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Somak Holidays
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1968)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, IATA, ATOL, TATO, KATO & ABTA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
-
BWETKEMWMZNARWZATZUGZMZW
- Price Range:
- $57 to $443 ppper person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgable, friendly staff in uk
Staff were helpful and had travelled to Kenya so could answer questions and advise and were always good on email as I booked my trip at work. After making our payment we heard nothing more from Somak which was not a nice feeling especially as they a local UK Company it was almost as though we might change our mind if we spoke again!!! On arriving in Kenya we loved every minute
We stayed four nights at the Ashnil Mara Lodge and enjoyed every one of them. The whole experience from arriving and being driven from the airstrip to waking up in a four poster bed with a still warm hot water bottle at 6:30am for the game drive. We imagined it would be riding in terms of Somak churning people in and out of the camps however during the time we stayed we were relaxed and felt like the only ones there despit it being full for dinner one night.
Our guide/driver Edward who works for the lodge was very knowledgable of the area so made light work of the vast Mara when driving through the rivers to cross into Rhino or Cheetah territory. We saw 7 giraffe who lived just outside the gates of the camp and saw them in the mornings and evening on their way back home brilliant memories. 52 lions on the last count, a kill and many many young animals
Masai Mara is wonderful. The landscapes, the river and the wildlife. You definitely have to enjoy all these to visit and if you are lucky enough you will see wildlife as it should be. You feel bad being there wishing you could see it without intruding on their territory, seeing the animals behave naturally is amazing.
Lions fighting over territory, mating and hunting. Elephants are huge and yet graceful. There were so many babies we saw and it made us happy to know there is continuity in the great Masai Mara. We saw Zebra, Hyena, Ostrich, Giraffe and Warthogs and birds. It is a wonderful wonderful place
The food was excellent, fresh and tasty every time, with salads and veg options not repeated in the time we stayed. Authentic Kenyan food with spice just what you expect and need after the early starts
All the staff were very helpful and friendly and always interested in your day and had lots of stories to share with other guests
The tents are very spacious and the bathrooms clean and modern and still a tent!! Terrace in room 30 was great as we could see the river and baboons but not the Hippo, the best place to see these would be at reception although you can hear them all night and day, such a wonderful experience
Would have been 5 stars however they charge for wi-fi which is only on a few hours in the day and is very poor in signal. If you are going to offer a service and charge for it at least make sure it works as it should, having said this we would definitely go back as safari is not about the internet connection
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An interesting and well-organised package, with one major flaw in our arrival transfer arrangements
On the whole a fascinating insight into a country new to us. Generally well thought out and well packaged, with some excellent interactions with African staff. Knowledgeable and amenable safari guide. Transfer arrangements to the isolated Sadaani National Park need review and amendment. Accommodation location, facilities and food were excellent both in Sadaani and on Zanzibar.
Experienced and Dependable
This is the third time I have used Somak for a 'special' holiday (having been, with them, to Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar and Mauritius). Somak are experienced in their field and 'know their stuff'. They will advise as appropriate and also research and arrange any bespoke requirements their clients have - I usually have something I've read about that I'd like to do and they've never failed to disappoint. All of our holidays have been multi-centre but the experience is seamless - when we travel to a new destination, without fail there is always someone to meet us - which is invaluable when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. The only thing I would recommend to Somak is that they build in a courtesy call when their clients return from holiday - I usually have some constructive feedback where improvements could be made and I feel they are missing a trick by not doing this. But, in terms of recommending Somak as a tour operator, I wouldn't hesitate.
Disclaimer
- All corporate and/or tour info is provided by Somak Holidays, not SafariBookings