NL
Email Flore | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful wildlife in an amazing environment
We loved doing the Safari tour, everything was arranged so good so you didn’t have to think about anything. It was nice to do the early tours so you had the late afternoon and evening off. The Amboseli national park was very big with a lot of different views, as in there were some dry parts, but also a small lake with flamingo’s and more green parts with high grass. The variety of small birds and the big animals was nice.
Email Ruth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience, memories that will last a lifetime. Kenya is amazing!
Our family of three had a great time in Kenya. I really wish that we had more time to get a bit off the beaten track, but we made the most of our 9 days and visited Nairobi National Park, the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Hell's Gate NP with the help of a safari tour operator, and Mombasa via the SGR train both ways. We could easily have spent at least another whole day at each of those destinations. They were each quite different in terms of landforms an ecosystems, and we really enjoyed the wildlife, the birds, and the scenery. Our daughter's favourite animal was, wait for it... the rock hyrax! In early February it was much greener than we expected, and nowhere near as hot. The weather was lovely, with refreshingly cool mornings and nice breezes most of the time in Nairobi and the Rift Valley. Mombasa on the coast was hot when you got any distance at all from the beach and sea breezes.
We chose a fairly budget safari with Daylight Adventures and Safaris who did a great job helping us plan and taking care of us while we were with them. Many of the costs are fixed such as park entry fees, fuel, etc, so much of the difference in price comes down to standard/style of accommodation and the vehicle, and whether extras such as alcoholic and other drinks are included. So think about what you want and need, and talk with your safari operator about your options and preferences. We had no need for the 'sundowners' I read about so often, so it didn't bother us that they were not included. The camps and lodges we stayed at had everything we needed, and a couple were even fancier than expected for the price. Meals were plentiful and good, coffee in sachets left a fair bit to be desired, but the ubiquitous African tea is a winner. Everywhere we stayed had hot water for showers, but it seems like many toilets don't always flush particularly well. Be prepared for very rough roads once you leave the main highways - they really give you a good shaking up. We're surprised none of us sustained minor head injuries in the vehicle. Seriously, if you suffer from osteoporosis or have a bad back, think twice about going on a driving safari - the roads can be that bad. But the views and the wildlife are magnificent. The massed pelicans and flamingoes at Lake Nakuru are breathtaking.
I am a birder, and this was my first (probably only) time in Africa, so the sheer quantity and variety of new birds was almost overwhelming. Before this trip to Kenya, all my birding experience was in southeast Asia and Australasia. The homework I did beforehand to become somewhat familiar with what to expect really paid off. We decided on a 9yo-friendly general safari rather than a specific birding tour, so I was pretty much on my own for IDing the birds, but I still logged over 130 lifers with the help of photos taken by my husband. Would easily have been well over 200 with an experienced birding guide and a clear birding focus.
In Nairobi we also went to the National Museum of Kenya and the adjoining Snake Park. These were worth the visit and quite interesting and informative. Everybody we came across in Nairobi and on safari was friendly and kind, except for one guy who accused us of taking photos of him and other people without consent when we went for a walk outside our accommodation. The visit to the Maasai village was interesting and informative, with a stange and slightly uncomfortable mix of feeling both staged and overly personal and intrusive. The men danced for each small group of visitors in their full traditional costumes, showed us their village and fire-making skills, and took us into one of their own homes. We felt kind of obliged to buy some of their jewellery. The local school serves 1000 students from kindergarten to Grade 8, many of whom stay in dormitories on site for weeks at a time since their homes are far distant. The oldest students were learning about subatomic particles that day going from what was written on the blackboard, and the walls of the school had diagrams of the structure of the heart and circulatory system painted on them. Again, we felt a bit pressured to make a donation at the end of the tour. No-one gives you any idea of what an appropriate amount is, but they did write everything down in a ledger in the interests of transparency.
In Mombasa we spent the morning on Nyali beach and our daughter enjoyed playing in the sand and exploring the rock pools as the tide went out. There was the option of camel rides on the beach, and we could have taken a guide to show us around the rock pools and mud flats and find some of the creatures that live there. In the afternoon we visited Fort Jesus as we wanted to understand and appreciate some of the long trading history of Africa. I'm not sure the guide we had there was worth the $20 - a bit rushed and spoke very fast so hard to understand. But some of the other guides seemed to be doing a good job. He also 'offered' to take us around the old city. It was a Sunday and all the traders were closed, but he still asked for an extra $20 which we declined since we had not realised that was not part of the original deal with him. Overall our impression was that people in Mombasa were not as friendly as most of the people we met in the other parts of the country that we visited, but we were still glad we went, and it would have been nice to have time to try a trip on a dhow or visit the marine parks.
Overall I would heartily recommend Kenya as a travel destination, and I would love to go back one day. My dream holiday in Kenya would be a camel-assisted walking safari in Laikipia, but it would put more of a hole in our bank account than we could justify. It was a great experience just to drive through the towns, villages and countryside, watching herds of both domestic and wild animals roaming across the savannahs, catching a glimpse of the red-draped Maasai herdsmen in the distance as they watched their flocks, and gaining the beginnings of an understanding of how they live side by side with large and dangerous wild animals. The Great Rift Valley is spectacular, and its well worth seeing and experiencing this major continental-scale geographical feature. We met some wonderful and fascinating people, and overall had an adventure we will never forget.
EE
Email Margit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travelling in Kenya requires an open mind!
Wildlife - stunning! You will most probably see more than you expected. NB! Not recommendable for people who need more than 1-2 bathrooms stops per day.
Booking a safari tour - be ready that the tour will take place in principle, but not as agreed. You will learn afterwards what does the tour include, what is mandatory/optional, how many people will be there in the group (can be also 8 despite "max 7" in the tour description), how much does which part of the tour cost, in which minivan you will be, etc. Before the booking is confirmed, answers to various questions are received quickly (and you will even be looked up via WhatsApp), but when an issue arises during your safari, you will not get hold of anybody, and no solution will be there either... Your seat may not necessarily have a safety belt (and the ride on these roads really demands it!). At the end you are just very happy that you are back in Nairobi!
Booking an accommodation - the booking may work, but also be ready that it does not work (it gets cancelled, you will be advised to cancel it, you are offered lucrative alternatives - say 'no' to these!) and you will need to find quickly a new one for you.
Booking a beach trip on your own - domestic flights perfectly ok and with a good service. Online boarding pass, however, needs to be changed into another boarding pass at the counter. Diani beach is marvelous!
Paying with cash - works in principle, but be ready that when paying with larger bills than the item costs, you will not get back anything, because "Sorry, sir/madam, I don't have any small bills". Whenever possible, use MPesa.
Transportation - use Uber. Works very well.
Roads - there are hard-cover roads where the ride is smooth, but outside the capital, be ready for roads that 'check your internal organs'.
Cleanliness - clean in safari park, inside shopping malls, buildings, hotel areas, beach, else not...
Airport security - be ready for several check-points where you need to 'unpack' your watch, phone, laptop, etc. for one single trip, incl. domestic ones.
People are friendly.
Enjoy coconut, avocado and mango - they are truly exceptionally fresh and delicious.
US
Email Barry | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wild and wonderful
A great country to experience wildlife and local tribal customs. The scenery goes from Savannah to dense forested bush with soaring snow capped mountain ranges . Safaris are safe and comfortable.
IT
Email Anna LM | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Big Five are here!
Masai Mara: not so much gnu due to migration. Lots of lions 😍
Amboseli: amazing view of Kilimangiaro
Tsavo ovest: wild bush
IT
Email Kevin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful
Africa is a beautiful place to be specific Kenya in terms on weather and nature
US
Email Kelly | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya is beautiful, modern, and rugged at the same time
Diani beach in Kenya is spectacular. We wish we had spent more days at Southern Palms resort at the end of the trip. 2 nights there was not enough.
Masai Mara is delightful with beautiful scenery and wildlife. Tsavo and Amboseli are a bit more rugged and bush-like. Difficult to see game life at time, and the roads can be rough. But the scenery of both parks is amazing . Particularly, the red elephants in Tsavo east and Mt Kilimanjaro sightings in Amboseli.
Nairobi has wonderful restaurants and malls, and Uber is used fairly. But don’t spend too long in Nairobi. 2 nights should do it.
NL
Email Frank Kroeze | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely scenic country with beautiful nature and spectacular views
Had a very good time in Kenya, climbing Mt Kenya (5 days), doing a safari to spot wildlife (5 days) and have some relaxation time in Mombasa (3 days). Apart from shortening the safari a bit (and extending the time in Mombasa) I would do nothing different.
PE
Email Eliza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing to see the wildlife
It was fantastic and overwhelming to see the wildlife in the Masai Mara, and at Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha.
I also enjoyed my first afternoon in Nairobi, walking through the city and going up the KICC tower.
I found the Masai village visit artificial but nonetheless interesting and fascinating.
It was hard to get out of the tourist bubble once in it, and find budget ways to see the city rather than expensive taxis and tours.
US
Email Jason | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great sights on the Mara
I had a great stay in Masaai Mara. It was my second time and there are so many incredible sights. We got very close to a group of elephants and saw an interesting encounter with a pack of hyenas following a big cheetah. I really enjoyed it! I took some great photographs as well.
