Susan

In mid-September, we will be staying at the Mara River and Tortillis camps in Kenya. Would appreciate feedback from anyone who has been there. Did they meet expectations? Quality of guides? Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Nancy

In June 2000, I spent a couple of days at Tortillis camp. It was a wonderful camp and we had a great guide - Ali. At first he seemed very quiet, but he was very knowledgeable and accomodating. If you have the chance to visit the neighboring Masai village do it here. I found the Masai village close to Tortillis to be the best one we visited. (Much better than the one we visited close to Governor's Camp in the Mara)<BR>

Hans

We stayed at Tortillis two years ago and loved it--except for the manager's Jack Russell Terrier which hated men! Otherwise, the camp was spectacular. We could sit on our porch and look at Kilimanjaro and watch the giraffe walk by and the Masai tending their herds. The staff were really friendly and the food was excellent--very good Italian food. We travelled with A&K so we did not use Tortillis' guides so I can not speak to them. We stayed at Olonana in the Mara and it was truly spectacular. I did not see the Mara River camp so I cannot comment. Regardless of where you stay, you will have a fantastic trip!

Colleen

We stayed in Mara River camp two years ago and would not return there. One day they ran out of food, then did not have any drinks except water, the road was the worst you can imagine and our guide Joshua simply showed us that he couldn't care about his guests. Did not talk, seldom answered our questions. <BR>We stayed in Tortilis and loved it. We had two guides, Ali and Sam, and both were excellent. Ask for a cabana away from a swiming pool. Sometime it got very noisy when kids played and screamed for hours. Food was good but I wouldn't say excellent. However, staff was very accomodating. Make sure you lock your bags when you are away on a game drive. And bring your flashlight

Susan

Thanks for your replies. Colleen, the Mara River Camp I am referring to does not have a pool. It is actually outside of the park, about a 30 min. drive. It is to my understanding that the hippos have made a pool an impossibility at this camp. There is a Mara Camp operated by Chili & Peacock. Perhaps that is what you are referring to? If not, I appreciate your input. Thanks again to everyone.

Susan

Colleen, I apologize for incorrectly reading your post. You were referring to the pool at Tortillis. Again, thank you for your feedback on Mara River Camp. I will keep it in mind. Again, thanks for the input!

Liz

I've stayed at Mara River Camp 3 times. Would never do that again. I travelled with East Africa Orn. group. They own the camp. Wouldn't recommend them or Mara River Camp. It is probably the lowest on the totem pole of camps. Go2Africa.com lists all of the camps for any given area by class. For instance Luxury, Superior, Standard. They don't list that one. Really below standard in my opinion. They also put you up at the Boulevard Hotel in Nairobi. Very bad, smelly and old. Sorry for the bad report but thats how it was the last time we were there. The first time I didn't know any other choices. Just a bad operator.