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Traveller reviews

Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs E from Northumber

Review Distribution

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Terrible

Total number of trips

6

Countries visited

1

Lodges stayed in

17

Excursions taken

0

My Jan 2024 trip

Kenya between 19 Jan 2024 and 29 Jan 2024

Trip rating: Good
"Not as good as most previous years due to lack of access to the Triangle and to the Mara.

Mostly due to weather conditions but also due to lack of investment in terms of accessing the conservancy."

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport

Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport

"Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport review"

1 night Arrived 19 Jan 2024
"Convenient.

Breakfast good though little outside space. Quiet.

Upgraded to a suite."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Food
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Elephant Bedroom review"

4 nights Arrived 20 Jan 2024
"Staff very helpful. Carmen appears to run the camp well and we like the staff. Our guide (Popoya) was very good and picked up quickly what we wanted from a game drive. The food was good and the tent clean, comfortable and spacious.

Due to weather conditions Kalama was closed as a plane had got stuck on the runway a day or two earlier so we had to land at Sasaab a couple of hours away (could not be helped) still closed when we left but took off from Buffalo Springs (considerably nearer)! During our visit, however, the weather was perfect."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Little Governors' Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 24 Jan 2024
"We love Little Governors and the tent, food, service, guide and all staff were and continue to be excellent. Any negative comments are around the ability to access the Triangle and the Mara itself.

Due to previous rains there was only one access point to the triangle and we could not cross the Mara river at all. On the penultimate morning all access to the camp from the triangle was impassable. The only culvert operations collapsed just before we got there. We had to travel through Kichwe Tembo camp after asking the camp whether they would allow this (other vans did the same). We had to cross a swollen stream, perhaps 10-12 m across and it proved quite scary, especially the 3rd crossing).

We were very disappointed that after the problems in 2020 those managing access to the triangle had not taken the camps advice and had neither raised the culverts to allow passage during very wet weather nor fixed them in a more permanent way. Camps have said that they requested this.

On the final morning we had paid $200 to be allowed a game drive. The camp told us that the tickets had not come through, tried to call Expert Africa and had not had a reply. We stayed in camp which we did enjoy. It was a waste of $200 however.

We also find it unbelievable that from $70 per person per day previously the fees will cost $500 per couple per day from July. This is an increase over 4 days from $560 to $2000 - somewhat excessive and is likely to put us off further visits after some 16 visits over the last 20 years."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

My Jan 2023 trip to Kenya

Kenya between 20 Jan 2023 and 30 Jan 2023

Trip rating: Excellent
"Excellent.

As always we very much appreciate the support of Richard Trillo at all stages of the planning.

He is able to provide expert knowledge and advice and this sometimes appears to be well outside normal office hours."

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Four Points Nairobi Airport

Four Points Nairobi Airport

"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"

1 night Arrived 20 Jan 2023
"The hotel as very noisy overnight so for the second year in a row we had little sleep. We think that noise travels easily through the building.

In the morning we went for breakfast. We left our bag and two back packs in the bedroom. Only our main bag was zipped closed the others were not. On our return after breakfast the room was open and the bags gone. We went to reception where they were behind a pillar which could not be seen from the reception desk. The two backpacks, one containing camera equipment and the other our money and passports were both still unzipped and our belongings clearly not safe.

Reception apologised, a received a generic email and then three phone calls. We were on safari so I did not take the calls and felt it would achieve nothing if I rang them back. We felt this was taking too little care over our belongings."
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor

Location
Excellent
Service
Poor
Rooms
Excellent
Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Elephant Bedroom review"

4 nights Arrived 21 Jan 2023
"Excellent location.

Our guide was very good and was empathetic to our needs.

The camp staff were excellent and helped create a good ambience.

The food was very good and the accommodation excellent."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Little Governors' Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 25 Jan 2023
"Location and accommodation excellent. Food also excellent as was our guide.

The camp manager, George, as well as all other staff we encountered were extremely helpful and courteous.

It is the ambience of the camp, as well as the location, which have not been surpassed in any other camps we have stayed in and we have stayed in many in Africa and South America."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

My Feb 2022 trip

Kenya between 12 Feb 2022 and 21 Feb 2022

Trip rating: Excellent
"The trip overall was excellent. We have followed this itinerary before and it is always excellent.

We must mention the support offered by Richard Trillo. Richard is always helpful and on this occasion he was put to the test due to the documentation requirements for travel. He always offered timely and accurate advice and did so with a high degree of patience which was probably necessary at times. We have total confidence in Richard organising these trips for us.

We must point out that Heathrow airport was extremely well organised in terms of documentation etc. Nairobi airport was the opposite.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really."

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Elephant Bedroom review"

3 nights Arrived 13 Feb 2022
"Looked after very well. Tents excellent, clean and comfortable.

Our guide Solomon, who we had not had before, was first class. He was very empathetic to our group's needs.

Location first class."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Little Governors' Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 16 Feb 2022
"An excellent camp that we have stayed in several times. All of the staff took care of us well and anticipated any needs we may have had. They were friendly and professional.

Our guide, Isaac, who we have had several times was excellent. He was very empathetic to our requirement as we had our daughter and two granddaughters with us.

The manager, George, made sure that everything was in order for us asking regularly how our stay was going.

A really excellent location and first class camp which is run extremely well."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Very good.

Kenya between 23 Jan 2020 and 3 Feb 2020

Trip rating: Excellent
"Excellent within the constraints set by the weather.

We maximised our drives at both camps though at Little Governors we were severely restricted and at no point after the initial arrival were we able to cross the river."

Feedback response

These travellers arrived in Kenya in early 2019 after weeks of unprecedented, unseasonable weather, and intermittent heavy rains continued during their stay in the Maasai Mara. The Mara River, where it flows through the northern part of the ecosystem, could not be crossed at all, and many culverts in the reserve were damaged, putting access roads out of commission.

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Four Points Nairobi Airport

Four Points Nairobi Airport

"Four Points by Sheraton review"

1 night Arrived 23 Jan 2020
"Very welcoming.
Close to the airport.
Very comfortable rooms and a good variety of food for breakfast."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Very good."

4 nights Arrived 24 Jan 2020
"Our guide / driver, Anthony, was excellent. We have had him before and he is very knowledgeable and empathetic with clients.

The woman serving us throughout, in the restaurant, was Jennifer. We have had her before and she is quite excellent with clients. Efficient and personable.

We felt that the camp itself, under new management, was not quite up to previous visits. For example tents were not wholly cleaned (eg under beds). There wasn't a clear chain of command apparent to us and we had very little interaction with those in charge."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Superb. Treated extremely well."

5 nights Arrived 28 Jan 2020
"George, the manager, did everything possible to ensure our stay was a success.

Our guide, Isaac, who we have known for some time, was excellent and was very empathetic with what we wanted.

Henry who looked after out tent etc. was excellent. He anticipated what we needed often before we knew them ourselves and was always there to help.

Stanley, in charge of our table, was also excellent and was wholly attentive and helpful throughout.

We were extremely limited in our safaris (perhaps 4 miles by 1 mile maximum in terms of area) but the camp maximised our experience.

It was a great team effort.."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Excellent

Kenya between 20 Jan 2018 and 31 Jan 2018

Trip rating: Excellent
"The trip was very good indeed and, for the friends we went with it was an excellent experience for a first visit to Kenya.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No. It is first class and we wouldn't use any other company to travel to Africa."

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Eka Hotel

Eka Hotel

"Excellent, very comfortable"

1 night Arrived 20 Jan 2018
"Arrived late.

Warm welcome. Quiet room and good breakfast."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Excellent camp"

4 nights Arrived 21 Jan 2018
"Very comfortable tent. Very clean and the plunge pool is a bonus.

Joseph is very good and makes you feel welcome and Anthony (who we had for a second year in a row) is an excellent guide. He tunes in quickly to what the group wants.

Highly recommended."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Wonderful camp."

