Elerai Camp

Our expectations for our first time in Africa were high, very high. And I would have to say that these expectations were exceeded in every way. Bench Africa assisted us to plan what would be the most perfect holiday in Kenya, Uganda, and Zanzibar. There were delays due to Covid, changes of mind on itineraries, and differing views on what we wanted to do. Throughout all of this, Bench Africa were so very helpful, honest, and professional. We cannot thank them enough. Each area that was suggested, and selected was so different to other regions we visited. The eco-systems so diverse. Different animals, birds, people and the cultures. Each day was memorising and magical. Each day provided so many highlights, so many happy memories. The different accommodations were in most cases brilliant, superb. The staff so quiet, reserved, closed; but once they knew we not a threat to their well-being they became the opposite. We enjoyed the many conversations, banter, and genuine friendships that followed. The game drive guides in each place were simply the best. In all, I simply run out of superlatives in describing each place. We had no favourites, nor did we rank them. To do so would be disrespectful to the other places. Each was different, unique, and for us they were pure luxury. Again, thank you so much for a 30 day trip of a lifetime and one we will never forget. Places we stayed: Amboseli - Elari Lodge. Such a different place with many eco-systems in the 1 National Park. Samburu - Elephant Bedroom Camp. Saw so many different animals of many different ages. Saw all 3 big cats here along with the "special 5". Masi Mara - Mara Ngenche. Rolling plains with so many animals, including the 3 big cats, hippos, and a brief glimpse of a "river crossing". Uganda was a 10 day tour staying at multiple places. It gave the experience of coming oh so close to Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and a visit to a Batwa tribe.

Maria organised our recent adventure to Tanzania and Kenya. The whole trip worked like clockwork - every pickup, every driver, every tour – all were on-time and everyone we met were incredibly friendly and helpful . The Tanzania Tour, over 6 days,was a wonderful experience with a great bunch or fellow travellers. Our fly ins to the camps at Amboseli and the Masai Mara were wonderful with luxury "tents" and such friendly helpful staff at both Satao Elerai in Amboselii and Sarova Mara in the Masai Mara. At Satao Elerai, we woke up to the sight of Mt Kilimanjaro and zebras outside our tent. We sat on the terrace watching the elephants, zebras, giraffes and antelopes using the water hole. Maria's knowledge of Africa is amazing and her advice on our itinerary was invaluable. We will be calling Maria to arrange our next adventure in Africa.

Above and beyond. Maria our agent was incredible. We sent Bench our budget, timeframe and what a very vague brief of what we would like to see. From the moment we connected with Bench, we knew we were in good hands. Every detail of our honeymoon was organised, our brief was matched and we didn't have to worry about a thing! We had the most incredible experiences in Kenya & Zanzibar and our honeymoon was truly once in the lifetime. The places we stayed, the food, the services and everything in between was 5 star +++

Our African trip was a delightful experience

Over 4 weeks 'safari' in Africa, all planned and booked with Bench's help, and not a glitch. Apparently, this is pretty unusual for anything in Africa! Their knowledge and expertise in providing an appropriate itinerary to match our needs (animals and scenery, not civilization) ,and in setting the appropriate expectations for our holiday, made for a very smooth and extremely enjoyable experience. There were 4 of us travelling in a group, which turned out to be optimal for virtually all aspects of the journey through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya (with a small break to finish in Zanzibar). The accommodation was perfect for our needs, well chosen to optimise our time in each location, with daily excursions focused on what we wanted to see. Thoroughly recommend.

Our trip to East Africa was trouble free. Great guides who knew their area well. We felt safe and looked after all the way. Accommodation choices were fantastic and the itinerary flowed well. I would recommend Bench to anyone looking for a comfortable trouble free trip to this amazing continent.

The plan - all of the places Bench sent us to had their own individual style and character which provided a rich and diverse experience. They provided expert advice on temperatures and clothing choices for each safari. The timings recommended by Bench; I.e doing the Southern African safari first guaranteed that we would see some of the Wilder beast migration during our East African safari. The first two camps in Botswana gave us a close up of the animals we had come to see, because they had private concessions which allowed the cars to go off-road. Kadizora & Linyantee bush camps were both excellent, and the Chobe Princess was very relaxing and had excellent game viewing. Flights between camps in the Southern safari really optimised our game drive time and worked well. The two hotels in JBurg and the Royal Livingston were good. All the camps in the East African safari were good and whilst the game viewing was on-road; Ngorongoro, Ambercelli, the Serengeti and Masi Mara all delivered great viewing. Karen Blixon was the pick of the Eastern safari camps.

A honeymoon is not a time to leave things to chance. Hitch-free harmony is what is needed and exactly what Bench Africa provide. Terrific staff from arrival to departure, high-quality accommodation and good food. But of course it is the animal sightings that made the trip: lions, rhinos, cheetahs, baboons, hyenas and hundreds of zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest and buffalo. All in the their natural, resplendent settings. Marvellous, highly recommended.

I was lucky enough to visit Kenya in June 2015 and haven't stopped talking about my many incredible experiences since returning home to Australia. Bench International guided me from Nairobi to Lake Elementaita, Nakuru, Amboseli, and the Masai Mara and simply couldn't have done a better job. There wasn't a question our talented guides didn't have an articulate answer for, and they ensured we experienced some magical things - from seeing lions in a tree, to a pride of lions with cubs, a cheetah, and huge groups of elephants from just metres away. The accommodation was top rate, our 4WD vehicle comfortable and equipped with wifi, and the Kenyan people extremely accommodating. Africa has to be next on your must visit list, and specifically Kenya with Bench.

I recently spent 8 days in Kenya with Bench International and the trip has to be one of the best things I have ever done. Bench were fantastic, the guides had excellent knowledge and taught us so much about the amazing Kenyan wildlife, the accommodation was perfect and the vehicle even had wifi for me to send pics to friends and family back home. If you're thinking of booking a Kenyan holiday with Bench I highly recommend it!

I travelled Nairobi, Lake Elementaita, Nakuru, Amboseli and Masai Mara with Bench in June of 2015 and it could not have been a more magical trip. Everything was planned with careful consideration and nothing was overlooked. Every single activity was amazing and offered up something new to the group; there was a lot to do, but the itinerary still allowed for changes and flexibility. The Bench staff were helpful, friendly and fun. I couldn't imagine traveling Kenya and Africa with a better company!