23 Jun 2019
My wife and I have recently returned from a nine day private safari in Kenya organised by Grace of Gracepatt tours. We had a fantastic and memorable holiday.
Based upon our experience,we have no hesitation in recommending this company for its promptness of reply, flexibility and ease of booking, detailed communication and competitive cost. In addition, our driver, Boniface, and his friend, Onesmus, who accompanied us were very friendly, passionate and knowledgeable about the parks and the animals to be found in them They never stopped looking to find animals for us to see and we lost count of all that we had seen! We are very grateful to them for really making our holiday great.
Initially I had tried to book with other tour companies who advertised lower rates and more parks. However, a friend who has worked in Kenya, advised me not to share a car, insist on a Land Cruiser and restrict the number of parks to be visited because the roads are not good and bouncing around in the back of a car for days is not the ideal way to spend and enjoy a holiday. He also recommended to stay at Governor's camp in the Maasi Mara as the other hotels are far away from the action.
I tried to vary the itinerary of these cheaper tours but could not get replies from them eventually realising that they only sell a one size fits all package which will probably be in a converted Honda van instead of a Land Cruiser. I then found two companies who would book the parks I was recommended and the preferred hotel in Maasi Mara. Gracepatt was the cheaper of these two.
We visited Samburu, the Arc, Nkuru, Naivasha and the Maasi Mara.The service and food at Intrepids camp Samburu was the best. All the hotels and camps were of a high standard. The location of Governor's camp on the river was amazing with lots of Hippos and crocs in the river and the Marsh pride lions and cubs just outside the camp together with lots of Wilderbeest. I was told that the BBC have stayed here many times when filming wildlife and I understand why.
Thank you Grace and your team especially Boniface and Onesmus!