Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara Conservancies
360 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Mara Conservancies.
"Rainy Kenya"
Richard was able to confirm availability for 6 nights, but midweek to midweek, which seemed like a bit of a waste of annual leave, so with a bit of juggling, we got a 10 night (on safari, 12 nights including travel/airport) trip at a much more affordable price. It was a bit odd not booking a year in advance, but it shows what is possible.
It was certainly wetter than we anticipated, particularly in Laikipia. The rains in the Mara were a bit more what we expected, although it did rain non-stop overnight on several occasions. I now know why the camps provide Wellington boots and umbrellas! This made for a unique safari, but rain brings its' own set of photographic issues, that we had to learn about and fast.
All of the Kicheche safari camps are very well run and welcoming and this trip cemented in our minds how good Kenya is for safari, particularly with Kicheche." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"My Nov 2023 trip"
"My Nov 2023 trip"
The internal flights were also a breeze. I probably would have fewer flights next time and perhaps not go to either Amboseli or Laikipia,instead visiting the Kicheche camps in the Mara." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Every component was top drawer -- pre-trip info, the accommodations, meals, guides, service, schedule -- even the animals all cooperated!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As a non-drinker, I wonder how much of my cost was allocated towards alcohol.
A non-alcohol pricing option might be something to consider for guests who'd agree not to indulge." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"The trip of a lifetime "
For 6 decades (since I fell in love with Born Free) I have wanted to travel to Africa. The opportunity arose when I ceased the opportunity to go on safari with a wildlife photographer I followed on Facebook. I had no idea what going on safari with her meant, but knew from her photos and connection to Africa and the animals that this was how I wanted to do it. Her trips are completely organized through Expert Africa with Richard Trillo, organizer and planner extraordinaire!
The information, the attention to detail, planning, everything was managed perfectly. Expert Africa (Richard) walks you through every step along the way; and if they can’t answer a question specifically for you (like which travel insurance should I get), they provide necessary information to perform your own research and make the decision that fits your needs. Informative packets are sent with answers to all the questions you may have (as well as ones you didn’t know you needed the answers to). Weather, culture, money, gratuities, obtaining the appropriate visas, etc. Everything is planned so that you are never alone once you arrive, and never need to figure out how to do something.
Everyone is sent an itinerary for the trip including everyone’s flight information, who will be meeting you at the airport and helping you through customs, driving you to your destination(s). All travel, including flights within Kenya, are taken care of, including providing day rooms on your last day prior to your flight and bringing you back to the airport at the end of the trip. And when they ask on their booking form what your food preferences are, make sure to fill it in (no matter how silly you think it may be, this from my own experience). All the destinations, camps, and lodges want to accommodate you as best they can.
The camps are perfect. Perfect accommodations, perfect food, amazing staff. Joyful always. Informative always. Welcoming everyone into the family.
I didn’t have the opportunity to research other travel companies, but from this experience with Expert Africa, I have absolutely no reason to look into any other companies. I plan on returning to Africa. And I plan on ONLY going through Expert Africa. And I am telling everyone I meet that indicates they’ve “always wanted to go”.
Thank you for the service your provide, Expert Africa.
Thank you for providing opportunities to travel to this most cherished continent in a way that respects, sustains, and helps to protect these lands and all their inhabitants." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2023 trip"
I can't wait to hopefully one day go back again, and I wouldn't change a thing, the trip from start to finish was everything I had dreamed it would be and so much more!!!
A special thank you Expert Africa, Richard Trillo, Nancie Wight, and to everyone else that made this trip one I will never ever forget!
The memories will live on in my heart forever.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nothing at all, totally pleased with everything." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Although there were a couple of times that I thought cutting the camp stays short by a day each would have been ok, I wasn't quite ready to leave when the time came. I would, however, like to spend more time at Emakoko - it was the perfect place to regroup and gear up for the long journey home. Another day or two there would have been wonderful.
