Reviews of holidays to Kenya Coast
80 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kenya Coast.
"My Feb 2014 trip"
In this case after exploring Expert Africa's great web sites, looking up flights possibilities and with some past experience I set out my stall for her. Her recommendation that I go for Eagles View and Dorobo Fly Camp were absolutely spot on. I am grateful for that alone but as always Ellie patched up the many flights, sleeping arrangements, rooms and guides as efficiently as ever with suggestions and recommendations.
The mixture of the Naboisho and Driftwood were for me perfect. It may be for some of your clients that the travel to and from Malindi are a bit arduous with the time between some flights and also the Fly Camp might not suit some. But the programme was one I would recommend to anyone mixing the Lodges and the Game and the Masai with the other Africa of Malindi and the sea.;a marvellous contrast.
I would not next time fly from Malindi and then wait for the BA flight back to UK which involved 6 plus hours in Departures at Nairobi. I would go and stay over at a lodge in Nairobi Game Park nearby
I had the best of my many trips out to Africa, and possibly the best travel holiday of my life despite (perhaps perversely) because I was going solo; i did things I might not have attempted with others there
I would not dream of doing another one without Ellie's guiding hand!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Sorry to be boring but I cannot think of anything. I did have trouble getting logged in after the trip but that was probably me, more used, as I said to Ellie, to quill pens and parchment. She helped and was patience personified.....I am still unsure whether the Feed-back actually has got to you all!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Feb 2014 trip"
The second camp we chose was much smarter than we had expected, we couldn't fault it but we would have preferred something more relaxed with the use of the campfire rather than formal lounge. As we were the only ones there we felt they needed to alter their routine a little.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The rough guide was very helpful.
We felt the early visa option was a waste of money as we queued just the same as those purchasing at the airport." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"Kenya with a toddler"
It was nice to feel like we had a common 'acquaintance' in Richard, when talking to the owners of the various lodges. They all seemed to respect his work and knowledge of Kenya.
However, we also feel a bit sad that parts of the holiday were not as perfect as we'd hoped despite careful planning and a significant budget (see issues mentioned about El Karama and Driftwood)." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2013 trip"
Food was mainly from good to excellent as was accommodation.
Would not choose again or recommend this particular itinerary." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"Kenya trip September 2013"
The only negative point was that the road trip to the Meru national park took much longer than the 5 hours that was expected. It realistically took us 6 hours plus the time from the gate to the camp, so in total it was roughly 7hours. It was interesting to see Kenyan life but it is a very long drive after an overnight flight. After speaking to the camp manager they have not experienced any problems with the flying option but we understand that it was our choice to take the road option but just wanted to make you aware when advising clients that the journey is very long." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Aug 2013 trip"
Our transfers and drivers (apart from Driftwood to Mombasa - which may have been correct), were excellent.
Driftwood - not quite sure what was going on there regarding locals. Also need to mention that I was charged a very large sum of money for use of the safe in our room.
Asha Cottage - very good.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I realise that the situation in Nairobi Airport is beyond your control - but it was horrendous.
I would like to thank Richard for all the hard work that he put into our booking - much appreciated." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"Trip to Kenya"
On our way back from Tsavo, Tom and I wanted to spend some time in Mombasa which the bus driver was happy to facilitate, dropping us near Fort Jesus and giving directions then taking our luggage back to the hotel for us. We then took a taxi back to Diani later in the afternoon.
Franklin who was based at Pinewood told us about the bicycle trip to Kaya Kinondo mentioned earlier and booked it for us, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. He also offered various other trips I am sure we would have done if we had been there longer. I wasn't sure about attending his 'briefing' meeting when they first asked us because I couldn't see the point, and only went because it mentioned needing to confirm our flights, but I would recommend other guests do pop down because of the trips he can arrange.
Overall, we had a wonderful time thanks to our drivers as well as the staff at both Pinewood and Satao. Also thanks to our taxi driver who took us back to Diani from whom we learned an enormous amount about Kenyan life, politics and culture!
But above all thanks to Richard and Expert Africa who created the perfect trip at relatively short notice and with a minimal amount of time needed to 'brief' him on our requirements. We have never used travel agents before, but being a bit further from our normal travelling comfort zone wanted to be sure we booked places that would be clean and well run, and that our payments and bookings were secure. I would recommend Expert Africa to anyone travelling to Africa (and in fact have now noticed that your brochure is on many of our friends' bookcases already!) and not hesitate to use you again for any African trip. Richard seemed to instinctively understand what we were looking for and our requirements, and we were very pleased with the final cost of the package - I think it was probably cheaper than if we had made the individual arrangements ourselves and whilst we may have found the locations ourselves through the Rough Guide we wouldn't have had the benefit of our drivers and all the timings/logistics working so well.
In the circumstances of the fire at Nairobi airport it was a huge comfort to know that not only where you watching the situation and keeping me informed, but also that had my travel been affected you would have made the necessary arrangements to rearrange bookings etc, and at a stressful time this was the kind of reassurance that money can't buy.
Thank you again" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari
"My Jul 2013 trip"
Felt very well advised by Expert Africa staff. Despiite a brilliantly well laid out website, it was the little comments and recommendations made on the telephone that had directed our choices and as stated in our intital email, we felt we couldn't fail to have the best of times by simplly following your tracks. For us, Kenya has been a very different place in which to travel for, despite a fair amount of experience of living and travelling in Africa.
