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Traveller reviews

Travel reviews by N & J Lancs from UK

Review Distribution

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Terrible

Total number of trips

3

Countries visited

5

Lodges stayed in

18

Excursions taken

0

Return to Kenya after 36 years

Kenya between 20 Jan 2023 and 4 Feb 2023

Trip rating: Excellent
"On the whole it was an excellent and well organised trip to some vastly different parks. Amazing numbers of lions seen (70).

With hindsight we would have flown from Sand River to Elephant Pepper.

All the staff at the lodges were extremely welcoming and helpful."

Feedback response

We were so pleased that these travellers enjoyed their time in Kenya. One clarification - unfortunately it is not possible to book flights between the various air strips in the Maasai Mara region. So transfers through the bush are the only option and can be quite lengthy.

Arranged By Claire Scott

Claire Scott
Four Points Nairobi Airport

Four Points Nairobi Airport

"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"

1 night Arrived 20 Jan 2023
"Arrived at 11pm, left at 7am, just enough time for a quick and enjoyable breakfast.

Sniffer dog checking vehicles entering the gate to the hotel."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Service
Good
Elsa's Kopje

Elsa's Kopje

"Elsa's Kopje review"

3 nights Arrived 21 Jan 2023
"Very nice lodge high up on the kopje, views over the vast surrounding area.

A must is to walk to the top of the hill and get a 360 deg view of the area. There is a bit of steep exposed ground to get to the top but well worth the effort and the guide will direct you.

Our guide Joel was excellent and we were lucky to see a striped hyena and an African wildcat which we have never seen before.

One day we travelled into the rhino reserve and saw three white and three black rhino.

It is nice to be in an area which is not overrun by jeeps.

The food was exceptional and one of the best 35 lodges in Africa we have visited."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Lewa Safari Camp

Lewa Safari Camp

"Lewa Safari Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 24 Jan 2023
"We were driven from Meru to Lewa, quite a challenging drive given the state of the roads. On entering Lewa conservancy we were very concerned if anything would be there as it was very dry and no sign on animals. On drive across conservancy we did see a few animals but once out on a game drive we were amazed at the amount of wildlife we saw, including rhino (black and white) nearly around ever corner! We saw one white rhino with a very small baby only about a month old which was crying to be fed from mum who was busy eating. Once we drove off he became very brave and chased us down the track for a few metres!

We saw 7 female lions, once on a daytime drive on once on a night drive. On the night drive they were lying on the track, we had to drive on the ground above the track looking down on them. Further on we got back on the track and the lionesses all greeted each other right by the vehicle.

By a waterhole we watched a big family of elephants coming down to drink and bathe. One of the young elephants wasn't too sure about passing our vehicle and gave out a trumpet call and all the family turned immediately to look at us. Fortunately he decided it would be OK to walk around the vehicle and he then re-joined the group."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Saruni Samburu

Saruni Samburu

"Saruni Samburu review"

2 nights Arrived 27 Jan 2023
"Very interesting drive up the rocks to the lodge. Astounding views across the plains below. Rooms/villas incredible! It would be a challenging walk for some people to get from the main reception area to the villas.

Meals were very good.

The drive from the lodge to Samburu reserve was devoid of wildlife but once inside the reserve plenty to see. We were lucky to see a family of 5 lions just finishing off a waterbuck, including 2 six month old cubs crunching the bones and then trying to run off with the leftovers before being told off by mum.

Samburu is completely different from other areas in Kenya and is well worth a visit."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Sand River Camp

Sand River Camp

"Sand River Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 29 Jan 2023
"A very exclusive, upmarket lodge with views over the river.

We were there for two nights only and in this time we saw 35 lions and maybe only 5 of those did we see twice. On a couple of occasions we watched them eating what was left of a kill. On a morning drive we had 2 big male lions walking on the track towards us and then just standing inches away from the vehicle before carrying on.

We were fortunate enough to see a serval cat out in daylight."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Elephant Pepper Camp

Elephant Pepper Camp

"Elephant Pepper Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 31 Jan 2023
"We were driven from Sand River in Masai Mara to Talik gate and transferred to an Elephant Pepper vehicle with guide James. It was a long 4 hour drive, over very bad roads which even snapped the shock absorber off the landcruiser!

On arrival at Elephant Pepper we were taken to our tent which was overlooking extensive grass and woodland. Elephants could be seen walking across and through the woodland from the tent. At night we had an elephant walking past the tent, a hippo grazing outside and lions and hyenas calling close by.

On game drives we were lucky to see many lions, 2 leopards and 2 cheetah. Both cheetah stalking but unsuccessful on their hunts.

Saw a family of lions finishing off a zebra kill and two tiny cubs coming out to look at the vehicles and then crying to mum and going back to suckle.

Had a picnic breakfast by the Mara river and another day a surprise full service breakfast again by the Mara river.

The meals were excellent and challenged Elsa's for some of the best we have had in Africa."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent

Zambia - Luangwa's, Shoebill and Lower Zam

Zambia and 1 other country between 17 Jun 2022 and 30 Jun 2022

Trip rating: Excellent
"Our thanks to Lucy for putting together an amazing trip."

