Reviews of safaris to Laikipia
245 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Laikipia.
"My Oct 2024 trip"
We feel whoever is arranging our holiday, Lyndsey on this occasion, really listens to what we would like, gives us very helpful suggestions based on personal experience and is happy to give adjusting things until it's perfect!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Having said that, this was the trip of a lifetime. Thoroughly recommend." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Undoubtedly the best holiday we've ever had." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Had some wildlife sightings we’d not experienced before but a little disappointed not to see more cheetah as this had been the focus for this trip.
However we appreciate that nothing is guaranteed and the other sightings made up for that." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
When booking, I asked for quiet camps where we would not be overrun by other people when game viewing and this is what we got.
We stayed at 2 Kicheche camps, the first at Laikipia and then at Mara North.
Both camps had wonderful game viewing which was slightly different and excellent guides. For our first safari we saw much more than we ever hoped for, lion kills, lions with cubs, hyena stealing part of a lion kill, a cheetah kill, leopards mating, elephants wallowing in a mud bath and the last 2 Northern White Rhinos. These were the highlights but we also saw so much more.
We ended our stay by relaxing at Kinondo Kwetu which had a golden sand beach, lovely large swimming pool and excellent fish suppers." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip"
We have used ExpertAfrica for many trips to Africa and each has been very good. The company understands the types of accommodation and activities we enjoy so can recommend the best camps for us. They delivered again this time. Communication was good and recommendations spot on.
The camp managers all commented on how much they value their relationships with Expert Africa.
One of the managers noted "they have chosen their name well - they are Experts".
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions - keep up the good work and your staff well informed on each country/camp." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
"Our Sep 2024 trip"
When we embarked on this journey, we reached out to several outfitters with written questions. Richard stood out as the only one who replied in writing, addressing each of our queries. We appreciated that, as it showed he was willing to take the time to provide thorough answers instead of opting for a quick phone call. Through our exchange of preferences, we eventually set up a phone call to finalize the country and initial park selections. It was clear that Richard was truly listening when he suggested swapping Amboseli for Samburu to enhance our animal encounters. His recommendation, based on the unique features of each park, convinced us that the switch was the right choice. Additionally, we decided to include another park and lodge based on our combined ideas.
As our travel date approached, we both felt a bit anxious, being detail-oriented individuals who thrive on precision. Richard managed to provide some additional details, but he urged us to trust him with the finer points. He assured us that from the moment we landed in Nairobi until our return flight home, we would be well taken care of. Although this level of trust was outside our comfort zone, we agreed. Now that we're back, we can confidently say Richard was right—every detail was meticulously handled. Wahoo! Everywhere we went, people were expecting us, from the pilots to the lodges and guides, seamlessly coordinating our journey at each transfer point.
Our trip as a whole met our expectations and went way beyond. We have done nothing but rave about it since we returned home. We have told everyone we have talked to about the trip what a great experience it was and how great it was to work with Richard. Given the opportunity to plan another trip like this, we would certainly be comfortable working with Richard and would highly recommend him and Expert Africa to friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On our trip, we experienced both communal and solitary dining. We thoroughly enjoyed the communal meals with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and other lodge guests. These gatherings offered us a valuable opportunity to learn about each person's culture and experiences. We believe that offering a communal dining option could enhance the overall experience, making it more enriching and engaging." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Kenya safari
"Our last Safari. Age has caught up"
We deliberately wanted to go to Camps which were unspoilt and/or rustic as they used to be when we started and also in areas with few vehicles and unspoilt countryside. Hence our choice of Laikipia and Tangulia and they both met our our wishes. The highlight of the safari has to be the migration particularly as it was unexpected as we thought the dates were not right for this sighting.
We will miss the sights and sounds of Africa (and the cuts and bruises!!) all of which we experienced on this safari.
Our thanks must be given to all the staff at Expert Africa who we have dealt with over the many years without whom we would not have had our African Adventures.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service
A simple NO." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2024 trip to Kenya"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Lyndsey has put together several safaris over the years. There is nothing to improve upon! My only concern is that Lyndsey might leave Expert Africa!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Kenya safari
"Our Sep 2024 trip to Kenya. "
Game viewing wise, this wasn't perhaps the most exciting safari we've ever had - no leopards, no wild dogs, only one dozy cheetah - but, as always, there were some unique moments that will remain long in the memory. Just three examples: two giraffe families together, each with a baby no more than a few weeks old. Also, a single male lion, early morning, trying to find his mate from the previous night. We spent about an hour with him as he sniffed the air and the ground, scent marked and peed on our and the other three or four vehicles that were present with him ... all in beautiful dawn light: magical. Thirdly, a rare, good sighting of a serval, initially hidden in the grass but then walking out into the open.
