Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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60 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

David Woodhams

Reviewed March 2019

Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Experience

My wife and I had been on this trip previously in September 2016 where we were lucky to see the migration. We thought that it would be good to see the other end of the season and hoped to catch the migration at the southern end, but alas they had travelled further south than we were going. Lake Nakuru NP was more productive this time as well as the Masia Mara with us seeing the ‘Big 5’ in the first 2 days, the first time that has occurred in more than 24 years of travel! Although the Mara Triangle and the Serengeti were very devoid of animals this was more than made up for by the Ngorongoro Crater, which was incredible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen 3 Cheetah in Kenya 24 years ago it was amazing to see 5 together which was made up of 4 brothers and a friend, spectacular. The balloon flight over the Masia Mara was amazing where, with the skill of the pilot we were able to track a pride of 9 Lions and the breakfast afterwards was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julius promised us from the start that we would see lots of animals and did not fail to deliver. The 'Big 5' in the first 2 days, remarkable. We saw 10% of the Black Rhino population in Lake Nakuru NP as well as Lion, Cape Buffalo, Waterbuck & Impala. The crew, Sam our driver who kept us safe throughout our trip AND provided a free African massage! Nick, our chef who provided some amazing meals out in the bush. Dolly, who was the general hand helping out with many tasks, cooking, tent erecting and helping where ever needed as well as setting up an excellent hygiene regime around the kitchen and food areas. He also kept us entertained with a very jolly attitude and excellent English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, be organised as you will be living out of your bag for the first 10 days and often you will be organising your life in the dark, with late arrivals at camp sites and early departures. Embrace the whole situation and enjoy! Make sure that you pack a towel, as this is not mentioned in the trip notes as an essential item.

Suggestions

As previously stated my wife and I did this trip in September 2016 which was an excellent trip with lots of animal sightings. This trip, being a different season offered a different experience, but again with lots of animal sightings, but in different places. On both trips we had wonderful experiences with the big cats, Lion, Leopard & Cheetah. If you are thinking about the balloon trip, although expensive we would recommend it as we did not do it on our first trip and regretted it, so made sure that we did it this time - awesome.

Sandra Barrett

Reviewed October 2018

Fantastic Trip

We have returned from a tailormade trip to Kicheche Mara Camp in Kenya and Fumba Beach Lodge in Zanzibar.
I must congratulate Charlie Potter for his organisation and what a great trip it was.
Kicheche Mara Camp, what a fabulous place. Tents were absolute luxury, better than some hotels. The staff were ALL excellent, smiley and friendly, they couldn’t do enough for you.
This camp is in the Mara North Conservancy and I strongly believe this is the way forward for Safaris and camps.
The camp was small, just 8 tents all well spaced out with fabulous views right amongst nature itself. Wildlife frequently came into camp and you could hear their calls at night time. In the hours of darkness you were always escorted to your tents.
Each night someone goes and puts a hot water bottle in your bed whilst you are dining.
Every morning at 5.30 you are woken with a hot drink and freshly baked biscuits – each in the shape of an animal, different each day. Then when you go to the Safari vehicle there is a hot water bottle on your seat – yes this was needed some mornings.
Each evening before the meal there was a camp fire where you shared details of your day with others as well as having a drink under the stars. Also Michael gave us a thought of the day, which was always appreciated.
The food, what can I say it was 5 star, as good as any top hotel, all cooked on the premises. All the bread, biscuits and cakes were freshly done. Presentation was always excellent as was the service. Always smiles on the staff faces and the camp managers – Ray and Tony – always ate with you.
It was great when there was a celebration as all the staff took part and a cake brought out or even champagne.
Breakfasts were taken on the early morning game drive and again the food was excellent and it was a good chance to stretch your legs. Back at lunch time for another excellent meal, then afternoon tea before going out again. Then sundowners and snacks on the drive. What more could we ask. We certainly never went hungry.

The game drives were superb, we had Saruni and he was always pointing things out, spotting animals and birds and finding the necessary game to view. He was a great friendly guy always smiling and chatting with us. In fact your game drive starts from the moment you land at the airstrip.

