge are both very comfortable and lovely places to stay.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The optional baloon flight over the Masai Mara at dawn followed by a champaign brealfast, although expensive, was well worth doing, and definately a highlight.
Big cats! We had numerous sightings of lion including a pride of 12 lions; lions eating and a lioness drinking in the mara, and lions in a tree at Nakuru. We also several cheetahs including cubs. (And I liked the Hyenas!)
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Ben and Davis were very informative.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do as many of the optional extras as you can to take full advantage of this trip. There are several options at Fumba Beach Lodge. We did a very enjoyable boat trip which was tailored to our needs as some of us do not snorkle, and a tour of Stone Town (a little spoilt by rain).
Change some money for Kenya at the airport, but take only dollars for Zanzibar.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am not a beach holiday person and only did this version of the trip because I wanted to see Stone town. There are also several other interesting trips available, although they are expensive if only one or two people are going. However Fumba Beach Lodge is so lovely that it is easy to relax and nothing! This is an ideal end to the holiday, even for people who do not normally take beach holidays.
Amanda Griffin

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written September 2012
This trip exceeded all my expectations!! Fantastic!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Everything was so well organised. Too many inspirational things to note! We saw a cheetah with four cubs, two male lions and a lioness in the process of the mating ritual. Watching wilder beast migrate across the Mara River was truely an adrenalin filled moment. Meeting the Masai Mara Tribe was brilliant, and educational. So many animals were seen, and the bird life also spectacular.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was Benjamin Waiganjo and Peter. They were both amazing, very knowledgeable and great fun. They also looked after us really well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are thinking of doing this trip, you must do it, you won't regret it!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fumba Lodge in Zanzibar is just paradise!!! One thing I would say though is you don't really need to change any money into Tanzanian currency at all, everything can be paid in US dollars and paid all at the end on one bill. You do need the Kenyan currency though so get it at the airport when you land. Apart from that enjoy yourself! We met some amazing people on our trip and now keep in touch!! The staff everywhere are also so friendly. Best holiday ever!!!
Karen Smith

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written September 2012
This holiday was my third Exodus holiday, all were amazing but this in my opinion was the best, it exceeded all my expectations and really was a holiday of a lifetime. If you are thinking about booking i would go for it, i want to go again!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me it was the optional balloon flight over the Masai Mara which you can book while on the trip, you take off early so that you can see the sun rise which was amazing, it is expensive but in my opinion it is worth every penny. To be flying over the Masai Mara as the sun rises and to then land and be treated to champagne and an amazing cooked breakfast was just incredible.
The safari was amazing also, we went on many drives. Seeing a cheetah with her cubs was a real highlight for me.
Also the boat trip, snorkelling and picnic on a secluded island was great, this was run in Zanzibar. They offer a big trip but note that a significant number of people go on this one which put us off. We went with the dive centre which is part of the hotel, because our whole group of 9 people went they adapted the trip to what we wanted, for us this was the best option.
The Masai Mara camp itself was also a great experience, nothing quite prepares you for the lovely tents you get with proper bathrooms and beds. You hear all sorts of animal noises in the night including monkeys playing on the roof which really adds to the experience and having Masai warriors escort you to and from your tent at night and having them looking after the camp throughout the night makes you feel very safe and allows you to relax and enjoy.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ben and David were exceptional throughout the holiday, they gave us all the information we needed, answered any questions we had and addressed any issues quickly. They also knew so much about the area and gave us a lot of local information and information about the animals which made the trip a lot more interesting.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be aware that this is a trip viewing wildlife and so nothing is guaranteed but if you go with an open mind you will have an amazing time.
In terms of money i would suggest taking more Kenyan schillings than advised in the trip notes as i ran out and most of the little shops, the Masai village etc use the local currency. You can pay everywhere on the Kenya part of the trip with the local currency but only really the Masai Mara camp in USD. You can get by with USD but suggest more of the local currency would be useful. In Zanzibar you don't need any of the local currency, you can use USD for everything.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
In my opinion this holiday was a holiday of a lifetime, every day we saw something new and different and we had so many great experiences, We had a great group and i think it is important to just go with a view of making the most of every day and to try to do as many of the optional activities as they really added to the trip for me. Trips such as the balloon ride, the Masai village visit and the sailing/snorkelling/picnic in Zanzibar.
My advice would be to go ahead and book, this was a great trip.
michele clarke

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Written July 2011
The holiday exeeded expectations. Accommodation was luxurious, food mostly excellent with attention to detail which was fantastic. The packed lunches contained enough to feed an army. The Masai Mara was an amazing experience, the safari drives spectacular and the resort at Zanzibar absolutely lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would go again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The wildlife safaris where excellent and the game viewing was amazing. I think seeing a cheetah coming to within 1 metre of our truck was the most thrilling part of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
good
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are travelling on a budget, then stock up on alcoholic drinks in stone town as the bar prices are quite high in the zanzibar resort.