Reviews of trips to Nairobi
486 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Nairobi.
"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"
"My Oct 2023 trip"
"My Oct 2023 trip"
"My Oct 2023 trip"
The airport drivers were courteous and informative. They took good care of us. The overall organization was great. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. All we had to do was ask for something and it was taken care of.
Not sure we mentioned the Game Drivers specifically. They were superb!!! Silver rated but Gold Platinum in our books.
Our amateur group was pretty tired with the schedule and although we knew we could skip a game drive if needed- we didn’t want to miss out on anything. Next trip might be organized differently for our needs. Now that we have more knowledge and know what to expect.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Richard was very responsive and thorough. It would have been nice to have received the book sooner to give us more time to review and customize/expand our itinerary. Having the logistics taken care of allowed us to focus on our experiences." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"Our 2023 trip to Kenya"
Nonetheless, we figured it was time to check out East Africa for a change. To be honest, we were a little apprehensive about this trip, because many guidebooks or websites tell you that in both Kenya and Tanzania visitor numbers are much higher than in the South of Africa. As the New York Times wrote earlier this year, they witnessed a cheetah hunting and making a kill in the Maasai Mara, and in no time, the poor animal was surrounded by 50 vehicles. Well, even though the number of cars per sighting was, on average, higher than in Southern Africa, we experienced none of such extremes. I guess, we were lucky with the choice of camps and/or locations.
For instance, we took great care in picking camps that are using open vehicles with a maximum of six passengers and not vehicles with pop-up roofs, let alone minibuses. For a serious photographer, such conditions would seriously limit your freedom to move, and in the case of pop-up roofs you would have to stand up and, often, you would look down on animals. In other words, it would be a nightmare ruining my trip. I realize that the camps we picked are significantly more expensive, but this goes hand in hand with providing better guides, better amenities and facilities, and better service. The good news is that in our experience, the camps in Kenya are not quite as pricey as Botswana accommodations.
One more comment about the number of cars per sighting: The official rules in the Maasai Mara clearly state that the maximum number of vehicles per scene is limited to five (per animal, not animals!). Taken literally, a pride of 8 lions could be visited by 40 cars, and we have witnessed scenes with up to 20 cars. On other occasions, for instance when observing cheetahs or leopards, we have noticed that local wildlife rangers do in fact make sure that there are no more than 5 cars on the scene. Throughout the entire trip, we were blessed with guides that showed great patience and perseverance to stay at a scene for longer. Quite often we were also lucky enough to be the only two guests in the vehicle. The only camp where there were six passengers in a car was Lewa Safari Camp.
As in previous years, I enjoyed recording our wildlife sightings. Overall, we saw more animals here than in any other place in Africa. And our encounters with the big cats were especially noteworthy, because often they were full of drama. I should point out though that we did not see any wild dogs anywhere. Of the four areas visited, the Maasai Mara was, thanks to our guides, and despite the higher number of vehicles, a photographer’s paradise.
What we also appreciated in all five camps was that they allowed each party to have their own tables at mealtimes.
To summarize, this trip was so good that we are almost certain to return to Kenya in the near future." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 20 on a Kenya safari
"OurSep 2023 trip"
Great range of experiences between the 2 camps - loved both of them - and wonderful relaxation at the beach.
I should like to discuss the Wildlife Survey form and the animal sightings you put on your website. I thought looking at your website that these were the animals with some chance% of what we might see. But of course there are lots and lots of others. Also find the more detail bit on this questionairre a bit confusing." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari
"Kenya 2023"
The only fly in the ointment was the weather which Expert Africa cannot control - the feeling in the camps was that El Nino and climate change is now becoming a factor and people may need to adjust their thinking about timing their trips going forward?
We would recommend both camps we visited both for experienced safari travellers and first timers as there is something there for everybody." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari
"My Sep 2023 trip"
The two camps where we stayed were exactly as described and exactly in accordance with our stated aspirations for the trip. They also combined well with each other i.e. the "vibe" was similar at both but they were sufficiently different to give the trip some variety and contrast.
Expertafrica clearly enjoys a good reputation in Kenya which appeared to derive from the fact that representatives of the company have visited camps to gain first-hand knowledge of their particular qualities and also the fact that their clients arrive with appropriately managed expectations." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Where to stay in Nairobi
Our suggestions for places to stay in Nairobi
Four Points Nairobi Airport
The Four Points by Sheraton, set within the perimeter of Nairobi International Airport, is ideally located for a first or last night in Kenya.
The Emakoko
The Emakoko is a luxurious, owner-managed safari lodge in a beautiful gorge on the edge of Nairobi National Park.
Eka Hotel
The Eka is an affordably priced business-class hotel in a relatively convenient location between Nairobi International Airport and Wilson Airport.
Ole-Sereni
The Ole-Sereni is a modern, stylish hotel neighbouring Nairobi National Park and located 6km from Wilson domestic airport.
Crowne Plaza Nbi Apt
The Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (formerly known as the Lazizi Premiere and now part of the InterContinental Hotels Group) is the oldest hotel at Nairobi International Airport.
Macushla House
Macushla House is a very pleasant, small, owner-managed bed and breakfast hotel in a leafy part of southwest Nairobi, very convenient for visiting the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.
Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is a unique, perennially popular lodge on the outskirts of Nairobi, offering up-close-and-personal encounters with the rare Rothschild giraffes that roam its extensive grounds.
Aero Club of East Africa
The Aero Club of East Africa is a private members' club in the grounds of Wilson Airport, Nairobi, offering offering comfortable rooms and a good restaurant, bar and swimming pool to non-members.
Tamarind Tree Hotel
The Tamarind Tree is a stylish international hotel in a great location next to Wilson Airport.
Karen Gables
Karen Gables is a small, high quality hotel in Nairobi with expansive gardens and only seven rooms.
Hemingways Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi is a luxury country-house style hotel, with a spa and gym, in the wealthy suburb of Karen.
Nairobi Tented Camp
Nairobi Tented Camp is the only tented camp located inside Nairobi National Park, making it a great option for a true safari stay close to the city and airports.
The Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Nairobi and has a reputation for its colourful history dating back to 1904.
Hogmead
Hogmead is a stylish, luxury boutique hotel/homestay in a secluded part of Langata in south-west Nairobi, very close to Nairobi National Park and the elephant orphanage.
Sankara
Sankara is a strikingly built hotel in the bustling central Nairobi suburb of Westlands, primarily used as a business stay, with very good dining and leisure facilities.
Eden Nairobi
One Forty Eight is a very stylish boutique hotel in one of the leafiest corners of the southwest Nairobi suburb of Karen-Langata. The Giraffe Centre at Giraffe Manor is just a 10-minute walk away.
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages
Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens and Cottages is small luxury boutique hotel located in the peaceful suburb of Karen.
The Stanley
The Stanley is a large, traditional hotel – the oldest in Nairobi – offering a range of facilities.
Tribe
Design-led, contemporary hotel in the Village Market area of Gigiri, a largely diplomatic and luxury residential suburb 10km north of Nairobi’s central business district.
Acacia Camp
Acacia Camp is a rustic and affordable safari camp in a wildlife sanctuary a 30-minute drive towards Mombasa from Nairobi’s international airport.
