Land Of The Maasai - Family Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  monk justina

  BIG CAT SAFARI - KENYA FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written October 2010

  This was a dream come true to visit the Masai Mara and I wasn't disappointed.   I wasn't expecting the scenery at Lake Nakuru to be so stunning. Excellant for photography and my son and I managed to take 1300 photos.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting so close to the animals.

  Seeing the migration - you don't realise how many wildebeast you will see until you are actually there.

  Wildebeast river crossing.

  Our guide spotting a cheetah and her cub.

  Breakfast on the Mara - best breakfast ever.

  Watching the hippos at Karen Blixen Camp and seeing elephants while having breakfast.

  Visiting a Masai Village.

  Driving for two and a half hours from the Masai Mara before reaching properly constructed roads - it was very bumpy but enjoyed watching the scenery and how it changed.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ben was an excellant driver and a great guide.  He was very good with the children.  He was very knowledgable and answered all of our questions.   Ben made sure we parked up at the best position for photos and would stay for as long as we all wanted.  We could've easily missed the river crossing if Ben hadn't been looking through his binoculours whilst we had a very quick lunch.  He then drove as fast as he could so we could witness this wonderful experience.  Thank you Ben.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go for it - you won't be disappointed.  If you have seen the Mara on the TV it is 100 times better when you are actually there.  I can't wait to return and I would definitely stay at Karen Blixen Camp again.  I would ideally like a trip which stays at the Mara for 7 days.  Take travel sickness tablets - the tracks on the Mara are very bumpy so don't let travel sickness ruin your holiday. I took some tablets with me for the drive from the Mara to Lake Elementata but ended up taking them every day for the game drives.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  From the moment I first found this trip I have been very impressed with Excdus.  They answered all my questions on Live Chat and by email.  Karen Blixen Camp was fantastic. The setting by the river is spectacular.  The staff are very polite and are genuinely interested in listening to the stories of your game drives.  The tents are very comfortable and plenty of plugs to charge camera batteries etc.  I suggest you check in online for the flight home at the hotel in Nairobi as I was told at check in that my 13 year old son would not be sitting with me!  After a stressful few minutes I was offered alternative seats so I was sitting next to my son but I don't know how they can try and separate a 13 year old child who is travelling with just one parent.  Apart from that I was impressed with Virgin Airlines.

  Exodus Response

  Please note that this review (and those prior to it) refer to the 2012 Exodus operated tour ‘Big Cat Safari’ which has now been replaced by the similar 2013 ‘Land of the Maasai’ tour.
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
• 

  Janet Limrick

  A fantastic experience for a child - and me!

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  As my 12 year old neice said when standing next to Lake Nakuru watching the thousands of pink flamingoes just yards away "This feels like I'm actually starring in the TV documentaries I've seen".     All week she was regularly heard saying "Wow, look at that".  At Nakuru we wanted to see a leopard and the guides listened to the radio calls hoping we would hear of a sighting.  We did!  A leopard was seen sitting in a tree - just as you see it in documentaries.  Something fantastic happened every day on this trip. 

   

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader was excellent.  Helpful, full of useful information and many stories to keep the youngsters (and me) interested in what we were seeing around us.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just go and see it yourself!  In just one week you see everything you could wish for leopards, the wildebbest migrating, lions, cheetah, flamingoes...the list is huge.  If you have children interested in wildlife you won't find a better introductory safari.  I have a 12 year old now wanting to go on another trip a.s.a.p!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip worked incredibly well.  Children were extremely well catered for,  and although their ages were taken into account when planning each day, they all felt challenged and excited by their experiences.  They felt as if they were treated as adults, quite important when dealing with children beginning to stand on their own feet and wanting to be involved in decision making.

   
• 

  Elizabeth Thackray

  A fabulous family adventure

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Visiting the Masai Mara was the most fantastic experience, we saw lots of animals, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, giraffe, zebra and many other types of plains game as well as vast numbers of migrating wildebeest but for me, my most treasured memories are watching a tiny lion cub suckling from its mother and seeing my children's faces as they encountered the many animals that we were fortunate to see. Also staying at BaseCamp Masai Mara was like being in paradise, wonderful location, excellent food and delightful staff, to get up in the morning and be able to watch animals on the plain from right on your doorstep was amazing.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Davies was excellent, helpful, well organised and very knowledgeable as was John our other driver. They were particularly good on the last day making sure that we were fully occupied prior to our very late evening flight home. Also both were particularly good with all the children.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take enough Kenyan shillings for drinks, souvenirs and visit to the Masai village, other expenses can be paid in dollars. Also there may be the opportunity to do a boat trip on Lake Naivasha ($20) which is well worth it. If you want to see the animals of Africa with your children this is the trip for you.

   
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  Myra Johnson

  We were immensely privileged to see such a variety of wildlife in natural circumstances in their own

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing a lioness suckling her cubs.

  Seeing a leopard in a tree.

  A large family of elephants ambling along.

  A large group of giraffes emerging one by one from the trees.

  The Masai people.

  The huge herd of wildebeest as far as the eye could see.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Davies was very knowledgeable, had a good sense of humour and  was a delight to talk to. From him we learnt so much about the Mara, about its people and about Kenya overall. Our other guide John was a fantastic animal spotter, a great driver over rugged terrain and great fun to talk too. They made a geat team who added so much to our holiday. They ensured that the children on the trip had a great  timeas well as their parents.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just go, you will never regret it.

  Follow your guide's advice!

  Respect the wildlife in all circumstances.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I know why they always say that you will return to Kenya. It gets under your skin.

  Every time I go through my photos, I see more and more of what I saw. There is so much to take in that you do not see it all immediately.