3 nights Arrived 25 Jan 2018
"We love Little Governors. It has an excellent ambience and is in a great position. The provision of drinking water is excellent.

George is an extremely helpful manager and delivered on everything we asked. Perhaps the real strength of the camp are the staff. We like them all but would single out Moses as an excellent ambassador for Governors. He is excellent.

Isaac was our guide and we had him in 2004. He is an excellent guide and we got on really well with him. He tuned into the group's needs very quickly and we would very highly recommend him.

We really like all of the staff at the camp and they are a real 'selling' point."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Governors' Il Moran Camp

Governors' Il Moran Camp

"Excellent camp but with minor reservations."

2 nights Arrived 28 Jan 2018
"Patrick is great and takes time with all of the guests, He is extremely knowledgeable and spends time with all of the guests,

The tents are excellent and extremely comfortable. As with Little Governors the provision of running drinking water is a significant improvement. The food is very good and the camp is in a good location for getting straight out onto the plains.

We find staff at the camp variable. Jackson as our tent attendant and Elisha in the bar were both excellent ambassadors for the camp but some other staff could be somewhat 'offhand' and distanced from the guests."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good

Excellent trip to Kenya

Kenya between 14 Jan 2016 and 24 Jan 2016

Trip rating: Excellent
"Better than very satisfactory! We love Kenya and have visited many times. This trip was excellent. The camps were well chosen and suited our requirements very well.

Richard Trillo was excellent in planning and arranging this trip. He was thoughtful and proactive."

Arranged By Richard Trillo


Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Bedroom

"Great Samburu Experience"

4 nights Arrived 15 Jan 2016
"Really lovely camp in a good situation within Samburu Reserve. Tented accommodation was excellent, very comfortable and clean. The public areas were large and well furnished, although if the camp was full they might feel less spacious. Food was always plentiful, with a reasonable choice including vegetarian options. On occasion the cooked breakfast could have been hotter. (Served outside from heated containers.)

We were allocated an experienced guide who was knowledgeable about animals and birds. He was flexible and accommodating but sometimes seemed a little distant. The staff in the camp were generally friendly and helpful. Some of the waiting staff seemed to have less English and therefore it was difficult to make a connection.

Elephants came to the camp every evening of our stay. One morning we were unable to leave our tent until staff arrived as we had an elephant next to the deck.

Overall our experience of this camp was a good one and we are already planning a return visit."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors' Camp

"Little Governors - heaven!"

4 nights Arrived 19 Jan 2016
"Our first visit to Little Governors Camp after many visits to main Governors. The camp is beautifully situated overlooking a marshy area (no noticeable effect on insect levels) with hippo, elephants, buffalo and game all visiting. There are also many birds on the area. The tents are standard Governors issue, comfortable and clean but not as luxurious as some camps. Public areas include a small lounge area, bar and dining tent. The camp has a really good ambience.

The staff were, without exception, wonderful: friendly, efficient, empathetic and charming.

Food is excellent. We had picnic breakfast which is plentiful and delicious especially breakfast muffins! Lunch is served outdoors overlooking the marsh if weather permits and consists of 3 courses, all difficult to resist.. Dinner is served under cover but the tent has removable sides if the weather is good.

Access to the Masai Mara reserve from Little Governors is by small boat across the Mara River. Unfortunately, our visit coincided with a prolonged rainy spell of weather and the raised river level made crossing difficult and eventually the crossing closed. We spent some time in the Mara Conservancy which was good; we saw lions and rhino with a calf amongst other things. However it could not offer a realistic chance to see leopard or cheetah. Without our prompting the manager arranged for us and our guide to transfer to Il Moran on the other side of the river without extra cost to us. This demonstrated the sensitivity to our needs of the camp manager and we are very grateful to him. Our time spent at Il Moran was equally superb.

Our guide was excellent, amongst the best we have had over many visits to Kenya. He had a thorough knowledge of the wildlife to be seen and understood our needs well. He was also a safe and considerate driver in the difficult conditions.

We loved our time in Little Governors and were sorry to leave such a fantastic camp. We are returning next year."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

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