Reviews

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 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a cheetah at such close range, she was just wandering by the side of the road.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davis and his assistant Kenneth were brilliant. Their knowledge of the area, culture and wildlife were amazing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your camera is working correctly so you don't miss a shot.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention I think.  Seeing the animals in their natural environment was just amazing and something I will never forget. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Davis and Ben were great.  On arrival Davis said the only requirement is that we smile and that was very easy.I also liked that at our first group meeting (shortly after arriving) he said this is our new Kenyan family for the week.  As this was my first experience of travelling alone that statement really made me feel a little more comfortable with the whole idea.Throughout the entire trip Davis and Ben were always friendly, happy and did a great job of finding the animals for us.  It was sad to say goodbye once back in Nairobi.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Davis suggested we change up $100 (or GBP equivalent) but I think in the end I changed up £130.I'd highly recommend the balloon ride.  Before I travelled the cost did seem expensive but some friends had recommended I do it and thank goodness I did.  It is one of the best experiences of my life.  I feel the cold so I did find it chilly in the mornings and evenings, suggest packing more than one jumper/fleece.  Also, something for the ladies, the drive down to the Masai Mara is very long and bumpy (but surprisingly enjoyable!) so I'd recommend wearing a sports bra for comfort!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

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!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Ben and Davis were very informative.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

 the ballon ride at sun rise over the masi mara , and seeing a pride of lions on the same day .

Thoughts on Group Leader

 Ben and Davey were full of information they were excelent guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking of doing this trip, you must do it, you won't regret it!!

Most Inspirational Moment

A cheetah with two cubs from close quarters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Quickly assessed the specific interests and attitudes of each member of the group on day 1, then at all times very keen to establish if they were satisfied with the trip and were seeing the animals that they had hoped to see. Very good with regard to identification of the animals we encountered - I am a professional biologist and was impressed with the way in which he clearly took the trouble to ensure he got the detail right e.g. using field glasses where necessary (and very occasionally checking a field guide) to distinguish between closely related species rather than guessing. Also good when answering questions on the biology of the animals seen, adjusting his answers to give the level of detail appropriate to different members of the group. Well organised, listened to all opinions and requests and was responsive at all times. Health and safety aspects of the trip were addressed well (but, refreshingly, not overdone!).  Clearly thinking ahead and anticipating/solving any minor problems that might or did arise in a seemless fashion, and with minimal or no fuss. In summary attentive to the needs of the group at all times, very keen to ensure that each client left Kenya with a good opinion of both the country and the tour company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is well worth considering arranging visas in advance of travelling. I did not, and buying visas on arrival resulted in an hours delay for the whole group.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were fortunate enough to witness several families of hippopotami in the river loudly enjoying the water.   We also came across a young family of lions in the bushes eating what was obviously a very recent kill.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader spoke excellent English and had a very wide knowledge of the country, wildlife and culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus provides sufficient information beforehand - just go with an open mind.