Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We were very lucky to witness the wildebeest and zebra migration crossing of the Mara River. The sheer number of wildebeest in the area was almost biblical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There was a real rapport between Kip and his team and they could not have done more to ensure everyone had a good time. They set up camp as soon as we arrived and the meals were varied, wholesome and most importantly tasty (thanks Albert)! Everything seemed to work like clockwork, a sign of the hard work that goes on in the background.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some early starts and the odd long drive, but it's all worth it. On occasion the poor road surface could result in an 'African massage'! In terms of camping the mattress provided was very comfy (~2in thick foam). The occasional campsite does not have hot water, however, a cold shower after a hot dusty day was refreshing! Ngorongoro was cold (we travelled in July) so warm clothing is a must.

Suggestions

When buying craftworks be prepared to haggle, it is expected and part of the fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

saw 4 lions take a buffalo right in front of us .. There are two many of inspirational to write memorable holiday .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kips was absolutely brilliant , we didn't have a single complaint .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for Zanzibar .,it is extremely hot ,90d and not much cooler at night .

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing every animal we set out to see (some in our camp) and meeting so many people who had very little but always had time to wave smile and greet us especially in Kenya where they were as interested in us as we were in them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter Kiptoo (Kip) was such an inspirational guy - the logistics of this trip were huge but everything ran to plan (most of the time but this is Africa!!) and this was down to Kip and the team who worked tirelessly to pitch the tents, cook our meals and whilst we were all tired and tucked up in bed they were still working and were up hours before us cooking breakfast and setting up for the day ahead! Their work ethic was superb and they did their country proud!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't pack too much as you are on the move almost everyday. Buy a pillow on day 1 in the supermarket - really helps to get a good nights sleep and give away at the end! Take gear you don't mind giving away - in Zanzibar particularly the poverty was heartbreaking and many people had no shoes and were so grateful for shoes t shirts etc. Bought pens for the children and wish I had taken many more as they loved them. Don't expect air con in the hotels - it gets very very hot! Take 1 dollar bills for tipping - they average wage is a dollar a day so tipping what to us is such a small amount is really significant to the people of Kenya and Tanzania! You need some Kenyan shilings which u can buy in uk but in Tanzania you can use dollars everywhere although you tend to get better deals if you buy Tanzania shillings when you get into Tanzania

Suggestions

Days are long and can be quite tiring but so worth it - just come prepared for this and you won't go wrong!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, but for me it was the sight of lions on the prowl in the Ngorongoro Crater - with nervous antelopes, buffalo, wildebeest and other animals maneuvering to avoid being the next victims! An intact, diverse, fluid ecosystem right in front of us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Victor was just amazing, give that man a medal. His ability to see and identify animals far in the distance was legendary, and he knew pretty much everything about them as well. Generally, everything ran smoothly and even when it didn't he always had an excellent Plan B.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect the normal camping discomforts and long road trips over bumpy roads, but so worth it.

Suggestions

An added day at Lake Victoria, with the possibility to getting out onto the water, would make a an excellent addition to this trip. The short side trip to Olduvai to see the museum and the landscape where early human species roamed should be part of the formal trip itinerary - it is so close to the route anyway.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say...that first impala or a lion sleeping in a tree, or giraffes drinking or thirteen lions out for a stoll!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Victor was the best, no question; smart, funny, organized and I would go again with him, no question.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do bring warm clothes, a head torch, a padlock...do read the notes and listen to the leader.

Suggestions

A great trip. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting into the perfect position to see the elusive leopard walk out from the long grass along the riverbank. Or on the optional tour, seeing the male hippo on the bank and subsequently rush into the water to come and get us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide (Jacob) and team (Emmanuel, Ben and Alex) were really friendly and worked constantly to make everything run smoothly. Jacob was such a big part of the trip that it wouldn't have been the same without him. He gave us his professional suggestions on ways to improve the trip and we get along with him, and were not disappointed. He's so knowledgeable and his passion to help us get the most of our trip shone through. He balanced everyone's wishes and likes to make sure everyone got to see what they wanted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be open minded and willing to adapt because plans do change sometimes. The standard of living is totally different to what we're used to and there are some long bumpy drives but it's an amazing experience so don't let that put you off- it's all fine but you need to be prepared. If you love luxury and hate camping this isn't the option for you but if you are up for an adventure the camping really isn't bad at all.

Suggestions

We would like to thank Jacob (get in touch!!) and the team so much for their hard work in making the trip amazing and the group feel so at ease and passing on your knowledge. We didn't have to lift a finger and we couldn't have dreamed of such a great holiday. Of course, there is a lot of luck involved with regards to seeing the animals but the guides/drivers do their utmost to find them.

Most Inspirational Moment

First and foremost the wildlife was both accessible and so relaxed when getting super closeup shots, we were spoilt for choice. Our group was small and this added a certain freedom within the truck and made for great companionship. Seeing the local communities and businesses, whether this was local markets or town centres, we were free to find our own way if we wanted, as well as the well organised optional trips. Zanzibar provided a wonderful contrast to the game reserves and camping, truly relaxing it formed the perfect finale to our trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional! Makori provided a constant source of information, answers and advice whenever we asked. He maintained a relaxed atmosphere and together with his team, ensured a well organised holiday. On one occasion our vehicle slide sideways when it lost traction on a muddy track in Serengeti. The team took control of the situation and with some help from other jeeps, we were soon on our way to appreciative cheers from us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes as they provide important information, prior to departure. A soft holdall and a padlock for the locker is invaluable. As said in a previous review (Sept 2014), make sure you have exchanged sufficient money for local currency spending at the beach resort, otherwise the exchange rate (and charges) at the hotel make it very expensive. On our trip, sterling provided a better rate than did the dollar, so something to bear in mind. You could buy items in either Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings but the latter was a better price.

Suggestions

As I react badly to insect bites, I took an adequate supply of mosquito repellent (Deet) and it proved very effective when out and about after dark outside of our very protective tents. Not all sites who "claim" to have WiFi access can fulfill the demand. Some phones needed a different Sim card when crossing borders and remember to take your charger. The concerns in Sept 2014 review, re times of return flight from Zanzibar, didn't exist on our holiday with Kenyan Airlines, we had only a minimal wait in afternoon for flight to Nairobi and then onward night flight to UK.

Most Inspirational Moment

A cheetah looking out over the Serengeti plains crying out for his missing mate - how could anyone still have a dry eye!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was very good and knowledgable. Everything ran smoothly and you always felt he was in control and had everything in hand. We had an accident with the truck in the Serengeti. An overloaded land rover came around a corner at very high speed and in avoiding us turned over into a dry river bed. The driver of our truck was amazing to avoid us being hit or tipping over as we were just coming off a narrow bridge that also had a big hole in the road. The driver and leader then showed brilliant skill in helping get the land rover pulled back onto the road. They were calm through out and really made you feel safe in their hands. The incident could have been really bad and it was only their skill that kept us safe. The land rover was a government vehicle and has accepted responsibility for the incident. No one from our group was hurt.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have sufficient use changed into local currency before arriving at the beach resort where there are no cash machines and the exchange rate offered is poor.

Suggestions

I didn't see that spending the time in Kenya really added any value. It's my second time on a trip to else's mere and I don't think it is a good use of precious time. Lake Navshia is beautiful but we seemed to travel for a long way past it to stay at a farm to then have to drive back the next day. The farm was fine as a location the first night but second night they were hosting a big conference so we were not welcome in any area other than directly around our tents and had to put up with all of their noise and shouting until 3am - I think this was very poor and not what I expected from an exodus camping trip. It would have been much better to stay nearer the lake, I think when I visited before we camped in the park and that would have been amazing as there looked to be facilities to do this. Maybe it can be reconsidered as there looked to be a new toilet block if that was the issue before. For the return trip to the airport we were upset that for a 3am flight we were going to be taken back to Stone town at midday and then get a later pick up to the airport. We were told this is what normally happened but we much preferred to stay at the beach resort and this is in line with what I understood from my questions to exodus before the trip. The guide sorted this out and we had the late pick up straight to the airport so everything was ok in the end but it was quite awkward having to ask for this and cause the person who was not on the group flight to pay for their own transfer. I think this should be clearer upfront for future trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing in the dusk on our first evening watching a family of hippos grazing a short distance away by the shores of beautiful Lake Niavisha ..... What a great start to our African trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob M was fantastic! A thoughtful, energetic and practical man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the background notes so that you know exactly what the trip involves and do your research about the areas you are visiting to be well prepared ........ And then book with Exodus, with confidence.

Most Inspirational Moment

That first sighting of the lions a family too !! with  cubs, how aww struck to see them playing trying to get up a tree with Mum at the top sleeping. That is what I came to see the cats !We also saw a great moment with a giraffe approached a leopard sleeping in a tree, it nudged its tail so the Leopard looked up and just watched the giraffe walk on, great to see. I saw the big 5 in the environment they should be in and that to me is just fantastic to witness.As a group we had some really funny moments and that will stay with me fantastoc memories thanks to all for that!!Exodus run a great trip and I would travel with them again!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was fantastic, you couldnt ask him a question he didnt know the answer too. He was entertaing and very helpful the best guide by far I have ever come accross.  The rest of the crew was just as good Simon the cook amazing creations in the middle of nowhere!! and always gave alternatives to those that needed them! Kennedy the driver/Mechanic dealt with every hurdle the rough terain through at us, 2 shock absorbers, 2 tyres and a gear box (this did require a new truct, but Exodus were on it straight away!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking about it dont do it!!  So much fun this trip the crew and group made it even better if that is possible!