Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the animals and birds at such close quarters. The lions and elephants were particularly memorable. We saw a Cheetah make a kill of an antelope.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guides Peter and Davis were excellent. They looked after us very well and their knowledge of the wildlife we saw was exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We found that Malerone anti-malaria tablets were OK to take after hearing mixed reviews of Doxi Cyclin. We would recommend taking US dollars in cash as some card payments were not always working.

Most Inspirational Moment

The week for me was truly inspirational, writing this review I still cant believe ive done it!   Seeing a Cheetah relaxing under a tree, a troupe of babboons casually walking down the road, a suckling lion cub, seeing 12 hippos rise in the River Mara and seeing it all so closely...  the list for me is endless. I along with 3 others did the hot air balloon ride, this was magical seeing it all from a birds eye view and it was so peaceful.  When the balloon landed (quite smoothly) we was driven to the breakfast site and had a glass of champagne with a full cooked breakfast (which was fab!). 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenneth was very knowledgeable espicially on birds, I was amazed how he could spot and name them so quickly!  He listened to the group when we wanted photo stops, comfort breaks and always had a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My top tips for this holiday would be- Women, wear a sports bra.  The ride can get VERY bumpy espicially into the Mara- Take a waterproof jacket- Pack a torch, in the second camp this will be how you ask for an escort when it gets dark- Suncream, I only packed SPF15 (In Oct) and I got burnt.- Dont bother getting a Visa in advance, you still have to join the same queue and it doesnt make it that much quicker.- Pack some long sleeved tops for the evening.- The cost of the balloon ride in October 2013 was $450- Make sure your tent is securely zipped... one day our tent was raided and my custard creams were eaten!- Memory cards, get the best you can - allow for approx 700+ photos!

Suggestions

I would and have recommended this trip to anyone who has this on their bucket list.  I had never experienced a group holiday as a solo traveller but my worries soon disappeared. It was a great bunch of people I was lucky enough to be with. The accommodation is very nice (the first lodge has a swimming pool!) and the second camp was luxurious glamping!  If your thinking of booking this trip i'd say go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose, but seeing the male lions walk past, so close and so unaffected by our presence is up there. Such majestic animals and I was struck by how struck I was by them - it's an image that will stay with me a long time. And also getting such a good sighting of a leopard - it just strolled on past us and under the truck in front as if we were invisible. I know how hard they are to spot and how lucky we were to see this one. Big cats are such beautiful creatures. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! He was respectful, informative, thoughtful and funny all through. He made sure we had a great holiday and always thought of our needs (lots of "comfort" stops), made sure we had enough water and taught us a lot about all the animals too. Not to mention sharing our jokes and telling us funny stories of his own. Thanks Davis!

Advice for Potential Travellers

All the information you need is provided by Exodus before you go and there really is nothing to worry about. The tented camp is luxurious to say the least (I've stayed in 4* hotels that aren't anywhere near as nice!) but you might want to take ear plugs for the night as being so close to the animals doesn't make it the quietest of places. That said, I slept better on this holiday than I have slept anywhere...including at home! Make sure you take waterproofs as well - I went in October and the short rains are short but pretty heavy!

Suggestions

Go on this trip! I went on my own and didn't regret it once! It was a great bunch of people and I never once felt lonely. The only thing is it felt too short - I thought I'd have seen enough after 5 days (as that's what it works out as once you get there etc) but could easily have done 10.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a lion hunt... female stalking downwind and another female flanking driving the wildebeest towards the female waiting in ambush, then the explosion of pace when she broke cover... all saying that the hunt was unsuccessful. Mainly because the lions were already on a kill when this opportunity presented itself. Saying that there were many great moments all packed into a few days. Elephants, Buffalo, Leopard, Cheetah, Serval,  Rhino and spectacular birdlife the list goes on and on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter & Daveis were 1st class, tonnes of knowledge, funny, clear and made the trip what it was complimented by the wildlife, culture and accommodation! You couldn't get 2 finer guides. Focusing on the things we came to do and see.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a decent camera and record the memories. The photographic opportunities are fantastic and a great way to show people how worthwhile going on safari is... a photo makes 1000 words so to speak. Don't pack fancy, beware of the sun all common sense stuff. Viewing wildlife in it's natural habitat is a privilege , it's not a zoo so set your expectations reasonably and you'll be amazed. Food was great and catered for all diets.

