Reviews of safaris to Maasai Mara National Reserve
109 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Maasai Mara.
Mr A.
Hardingstone
"Kenya Safari October 2022"
I visited Kenya between 21 Sep 2022 and 1 Oct 2022
"We had high expectations for our trip and in every way they were surpassed.
We originally booked our trip for autumn 2020 for our 10th wedding anniversary and due to Covid it was postponed two years but it was totally worth the wait.
Expert Africa (Lyndsey) managed us for two years in the most professional, friendly and patient manner. We told Lyndsey what we wanted and she delivered completely in all aspects and we will be forever grateful to her.
This was intended to be a life changing experience. it was, and we will return for more safari in the future." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
We originally booked our trip for autumn 2020 for our 10th wedding anniversary and due to Covid it was postponed two years but it was totally worth the wait.
Expert Africa (Lyndsey) managed us for two years in the most professional, friendly and patient manner. We told Lyndsey what we wanted and she delivered completely in all aspects and we will be forever grateful to her.
This was intended to be a life changing experience. it was, and we will return for more safari in the future." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Dr N
Edinburgh
"Classic safari in the Masai Mara"
I visited Kenya between 14 Sep 2022 and 23 Sep 2022
"Overall an excellent trip that met - and sometimes exceeded - all our expectations even though they were quite high in the first place!
Although we had used Expert Africa a few times this was our first trip out of southern Africa. As ever, the organisation was flawless and Jessica's advice when planning was accurate and very helpful.
We particularly appreciate the way Expert Africa encourage (and make it easy) to contact them by phone to discuss what you are looking for in (patient) detail with someone who has personal experience of the are and lodges - yes their website is really excellent and the perfect starting point but nothing beats talking to someone who's been there and who can engage with your own individual preferences and expectations." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Although we had used Expert Africa a few times this was our first trip out of southern Africa. As ever, the organisation was flawless and Jessica's advice when planning was accurate and very helpful.
We particularly appreciate the way Expert Africa encourage (and make it easy) to contact them by phone to discuss what you are looking for in (patient) detail with someone who has personal experience of the are and lodges - yes their website is really excellent and the perfect starting point but nothing beats talking to someone who's been there and who can engage with your own individual preferences and expectations." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr P.
Cambridge
"Great Safari 2022"
I visited Kenya between 9 Sep 2022 and 20 Sep 2022
"Our trip was excellent, the camps were all wonderful , wildlife plentiful and we had great viewings with help from our super guides.
All the arrangements worked seamlessly, couldn’t have been better, just perfect, we loved every minute." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
All the arrangements worked seamlessly, couldn’t have been better, just perfect, we loved every minute." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S.
Cheltenham
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya between 22 Aug 2022 and 5 Sep 2022
"From initial organisation to actual experience it was a fantastic holiday from start to end."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Harrow
"The holiday exceeded our expectations."
I visited Kenya between 13 Aug 2022 and 26 Aug 2022
"The holiday exceeded our expectations. It is a lot of money, but we felt we got good value and wonderful experiences. Everything worked very smoothly, staff could not have been more helpful and clearly post-Covid visitors returning is key. We were a little concerned about the election but it has all gone relatively smoothly. The day in Nairobi was very enjoyable - being a Sunday traffic was not a problem.
The only downer was before we went, we had to spend hours battling with the Covid and visa forms - a bit stressful, but Jessica was very helpful (and patient) with us about this and helped as much as possible.
This is our 3rd holiday with Expert Africa and we would book again, but would prefer to have flights included for future holidays, given possible Covid cancellations and hassles." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
The only downer was before we went, we had to spend hours battling with the Covid and visa forms - a bit stressful, but Jessica was very helpful (and patient) with us about this and helped as much as possible.
This is our 3rd holiday with Expert Africa and we would book again, but would prefer to have flights included for future holidays, given possible Covid cancellations and hassles." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B.
Arizona
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya between 21 Jul 2022 and 31 Jul 2022
"Your services are terrific, knowledgeable, helpful, prompt and informative.
Richard was always attentive to our needs, and is a pleasure to work with.
We would certainly call him again in the future.
In summary, our experience on our Africa safari was an "11" out of "10"! Absolutely amazing!! Trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Richard was always attentive to our needs, and is a pleasure to work with.
We would certainly call him again in the future.
