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holiday to Kenya
Dennis Alan Barbour, 2nd February 2025To say we had an amazing trip to Kenya would be an understatement! Claire planned an incredible adventure for our multi-generational (20s-70s) family that exceeded our expectations. We were able to see the Big Five (and plenty more!) within the first two days of visiting the Maasai Mara. In northern Kenya, our cultural experiences with the Samburu people were unforgettable. Being able to meet the orphan elephants at two elephant sanctuaries was a highlight of our trip. This was our second trip planned by Mahlatini, and we will continue to return and refer them to others!
Accommodation Visited
Tamarind Tree Hotel
“The hotel had an impressive breakfast buffet and was conveniently located in Nairobi. The hotel rooms were spacious and comfortable. We appreciated the level of security at the hotel.”
Sanctuary Olonana Camp
“The villas were beautiful, and it was a fun experience waking up to the sounds of hippos in the river. The villas had every comfort of home including large bathrooms, air conditioning, comfortable beds (with mosquito nets), a stocked minibar, and plenty of filtered water. Our wonderful guide, Moses, found multiple lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and even leopards for us within our first two days in the Maasai Mara. We saw almost every animal you could hope to see in the Mara, which was an incredible and unforgettable experience. Chef James’ food was varied and consistently delicious, with three courses at lunch and dinner, and a hot breakfast was made to order. The staff was professional and friendly, especially Justus and Elli. Everyone at Olonana made our vacation very special.”
Sarara Camp
“The staff at Sarara was one of the highlights of our trip. Michael and Robert were very welcoming and helpful. Everyone was so kind, and our guide, Ian, was extremely knowledgeable. He made excellent sundowners, and we enjoyed hearing his stories of growing up in the area. We saw many beautiful and interesting birds and lizards here, but not as many mammals as we had in the Maasai Mara (no big cats). The authentic Samburu village experience made up for not seeing as many animals on the game drives. We had the privilege of attending a wedding celebration in a nearby village and observing the traditional singing wells. The “bush pony” safari was such a unique experience that allowed us to get up close with giraffes. It was very cool to see herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelope, and other animals at the watering hole and the pools right by the tents.
While the tents are not air-conditioned, they include a fan, and the temperature at night in February was quite nice at 68°F. Even though there is not a menu available for lunch and dinner, the meals were excellent and impressively prepared. Some members of our party suffered from mild dehydration in the heat, but Robert and the staff were all attentive and provided plenty of electrolytes until everyone was restored. Our visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was incredible – Dorothy guided us to the evening feeding, and we even got to meet a brand new arrival who was only one month old. Our experience at Sarara was unforgettable.”
Staff Review
“This is our second time working with Claire and the Mahlatini team, and she did not disappoint! Claire is responsive and professional, and we fully trust her expertise. Everything went according to plan, and there was always someone waiting for us at the next location! Thank you for planning a wonderful trip.”