We followed Cheetahs after an Impala, chased across the valley to watch Hyenas take a Topi down. Gazed at Lionesses with their cubs and prides playing or sleeping in the sun. Elephants tramping through the river Mara. You name it we saw it except for the Leopard, but we did try. We did see a Serval one evening, how Saruni spotted it I don’t know as they blend in so well. Lions in large numbers, giraffe, zebra, plenty of Topi, Jackal to name a few plus the great variety of birdlife which is fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many to mention. But arriving by small plane was superb and then being on the game drive straight away. Being made welcome as soon as we got to camp and then a welcome card on our bed as we arrived at the tent. Always made welcome by everybody. The game drives were fantastic as there weren't lots of vehicles and people blocking the views, everyone had respect for each other and would wait their turn. Being able to go off road is also an advantage especially when you want to follow cheetahs on a kill or any other animal for that matter. This is the way forward for Safaris, fewer vehicles and more chances of spotting game. The sunrises and sunsets were out of this world especially the latter when you were having sundowners. We have been lucky enough to go on quite a few safaris but this is the best yet and I don't want to go into National Parks or Reserves again, I want more Conservancies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We didn't have a group leader as such as were travelling on our own. But Anthony met us in Nairobi and took us to the hotel, then picked us up in the morning for our flight. He met us on the way back from Zanzibar, and a good job too as our luggage had been put on the wrong plane and it took some sorting out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For future travellers doing a dual trip I would advise NOT flying to Zanzibar from Wilson airport, go straight to Jomo Kenyatta, as it makes it easier when returning home. Also a 4hr wait which is what we had at Wilson is so boring as there is no lounge, only snacks and a boring place to be. Very disorganised especially on the International side. I wouldn't recommend flying Safari Air either. Into the Mara was fine but not going to and from Zanzibar. There was only 8 people returning to Wilson from Zanzibar and they managed to put all the luggage on the wrong plane. It was not fun waiting airside for over 2 hours for our luggage to arrive and then try and rush to check in for our flight home.

Suggestions

I haven't gone into any detail about the Fumba Beach Lodge on Zanzibar, but this is a great place to relax after a Safari. The bungalows are in gardens or sea view which we had and it is so peaceful and quiet. Great staff, great food and great ambiance. Absolutely loved it there. BUT the highlight was the Kicheche Mara Camp and Safaris.

Warren Rook

Reviewed October 2018

Unbelievable adventure

Well where to begin in reviewing this trip? I guess at the start and it certainly is as advertised an adventure, and an adventure you will never forget. From the very beginning arriving into Nairobi airport everything was superbly organised and it wasn’t long before we met up with our group of fellow travelers and we’re introduced to our exodus team, consisting of our leader Patrick, our driver David, cook Wilson and helper Jessie, what a great team they were too so friendly and welcoming to us all.
I don’t believe that within the budget of this trip it would be possible to see so much of East Africa as we managed to see on our holiday. Through Kenya, onto Tanzania and then ending in Zanzibar, everyday spent marvelling at what each location has to offer, just as you think things can’t get any better in the Massai mara you’re into the Serengeti and even greater sights, and then to top it all off my personal favourite was a morning in the ngorrowgorrw crater.
Along the way we were lucky enough to see the big five, a cheetah kill a hare, countless giraffes, elephants, wilderbeast, hippos, and so many other animals I can’t write them all down.
We slept in camps where you could literally hear the lions and hyenas and they sounded so close. We woke mornings to find zebras munching grass within touching distance of our tents, on this trip all this just seems natural, but when you get home you really think about it and realize how lucky you were to see it all.
You will sleep in 2 man tents which are a little on the small side but you’re so knackered at night you really don’t care so long as you can put your head down and go to sleep.
There is an awful lot of traveling, there has to be to cram so much into the trip, the truck is pretty comfortable and there is generally lots to see, but take a book or 2 as there are a couple of really long days of transiting destinations.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip, indeed if you’re reading this review you’re obviously considering this holiday, I can offer one piece of advice stop considering right now and book it! I guarantee you won’t regret anything unless you don’t do this holiday it was for us the trip of a lifetime. Oh and last but not least I have to mention the food which we were a little concerned about before we got there, it was delicious, plenty of variety, and Wilson’s soups were really tasty, don’t know how he managed it but great cooking really enjoyed every meal.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Cheetah kill a hare within touching distance was good, as was waking in the morning to herds of zebras outside your tent, but most inspirational moment by a mile was in the ngorrowgorrw crater where we were lucky enough to see 3 brother lions strutting there stuff and being close enough to see the whites of their eyes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Patrick was absolutely brilliant, would have been an excellent trip anyway but for me he made it even more special, great guide with a great sense of humour too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Choose a bag which will fit perfectly well into your truck locker as you will be pulling it out every day bring a book and a decent head torch. Don't concern yourself with poor toilets or showers you e the rest of your lives to take a warm shower. Just remember as our guide Patrick used to say T.I.A......this is Africa. Embrace it for what it is and enjoy yourself.

