Guest Reviews — Mount Kenya Climbs, Safaris & Beach Trips

We took our two kids (9 and 12) to the Maasai Mara and it was the best family decision we've ever made. Edward knew exactly how to keep the children engaged — stopping near elephant herds, explaining lion behaviour, and never rushing a sighting. The kids still talk about the cheetah we watched for forty minutes. CKS made a family safari genuinely stress-free.

I only had one free day in Nairobi and CKS made it count. The Sirimon day hike took me past giant groundsels and old man's beard to around 3,900m — proper alpine scenery without needing a full expedition. David paced it perfectly and I was back at my hotel by evening. The best day trip I've ever done.

Tsavo was completely different from the Mara — vast, red-earthed, and gloriously empty of other vehicles. We saw the famous red elephants dust-bathing, a leopard near Mzima Springs, and had the Kilaguni waterhole almost to ourselves at sunset. Four days felt like a true wilderness expedition rather than a tourist circuit. Edward's knowledge of this park is exceptional.

The Serengeti plains went on forever and the wildlife did not stop — lions, cheetahs, a serval, and a river crossing that left me speechless. The Ngorongoro Crater on the final day was a wildlife amphitheatre unlike anywhere I've been. Crossing from Kenya into Tanzania with CKS was seamless; every lodge, transfer and park permit was handled.

Samburu surprised me completely. The special five — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich — were all new to me. The Ewaso Ng'iro river is stunning, and we watched elephants cross it at dawn. Adding Ngare Ndare's forest canopy walk made this a genuinely unique combination I haven't seen offered anywhere else.

A bush breakfast in the Maasai Mara, with hot coffee and the plains stretching to the horizon — this is the Africa I came for. CKS arranged it as a complete surprise. We ate fresh eggs and pastries while zebra grazed in the distance. It was the most memorable meal of my entire life. Every detail was handled with care.

I have travelled across Africa and the Serengeti still stopped me in my tracks. The sheer density of wildlife is hard to describe — we counted over forty lions in three days. The camp CKS booked inside the park meant I fell asleep to hyena calls and woke up to giraffe walking past my tent. Pure magic.

The Machame route tested me but the guides read my pace perfectly. Pole pole — slowly slowly — is real wisdom on this mountain. Summit night was the hardest thing I've ever done, and reaching Stella Point at sunrise with the glaciers glowing gold made every aching step worth it. The crew sang with me at Uhuru Peak. Unforgettable.

I chose Lemosho for the extra acclimatisation days and it was the right call. Eight days gave my body time to adjust and I summited with zero altitude sickness. The Shira Plateau and the Lava Tower day were spectacular. The porters are the unsung heroes of this mountain — their strength and kindness humbled me every single day.

Mount Kenya is the most underrated mountain I've climbed. The Sirimon route was quiet — we barely saw other trekkers. Shipton Camp beneath the peaks felt like a Himalayan basecamp. Summit morning to Point Lenana at dawn, with Kilimanjaro floating on the horizon, was breathtaking. David's guiding was world-class. I'll be back for Batian.

Travelling with young children we were nervous about a safari, but Samburu was perfect. Short drives, lots of sightings, and the Ngare Ndare canopy walk was a highlight for the kids. The lodge had a pool and the staff were wonderful with our family. We saw a leopard on the last evening — the kids still draw pictures of it.

I live in Nairobi and take visitors on safari regularly — CKS is now my only call. Amboseli never disappoints: big tuskers, Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, and Observation Hill for the perfect panorama. Three days is the ideal length. Edward knows every track in the park and where the elephants gather. Professional from booking to drop-off.

The Marangu route's huts meant I didn't have to camp, which suited me perfectly. The Mandara and Horombo huts were comfortable and the communal dining was a lovely way to meet other climbers. Summit night was tough but the guides kept me going with encouragement and hot tea. Standing on Uhuru Peak is something I'll never forget.

The Rift Valley Lakes trip was a birdwatcher's dream. Lake Naivasha at sunset with fish eagles calling, flamingos turning Lake Bogoria pink, and a boat trip where hippos surfaced right next to us. Eight days across four lakes, each completely different. CKS paced it beautifully — never rushed, always somewhere new and stunning.

The Chogoria route is the most beautiful trek I have ever done. Giant groundsels, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and the dramatic view of Batian and Nelion from Mintos Hut. We crossed the Nithi Gorge and saw Mount Kenya's peaks reflected in Lake Michaelson. Far quieter than Kilimanjaro and every bit as spectacular. David is a brilliant and patient guide.

A hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara at dawn, then a champagne breakfast in the bush — I cried, it was so beautiful. Watching the herds from above as the sun came up was otherworldly. CKS arranged the balloon as part of our safari and it was the highlight of my entire trip to Africa. Worth every shilling.

We were a group of six friends and CKS gave us a private vehicle and the best guide we could have asked for. A bush breakfast in the Mara with the whole group, laughing and watching the plains — it was the moment the trip became unforgettable. Edward found us a river crossing on the last morning. Book with these people.

What set CKS apart was the tree planting. After our Mount Kenya climb, we each planted a cedar seedling at the Sirimon buffer zone with the crew. It turned a great trek into something meaningful — we left something behind on the mountain. This is real conservation, not a marketing slogan. We'll climb with CKS again because of this.

We climbed as a couple and the Naro Moru–Sirimon traverse was the perfect choice — fast ascent, scenic descent. The Vertical Bog was an adventure in itself. Summit morning was clear and we could see both peaks glowing at dawn. The crew looked after us like family. Mount Kenya is a hidden gem and CKS knows it inside out.

After a busy safari we ended our trip at Diani Beach and it was paradise. White sand, warm Indian Ocean water, and the Kisite Mpunguti snorkelling trip was incredible — we swam with dolphins. CKS arranged everything including the domestic flight from Nairobi. The perfect way to end a Kenya trip with the family. We didn't want to leave.