Waterlovers hotel on Diani beach is a great place to stay for a few days to recover from a safari. It's small enough (~ 30 guests max?) for the service to be personal, just five minutes from Diani airport, has very good rooms and decent food. The Indian ocean is a few metres away if you want it.
Final comment re the Wildlife Survey: please note that the numbers given for some sightings are "there or thereabouts" ... we sometimes saw a rhino or a giraffe or a ... in the far distance and therefore have no photos to stimulate the memory: I suspect we saw more than listed. Apologies for my lack of scientific rigour (CSL)." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Laikipia
Our suggestions for safari camps in Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia is the most luxurious tented camp of the handful of places to stay in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Laikipia.
Laikipia Wilderness
Laikipia Wilderness is a rustic owner-managed bush camp, in excellent wild dog territory, offering outstanding guiding.
Lewa Safari Camp
Lewa Safari Camp is a comfortable and homely tented lodge, located in the Lewa Conservancy and offering a relatively exclusive safari away from mass tourism.
El Karama Lodge
El Karama is a comfortably rustic, very personal, riverside eco-lodge on a game-rich private ranch in Laikipia, an hour’s drive north of Nanyuki airport.
Sosian
Sosian Lodge is a distinctive, estancia-style ranch house on a former cattle ranch, with great opportunities for riding, relaxing and seeing wild dogs and other savannah wildlife.
Lewa Wilderness
Lewa Wilderness is a comfortable, fenced safari lodge with nine cottages, great views and a huge range of activities.
Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge
The community-owned Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge sits atop a small hill in the remote Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, a two-hour drive north of Lewa Conservancy in north-eastern Laikipia.
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is a simple camp, with comfortable tents, delivering an authentic wilderness experience backed up by good food and guiding.
Porini Rhino Camp
Porini Rhino Camp is a small, simple, well established tented camp, with a keen focus on sustainable and low-impact tourism.
Sirikoi
Sirikoi is a small, very high-quality safari camp with excellent service and food and a wide selection of activities.
Borana
Borana is a comfortable and striking lodge on the Borana Conservancy in eastern Laikipia, offering pleasant accommodation with good food and service and a very wide range of activities.
Solio Lodge
Solio Lodge is an exclusive and luxurious bush lodge set in the private Solio Game Ranch in southern Laikipia.
Kifaru House
Kifaru House is a small, stylish safari lodge in the Lewa Conservancy, with beautiful views across the landscape.
Lewa House
Lewa House is a very comfortable, boutique safari lodge located on the Lewa Conservancy, north of Mount Kenya.
Tassia Lodge
Tassia offers a unique wilderness experience in a remote location: come here for cultural interaction, stunning views and something a bit different.
Loisaba Tented Camp
Loisaba Tented Camp is a luxury safari base of tented rooms, ranged along a ridge in the Loisaba Conservancy, facing Mount Kenya. The camp was completely rebuilt in 2016.
Loisaba Star Beds
Loisaba Starbeds is a simple camp of 4 rooms with pull-out, open-air 'star beds', located near a dam in the Loisaba Conservancy, in northwestern Laikipia.
Sweetwaters Serena
Sweetwaters Serena is a large, older tented camp – the largest camp in the Laikipia region – in the eastern part of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Sandai
Sandai is a pretty, owner-run homestay, set between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, offering a range of activities at extra cost.
Karisia Walking Safaris
Karisia Walking Safaris operates camel assisted, multi-day walking safaris from its main camp, Tumaren, set in a remote part of Laikipia.
Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is an unusual safari lodge in northern Laikipia, consisting of three exclusive villas, and offering a huge range of activities.
Lodo Springs
Lodo Springs is a spectacularly located luxury lodge in a remote spot in the Loisaba Conservancy, sister lodge to Loisaba Tented Camp and Loisaba Star Beds.
Ekorian's Mugie Camp
Ekorian's Mugie Camp is a pleasant, family-friendly safari camp in a remote location in northwestern Laikipia.
Governors' Mugie House
Governors' Mugie House – a substantial, luxury safari lodge – is one of only two properties in the Mugie Conservancy in northwestern Laikipia.
Thomsons Falls Lodge
Thomsons Falls Lodge is a simple hotel dating back to the colonial era, located above the falls of the same name, near the western Laikipia town of Nyahururu.
