Kenya Reviews

Dear Helen

We had such a wonderful trip to Kenya and the visa issue was soon forgotten!  The lodges were both just fabulous - Suruni is obviously small and the service pretty much bespoke.  There were lots of options for safaris - we had breakfast out every day!  We only shared a jeep couple of times with a lovely American couple - obviously we co-ordinated our drives with them!  Food was delicious - a lot of it - we learned to pick and choose courses - but really excellent.  Staff were knowledgeable and just lovely.  We saw all

the animals we hoped to, apart from lion, but knew we would see them in the Masai Mara!  The drive to Samburu was relatively long - about an hour but we generally saw animals on our way!

Little Governors was also really lovely and of course the drive from the airstrip is very short with the bonus of spitting animals on our way there!  Great accommodation, food and staff!  Drinks not included, which was different to Suruni but the bar was well stocked!  We did early morning game drives and came back for breakfast (we were on our own in the jeep) and one day we had a whole day out which was amazing! Picnic lunch on the plain!  We loved our guide!  Relaxing and having lunch overlooking the waterhole was fabulous.  Gift shop a little underwhelming but think restock planned.

We saw everything we hoped to see apart from a rhino!

Afrochic was another lovely venue - 10 rooms and the most wonderful location and service.  Food was delicious and I had the best facial ever!  Not much to do out of the hotel and I don’t like being harassed by beach vendors but a few days of r&r was the perfect way to end our trip!  The staff made our trip up to Vipingo so easy and booked our ferry crossings for us!  We were greeted on our return as if we had been on an adventure by staff and Guests  alike!

Thank you once again for all your planning and research.  We really appreciated how smoothly everything went from the moment we got off the plane from London.

Hopefully Argentina for us next!

Best wishes 

Lizzie

Dear Derek

To be honest with you there is nothing we can think of to improve your service. We have found travelling with Rainbow Tours has been a real joy. The help you provided while planning the trip and before travel was excellent. 

The trip itself was fantastic  and I am not sure we could have asked for more. We felt safe and cared for from the start with the guy who met us off the plane at Nairobi (not sure how he was able to meet us directly off the plane but it was great). The next guy who took us to Wilson Airport via a breakfast stop was really helpful and made sure we knew what our itinerary was again friendly and helpful.

It has to be said I think Samburu was the highlight of the trip. The Elephant Bedroom Lodge was so lovely, Samburu itself fabulous and the people at the lodge and Solomon our driver were unfailingly friendly and charming. The food was delicious and the room so comfortable. The fact we saw leopard, cheetah and lion was extraordinary and this on top of elephants and the animals specific to the region. The birdlife was fabulous and varied.

Lewa was also amazing and again people could not have been friendlier or more helpful. They gave us their best lodge as we were the only guests on arrival which was really special and appreciated as were the surprise breakfast in the bush and camel ride. The fact that they were able to arrange a guided walk and horse riding as well was an added bonus that gave a different perspective on safari’ing. They also arranged a trip up to the mountain forest and night drive both of which were well worthwhile.

Finally Diani and Nomad Sands was amazing. The beach is so special. Again the staff at the hotel were so friendly and helpful, the lodge comfortable and food delicious. We would strongly recommend the trip to Wasini Island and snorkelling. We saw dolphins on the way out to the reef and at the reef the coral and fish were stunning. Swimming with turtles was unbelievable. 

All in all a trip to remember so thank you for your help in sorting the itinerary. If we did it again we might increase the time on safari and reduce the coast stay but we have no complaints only thanks.

Very best wishes

David and Thekla

Hi Craig,

This trip has been exceptional, everything has been more than expected.

Even had Big 5 on consecutive days here in the Masai Mara. For 2 days, have had the camp and staff to myself....all is good and I wouldn't have missed it for the world,

Thanks again,

Regards, Bob

Service from Rainbow Tours: excellent

Knowledge of travel specialist: excellent

Overall level of satisfaction: excellent.

In the Omo Valley and Gondar our guides were excellent.

Ole Sereni Hotel: very helpful, lovely people.

Jupiter International Hotel: excellent 

Buska Lodge, Turmi: comfort and service excellent; location, meals and facilities good. Nothing too much trouble; a nice place to stay.

Eco Omo Lodge, Jinka: average. We took earplugs as advised but they could not cope with the noise of the all night party from the village especially the drums, and then the chanting from 03h30 am. 

Kanta Lodge, Konso: comfort, service and location: good. Meals and facilities average. 

Haile Resort, Hawassa: Excellent in all respects. Beautiful hotel.

Goha Hotel, Gondar: good in all respects. 

Lalibela Lodge: cmofort and location good; service, meals and facilities average. 

Sabean International Hotel, Axum: comfort: good; service excellent; location and meals good. No not water in our basin so they found Stephen a spare room in which to shave, lol. 

Speke's Camp, Kenya: a great camp for a safari; very well organised; amazing food; very clean and lovely staff. Very good knowledge of the wildlife on the game drives, 

A very enjoyable holiday. Just a few minor blips but overall a very well organised trip. Thank you.

All Kicheche Camps were excellent with delightful camp hosts very much enhancing the experience. On initial discussions with Rainbow, Porini Camps were also mentioned as being equally good but we decided on Kicheche as their website suggested they were slightly more geared up for photographers. This was definitely the case, and on seeing the Porini vehicles while we were out there, no doubt Kicheche vehicles are far better for photographers, as were the guides who were nearly all very keen photographers themselves. The concept of conservancies is fantasctic and would not consider anything else after this trip. Game viewing was good, slightly disapointed due to the long grass in January making the sightings slightly harder but we still saw fabulous things and we will need to return! 

'Overall holiday satisfaction: Excellent.

Gorilla Mountain View Lodge: excellent comfort, service, location, meals and facilities.

Wildebeest Camp: Excellent comfort and location. Good service, meals and facilities. Barking dogs and noisy toads kept me awake! Perfect otherwise.

Amboseli Porini Camp: Excellent in all respects.

Rwandan driver-guide Mussa and hotel staff second-to-none. Nothing was too muc bother and everything was undertaken with  smile. Went beyond the call of duty - lovely people, amazing country and amazing Gorillas!

Masai guides, Tony the camp manager at Porini and everyone fantastic hosts. Smiling and hospitable & fantastic wildife spotters. An amazing experience.'

Chameleon Tours were excellent, even suggesting a place to have a meal before waiting at the airport. Air Kenya were very efficient. Our guide Moses from Magic Safaris had an excellent understanding of what tourists want – we couldn’t fault him at all. The best guide we have had over eight safaris!

We felt very much at home here!

Leila perfectly assessed what we wanted, and we could not be happier with the arrangements. We are singing your and Kenya’s praises from the rooftops and hope some more people visit.

Kicheche atmosphere  particularly welcoming and personal. Little Governor’s felt more ‘commercial’ by comparison. We were glad to experience two contrasting camps, in terms of environment, location and variety of wildlife.

When I called, Chania was excellent in advising on options, with real personal experience to draw on.

We had a truly brilliant time. Everything went like clockwork and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.

I can't thank you enough for organising such a fantastic trip for us. It exceeded all our expectations (mine, and those of two teenagers) and was a wonderful experience.

Thank you also for tracking us down to alert us to the flight change so we got home okay. I will tell anyone interested in an African holiday what a great experience we had.

Many thanks again!

We would like to thank all of the staff at Rainbow Tours, especially Derek and Candice who really went out of their way to help us with any queries we had. It will be hard to beat the holiday we had!
 

A great big thank you to Chania for organising this holiday of a lifetime for us. It more than exceeded our expectations. Porini Amboseli Camp, a bull elephant outside our tent at 4.20am so close we could hear him breathe. Porini Lion Camp, lions roaring in the dead of night and a leopard asleep on the camp managers tent in the early evening. As for Unguja Lodge Zanzibar there are not many places you can watch humpback whales from your terrace, we did. Thank you.

We probably had more ‘special’ moments on this trip than on any other of our previous safaris (seven!). We were particularly impressed by the guiding and also by the flexibility this time.

The location is amazing, we saw so much in the marsh in front of our tent and the bird life in the camp was wonderful 

We loved the intimacy of this camp; it was like staying with friends from the very beginning. The tent was the ultimate in luxury. Every detail was carefully considered. The whole team were so considerate

The two camps we stayed at on our kenya safari were the perfect combination. Although they were close enough to allow a game drive transfer, the ecosystems were different and so there was plenty of variety. We particularly appreciated the philosophy of Kicheche, which supports the wildlife, but also contributes much to the livelihood of the local Masai communities. We really got to know our guide, Patrick at Kicheche, very well and he us as we were very lucky to have the vehicle and Patrick to ourselves for all of the game drives. 

Very well looked after. Made to feel special for our 40^th wedding anniversary with champagne and a card. Enjoyed sociable evenings

Had a trip of a life time and would defiantly recommend it. Thank you for all your help! 

The best place we have ever stayed! Perfect! Val and Brendan were great hosts 

I was lucky to have Nelson to myself during my stay. Relaxed drives with lots of chats and knowledge sharing. So glad I went, it was my first single safari and I’ll defiantly be going back again. Travelling alone isn’t the problem I expected it would be. Rainbow Tours helped by making all the arrangements like clockwork. I had a fab trip and photo’s to stir memories of a great time spent with lovely people and super wildlife.

This holiday was the first I have ever had where it has not been a ‘package’ and I must admit to feeling slightly hesitant travelling alone but any concerns I did have before I left home were totally unnecessary. 

Kicheche Mara camp was absolutely delightful. The staff were absolutely brilliant, the food was wonderful and the tents an amazing experience. Nothing was ever too much trouble, whatever was requested. The game drives were incredible and the Masai driver always went to a great deal of effort to find the animals for us

Val and Brendan and all the staff were wonderful, the location, service, food excellent. Hot water bottle was first class! 

This was a lot of money for us to spend on a family holiday, but we are glad we had the experiences we did and Rainbow Tours did their bit to ensure a smooth-running holiday

The trip went like clockwork. We loved every minute and would certainly do it again. Little Governors and Funzi Keys are delightful with staff who are all friendly and helpful. Best holiday I have had. Thank you.

Sirikoi is definitely not a luxury camp

Kicheche Main Camp is quality accommodation and game viewing is superb, great staff.

Excellent, an absolutely incredible place to stay – I would highly recommend it to anyone. The Kicheche Camp was amazing – the tents, the service and the game drives were all fabulous.  We all loved it and have amazing photos as proof!

We had a fabulous Kenya holiday and our Rainbow consultant had suggested the perfect itinerary.  

First Class! Efficient and detailed information from Rainbow Tours. 

Our stay here far, far exceeded our expectations and showed us wildlife and bits of Nairobi. Sorry to leave this.

One of the best places we have stayed. Absolutely perfect.

Just the most perfect holiday. Thank you so much.

Full marks for everything.

We were pleased with the varied selection of camps and habitats which allowed us to see a wide variety of birds and animals during the holiday.

Kinondo Kwetu was an excellent place to end [our Kenya and Botswana] holiday. The laundry service was limited to 5 items per person per stay

Excellent on all accounts. The best place we stayed. Guide was superb. Again only two of us in the vehicle which improved the game viewing experience.

An excellent hotel, a bit out of town. Good service, location and facilities.

Staying at The Palacina cheered us up on a long journey home. Wow!

Everything ran really smoothly. Loved it and hope to return to Kenya.

Many thanks to our consultant for the advice on selecting great accommodation. It was an amazing holiday. Watching wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River is a memory I will always treasure!

