Bhadrawati Safari Lodge, Sawai Madhopur

Advantages: cheaper, better accomodation
Disadvantages:

...Tsavo east national park is the ideal place to experience the magic of african wildlife! whilst staying in kenya on honeymoon, we decided to take a saafari trip and chose Tsavo east primarily because of its position in relation to our hotel on diani beach. Tsavo east is not as large as the more well-known Masai mara reserve. there is every species on offer with the exception of flamingos. i would recommend buying your safari locally as opposed to in the uk , we saved just under £100 for a couple compared with others who booked at home.You also get the choice of which lodge you stay in as opposed to a tour company appointed one.Particularly recommende is the Voi Safari Lodge which is 5 star luxury compared to the 3 star accomadation others on our trip payed more for! enjoy africa, it's a beautiful country!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: An experience of a life time
Disadvantages: Long times spent bumping on unmade roads, getting covered in dust, so be prepared

...As part of a recent Safari holiday in Kenya, six of us travelled with Somak Holidays for two and a half days at The Mara Simba Lodge. Its well bumping down all those Kenyan dirt tracks for hours to get to the Mara. The Simba Lodge is a recently built lodge on the edge of The Mara, it sits in among the trees created from local materials along the edge of the river bank. The communal areas are all open sided and overlook the river where crocodile baiting takes place at sunset. A log fire buns in the bar each night with a couple of musicians playing. Rooms were great, very clean and spacious, food, wine and service were also to be recommended. We went on two game drives each day, and our wonderful driver found us all the Big Five managing to jostle us in to good positions for wonderful photos. The most exciting time we had was on a sunrise... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Close accommodation for Shimba Hills
Disadvantages: dated

...Shimba Hills Lodge is a good 2hrs drive from central Mombasa and to gain entry to the game park does require a 4x4 (although you'll see residents in their white Sedans!) Rooms are basic and a little expensive for what you get - some have views over a watering hole. basic facilities available. Bar and resturants - generally good - the staff make up for what the surroundings lack. Old colonial style decor with hunting trophies etc. Entrance to Shimba Hill national Park - no guide required but useful. You can ask a ranger to guide you for a fee. If you can visit what are called Thompson Falls (again ask a Ranger) - a short walk will lead you to a 10m water fall in which you can take a shower - wear sandles though. The rare Sable Antelope is here and can be visiable during most of the day - well recommended to see (another tick... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful