Kenya: reviews from our travellers

"We booked this holiday very late and Olivia came up with the perfect itinerary. This was an unforgettable holiday." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip to Rwanda unexpectedly turned out to be rather dramatic following the first and only gorilla trek which left us total exhausted and me seeking medical help resulting in leaving the Volcanoes National Park earlier than planned and a 2 night stay at the King Faisal Hospital in Kigali following a diagnosis of pneumonia from which I'm still recovering and will probably do so for possibly another 2 weeks or more. We would not have got through this unfortunate episode without the help of our Primate Safaris driver/guide Sura who assisted in so many ways from paying a hospital bill with his own money to procuring cups of coffee from a cafeteria for me while I was in hospital. Well beyond what was expected for which we are truly grateful.

Having spoken with several people who were trekking it seems to us that better briefing beforehand is required. With trekking up to 3000 metres you have to be physically fit and acclimatised which were not although of course I did not know at the time I was suffering with pneumonia. Comment was made that it's always best to do one trek before committing to another. Appreciate that could be a problem as permits often should be booked in advance. It's not unusual for people to abandon the trek part way and in my case the guide did mention (at the end) there was a thought that I might need to be stretchered off the mountain. Among the people I spoke with was an American lady doctor who said she had to give up on her trek but then again she should not really have been on it as she's asthmatic but no one told her how difficult it might be. Nurses at the hospital in Kigali said they often had patient referrals from the gorilla treks as many underestimate the difficult terrain involved.

It would seem there is a perception among a lot of people that seeing the gorillas in the wild is a trip for everyone. Don't believe it is and can be a lottery. At least we have experienced a meeting with gorillas but at some cost and now plenty of paperwork associated with the insurance claim for reimbursement of hospital fees and the non-refundable trek permit. Would advise would be visitors to seriously think about the risks involved." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"An unexpected and excellent surprise" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Kenya safari

"This was my second vacation planned with Expert Africa and was, once again, exceptional. The assistance of Richard Trillo and Rich Ball was invaluable. It is very true that you are working with true experts on Africa who listen carefully and plan an exceptional visit accordingly." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"It was an amazing trip.

The Serian camps are really our type of place with a good focus on wildlife and quality guiding. We could spend ages in such camps.

We had some amazing sightings this year as well, and are again thinking about how soon we can return (probably not next year, but who knows...)." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"The whole safari experience was most enjoyable although the bumpy journeys in the Maasai Mara, especially those near to Tangulia Camp, were a bit testing. There were plenty of rewards in the Masai Mara and at the Tangulia Camp to offset a bit of discomfort on the journeys." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari

"I would highly recommend booking your trip to Africa with Expert Africa - everything from the moment we stepped off our flight to the moment we got back was like clockwork. All pick ups were as planned, and we didn't have to worry about anything. Even when our flight was delayed due to weather. our car was still waiting for us patiently at the other end when we finally made it.

The overall experience on our trip was wonderful - Little Governors camp was a delight. You have to get to the camp by a little boat across the river (takes about 30 seconds) but I would flag it for people who are perhaps not physically able to walk up and down stairs really easily - there aren't many stairs, and the boat is easy to get on and off, but it does require a little agility!

The camp itself if pristine, the staff are lovely and the drivers are such experts at what they do. We say ALL of the Big Five, including the leopard, which was the whole reason we wanted to go on safari again. Our drive, Colin, was so patient and persevered through our constant requests to 'please find us a leopard' and eventually found one for us. Amazing. The food at the camp is really great, and they even provide a water drinking tap in our rooms.

The hotel and beach at Diani were also brilliant - really clean and nice rooms, and great food at the restaurant. Would recommend the beach restaurant over their fine dining one, only because it has a bit more atmosphere. However, there are little Bush Babies that visit the fine Dining restaurant, which is quite nice! The weather was wonderful, and the beach really beautiful - just expect to be chased into the sea by the people on the beach trying to sell you their goods!

Loved our holiday and can't recommend Expert Africa highly enough. Thank you James! Can we go back now please!?" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"Our first trip to Kenya as a family was some 25 years ago when we had 12 nights on the beach at Mombassa and a couple of nights in Tsavo East. We visited a couple of times since but couldn't imagine ever wanting to return. My husband wanted to do the migration so it was a decision between Kenya and Tanzania but the time of year suited us best for Kenya.

On our last day in the Mara we were lucky to see not only wildebeest crossing the river in their hundreds if not thousands and a lioness picking them off as they came up the bank. She took three down and went for a fourth but failed. What a spectacle!

But the Toyota Migration was something else! Way too many vehicles, too much speeding and too many vehicles (probably unlicensed) out from Nairobi with their customers. We came across one vehicle who'd got stuck in mud. The driver didn't even have a tow rope.

The Naboisho Conservancy was much quieter without the crowds, the beach divine. Yes, we've fallen back in love with Kenya." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari

"I feel so lucky and grateful to have made acquaintance with Justin Huff from Expert Africa. His knowledge was so thorough and immediate that I knew I had to take advantage of his service to plan our African adventure-- even to the extent that I risked a relationship with a very important friend who is a travel agent. I just didn't want to make any mistakes, traveling so far and at such expense!

We met someone on our trip who had spent the equivalent of four months at a full time job researching his trip to Africa, rejecting agency after agency when they didn't include or provide the amenities that this man deemed essential to a perfect safari. I was BEYOND DELIGHTED to learn that every single thing this man had learned was the best way to go, Justin at Expert Africa had included in our trip to the extent that it was literally perfect. I don't think I can put it any more succinctly than that.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Only one. I felt that canvas wallet you provided was a tad excessive, as I have no future use for it, and didn't really need it during the trip. Maybe others feel differently, but I do plan to send ours back.

Thank you so much for running a fantastic operation!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari

"Yet again Expert Africa lived up to their name by setting us up with a great trip.

We enjoyed every part of it and frequently thought the next day could not be as good as the last. However it always was. Thanks to Ellie for developing the itinerary for us and thanks to James setting it up." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari