Kenya & Tanzania Adventure

14 Days
From CAD 7980
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Group Tour
Activity Level
Unknown

Rating


(20 reviews)

Experience Overview

Kenya and Tanzania are home to some of the most prolific game-viewing locations, not just in Africa, but the world. This itinerary takes in several national parks in and around the Great Rift Valley, giving us the opportunity to observe some of the best wildlife and scenery in Africa . It finishes in style on the spice island of Zanzibar, a tropical paradise with white-sand beaches and fascinating Stone Town.
Profile
— Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotel), 9 Simple nights (full-service camping) – Land-only clients have an extra night in a hotel in Nairobi — Travel in specialist overland vehicle and flight to Zanzibar — Some drives on rough roads
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotel), 9 Simple nights (full-service camping) – Land-only clients have an extra night in a hotel in Nairobi — Travel in specialist overland vehicle and flight to Zanzibar — Some drives on rough roads
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) and has a Wildlife Rating of Four. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. This is an excellent trip for wildlife, scenery and a taste of life in East Africa, with a few days of relaxation at the end. To pack so much into a short time, there are some long drives; although the distances are not great, some of the roads are quite poor and bumpy especially after the rainy seasons. We include breaks for toilet facilities, shopping, photos and meals. The spectacular scenery and glimpses of village life when travelling make the journeys more enjoyable but come prepared with an adventurous spirit and a sense of humour for a trip of a lifetime. We offer a full-service camping safari, therefore tents are put up and meals are prepared for you, unless you wish to help! We have our own cook who shops, prepares and cooks all camping meals.
Group Description
There is a local leader, driver and cook and local guides where needed.
Eating Drinking
All meals are included except lunch and dinner on Zanzibar; you should allow a further US$200 for these. All included meals are prepared for you by our chef and crew. They are adept at catering for large groups of hungry travellers! Breakfasts usually include cereal, toast and hot food, such as porridge or eggs. Lunches tend to feature a range of sandwich options plus a selection of fruit. Dinners usually feature soup, a main (a mix of local and international cuisine) and dessert. All cooking equipment is loaded onto the overland vehicle and so our crew are ready to prepare food wherever we stop – don’t worry about going hungry on this trip! You have time to stock up on snacks and drinks along the journey.
Transportation
Transport is in a specialist overland vehicle. These are ideal vehicles for seeing Africa, being robust enough to cope with some of the inevitably bad and bumby roads and having good visibility for the excellent scenery and game parks. The seats are bucket seats and have some padding. They have seat belts.  There is no air-con, but the windows open. The luggage is kept in lockers at the back of the truck and there are overhead racks. The truck carries all the necessary camping equipment and is equipped with a large drinking-water tank. We travel in 4x4 vehicles in Ngorongoro Crater. During the rainy season, a 4x4 may be used in the Masai Mara. The driving distances and times are as follows: Nairobi to Kembu Farm: 113mi (182km), 5hr 30minNakuru to Masai Mara: 141mi (227km), nine hoursMasai Mara to Lake Victoria: 192mi (310km), 10 hours or more, depending on the border crossingLake Victoria to Serengeti: 118mi (190km), nine hoursSerengeti to Ngorongoro: 84mi (135km), eight hoursNgorongoro to Arusha: 99mi (159km), eight hours
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Heron Hotel, Milimani Road, Nairobi, Kenya Phone number: +254 20 2720740/1 Recommended arrival time: If you’re booking your own flights, you can arrive at any time on Day 1 Airport: Nairobi Airport (NBO) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfer to the start (or pre-tour) hotel will be on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Catching your return flight Departure transfers to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) are provided for clients travelling on a selected flight to London, UK. Clients who have booked their flights independently or who are travelling on different flights to the group flights will need to make their own way from the end point of the tour.
Weather Information
Although this part of East Africa lies in the tropics, the temperature depends more on altitude than on season. Kenya and northern Tanzania have temperatures around 20C (68F) in March and dropping to 15C (59F) in August, or perhaps a little lower, which can feel cold. The long rains, during which we do not operate these tours, occur in April and May, and there are intermittent ‘short rains’ between November and January, though these normally have no great effect on the safari. It is much warmer near the coast, usually around 31C (89F) and very humid but there is often a cooling breeze.
Spending Money
We recommend you take most of your money in US dollars. Any US dollars cash should be clean, unmarked notes and should be dated no earlier than 2004. It is advisable to bring a mix of denominations including some small notes. British pounds and US dollars can be exchanged on arrival in Nairobi. airport There is a great variety of souvenirs on sale. We encourage buying items that benefit the local economy and avoiding expensive shopping malls where most of the money may go abroad or to large businesses. Among the local handicrafts, look for Makonde woodcarvings, permitted leather goods, native jewellery, local textiles, batik, soap-stone carvings, precious and semi-precious stones. Optional excursions: Nairobi (only possible if you have extra time in Nairobi before or after the trip) Excursions in Nairobi must be booked through our local partners on the ground. Please call +254 733 523 813 at any time to organise these activities. — Karen Blixen Museum: US$14 per person — Giraffe Centre: US$12 per person — NNP Animal orphanage: US$40 per person (Entry only) — Safari walk: US$25 per person — Carnivore Restaurant: US$30-US$35 per person — Bomas: US$10 per person — National Museum: US$14 per person Transfers to/from all of these excursions – price varies depending on the type of vehicle and the number of clients and may include waiting charges Masai Mara — Sunrise balloon safari in Masai Mara: Can be booked locally for US$495 upwards. Includes champagne and a full English breakfast in the bush. — Masai village visit: US$20 Serengeti — Sunrise balloon safari in Serengeti: Can be booked locally for US$540 upwards. Includes champagne and a full English breakfast in the bush. Zanzibar — Snorkelling day trip: US$35 — Snorkelling half-day trip: US$20 — Scuba dive: US$80 — Dhow trip: US$40 — Prison Island tour: US$25 — Spice tour: US$25 (half day including lunch) — Entrance to historical sites: US$5
Tipping
If you feel your leader and crew performed well, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide we suggest approximately: US$50-US$70 for your tour leaderUS$25-US$35 for each of the other three crew members It is also courtesy to tip any extra guides/ drivers you may have over the course of the trip, though certainly not compulsory. Shortly after arrival, the leader will suggest to the group that they donate approximately US$30 per person towards a kitty. This money is then used for tipping local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc and will be distributed by the leader. Any money left at the end of the trip will be refunded to the group on an equal basis.

Highlights

  • — Experience some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania — Search for endangered rhinos on game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park — Explore the grasslands of the Masai Mara and the Serengeti for iconic safari animals — Marvel at the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world — Visit the exotic spice island of Zanzibar and relax on the coast

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 4324

Tour TypeTour Type: Group Tour

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: ght hours

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: WYK

StartStarts: Nairobi, Kenya

FinishFinishes: Nairobi, Kenya

DurationDuration: 14 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Unknown

Includes

  • — All breakfasts, nine lunches and nine dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout

Accommodation

Hotels and camping
We begin and end this East African adventure in hotels, spending one night in the centre of Nairobi and three nights relaxing in Zanzibar. We also spend nine nights camping, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the wild. Hotels Nairobi: Heron Hotel (night 1) We ease into the adventure with a stay at the Heron Hotel in the centre of Nairobi (unless you’re joining us tomorrow morning). If you’re itching to explore, tourist attractions such as Uhuru Park, Central Park and the Kenyatta Mausoleum are a short taxi-ride away. If not, the hotel has a heated pool, sauna and gym. What’s more, the Bashasha restaurant offers all-day dining with light meals and snacks, while the Mdalasini restaurant features a sunny patio and balcony and serves international dishes. Stone Town, Zanzibar: Shangani Hotel (night 11) Centrally located in Stone Town, this 24-room hotel is only a five-minute walk from the 17th-century Old Fort of Zanzibar. When you’re not out exploring, the hotel has a rooftop restaurant with views over the town and towards the Indian Ocean. Nungwi, Zanzibar: Crystal Beach Resort (nights 12-13) Just a few sandy-footed steps from Nungwi Beach, the Crystal Beach Resort is our spot to flop at the end of our adventure. The location is an obvious plus, but the property also has a garden, restaurant and bar, where you can relax and gather with the group and reminisce about the trip. Camping Camping on this trip is full-service, which means the tents are put up for you. All camping equipment (including mattresses) is provided except sleeping bags. Campsites in East Africa usually only have basic facilities – bring your adventurous spirit! – and there are no swimming pools at the campsites we use. At some sites, you can upgrade to a room, which can only be arranged locally. Below are the campsites we typically use on this trip and a rundown of their facilities: Kembu: Kembu Farm (night 2) Fire pitNeighbouring restaurant and cafeShared long-drop toiletsHot showersUpgrades available Lake Nakuru National Park: Nderit Campsite (night 3) Kitchen facilitiesShared toiletsHot showers Masai Mara: Mara Springs Camp (nights 4-5) Hot showersRestaurantBar Tembo Beach: Campsite (night 6) Hot showersRestaurantBar Serengeti: Public Campsite (nights 7-8) Shared toilets and bathroomsCold showers Ngorongoro: Ngiri Campsite (night 9) Shared toilets and bathroomsCold showers Arusha: Meserani Snake Park (night 10) Shared toilets and bathroomsCold showers

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 7980 (CAD 570 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Start Nairobi

If you have booked your flights, arrive at the start hotel at any time today. Those on the group flights from London, UK, will arrive tomorrow afternoon. There are no activities planned, so relax and settle into Nairobi life. To make things easy, there are free transfers available from the airport, see the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. Accommodation: Heron Hotel (or similar)

2
Day 2: To Kembu Farm

After the arrival of the group flights, we travel west into the Great Rift Valley to Kembu. We stay on the farm tonight and can go on a farm walk this afternoon. Accommodation: Kembu Farm or similar (full-service camping)

3
Day 3: Full day of game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning, we drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, where we enjoy a superb game drive. Although small, the park is home to an amazing variety of animals and birdlife. It also has a soda lake, which is sometimes home to thousands of flamingos. We hope to see endangered white and black rhinos, lions and, if we are very lucky, the elusive leopard. There is a stunning view above the lake from Baboon Cliffs and here we may see a rock hyrax, a small, furry relative of the elephant. Tonight, we stay just outside the park in a campsite with good showers and flush toilets. Accommodation: Nderit Campsite or similar (full-service camping)

4
Day 4: To Masai Mara; late afternoon game drive

Today we travel into the Masai Mara, one of the most famous ecosystems in the world. This vast grassland is teeming with life; plains game including wildebeest, gazelle, topis, zebras and buffalos, and never far away are the predators: cheetahs, lions and hyenas. Between mid-August and late October, one of the greatest spectacles on Earth takes place in the Mara – the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras. Nothing is guaranteed on safari but, with the help of our brilliant guides, you should see and learn a huge amount about the resident wildlife as we game drive through the park this afternoon. We stay in a campsite just outside the reserve for the next two nights. Accommodation: Mara Springs Camp or similar (full-service camping) Upgrades available

5
Day 5: Full day of game drives in the Masai Mara

We have a full-day game drive in the Masai Mara to increase our chances of encountering many of the wildlife species in the reserve. We find a quiet spot inside the park to enjoy lunch by our vehicle, looking across the plains. There are also several optional excursions you can enjoy today in addition to the game drive. Get up early for a sunrise hot-air balloon safari (including champagne and breakfast) or visit a traditional Maasai village to meet the local people. Accommodation: Mara Springs Camp or similar (full-service camping) Upgrades available

6
Day 6: To Lake Victoria

Our long drive today is up through the Western Highlands and allows plenty of time to appreciate the superb scenery. The road begins to descend and we leave the neatly ordered rows of tea bushes as we cross the border into Tanzania at Isebania. We camp in a pleasant spot at Musoma on the shore of Lake Victoria. Accommodation: Tembo Beach / Matvilla beach or similar (full-service camping) Upgrades and wi-fi available

7
Day 9: Morning game drive; to Ngorongoro Crater

We leave early and it is often possible to watch elephants and other animals browsing close to the campsite. The morning is spent game driving in the eastern part of the park, where it is unusual not to spot a pride of lions in their favourite place: under a big, shady tree. After crossing the vast grasslands, we come to the Ngorongoro entry gate at Naabi Hill. We travel up towards the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, the wide-open plains below stretching as far as the eye can see. Finally reaching the top, the crater opens in front of us: a huge, natural caldera, one of the great sights of Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, formed when a volcano top erupts, leaving fertile plains in its place. Before this happened, it was the highest mountain in Africa, towering over nearby Kilimanjaro. The crater is essentially made of grassy plains, lush forest and a soda lake, which houses flamingos and an array of birdlife. From the rim, at an altitude of 7,875ft (2,400m), the cliff plunges down some 1,970ft (600m) to the crater floor with a whole host of extinct volcanoes ringing the valley. Our campsite here is very basic and can be very cold at night, so please come prepared. Accommodation: Ngorongoro Ngiri Campsite or similar (full-service camping)

8
Day 10: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater; drive along the Rift Valley to Arusha

We descend to the crater floor in 4x4 vehicles and spend the morning watching large numbers of plains game, and the ever-present predators around them. We search for hippos in the murky pools and try to protect our food at lunchtime from the fearless brown kites, as they swoop and snatch anything that appears to be edible. After a fantastic morning, we continue our journey to the edge of the Rift Valley, where there is a great view over Lake Manyara (often tinted pink around the edges from large numbers of flamingos) and to Arusha. Accommodation: Meserani Snake Park or similar (full-service camping)

9
Day 11: Flight to Zanzibar; afternoon in Stone Town

We take a morning flight to Zanzibar, an island 22mi (35km) from the mainland. First visited by Arab traders in the eighth century, and countless travellers in the following centuries, it is most famous for its spices and was once the centre of the East African slave trade. We spend our first night in Stone Town and then two nights by the beach. Stone Town is a myriad of small alleys and markets. We recommend a spice tour around the island plantations with chances to taste and buy. Accommodation: Shangani Hotel (or similar)

10
Day 14: End Zanzibar

Our adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d like more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

Reviews

 

Bridget Bennett   -  Traveled, January 2024

A fantastic trip This trip exceeded all expectations in terms of the iconic wildlife we saw and the spectacular scenery, with a wonderful guide and crew. Also we had a good group of only 7, and being outside peak season camp sites were quiet, and there was less competition between safari vehicles for prime viewing spots. Most Inspirational Moment So many - a pride of lions round a recently killed buffalo, a cheetah and later a lion walking beside us (all a few feet away), a leopard with kill in a tree, lions mating Thoughts on Group Leader Gathoni was a great guide, working incredibly hard, developing relationships with each of us individually, working really well with the rest of the wonderful crew (Ben, Dan and Godfrey), and always cheerful and funny Advice for Potential Travellers Note that yellow fever certificates may be required for entry into Kenya and Tanzania as well as Zanzibar, and as of January 2024 it’s easier to get the Tanzanian visa at the border than online as Exodus don’t provide sufficient information to do so online. Also note that optional activities in Zanzibar can vary in price depending on how many of the group want to participate and where you’re staying. It’s worth also noting that this trip is very full on with very little downtime or opportunity to get any exercise. It’s probably unavoidable given the distances involved, but good to come prepared. Suggestions The switch from Kembu Farm to Lake Naivashu for first night was excellent - a shorter drive after a sleepless night flight, and a wonderful sunrise boat trip on the lake to start our trip on a high. However, the use of Cristal Beach resort in Zanzibar was not good. The Thursday night disco pounded away yards from our rooms till 2 in the morning and the manager stayed away till we left in order to avoid dealing with our complaints. We were told that Exodus will no longer use it, but worth checking that’s definitely the case.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2024

 

Susan Thackray   -  Traveled, January 2024

Kenya and Tanzania Adventure This was my fifth trip to Kenya and my second to Tanzania and it didn’t disappoint. It was a small group of seven and we had a great team to lead us. There were several changes to the itinerary and all enhanced the trip. We camped the first night near Lake Naivasha and had a great boat trip the following morning, seeing hippos, fish eagles and other water birds. When it came to game watching in Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro we couldn’t have done better. We saw a pride of lions devouring the buffalo they’d just taken down, a cheetah and prey, a leopard up a tree with its impala prey as well as vast herds of zebra and wildebeest between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Our two days at Cristal Resort at the end provided a relaxing end to the trip, apart from a noisy first night. We ate very well throughout thanks to our cook, Dan, who provided a wonderful range of freshly cooked meals, many of them vegetarian together with African specialties such as mandazi and ugali. Ben was an excellent driver and he and Godfrey were ever helpful, putting up and taking down our tents most efficiently. Caroline was an excellent tour guide, always cheerful and informative, always striving to improve our experience. Most Inspirational Moment Several listed above but also the dawn hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara with champagne breakfast in the bush. Thoughts on Group Leader Caroline was great throughout and seemed always to provide us with an exciting end to our game drives. Advice for Potential Travellers I took a self inflating sleeping mat which really wasn’t necessary as those provided were fine. A good pair of binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens really were very useful. Suggestions A really great trip made special by my fellow travellers and our wonderful team.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2024

 

Emma Biggs   -  Traveled, October 2023

TIA: This is Africa We were only a small group, the tour leader, the drivers and just three guests. This worked well for us as we were then able to take a cruiser rather than the large truck but it was very hard work for the trip leader as he was leading us and going out of the game drives and then once we got to camp he was then cooking too. We got to see the highlights of the area with the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, these are very broadly similar but they each have their own distinct feel to them. We mainly went for the animals and basically saw everything that we hoped to see. Most Inspirational Moment Lots of special moments on the trip but the one thing that made it for me was seeing loads of Wildebeest and Zebra going down the steel river banks and crossing the Mara river in huge numbers, this was a very 'Planet Earth' moment. Thoughts on Group Leader Asaph was a good leader, always wanting to keep us guests happy and wanting us to experience different cultural experiences. Advice for Potential Travellers It's fairly hard work so just be prepared and don't go if you are a princess, there are other trips for you. Camping in inevitably a bit harder than lodges although it's still fairly comfortable. Being bumped around in the cruiser is a little uncomfortable too but just go with the flow and see this as part of the adventure. Showers are not guaranteed to be hot and toilets are not always guaranteed to flush (ours all did) so be prepared to wing it a bit. Remember, TIA, This is Africa!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/23/2023

 

Sarah Jones   -  Traveled, July 2023

Incredible Wildlife We got very lucky on our trip and saw so much wildlife, including the Big 5 – even the black Rhino and Leopard! Our group leader and crew were all amazing and so helpful. The journeys are very long and bumpy, and can get very dusty – but you see so much, its worth it. We were given the option to upgrade our accommodation a few times, which was nice to get a bed. But the basic camping was also a great experience and still had decent facilities like showers and toilets. The beach stay at Paje in Zanzibar was a lovely end to the trip – I didn’t want to leave! Most Inspirational Moment Wild camping in the Serengeti and hearing the lions roaring nearby during the night - unforgettable. Thoughts on Group Leader Darlene was great - so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, very fun group! Advice for Potential Travellers Bring a good torch/headtorch Bring small denominations of 'crispy' currency (USD post 2017) for tipping Pack layers for the colder nights Take a good camera with decent zoom lens Print out all your travel documents, like e-visas. Pack toilet paper and hand sanitizer - be prepared for basic facilities during the journey.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/12/2023

 

Barrington Smith   -  Traveled, January 2023

Safari Adventure From initial contact through to updates and advise this was a very smooth and brilliant experience. Most Inspirational Moment We saw the big five : -) but seen the migration in Tanzania was the highlight for me. Thoughts on Group Leader The group leader was excellent he went above and beyond his duties to ensure we had a smooth and fantastic experience. The groups chats every evening was informative and very useful we were kept informed at every stage. Any obstacles were dealt with efficiently and calmly this added to a great adventure. Advice for Potential Travellers As the advert says go there with a sense of adventure and you will have the experience of your life. Follow the advice on vaccinations, and paper work this will make your experience superb. A bring along a good camera to record your experiences. Suggestions The support staff were excellent, the setting up at camp every night the food the driving, advice and support were all in place to provide us the with the best experience. I would hesitate to go on one of theses experience again.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2023

 

Jon Salt   -  Traveled, August 2022

Kenya and Tanzania Adventure This was my first proper holiday since the pandemic started and was well worth the wait. Overall the intinery was very well considered – we had just about the right amount of time at the two major highlights – the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The time at Ngorongoro is short but also happens to be as much as the tour operators are allowed so don’t be worried about missing out. I had a few misgivings about Zanzibar as I’m not really a beach person but it was a nice way to wind down – and also a very welcome return to having a bed instead of relying on a sleeping bag. Obviously the animals are the highlights of the trip. We saw all of the animals that you’d expect – highlights being a couple of cheetah finishing off a meal, a lion trying and failing to take down an impala at speed, giraffe necking. The one I’d really not expected to see was a serval at Ngorongoro. The success of any trip is made by the rest of the group and, crucially, the ground team. Jacob was an excellent and resourceful tour leader, Ray was a great chef – good variety of food both hot and cold throughout the camping part of the trip, Sam kept us safe with his driving on some very rough roads and Cash did some of everything. In fact – all four of the crew cover all of the roles – lead, cook, driver, mechanic – and there was real teamwork here. Most Inspirational Moment Coming into the Serengeti - a sense of wilderness over and above the Masai Mara. Thoughts on Group Leader All four of the team were outstanding - and were a real team.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/18/2022

 

Ian Lawrence   -  Traveled, August 2022

Safari Tanzania Our family thoroughly enjoyed it Most Inspirational Moment 1) waking up to find water buck and zebra staring at me 2) hot air balloon trip. Thoughts on Group Leader Ten out of 10. 11 out of 10. Caring enthusiastic professional knowledgable and more. Superb communicator thank you Jacob I you can lead our next trip Advice for Potential Travellers Take a warm hat and warm clothing as well as safari gear. Ngorongoro gets cold. Buy the longest and best zoom lens for your camera Suggestions The vehicle gets quite uncomfortable at times. Wear a seatbelt and being a cushion to sit on

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/29/2022

 

Stewart Allan   -  Traveled, January 2020

Great wildlife The scenery and wildlife were wonderful and the team who looked after us on safari did an excellent job. Stonetown was fascinating and the 3 days by the beach were a relaxing end to the trip. The camping was very basic – small tents in muddy fields with primitive toilets. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing lions and vast herds of zebra on the Serengeti. Thoughts on Group Leader Patrick was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a lantern, not just a torch, so that you can see what you are doing better in the tent and read it you want to.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/19/2020

 

Susan Price   -  Traveled, September 2019

Safarai in Kenya,and Tanzania followed by 3 days in Zanzibar This was one of the most fantastic holidays of my life. Crew on the truck were excellent and Clara the tour guide was a brilliant leader. The other guests were great and we all got on and they supported me as the oldest in the group. Unfortunately Zanzibar was not as good. After a hectic time on safari with early mornings and sometimes long drives it would have been better to go to the beach bungalows first to recover before going to Stone town which was so busy with it’s narrow streets and always in danger of being run over by car or scooters. I would rather have had a day in Nairobi to recover from the overnight flight rather than getting off the plane at 4.30 am and being driven to Kembu Farm campsite. One day less in Zanzibar would have been good especially as it rained hard on the last day and we were just hanging around until 4.30 pm drive to the airport. Most Inspirational Moment Too many awesome moments on the safari to single out one. There were incredible sightings of animals who were just relaxing and not running away. Thoughts on Group Leader Clara was a great leader well informed, always looking after our interests and safety. She was fluent in Swahili and was able to smooth our journey. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for early starts sometimes 5 am. Know that the campsites mostly are not fenced and at night animals wander around them sometimes roaring (hyenas) and you may unexpectedly meet an animal when moving about after dark, in my case an elephant was walking through a large campsite with many tents when I was walking to the toilet block at 9 pm. Take a really good head torch, rechargeable seem to be best, mine with it's 3 changeable aaa batteries was not good enough. Suggestions The Hotel in Stone town had dangerous bathrooms with an approximately 8 inch step down immediately in front of the toilet. I fell down this and luckily only suffered a badly bruised arm. At least one other guest fell down this twice.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/11/2019

