Most Inspirational Moment
Amboseli and the lakes. Hot air balloon ride
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very considerate, helpful, patient and informed
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Kenya Safari Adventure
Our guide, Peter, was very friendly, patient and informed. He made the trip interesting and engaging.
An amazing experience
I enjoyed this trip so much, we saw so many animals in the beautiful National parks and the lodges were comfortable and relaxing at the end of the day. Each day was very full and there is a lot of moving from place to place, but that meant we experienced different environments and were able to see a great variety of birds and animals. It was also interesting when we passed through towns bustling with people, on Sundays children in their best clothes going to church, lots of little stalls with fruit and veg, children going to school and Masai herding their cows, sheep and goat by the side of the busy roads.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many, but maybe seeing Mt Kilimanjaro appear from the clouds as I walked to breakfast one morning. Also when I startled a giraffe that I thought was a statue as I walked by in the half light!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our driver/guide was full of interesting information and kept us all informed and on time. The vehicle was always clean and there were only four in each one so it was easy to get a good view. He managed to spot a variety of animals and was able to answer all our questions fully and clearly. He was always very calm and experienced and made me feel absolutely safe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This week is very full on and there is virtually no down time. The rains had started so we could not access all the tracks due to flooding and the potholes were little craters. We got caught in a massive traffic jam, but that is part of the experience. The vehicles are very comfortable and not cramped at all but on the travel days I suggest you take a snack in your bag, just in case you are very late for lunch. There was always plenty of drinking water. The Carnivore Restaurant that we visit on day 4 has a very delicious and varied menu for non meat eaters.
Hectic but enjoyable Wildlife Viewing
The wildlife viewing was very good – from the elephant herds in Amboseli, through the boat ride on Lake Naivasha, and on to Nakuru National Park and the Maasai Mara. It is a very busy trip. There is a lot of driving and the roads (both in and outside the reserves) were in poor condition. This meant an early start every day and not a lot of leisure time at the lodges. Having said that, the accommodation at all the lodges was excellent. The vehicles were in good condition with a roof that lifts to allow good game viewing.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time, emerging from the clouds on our last morning at Amboseli. We enjoyed seeing all the plentiful wildlife including over 100 species of birds.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We did not have a separate tour leader but rather two drivers for the two vehicles. The drivers were knowledgeable and took a lot of trouble getting us good wildlife viewing. We felt very safe with our driver who handled the amount of traffic and the potholed roads very competently.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Choose when you go carefully. We did not want to go when the wildebeest migration was happening. We thought we would be travelling just before the rainy season started. However, this year the rains came early so there was a lot of lying water in Amboseli, and we were restricted about where we could travel in the Maasai Mara. On the plus side, the lying water meant we saw a good variety of bird life.
Too rushed.
The idea is sound – visiting four parks maximises the chance of seeing a good variety of wildlife.
However the trip notes seriously under state the terrible condition of the roads and therefore the time it takes to make the transfers. We spent more time on the road between parks than we did on game drives.
The driving is terrifying.
The whole trip felt rushed, as soon as we arrived at a park we were hurried into a meal and then straight out in the vehicle again. There was no time to relax or make use of the facilities in the lodges (which were lovely.)
The behaviour of the guides in the parks was shocking to me. There is a 5 vehicles per animal rule but whenever there was a big cat there were a crowd of 30 or more, all jostling for position and hounding the animals if they moved off. At one point I thought they had run over a chetah. Our driver also broke the no driving off road and no speeding rules. I felt ashamed to be part of it.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were present when a solo lioness challenged a leopard in a tree and stole her kill.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alex was very knowledgeable but didn't offer up much information without being asked. His driving was frightening.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Think very carefully about this one. And if you have any back problems or issues with motion sickness do not do it.
Reply from Exodus
We’d like to thank Claire for taking the time to leave a candid review of her experience on this trip, though it’s a matter of real regret that she was disappointed by several aspects.
We feel we accurately portray the nature of the roads in Kenya, as we state in the trip notes that “There are some long drives over rough roads on this trip, which allow us to get into the wilds of Kenya.” We’re sorry that, regardless, Claire found the drives were more demanding than she’d anticipated.
