I am writing this review as a wildlife photographer who has travelled extensively in Masai Mara & Serengeti and stayed in 8 luxury camps in Mara,Samburu & Amboseli in the last 3 years.Mahali Mzuri is a relatively new Camp and I was curious to visit and see for myself.It is referred to as the Sir Richard Branson's Kenyan Safari Camp and is located in the Olare Motorogi Conservation-considered today to be teeming with wildlife so much so that you do not need to visit the Masai Mara National Reserve,unless you want to see the Migration.
The Camp has a futuristic design...very elegant and pleasing to look at with smart tents.It provides hair dryer and slippers together with ample bath towels and toiletries.It provides Nivea sun moisturising cream and natural insect repellant spray in each tent.It has a resident nurse so if you suffer bites you will be provided Intamine,an effective anti-histamine cream.You only need to flash your torch outside your tent for the guard to escort you to the Dining areas in the night or early morning.The menu is changed every day and the cuisine good.It holds a fantastic and well executed night bush dinner with all present guests and staff.
Now for some negatives.I found the Camp impersonal compared to my other experiences in the Mara.The interaction between the Camp Managers and guests should be much more visible and effective.On arrival I was met by Anne and not the...I am writing this review as a wildlife photographer who has travelled extensively in Masai Mara & Serengeti and stayed in 8 luxury camps in Mara,Samburu & Amboseli in the last 3 years.Mahali Mzuri is a relatively new Camp and I was curious to visit and see for myself.It is referred to as the Sir Richard Branson's Kenyan Safari Camp and is located in the Olare Motorogi Conservation-considered today to be teeming with wildlife so much so that you do not need to visit the Masai Mara National Reserve,unless you want to see the Migration.
The Camp has a futuristic design...very elegant and pleasing to look at with smart tents.It provides hair dryer and slippers together with ample bath towels and toiletries.It provides Nivea sun moisturising cream and natural insect repellant spray in each tent.It has a resident nurse so if you suffer bites you will be provided Intamine,an effective anti-histamine cream.You only need to flash your torch outside your tent for the guard to escort you to the Dining areas in the night or early morning.The menu is changed every day and the cuisine good.It holds a fantastic and well executed night bush dinner with all present guests and staff.
Now for some negatives.I found the Camp impersonal compared to my other experiences in the Mara.The interaction between the Camp Managers and guests should be much more visible and effective.On arrival I was met by Anne and not the General or Camp Managers,a first for me at any Camp in the Mara.At Mahali Mzuri the butler system existed but was ineffective.The service,other than at the restaurant was inconsistant.On one day the laundry was picked up for the first time at 4:00 pm only when we called.On some days I received my morning coffee with the wake up call and at times did not.My guide was a 48 year old freelancer and more suited for guiding the average tourist.He was a good man with amazing knowledge and stories but not suited for guiding wildlife photographers who require much more positioning of the vehicle depending on the light conditions and silence.Once he was loudly net working with the Rangers when I was trying to take photographs.
We requested for complimentary game drives, but for two of my game drives we were paired with a couple who were keen to start later at 7:00 am in the morning and more interested in birds.Many Camps give complimentary game drives, if requested depending on the profile...
My experience with the direct booking was the worst that I have faced in East Africa.The Nairobi booking contact as given on the Mahali Mzuri web site did not respond to my emails...the London booking contact was not even fully familiar with the package details and remittance requirements.My deposit was returned for lack of proper remittance details despite booking well in advance in June for a visit in October.All this was corrected subsequently by intervention by senior management... but for a luxury camp charging about USD 1000 per person per night sharing in the high season this should not happen.More
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