 

Kayleigh Provins   -  Traveled, November 2019

A trip of a lifetime!! This trip was a once in a lifetime trip and the memories we made will last a lifetime!! Most Inspirational Moment Hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara was incredible and the large numbers of young animals was simply great to see!! Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was so knowledgeable and only to happy to answer any and all questions on the locations and huge variety of animals we saw! Advice for Potential Travellers Remember to take something warm for the Ngorongoro crater it got a little cold that night. Although there are some long drives the views and potential animal sightings are well worth it. Our drive through the Masai Mara and onto Lake Victoria was lone but absolutely amazing with Lion, Giraffe, Elephants, Crocs, Hippo and much more!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/11/2019

 

Ivan Pinto   -  Traveled, June 2016

Kenya & Tanzania Adventure A great introduction to the wildlife of East Africa, there is nothing quite like the excitement of animal/bird spotting that is an integral part of this tour. Camping allowed one to feel close to nature and was even better as few had other campers close by. Kip and his team were superb hosts keeping us informed of local life, both human and animal, while ensuring we were well fed. On the cultural side we visited a Masai village in the Serengeti and had guided tour of a typical local market in Musoma. Most Inspirational Moment We were very lucky to witness the wildebeest and zebra migration crossing of the Mara River. The sheer number of wildebeest in the area was almost biblical. Thoughts on Group Leader There was a real rapport between Kip and his team and they could not have done more to ensure everyone had a good time. They set up camp as soon as we arrived and the meals were varied, wholesome and most importantly tasty (thanks Albert)! Everything seemed to work like clockwork, a sign of the hard work that goes on in the background. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for some early starts and the odd long drive, but it's all worth it. On occasion the poor road surface could result in an 'African massage'! In terms of camping the mattress provided was very comfy (~2in thick foam). The occasional campsite does not have hot water, however, a cold shower after a hot dusty day was refreshing! Ngorongoro was cold (we travelled in July) so warm clothing is a must. Suggestions When buying craftworks be prepared to haggle, it is expected and part of the fun.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/18/2016

 

Tony Rivers   -  Traveled, February 2016

Kenya and Tanzania adventure Fantastic holiday ,saw big 5 at least twice , weather was great no rain .brilliant fellow travellers we got on so well even there was 16 off us .well lead by kips and his team . Most Inspirational Moment saw 4 lions take a buffalo right in front of us .. There are two many of inspirational to write memorable holiday . Thoughts on Group Leader Kips was absolutely brilliant , we didn't have a single complaint . Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for Zanzibar .,it is extremely hot ,90d and not much cooler at night .

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/14/2016

 

Catherine Morrow   -  Traveled, January 2016

Kenya Tanzania adventure This is an amazing journey around Kenya and Tanzania with some long journeys on the truck but it ended up feeling like our second home! Most Inspirational Moment Seeing every animal we set out to see (some in our camp) and meeting so many people who had very little but always had time to wave smile and greet us especially in Kenya where they were as interested in us as we were in them. Thoughts on Group Leader Peter Kiptoo (Kip) was such an inspirational guy - the logistics of this trip were huge but everything ran to plan (most of the time but this is Africa!!) and this was down to Kip and the team who worked tirelessly to pitch the tents, cook our meals and whilst we were all tired and tucked up in bed they were still working and were up hours before us cooking breakfast and setting up for the day ahead! Their work ethic was superb and they did their country proud! Advice for Potential Travellers Don't pack too much as you are on the move almost everyday. Buy a pillow on day 1 in the supermarket - really helps to get a good nights sleep and give away at the end! Take gear you don't mind giving away - in Zanzibar particularly the poverty was heartbreaking and many people had no shoes and were so grateful for shoes t shirts etc. Bought pens for the children and wish I had taken many more as they loved them. Don't expect air con in the hotels - it gets very very hot! Take 1 dollar bills for tipping - they average wage is a dollar a day so tipping what to us is such a small amount is really significant to the people of Kenya and Tanzania! You need some Kenyan shilings which u can buy in uk but in Tanzania you can use dollars everywhere although you tend to get better deals if you buy Tanzania shillings when you get into Tanzania Suggestions Days are long and can be quite tiring but so worth it - just come prepared for this and you won't go wrong!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2016

 

Allan Pearson   -  Traveled, August 2015

Kenya & Tanzania: A Great Adventure For Sure What a trip, greatly exceeded my expectations. We saw thousands of animals of every variety. Most Inspirational Moment So many, but for me it was the sight of lions on the prowl in the Ngorongoro Crater - with nervous antelopes, buffalo, wildebeest and other animals maneuvering to avoid being the next victims! An intact, diverse, fluid ecosystem right in front of us. Thoughts on Group Leader Victor was just amazing, give that man a medal. His ability to see and identify animals far in the distance was legendary, and he knew pretty much everything about them as well. Generally, everything ran smoothly and even when it didn't he always had an excellent Plan B. Advice for Potential Travellers Expect the normal camping discomforts and long road trips over bumpy roads, but so worth it. Suggestions An added day at Lake Victoria, with the possibility to getting out onto the water, would make a an excellent addition to this trip. The short side trip to Olduvai to see the museum and the landscape where early human species roamed should be part of the formal trip itinerary - it is so close to the route anyway.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/27/2015

 

Robyn Vilhjalmsson   -  Traveled, July 2015

Kenya and Tanzania Adventure An excellent time we had; I hadn´t expected to see so many animals. What a great crew, thankyou. Most Inspirational Moment Hard to say...that first impala or a lion sleeping in a tree, or giraffes drinking or thirteen lions out for a stoll! Thoughts on Group Leader Victor was the best, no question; smart, funny, organized and I would go again with him, no question. Advice for Potential Travellers Do bring warm clothes, a head torch, a padlock...do read the notes and listen to the leader. Suggestions A great trip. Highly recommended.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/18/2015

 

Adam Ward   -  Traveled, January 2015

Trip of a lifetime This adventure was amazing from start to finish. The food served was delicious and different each day and no one got ill which to be honest everyone expected to be at some point. There was plenty of action but also plenty of time to rest and the campsites had beautiful scenery. We hoped to see a certain amount of animals but we got way more than we ever dreamed of which was thanks to the efforts of the guide and drivers. The campsites were fine and all had flushing toilets and showers (although not all hot). Camping made you feel even more with nature than camping in a fancy lodge as you hear the animal noises in the night and sometimes even have them come visit in the night. Most Inspirational Moment Getting into the perfect position to see the elusive leopard walk out from the long grass along the riverbank. Or on the optional tour, seeing the male hippo on the bank and subsequently rush into the water to come and get us! Thoughts on Group Leader The guide (Jacob) and team (Emmanuel, Ben and Alex) were really friendly and worked constantly to make everything run smoothly. Jacob was such a big part of the trip that it wouldn't have been the same without him. He gave us his professional suggestions on ways to improve the trip and we get along with him, and were not disappointed. He's so knowledgeable and his passion to help us get the most of our trip shone through. He balanced everyone's wishes and likes to make sure everyone got to see what they wanted. Advice for Potential Travellers You need to be open minded and willing to adapt because plans do change sometimes. The standard of living is totally different to what we're used to and there are some long bumpy drives but it's an amazing experience so don't let that put you off- it's all fine but you need to be prepared. If you love luxury and hate camping this isn't the option for you but if you are up for an adventure the camping really isn't bad at all. Suggestions We would like to thank Jacob (get in touch!!) and the team so much for their hard work in making the trip amazing and the group feel so at ease and passing on your knowledge. We didn't have to lift a finger and we couldn't have dreamed of such a great holiday. Of course, there is a lot of luck involved with regards to seeing the animals but the guides/drivers do their utmost to find them.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2015

 

Anonymous   -  Traveled, October 2014

Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar This was my holiday of a lifetime and Exodus exceeded all my expectations. It was so well organised and despite camping accomodation we were treated to fantastic meals, so hygenic and well prepared. My principle aim was to see and photograph as many animal & birds as possible and I was not disappointed. Our leader was priceless in his knowledge of wildlife and his ability to support everyone in the group. The whole team (Issa – cook & Bonface – driver) were excellent and I have no hesitation to promote Exodus to friends and family. Most Inspirational Moment First and foremost the wildlife was both accessible and so relaxed when getting super closeup shots, we were spoilt for choice. Our group was small and this added a certain freedom within the truck and made for great companionship. Seeing the local communities and businesses, whether this was local markets or town centres, we were free to find our own way if we wanted, as well as the well organised optional trips. Zanzibar provided a wonderful contrast to the game reserves and camping, truly relaxing it formed the perfect finale to our trip. Thoughts on Group Leader Exceptional! Makori provided a constant source of information, answers and advice whenever we asked. He maintained a relaxed atmosphere and together with his team, ensured a well organised holiday. On one occasion our vehicle slide sideways when it lost traction on a muddy track in Serengeti. The team took control of the situation and with some help from other jeeps, we were soon on our way to appreciative cheers from us. Advice for Potential Travellers Read the trip notes as they provide important information, prior to departure. A soft holdall and a padlock for the locker is invaluable. As said in a previous review (Sept 2014), make sure you have exchanged sufficient money for local currency spending at the beach resort, otherwise the exchange rate (and charges) at the hotel make it very expensive. On our trip, sterling provided a better rate than did the dollar, so something to bear in mind. You could buy items in either Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings but the latter was a better price. Suggestions As I react badly to insect bites, I took an adequate supply of mosquito repellent (Deet) and it proved very effective when out and about after dark outside of our very protective tents. Not all sites who "claim" to have WiFi access can fulfill the demand. Some phones needed a different Sim card when crossing borders and remember to take your charger. The concerns in Sept 2014 review, re times of return flight from Zanzibar, didn't exist on our holiday with Kenyan Airlines, we had only a minimal wait in afternoon for flight to Nairobi and then onward night flight to UK.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/12/2014