It was concerning to read about Claire’s impression of the driving on this trip. Our drivers are experienced in driving on Kenyan roads, and in some instances need to maintain a certain speed to navigate the corrugated sections of road more stably. Nevertheless, we have spoken to our local team about this and do not expect to see similar comments about the driving from future clients going forward.
We also understand that a rare sighting in the park Claire mentions meant that an exception was made to the “5 vehicle only” rule by park authorities, though it is a shame to learn that Claire felt the number and pushiness of vehicles soured the experience for her.
Finally, with regards to the itinerary, we find that in general our customers are happy with the pace of the trip, but we are looking at tweaking certain days on future departures to reduce the amount of travelling, as we appreciate this was a drawback for Claire.
– Annabel Thompson, Exodus Product Manager
Kenya Safari Adventure
Very well organised from start to finish, staff amazing! It was my first trip with Exodus and it actually exceeded my expectations.
Most Inspirational Moment
Absolutely everything! But Grephus our driver absolutely made the trip!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Grephus was super patient and explained why we needed to hold back and take time to see the animals behaving as they naturally would. He was very knowledgeable and apart from the animals would give information on the bird life too.
Pinch me bucket list moment!
Kenya’s week-long safari adventure was an unforgettable journey, taking us from the breathtaking elephant herds of Amboseli National Park beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, to serene early-morning boat rides among hippos on Lake Naivasha, and the vibrant birdlife of Lake Nakuru, where hundreds of species filled the skies. It concluded with the wildlife-rich plains of the Masai Mara, where we encountered lions, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras in their natural habitat. Each moment was seamlessly organised, our guides were expert in all areas, covering topics on not only the animals in the parks, but welcoming us into the essence and culture of Kenya as a country, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in all that Kenya had to offer – it’s beauty and wildlife while experiencing the peace and wonder of Africa’s landscapes—a truly inspiring and transformative adventure.
Most Inspirational Moment
A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the masai mara, seeing the game reserve below from a different perspective, watching animals dash across beneath us while relishing in the beautiful warm sunrise
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was truly magnificent. He was totally immersed in everything to do with wildlife. He had been an ecologist and studied many different animals over a 25 year career, with his current studies into butterflies. Knowledgeable about his country, politics, farming, animals, populations and history. He made us feel safe and secure throughout the week, with the customer and animal safety at the forefront of everything he did.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Kenya accepts USD and KES and the conversion rate is best with KES so try and pay with KES where you can. Some of the optional extras (Masai Mara village visit and hot air balloon ride) and require USD but for all other things, KES is the currency to pay with. Also ensure you have a camera with a great zoom lens and a decent pair of binoculars to really take in, close up, all that Kenya and it's wildlife has to offer
Kenya Safari Adventure
I have traveled through Exodus before (International Expeditions back in 2012), and was amazed by the incredible service, knowledge of the area and wildlife, and attention to travel accommodations. The same aspects of professionalism and experience-oriented guides were present on my trip to Kenya and I am grateful for the time experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing four lion prides, and an attempted cheetah hunt!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter brought professionalism and experience-oriented leadership throughout our entire trip to Kenya and I am grateful for it. I would suggest that patrons tip their guides after each game drive so that we can actively reward great practices and efforts put forth by our guides rather than waiting until the very end of the trip.
Kenya Safari Adventure
Really well organised by Lacty at Rhino Safaris- he sent us a message every evening with times for the next day. Grephus and Peter were excellent drivers and guides. We very extremely lucky to see 4 groups of lions, including one which had just feasted on a zebra. The Sopa Lodges were so luxurious, felt very fortunate to be staying at them.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing 4 groups of lions, especially when Grephus had said we could drive around the Mara for 3-4 days and not see any! Watching the cheetah deciding on whether to go after Thompson gazelle, or not. Seeing giraffe, elephants, zebras and wildebeest close up. Being right by the Elephants in Amboseli when large numbers crossed over the road in front of us. So much wildlife! Nothing beats seeing animals in their natural habitat. The sheer vast expanse of all of the parks.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We only saw Lacty in Nairobi, he handed us over to the drivers afterwards.