Overall, I've been very satisfied with the entire trip - Richard's expertise and assistance in planning, Nancie's familiarity and knowledge of the camps - staff and drivers - was hugely helpful to allow us to fully immerse myself into the Safari experience.
I have already made recommendations to others. :)" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Each location offered something special - something different - but with the same high-quality surroundings and excellent service. It was truly seamless and a trip of a lifetime.
If we are ever lucky enough to get back to Africa, I would only turn to Expert Africa to plan our trip.
I can't imagine how this trip could have been better!
Thank you so much Jessica and Expert Africa!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2023 trip"
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Where to stay in Mara Conservancies
Our suggestions for safari camps in Maasai Mara Conservancies
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp is a smart and intimate tented camp with a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect base in the Mara for keen photographers.
Kicheche Mara
Kicheche Mara Camp has just eight tents and a rustic and comfortable feel. It is set by a stream in a pretty area of the Mara ecosystem's Mara North Conservancy.
Kicheche Valley
Kicheche Valley is a boutique tented camp in a wooded district of the Mara ecosystem's Naboisho Conservancy, with plenty of wildlife in the area.
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Camp is one of the most luxurious of the handful of camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. It offers day and night game drives, game walks and full creature comforts in the bush.
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara is a small traditional camp that appeals to safari traditionalists, located in one of the Maasai Mara’s quiet conservancies.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp is a small 10-tent bush camp, put together in the traditional "campaign" style, and including a large honeymoon/family tent.
Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara is located in the private Naboisho Conservancy – a game-rich area of the Mara ecosystem – and offers a contemporary take on the traditional, low-impact luxury safari camp.
Serian
Serian is a luxury tented camp on the east bank of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. It is the sister camp of Ngare Serian, on the west bank.
Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains is one of the very best camps in the Mara ecosystem. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Mara reserve, it has access to three wildlife-viewing areas.
Basecamp Eagle View
Basecamp Eagle View is a community-focused safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy, with a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and a spectacular location.
Kicheche Fly Camp
Kicheche Walking Wilderness Fly Camp is a temporaray dome tent camp set up for participants in Kicheche's two-day walking safari between Kicheche Valley and Kicheche Bush Camp.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is a pioneering, community focused eco-camp, with excellent guides and game viewing, in the predator-rich, Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Hemingways Ol Seki
Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ol Kinyei Adventure
Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is a satelllite of the larger Porini Mara Camp. Both of them are located in the Maasai-owned Ol Kinyei conservancy, the oldest community conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Saruni Wild
Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.
Ngare Serian
The luxurious Ngare Serian and its sister camp Serian face each other across the Mara River on the western side of the Mara North Conservancy
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp is a small, pioneering eco-camp in the first private conservancy in the Mara region, with comfortable accommodation and a range of activities.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a classic, luxury tented camp with a 1920s safari theme, located in its own conservancy on the southeast border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Offbeat Ndoto
Small and intimate, Offbeat Mara is set in a valley above the (often dry) Olare Orok River within the Mara North Conservancy.
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp sits on a meander of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, just beyond the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Basecamp Leopard Hill
With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Leleshwa
Leleshwa was a delightful, boutique safari camp on the picturesque banks of a tributary of the Talek, with an extensive, little visited game area on its doorstep.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a strikingly modern tented camp in the Virgin Limited Edition group, in a remote part of the Mara ecosytem's Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has lovely views and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel.
Mara Nyika
Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.
Basecamp Wilderness
Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a luxurious permanent lodge, on the remote northern edge of the Mara North Conservancy, with stunning views, good guiding and very private and comfortable rooms.
Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is a luxury safari hotel on a private concession, outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the emphasis on comfort, relaxation and good food and wine.
Entumoto
Entumoto is a high-end tented camp, with a swimming pool, situated in a very pretty location on the east side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Cottars Private House
Cottar's Private House is one of the few truly luxurious, modern private houses in the Mara ecosystem, spoiling its guests with first-rate staff, a swimming pool and wonderful views.