In summary, our experience on our Africa safari was an "11" out of "10"! Absolutely amazing!! Trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms S
London
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya between 8 Jul 2022 and 20 Jul 2022
"By far the best trip I've ever been on, I couldn't have asked for more, and I'm already thinking about when I can go back! We saw so much above and beyond my expectations - river crossings, a full lion pride killing a buffalo, just to name a few - and the level of interaction and social behaviour we were able to observe within the animals was incredible. The potential downsides of the trip (early mornings, etc.) were so worth it to me, although I wouldn't recommend it to everyone I know, I thought it was perfect."
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs L
Hinckley
"My Jun 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya between 3 Jun 2022 and 18 Jun 2022
"Our trip was super - the only niggles were in the UK before we left. Flights with BA cancelled and various bits of paperwork to sort. We had problems completing the online 'Travellers Health Surveillance Form'. It would not submit on our desktop but we eventually got it to work on our phones. However nobody ever asked to see it when we arrived in Kenya!
All niggles were quickly forgotten about once we arrived in Kenya and we didn't encounter any further problems/issues. All of the arrangements went perfectly and it was just so nice to get away and enjoy a marvellous holiday.
So, many thanks to Richard Trillo and the team at Expert Africa and all the people in Kenya "on the ground" (or even in the air!)" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
All niggles were quickly forgotten about once we arrived in Kenya and we didn't encounter any further problems/issues. All of the arrangements went perfectly and it was just so nice to get away and enjoy a marvellous holiday.
So, many thanks to Richard Trillo and the team at Expert Africa and all the people in Kenya "on the ground" (or even in the air!)" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr/Mrs E
Wisconsin US
"Family trip June 2022"
I visited Kenya and 1 other country between 2 Jun 2022 and 17 Jun 2022
"Our trip was excellent and a wonderful family memory with our young-adult children. The recommended lodges were excellent and we were very happy to be able to support the local communities at each site - facilitated by Expert Africa and Richard Trillo.
Logistically, the connections between cities, lodges, and airlines were flawless. This was our second trip with Expert Africa (and working with Richard Trillo), and it was more complex than our last one: international, bush, and charter flights; three sites; two countries. This trip would have been impossible for us to have pulled off on our own - especially with the two-year delay forced by the pandemic! We were very happy to have these experts on our side!
Regarding the pandemic, Rwanda had the strictest protocols at the time of our trip - requiring four tests in seven days - but our driver arranged all three in-country tests and kept tabs on our results and paperwork for us. Masks were required in all airplanes, but the COVID numbers are so much lower in Africa than in the USA that we all felt very safe in the lodge settings - venues were spacious and largely open-air. We definitely had some anxiety about passing a PCR test in order to go gorilla trekking (we'd had COVID just 45 days before), but we hoped for the best and it worked out for us (and trip insurance would have come through had it not).
I would say that while COVID introduces a "wild card" into the proceedings, the travel-related requirements were well managed for us while overseas, and, in my opinion, going on safari is far safer than going to an American movie theater!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
Logistically, the connections between cities, lodges, and airlines were flawless. This was our second trip with Expert Africa (and working with Richard Trillo), and it was more complex than our last one: international, bush, and charter flights; three sites; two countries. This trip would have been impossible for us to have pulled off on our own - especially with the two-year delay forced by the pandemic! We were very happy to have these experts on our side!
Regarding the pandemic, Rwanda had the strictest protocols at the time of our trip - requiring four tests in seven days - but our driver arranged all three in-country tests and kept tabs on our results and paperwork for us. Masks were required in all airplanes, but the COVID numbers are so much lower in Africa than in the USA that we all felt very safe in the lodge settings - venues were spacious and largely open-air. We definitely had some anxiety about passing a PCR test in order to go gorilla trekking (we'd had COVID just 45 days before), but we hoped for the best and it worked out for us (and trip insurance would have come through had it not).
I would say that while COVID introduces a "wild card" into the proceedings, the travel-related requirements were well managed for us while overseas, and, in my opinion, going on safari is far safer than going to an American movie theater!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Geoff @ St Albans
UK
"My Feb 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya between 27 Feb 2022 and 11 Mar 2022
"We have enjoyed many safaris, several with Expert Africa but also with upmarket competitors.
We were delighted with the way that Richard Trillo listened to what we wanted and then shaped a trip to meet these criteria.
We would strongly recommend booking with Richard for anyone going to Kenya." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
We were delighted with the way that Richard Trillo listened to what we wanted and then shaped a trip to meet these criteria.
We would strongly recommend booking with Richard for anyone going to Kenya." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
109
reviews of Maasai Mara by travellers since August 2007
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