Arranged By Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson
City Lodge OR Tambo

City Lodge OR Tambo

"City Lodge OR Tambo review"

1 night Arrived 17 Jun 2022
"Easy access to airport"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Tafika

Tafika

"Tafika review"

2 nights Arrived 18 Jun 2022
"Beautiful location overlooking the river.

Guiding on game drives with Lloyd, finding a pride of lions on our first outing. Lloyd is a considerate and conscientious guide and has considerable experience of the area.

The meals - probably the best of over 30 different lodges we have visited in Africa over the years. Lots of fresh, homegrown produce.

Good to stay with someone like the Coppingers whose heart is in Africa and the help they give to the local area."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Takwela Camp

Takwela Camp

"Takwela Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 20 Jun 2022
"Another camp with views over the river, seeing hippos, elephants, crocodiles and even a hyena across the river.

Food excellent as in Tafika and all staff helpful and attentive.

Our guide Alex, was very knowledgeable - an expert guide - enthusiastic and even tried to find an Aardvark for us just but just managed two holes it had dug! Exceptional!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Shoebill Island Camp

Shoebill Island Camp

"Shoebill Island Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 23 Jun 2022
"A stunning place especially for birdlife, we saw over 50 different species and we are not expert birders! Including of course the amazing shoebill - we were lucky enough to see 2. The flight in over the wetlands is just incredible seeing the thousands of Lechwe.

Unfortunately we did hear some gunshots at night and our guide Lewis reported it to the scouts in the area.

Lewis our guide here was extremely knowledgeable about the birdlife having grown up in the area."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe River Camp

"Chongwe River Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 25 Jun 2022
"Beautiful view - river, mountains and into the national park.

Elephants walking in to camp and past our tent! Great close up shots. Elephant in musk charging the jeep as we somehow we got between him and some females hidden in the bush.

Saw lioness with cubs and two juvenile males. Also saw 6 wild dogs, they ran past the jeep and then later we caught up with them as they were sleeping.

Our guide here was Hastings and again he was very knowledgeable and experienced. Very expert reversing down a narrow 800 metre track to get away from the big bull elephant!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp

Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp

"Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 27 Jun 2022
"Spectacular rooms with every amenity.

Lots of wildlife in the area and never a dull moment on drives or walks.

Food - well prepared and varied but don't get on the scales when you return home!

Presley our guide and Taps the trainee guide were the dream team! On our first afternoon we see 5 lions and a young leopard in a tree with a waterbuck kill, then see it's mother with another young one. Hundreds of elephants about from very small babies to big bulls. Also see a big male leopard.

Went on a morning game walk and a Greater Honeyguide constantly trying to lead us to the hives and an elephant which we had to do a detour to get past.

Evening game drive we come across a big male lion just lying across the track and refusing to move and two females with cubs playing.

On our last drive to the airstrip Presley finds a big pack of 26 wild dogs and a few minutes later they set off on a hunt after 3 warthogs and we have a fast and exciting drive trying to follow them. The warthogs lived to fight another day. We then find the dogs again scattered in the bush and a few lie down by our jeep, 16 of them and 15 minutes later the other 10 arrive to a lot of greeting from the others."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent

My Jul 2019 trip

Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 10 Jul 2019 and 25 Jul 2019

Trip rating: Excellent
"A good well organised trip to Malawi & Zimbabwe.
Two beautiful lodges with a good range of wildlife
Excellent food at Mkulumadzi
Thomas at Chilo Gorge & Mali at Mkulumadz were excellent knowledgeable guides with a sense of fun. Thomas was an expert on birds."

Arranged By Tom Morris

Tom Morris
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

"Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge review"

3 nights Arrived 11 Jul 2019
"Lodge very nice with great views over river
Over 150 Elephants seen plus to of antelopes etc
Drive up to top of Chilo cliffs was spectacular
Over 145 different birds seen"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Facilities
Excellent
Chilo Gorge Tented Camp

Chilo Gorge Tented Camp

"Chilo Gorge Tented Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 14 Jul 2019
"Another great spot
Leopard calling just in front of tent a 5.30am
Lions calling & night & they made a kill 100 yards away
Hyena also calling near by at night"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

"Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge review"

2 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2019
"incl in 1st section on this [Edit: see comments below]"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
City Lodge OR Tambo

City Lodge OR Tambo

"City Lodge OR Tambo review"

1 night Arrived 18 Jul 2019
"handy for airport"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Mkulumadzi Lodge

Mkulumadzi Lodge

"Mkulumadzi Lodge review"

3 nights Arrived 19 Jul 2019
"Great views again from main terrace and room no 1
Good guiding from Mali
Food the best of all the 20+ lodges we have been to in Africa & some of the others very good
Service at meal times also very good"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Pumulani

Pumulani

"Pumulani review"

2 nights Arrived 22 Jul 2019
"Good for a post Safari rest"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Trip reviews from N & J Lancs Return to Kenya after 36 yearsZambia - Luangwa's, Shoebill and Lower ZamMy Jul 2019 trip

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