The one thing that would have been helpful would have been more transparency in the pricing of 'packages'. It all costs a great deal and in deciding how to distribute the budget, it would be useful to know more and make it stretch as far as possible on the more expensive bits. Will affect us considering any future visits - now that we've seen the reality of those roads, we can see the value of flying.
Jessica entered a trip advisor comment on return to discover that the US guests we met at Naibosho, first time in Africa, had gone out with Roelof and seen a leopard with its kill..! She has been on a quest to see a leopard for some tme now, plenty of evidence of their whereabouts but never seen one so she has some unfinished business." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"A memorable holiday in the best sense"
The Meru and Pinewood resorts were faultless and the quibbles with Mara could easily be fixed.
I would highly recommend both Expert Africa and the itinerary that we followed, it really was a special experience for all 4 of us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, keep up the good work!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"My Jul 2013 trip"
Expert Africa provide lots of advance information and contact numbers in case of emergency but there were no problems at all with the trip organisation. I have already recommended using the company to several friends" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Where to stay in Kenya Coast
Our suggestions for beach lodges in Kenya Coast
Kinondo Kwetu
Kinondo Kwetu is a small, owner-run, all-inclusive boutique lodge of exceptional quality situated on a remote stretch of beach south of the busier Diani Beach area.
Pinewood Beach Resort
Pinewood Beach Resort is a relaxed resort-style hotel at the far south end of Diani Beach - an area known as Galu Beach.
Asha Boutique Hotel
Diani Blue is a low-key but stylishly comfortable small guesthouse, with high levels of service, in a busy, central part of Diani Beach.
The Sands At Nomad
The Sands At Nomad is a good-value, laidback, family friendly resort with lots of Swahili character.
Water Lovers
Water Lovers is a popular, low-key beach hotel in a central location on Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya.
Peponi
Peponi is a long-established beach hotel, renowned for its good food, located in the village of Shela on the south side of Lamu island.
The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island is a beach resort offering plenty of activities and beautiful flora and fauna all around.
Driftwood Beach Club
The low-key and long-established Driftwood is a family-friendly, owner-managed, bungalow-style beach hotel on a beautiful stretch of sands just south of Malindi town.
Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a luxury beach hideaway in a remote corner of an island in the Lamu archipelago, on Kenya's northern coast. It has a huge range of water sports on offer.
Mnarani Club
The Mnarari Club is located towards the seaward end of the beautiful Killifi Creek, and is an enduring favourite on the Kenya coast.
Ocean Sports
Ocean Sports is long-established and popular beach hotel right on one of Watamu's famous and beautiful bays.
Alfajiri Villas
Alfajiri Villas is an exclusive, owner-run, hideaway property consisting of three unique villas in a central part of the north end of Diani Beach.
AfroChic
Afro-Chic is a modern, Mediterranean-style ten-room boutique hotel on Diani Beach, with good food and a pleasant pool.
Shimba Lodge
Shimba Lodge is a picturesque tree-hotel overlooking a forest waterhole in Shimba Hills National Park, with an aerial walkway and abundant wildlife.
Serena Beach Resort
Serena Beach Resort is a large beach hotel on Shanzu Beach, north of Mombasa town, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast.
Kutazama
Kutazama is an owner-managed, boutique luxury lodge in the Shimba Hills in a stunning location overlooking the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.
Hemingways Watamu
Long-established resort hotel with a strong British following and a good reputation for deep-sea fishing.
Kizingo
Kizingo is an owner-managed, rustic, barefoot beach lodge on the southwest tip of Lamu island.
Tamarind Village
Tamaarind Village is a well managed apartment complex close to Mombasa city, with excellent restaurants, pools and visitor services.
Kipungani Explorer
Kipungani Explorer is a relatively large rustic beach lodge on the west coast of Lamu island.
Manfriday's Mida Cove
Manfriday’s Mida Cove is a stylish beach lodge, suited to those who are sociable and will enjoy the engaging hosts and the convivial atmosphere they create.
Che Shale
Che Shale is sand-and-palm-tree beach lodge of rustic bandas, dedicated to kitesurfing and chilling out, located on a remote and beautiful bay half an hour’s drive north of Malindi Airport.
Diamond Beach Village
Diamond Beach Village is a rustic, owner-built, owner-run beach lodge, with simple rooms made from local materials, located where Lamu Creek meets the Indian Ocean.
Swahili Beach
Swahili Beach is one of the biggest resort hotels on Diani Beach, with a spectacular lobby and cascading swimming pool.
House on the Beach
House on the Beach is a comfortable family-size, private beach house with a large pool set by a cave complex, and a delightful garden leading down to the beach, in a secluded spot on Tiwi Beach.
Msambweni Beach House
Msambweni Beach House is a secluded and luxurious boutique hotel on the southern Kenya coast, south of Diani Beach.
Lamu House
Lamu House is a boutique hotel on the waterfront in Lamu town, with a swimming pool, bar and terrace restaurant.
The Maji
The Maji is a small, well managed beach hotel on the northern stretch of Diani Beach in southern Kenya.
Funzi Keys
Funzi Keys is a remote beach property on its own private island on the far south coast of Kenya. Rustic in style, it will suit you if you cherish exclusivity over modern design.
Tijara Beach
Tijara Beach is one of the smallest and quietest beach properties on Kenya’s coast, with a focus on rest and relaxation away from other tourists.