 

Angela Mather   -  Traveled, August 2014

Kenya, Tanzania, zanibar Very well organised and enjoyable trip. The cook was amazing, everything was kept so clean and hygienic. The driver always made you feel safe and the leader was one of the best I have travelled with. Most Inspirational Moment A cheetah looking out over the Serengeti plains crying out for his missing mate - how could anyone still have a dry eye! Thoughts on Group Leader Jacob was very good and knowledgable. Everything ran smoothly and you always felt he was in control and had everything in hand. We had an accident with the truck in the Serengeti. An overloaded land rover came around a corner at very high speed and in avoiding us turned over into a dry river bed. The driver of our truck was amazing to avoid us being hit or tipping over as we were just coming off a narrow bridge that also had a big hole in the road. The driver and leader then showed brilliant skill in helping get the land rover pulled back onto the road. They were calm through out and really made you feel safe in their hands. The incident could have been really bad and it was only their skill that kept us safe. The land rover was a government vehicle and has accepted responsibility for the incident. No one from our group was hurt. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you have sufficient use changed into local currency before arriving at the beach resort where there are no cash machines and the exchange rate offered is poor. Suggestions I didn't see that spending the time in Kenya really added any value. It's my second time on a trip to else's mere and I don't think it is a good use of precious time. Lake Navshia is beautiful but we seemed to travel for a long way past it to stay at a farm to then have to drive back the next day. The farm was fine as a location the first night but second night they were hosting a big conference so we were not welcome in any area other than directly around our tents and had to put up with all of their noise and shouting until 3am - I think this was very poor and not what I expected from an exodus camping trip. It would have been much better to stay nearer the lake, I think when I visited before we camped in the park and that would have been amazing as there looked to be facilities to do this. Maybe it can be reconsidered as there looked to be a new toilet block if that was the issue before. For the return trip to the airport we were upset that for a 3am flight we were going to be taken back to Stone town at midday and then get a later pick up to the airport. We were told this is what normally happened but we much preferred to stay at the beach resort and this is in line with what I understood from my questions to exodus before the trip. The guide sorted this out and we had the late pick up straight to the airport so everything was ok in the end but it was quite awkward having to ask for this and cause the person who was not on the group flight to pay for their own transfer. I think this should be clearer upfront for future trips.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/18/2014

 

Anonymous   -  Traveled, October 2013

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE What an amazing safari trip! We visited some of the Africa’s superb National Parks and saw many many wonderful creatures in their natural wild habitats. Our great Tour Manager, Jacob, ensured that we had every chance of seeing not only the big five but the huge range of both large and small animals and birds on both walking and safari drives.Our camps were comfortable and Simon, our lovely cook made delicious food day after day. I would highly recommend this safari trip to all those interested in seeing this wonderful part of Africa especially as the relaxing end to the holiday in Zanzibar made for a great finish. Most Inspirational Moment Standing in the dusk on our first evening watching a family of hippos grazing a short distance away by the shores of beautiful Lake Niavisha ..... What a great start to our African trip Thoughts on Group Leader Jacob M was fantastic! A thoughtful, energetic and practical man Advice for Potential Travellers Read the background notes so that you know exactly what the trip involves and do your research about the areas you are visiting to be well prepared ........ And then book with Exodus, with confidence.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/12/2013

 

Anonynous   -  Traveled, October 2023

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE Outstanding!!!This was a dream to go on safari and it excelled !! The team were amazing to the end and the group fantastic! Most Inspirational Moment That first sighting of the lions a family too !! with cubs, how aww struck to see them playing trying to get up a tree with Mum at the top sleeping. That is what I came to see the cats !We also saw a great moment with a giraffe approached a leopard sleeping in a tree, it nudged its tail so the Leopard looked up and just watched the giraffe walk on, great to see. I saw the big 5 in the environment they should be in and that to me is just fantastic to witness.As a group we had some really funny moments and that will stay with me fantastoc memories thanks to all for that!!Exodus run a great trip and I would travel with them again!! Thoughts on Group Leader Jacob was fantastic, you couldnt ask him a question he didnt know the answer too. He was entertaing and very helpful the best guide by far I have ever come accross. The rest of the crew was just as good Simon the cook amazing creations in the middle of nowhere!! and always gave alternatives to those that needed them! Kennedy the driver/Mechanic dealt with every hurdle the rough terain through at us, 2 shock absorbers, 2 tyres and a gear box (this did require a new truct, but Exodus were on it straight away!) Advice for Potential Travellers If you are thinking about it dont do it!! So much fun this trip the crew and group made it even better if that is possible!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/11/2023

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