Suggestions

British 3 pin plugs are the norm so never used my travel adapter. Bring a hat for shade and enjoy a cold tusker or glass of wine after a great day

Most Inspirational Moment

On our first full day in the Mara, we came across a cheetah and two cubs who had just made a kill. We stayed with them for half an hour and it was amazing to (finally!) see some in the wild. We hit the tail end of the migration but still managed to see many wildebeest. The sunrise balloon ride was also an amazing experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leaders - Ken & Davis - where fantastic drivers & spotters, and were always on hand to answer any questions we may have had. They were very knowledgeable, friendly and kind.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for the balloon ride. I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it since the idea of being in a small basket way up off the ground doesn't really appeal to me (read: panic!) but it was a very calming experience, and definitely worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting in the middle of a herd of 30+ elephants, so close we could almost have reached out to touch them. Majestic animals, totally ignoring us, just doing their thing....magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Davis and Peter were wonderful. They both really know their stuff and really care about sharing their knowledge. They have a great knack for passing on information, judging the group and tailoring their approach. They also have an amazing ability to FIND the animals...I still haven't worked out how they can spot and correctly identify a small smudge in the distance as a cheetah / gnu / gazelle or whatever! They organised everything (including the group!) very well without being heavy handed - a perfect balance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ladies - for the long trip to / from the Masai Mara, consider a sports bra!! (and my heartfelt thanks to the earlier reviewer who said the same thing!) If you are not a good traveller, take tablets - the road is rough (but fun!)

Suggestions

The tents in the camp at the Masai Mara have toilet, sink and shower, so banish any thoughts of scampering across the camp wrapped in a towel!Currency - We used Kenyan shillings for all cash but could in some cases have used US dollars. Sterling is not widely accepted. The optional tours had to be paid in cash (not sure about the balloon trip as we didn't do it)Clothing - think covering up, to avoid insect bites - lightweight, long sleeves and trousers. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me - even over and above the (optional) balloon ride - was watching three cheetah dining on a recent kill.  We watched then for half an hour, even though it felt like five minutes.  They are beautiful animals, and this was the first time I had seen any in the wild.  The balloon ride too was a wonderful experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour was led by Davies and Ken.  They were excellent drivers and spotters, were very knowledgeable about the animals and plants and Davies in particular passed on a lot of interesting information about Kenya and the Masi.  As well as this, they were always cheerful and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early mornings! 

Suggestions

I would thoroughly recommend this for a short safari holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a Leopard in a tree with it's kill then carefully carrying it to the ground.Watching a Jackal creep up to a group of Lions on a kill then sneak in to get his share.Being with a great group of like minded people. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davis and Peter are two of the nicest people that you could meet.First of all their professionalism and knowledge is second to none. Their ability to find game, their care and consideration, their genuine friendliness and great sense of humour made the trip the great success it was. I certainly hope that I will have the oppertunity to meet them again.They really did make us feel like a family. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that this is what you really want. Peter remarked one evening that some groups are hard to work with and that they get impatient (unbelievable!) This is not a Zoo with all the animals lined up waiting to be viewed. The magic is not knowing where or when you will see game and sometimes it appears in an unexpected way. As one of the group said "every game drive just gets better and better"

Suggestions

As long as you are not one of those impatient types then go for it, you won't regret it.

Most Inspirational Moment

the smiles of the local people, everyone seemed pleased to see us and help us.   I was particularly grateful for the Masaii men with their torches in our tent camp.....I am sure I would have lost my way otherwise....and the sound of the animals at night (plus monkeys playing football on my tent roof) won't be forgotten for a long time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

b oth of them very good.  their driving was exceptional (and tiring I am sure)  and I still can't see how they spotted some of the animals so quickly whilst driving!!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

just go with the flow. be prepared to be thrown about on the unmade roads, take a good camera and binoculrs (mine were rubbish)...don't bother packing dressing up clothes.....you will be too tired at night to even change......just a good meal, a drink and then bed to end a perfect day.

Suggestions

i personally just hope my health allows me to tackle another holiday....the migration was on my "to see list"  hope I can find another next year...God willing.

Most Inspirational Moment

davis tell me how good a stander my wildlife knowlgew was real ment alot to me and seeing cheetha and lepoard and a black rhino that are highy endagerd but we got lucky as this trip to make  a proper big 5 dose lake nakuru and masia mare black rhino best change is the full one day in lake nakuru national park  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davies and his co worker Peter are amzing you get amzing experence with any of these two for us davis  and peter these two care about there homeland wildlife in kenya and real love take care off people on safrai and they also make sure the place you are staying are upto stander 

Advice for Potential Travellers

 so if go on classic kenya hoilday plse dont take out on peter and davis and other people on safrie with you if you dont get to see wildlife you one as thses is not a zoo it a game resever in mara and lake nakuru is national park 

Suggestions

yh i love to do diffrent kenya safrie with davis or peter like a likpia hoilday or a samburu one but make some time of years and these two desver time off