Full marks. Wonderful room and view. Very attentive staff. Luxurious.

Comfortable, with high rating services and meals. What a lovely way to finish our holiday. Super suite. Very friendly and helpful staff.

We were very happy with our holiday in Kenya. The safari camps were really well chosen and the itinerary / logistics were excellent. Thank you very much!

Mara Plains Camp is a 30 min. drive from the airstrip if you don’t stop to look at the incredible animals; it took us well over an hour!!! ...We arrived late lunch time and were greeted with "fancy a gin & tonic?" The start of 4 fantastic day stay... Only on one day did we see more than 2 other vehicles. The animals we saw included lions, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, cape buffalo, topi, warthog, eland, wildebeest, elephant, leopard, hyena, jackal, spring hare to name but a few and of course there are all the different birds.

Although we had little sleep, we had our last night with 17 elephants around our tents! Laugh now and a good dining tale! A brilliant experience!

Comfort and service are good, and the location, facilities and meals are excellent at Pinewood Village!

Our host was charming.

We would certainly recommend Rainbow Tours, far beyond our expectations. Excellent service - detailed itinerary/instructions were brilliant, especially the info on transfers in Nairobi. A BIG THANK YOU to Rainbow Tours who organized such a perfect honeymoon for my wife and I. I look forward to dealing with you on our next trip to Africa!

Fantastic honeymoon and well orchestrated trip. Thanks.

Our guide at Governors' was excellent!

From the minute we arrived to our departure it was like staying with friends. We had a few laughs especially when I was “sprayed” by a male lion - suppose it all adds to excitement.

Lovely friendly relaxed resort with clean but clinical rooms. Nice long beachfront for walks and on the whole we were left alone.

Guides - amazing knowledge and passionate about the wild life. Fantastic! Overall [it was] better than we could have imagined. Thank you Rainbow Tours for an excellent experience.

Loldia House was wonderful. No one was staying so all revolved around us!

Once again Rainbow Tours has proved to be the best choice and they couldn’t have suggested, arranged and supported us through a better trip.

Sasaab was heaven on earth. A very magical place.

We both really enjoyed Mara Plains and would strongly recommend it. The location was ideal, being in the conservation area, which meant that we were taken places off the beaten track and able to spend time with the animals a lot of the time with no-one else around. The guides were very knowledgeable and knew where to find the animals and able to inform us all about them. We were amazed how many we saw, which was everything effectively. The camp had a great lay-out and the tents very comfortable. The staff were all exceptionally pleasant, there was a social atmosphere and the food great. We both felt that we would be very happy to return there.

We both really enjoyed Mara Plains and would strongly recommend it. The location was ideal, being in the conservation area, which meant that we were taken places off the beaten track and able to spend time with the animals a lot of the time with no-one else around.

The guides were very knowledgable and knew where to find the animals and able to inform us all about them.  We were amazed how many we saw, which was everything effectively. The camp had a great lay-out and the tents very comfortable. The staff were all exceptionally pleasant, there was a social atmosphere and the food great. We both felt that we would be very happy to return there.

We also enjoyed Fundu Lagoon, however we believe you know this venue quite well. Again it was very comfortable and the staff extremely helpful. Great cocktails. 

Both venues complemented each other exceptionally well and were incredibly similar in style and comfort. Both had a strong sense of the environment and surroundings.

If you would like to know more specfic details we would be happy to supply, however it would all be positive!

The stay was memorable not just because of the natural wildlife but because of the guide Philip Keter a most worthy gold medal guide with exceptional grasp of his country and surroundings.

The stay was memorable not just because of the natural wildlife but because of the guide Philip Keter, a most worthy gold medal guide with exceptional grasp of his country and surroundings.

Excellent. Fantastic value for money and brilliant service. This was our first safari – just brilliant.

Excellent guides in Kenya!

The game viewing in the Mara North Conservancy was amazing. We both really enjoyed the whole holiday. Thank you!