Arnold Barrett

Reviewed September 2018

Tailor made. Ref Charlie Potter

See above

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting the kill

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not applicable. All camp staff were excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Avoid transfers from Wilson Airport

Suggestions

Would recommend Kicheche camps

Arnold Barrett

Reviewed September 2018

Tailor made. Ref Charlie Potter

See above

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting the kill

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not applicable. All camp staff were excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Avoid transfers from Wilson Airport

Suggestions

Would recommend Kicheche camps

Steven Burris

Reviewed December 2017

Great trip!

It was a great trip, wonderful to see the animals in their natural habitat. Some long days of driving but well worth it in the end. Erellah was great leader, pointed things out that we would’ve never seen without his help. Wilson, Sam and Esther were great assets to the trip and made it all the more enjoyable. It was my first trip with Exodus and plan on more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing all the animals!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great and very well informed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect some long days of travel but worth it.

Sue Rosser

Reviewed September 2017

Kenya & Tanzania Safari Adventure Aug 17

Although we had previously visited Kenya six years ago (on the Gorillas and Masai Mara trip) we had never seen the wildebeest crossing so I had really hoped to be lucky this time. Also our former trip had been an excellent experience so I had no hesitation in booking this trip with the added Tanzania experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were really lucky and saw the great migration, watching the wildebeest crossing the River Mara. There was such a dramatic build up to it - first a small group went to cross and then rushed back when they reached the river and saw crocodiles. We thought we weren't going to see it. Then further along the riverbank, a larger group just suddenly started rushing. We sat and watched for about fifteen minutes as wildebeest were stampeding across the plains joined by groups of zebra and then waded across the river and up the other side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erellah was an excellent group leader and a real credit to Exodus. He split his time equally amongst all trip members and would turn his hand to whatever was required be it organising, putting up tents, cooking etc. He was always bright cheerful and full of energy and worked extremely hard.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of packing and unpacking in the first 10 days, organise your bag for ease of access and bring a padlock for your locker. Pack walking boots and comfortable sandals. Warm clothes for the Ngorongoro Crater are essential (I took a light thermal layers including vest, leggings, fleece top, hat, scarf and gloves) … I was not going to get cold! Having said that pack light but take a washing line and pegs.

Suggestions

Although expensive I would recommend the Kenyan balloon trip. The pilot was excellent, the experience beautiful, peaceful and altogether rather surreal. The breakfast good and with a view that is breathtaking. In the 4 x 4 game drive which lasted a few hours we saw lion, leopard and cheetah!

Sarah Williams

Reviewed September 2017

Kenya & Tanzania safari adventure Aug 17

Saw all the infamous National parks & so much awesome wildlife, too numerous to mention.
Great group, relaxing tour pace & even the camping was great!
The way the trip is organised & run by the crew is flawless, I am so impressed & will definitely have consider this type of trip again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wildebeast crossing the Mara river during the annual migration was the most awe inspiring thing I have ever seen, made up that we managed to see this...thanks to the crew !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erillah was a fantastic tour guide, relentlessly cheerful & knowledgable, supported by Wilson & Esther - awesome chefs who looked after us so well, & Sam, the driver, who kept us safe at all times & gave us the best 'African massage' !!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take binoculars & pack really light, you really won't need many clothes as you can easily wash en route. We all got affected by motion sickness due to the rough roads, so I would recommend taking travel sickness medication.

Jacqueline Edge

Reviewed March 2017

Fantastic trip and crew!

The four crew members, Erellah, Albert, Boniface and Amos were fantastic. Erellah is an excellent tourguide – very patient, funny, helpful: a delight and any group can consider themselves lucky to be in his care. Albert is a brilliant cook and made delicious vegan food for me: not easy to do in East Africa. He was fun and creative and all mealtimes were a pleasure. Boniface is by far the very best driver I’ve ever encountered: very patient, extremely skilled and was able to take us safely along very poor roads, while also taking care of the truck itself. Amos is very friendly and helpful and worked very hard to support the crew. I’m sure he will be a fantastic tourguide soon. All of the crew were fun to talk to and made us feel very welcome.
The trip itself was spectacular – we were very lucky and managed to see many beautiful animals, including elephants, black rhino, white rhino, lions, cheetah and a leopard. I was lucky enough to spot a serval from the truck, but it slipped away into the grass before anyone else could see it. The pace of the trip was good – we covered a huge distance, but spent enough time in each place to get good wildlife spotting. The last few days on Zanzibar were a welcome treat too and really rounded everything off nicely. I will always have fond memories of the group and the trip. The group members were all great: friendly, interesting people I enjoyed meeting and hope to keep in touch with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a leopard in a tree.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erellah is a star! He's very bright, knowledgeable, extremely helpful and fun to talk to. He really made the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of the African sun - it is vicious. This time of year was very good, because it's low season, fairly dry and all the animals have had their babies, which is lovely to see.

Suggestions

It would be great if it could be possible to request a specific crew for trips in the same area. I would love to assemble this crew again for other trips to Africa, such as the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

David Woodhams

Reviewed September 2016

Kenya - Tanzania & Zanzibar

A truly memorable experience with some long journeys along some very bumpy and dusty roads but the rewards of close encounters with so much of East Africa’s wildlife made it all worth while. Our group was 17 strong with 4 crew who worked tirelessly to ensure that we were able to enjoy our trip to the full and the truck had plenty of room for all of us to be able to enjoy the wildlife and catch some magic moments on camera. Camping is a great way to enjoy and experience the wildlife and although some of the camp sites are very basic the location more than makes up for it together with the fact that often we were the only campers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the serengetti and on leaving our camp for the early morning game drive coming across a pride of 8 lions just 300 metres from camp. The early morning sunlight shining on the old male lion with a beautiful golden hew was just magic. Seeing more than 24 lions in one day with cubs of varying ages and managing to see 'the big five' although the leopard sighting was difficult as it was high in a tree shrouded by foliage, but at least we saw it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lelei was a fantastic guide/group leader who together with our driver 'Bonnie' really made our trip. At one stage in the Mara our truck developed a leaky radiator, but Bonnie kept topping it up so that we could continue our journey and together with Lelei managed to get a replacement shipped out which Bonnie fitted in camp. Lelei imparted much local knowledge and was a good game spotter and together with Bonnie was able to put us in the right place at the right time to see so much wildlife without putting pressure on any of the animals and respecting the rules of the parks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are only thinking about this trip, stop thinking and go and do it, you will enjoy it. Take heed of the advice regarding the temperature at Ngorongoro crater as it DOES get cold at night! Make sure you take a good torch as many of the camps are unlit.

Suggestions

The trip notes are accurate and there are some long journeys which are along unmade roads and the camping is basic but the rewards are worth every bit of it.

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