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Family holiday to Kenya
Vanessa Reyes Smith, 6th February 2023Outstanding accommodations and service. From Claire at Mahlatini to their after-hours managers, to Cheli & Peacock and everyone at Elewana. It was top rate on all levels. We arrived in Lewa and immediately had to use the restroom. Being that we landed on a dirt strip, I was not confident about what I would find in the hut. Clean and running water was surprising in the middle of nowhere. Daniel took us to a hut, and to our surprise, laid out a lovely snack and liquor bar. We knew then that our trip would be fantastic. Our guides in Lewa, Amboseli, and Maasai Mara were all great. We saw the Big 5 plus so much more. Whether on or off-road, the experiences were first class. Our bush meals and sundowners only rivalled the on-premises meals and service. Throughout the process, Claire was available for me with a calm voice and great tips.
Accommodation Visited
Hemingways Nairobi
“The staff and property were incredible. So beautiful, with sweeping staircases at the entrance. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed. The bar upstairs was lovely and underused when we were there. The only issue we had was the food. For as nice as the hotel is, the restaurant was fair at best. That was a big bummer for us.”
Elewana Lewa Safari Camp
“Timothy and the team were incredible. Our personal waiter, Roy, was attentive to our preferences and allergies. Together with the bus staff, nothing was overlooked. I had a very relaxing massage which was comparable to massages here in the United States.
Our guide, Daniel was an amazing tracker. His knowledge of the animals and their behavior was great. We were paired with a wonderful couple from Scotland. It was a pleasure to spend time with them and we continue to communicate after our trip.”
Elewana Tortilis Camp
“A breathtaking facility in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Graeme and Candy were very welcoming at the facility. Two giant thatched huts housed the dining area and bar. The bar overlooks a manmade watering hole. Stanley was our waiter and was very conscientious. Jackson was incredible, tending to our laundry and the needs in the tent. He left us a nice note and beaded bracelets on our departure. Our bags were 20+ pounds each and it was amazing to see him carry them all up the steep hill on our way out. All the other porters used carts!
The trip to the Maasai camp was overrated by Candy. For $20 a person, additionally, the chief really pushed his goods that frankly were not as well made as those in the camp and the Maasai camp's items were overpriced. He would be better off if he asked for a donation for their school for 3-8 year olds instead of pushing his subpar goods. The pressure is not necessary. People would help kids. He also spoke poorly of Tortellis and the fundraising they are doing for schools.”
Elewana Sand River Maasai Mara
“I don't know if you can rate something over five stars. The Sand River camp was magnificent. An incredible location situated on the Sand River. We saw elephants and other animals visiting the watering hole in the evening. Each dining tent and the bar were a throwback to the 1900's. Jentrol was kind and personable as a waiter. Edison was a great General Manager.”
Tamarind Tree Hotel
“This hotel was situated next to Wilson Airport, which is a great proximity but very noisy. Additionally, the hotel was hosting a large banquet, and the DJ was blasting music from 1:00pm until we departed during the event. I guess, in hindsight, getting a room on the side of the pool was a bad idea. Even with earplugs, the noise was unbearable, especially because we wanted to rest before our flight.
We had to wait for our key as their system was down. We had a room for three people and the shower is situated in front of an opening so if you wanted to get in and out of the shower, everyone had to shift to the other side of the room. Weird layout. The hotel was clean.”
Staff Review
“Claire worked with me to make sure the trip was within my budget and that the trip was magical. She kept saying; you are going on a five-star trip, don't worry. I didn't have to worry about a thing. We were met at the gate in Nairobi and were ushered through COVID and immigration checks quickly. The Cheli & Peacock folks were so kind and accommodating when it came to our requests for a drugstore and to go shopping. They went over and above to ensure our additional luggage was safe during our trip.
You can tell that Claire has traveled to the region many times as her wisdom and love of the country shines through. We needed to call the after-hours number for a reservation the next day and they were able to make the visit happen. It was not an emergency, but they treated it as it was.”
