Kenya: reviews from our travellers

"This was a last minute safari holiday which suddenly became an option when South Africa was put on the UK's Red List of banned countries and we wanted to fly back to the UK without going into hotel quarantine.

We were already about to fly to Kenya when we contacted Olivia and gave her a list of our requirements, including quite detailed covid concerns. She did an absolutely brilliant job organising a trip to Hemingways Ol Seki which delivered everything that we had requested despite having next to no time to arrange it. We travel a lot and regularly go to Africa.

This was our first experience of using Expert Africa and they absolutely lived up to their name and we will be in contact before our next trip." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"Kenya was the most genuine, helpful, kind, place I have ever visited. It was like stepping into another world. Everyone was wonderful, Kenya has definitely taken conservation and hospitality to the next level. I believe that Kenya is the best place to visit in all of Africa. Definitely something that nature lovers have to put on their bucket list.

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When Richard organized this trip, he used the word "bespoke". We had no idea what that meant. We do now and will be forever grateful. He did an amazing job. I have done planned tours before where I felt that I could have planned the same trip and saved money. But on this one, I was quite certain that I could never have done what Richard did, and it was absolutely magical. We looked at economy, budget, comfort and the luxury Expert Africa tours. At the beginning of the process I was quite sure that we could not afford the high end. But after seeing the packed economy tour vans, and experiencing Africa the Expert Africa way, I would never even consider anything else. It would be like going to Disney Land and staying in the parking lot.

There is nothing that can substitute for experience and knowhow." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"Our trip to Africa was truly a dream come true! We planned this trip two years in advance, and due to Covid needed to replan the trip again, with endless back and forth to ensure we got the itinerary to a place that met the regulations and restrictions of each country.

Our trip exceeded every expectation, and while we initially thought it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip, we are already talking about when we will return. Richard helped to organize the trip and make the endless changes for us. While he was generally patient, I couldn't help but feel like he was sick and tired of me in the final months of planning.

Perhaps there's a difference between how Americans communicate and how the British communicate, as I found that getting on the phone helped tremendously. Overall, the trip was one we will never forget and we are beyond grateful to Richard and Expert Africa for all of their assistance in planning." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"What was special for me on this trip, my second to Kenya and fifth to Africa, was the opportunity to see more of the country at eye level. Meaning that in driving ourselves around we could more easily stop in little towns and villages along the way.

Kenya, like much of Africa, is bustling with people walking to and from work in the larger cities and towns, or shuttling a goat to market on the back of a motorbike, or working a corn field with a hoe. The individual sellers in a street stall or market are invariably friendly and, they are always happy to show you what they've got and encourage you to negotiate if you like something. The park rangers and guides love sharing their knowledge of the plants and animals.

These are what earn Kenya the nickname, the warm heart of Africa.

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I WAS SUPER IMPRESSED AND THANKFUL THAT RICHARD CAUGHT A MISTAKE IN MY FLIGHTS which gave me time to correct the oversight. I ran into a snafu with my outbound flight that caused me to have to rebook on a different airline and would not have noticed the error on the return flight until I got to the airport, potentially either missing my flight or losing my last day of the trip.

So kudos again, Richard, for your thoroughness!

[Ed: This traveller booked her own flights. As is our usual practice, we'll always try to bring any flight issues the the attention of our travellers as/when we become aware of them, even if our travellers have arranged their own flights.]" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"If it wasn't for Richard Trillo, I wouldn't have taken the trip at all.

It was an extraordinary and wonderful experience. I am very grateful and felt very protected by him every step of the way.

Considering 4 or 8 flights were cancelled, and considering what a crazy time it is, I feel very grateful and fortunate." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"Africa - and in this case - Kenya is open and in need of international tourists.

A bit more planning is necessary, and you will need to have a Covid test but the minute you land at JKIA your heart will soar.

Just go. You won’t regret it." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"Why go to the National Reserve when you can do all of this with these terrific people in a spectacular natural setting, with true freedom to roam?" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"This trip was organised last minute to replace cancelled trips to Zambia.

I picked Kenya due to direct flights and because I saw an opportunity to catch the wild dog pack at Laikipia Wilderness with their puppies fresh out of the den. I knew Laikipia Wilderness could be accessed by road transfer, so I could be picked up straight from the airport. It was a good decision to avoid internal flights - it seems they are subject to cancellations if passenger numbers are low- another couple I met had their flight to Amboseli cancelled. Overall, everything went smoothly and it was a relief to be back in the bush.

The trip was a massive success in terms of finding the dogs with their puppies, and the pandemic has provided me with an opportunity to travel at a time of year that would usually be out of my budget, especially as a solo traveler with single supplements to contend with (all waived now due to so few travelers).

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a safari in Kenya to anyone who wants to travel at the moment - it's the ultimate "socially distanced" holiday and Kenya is easy to get to from the UK and the testing requirements for entry to Kenya provide some peace of mind that all passengers on the flight should have a negative test." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Kenya safari

"The whole trip was very enjoyable, with some excellent wildlife sightings, good accommodation and delicious food.

It met all our hopes and expectations for going out on foot, driving after dark and generally being flexible with the activities on offer.

As Oliver Twist might say, please can we do it some more?

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No, the service is more than satisfactory." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"We had another terrific time despite the weather being a lot wetter than we had imagined for the time of year.

The late rains had obviously had an greater impact on the terrain and this made for some very challenging driving conditions for the guides but we were never not able to go out. Given the various difficulties that this weather brought the fact that we had some superb sightings is very much down to the expertise of the Silver guides employed by Kicheche.

Both camps were excellent and provided exactly what we expected, comfortable, great guiding, fantastic food and great craic!!

Many thanks to Richard for yet again putting together an excellent trip to Kenya.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe give some thought to your advice re visas for Kenya. Maybe we were unlucky but we queued for well over an hour and a half to get our visa while those who had got their e-visa in advance just sailed through immigration." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari