I started my search for an African safari expert amongst eleven firms, including some of the 'best' names in the industry. One company and one individual quickly stood out amongst the eleven - that was Melinda Rees of Eco-resorts.
Melinda's experiential knowledge and her genuine interest to understand our desires won me over. Her firm doesn't use the flashy URLs to summarize their itinerary, but DO NOT let that fool you...more than anyone, and by far, she tailored an itinerary for us that ultimately would exceed our expectations.
We were looking to truly experience Kenya and its diversity, from its topography to its people to the animals to its history. Melinda delivered for us on all fronts! Her expertise in choosing accommodations and guides to offer this diversity was absolutely spot on. We didn't just check off animals, for example; we experienced them in the most unusual of circumstances! Cheetahs climbing trees, lions roaring back and forth at each other, cubs playing and leaping in the air, males gazelles and wildebeest fighting for domination, a one-day old baby giraffe traversing new areas for its first time, watching in successive waves the lifecycle of a wildebeest kill...and the experiences go on and on due solely to who and where she selected for us!
We wanted to experience and get to know the Maasai; Melinda made this possible through her personal connections at a village, enabling us to spend the day and an evening with them, getting to really appreciate their remarkable culture and unquenchable love for it. Melinda even organized an oppty for us to come alongside a school in the Maasai area, which along with the villagers has transformed into new friendships we see lasting for years to come. In fact, it's this last point that summarizes what Melinda tailor made for us: friendships, literally at each stop, that we have taken home with us.
Melinda is in the business of creating tailor-made experiences for her clients, and her love for Kenya and her passion to share this with her clients shines through like no other firm.
I have nothing - nothing, but glowing remarks about you and your skill at your profession. You, Melinda, made our trip a dream trip. It exceeded expectations because of your diligence, your care, your knowledge, your selection of accommodations and personnel. James and Kisemei were your choices for guides and they were simply outstanding. You've aligned yourself with gems like Benson, who went above and beyond to assist us with the school supplies. Tyson, another gem, with whom we had lunch and really got to know. Exceptional, five-star work by you.
It was fantastic in all aspects! The accommodations were great and we all particularly enjoyed Little Zebra River Camp. And I can't say enough positives about Jackson. He was entertaining and informative and was an incredible guide. He had even reviewed his bird species and identification since he knew Joel and I are bird watchers. We were also happy to see Tyson again and enjoyed spending our last afternoon with him in Nairobi. I would highly recommend both of them to any of your future guests! Thank you again for helping to make all of it to happen.
“Melinda helped organise a trip for The Wife and I ..A Truly Spectacular Trip ..A few days fishing with Team Simba Big Game Fishing catching Three Marlin and one sail fish in a couple of days fishing...Bliss..A stay at Turtle Bay , The food ,staff , Everything I couldn't fault , Then a few days at Kulalu to be looked after by Bush and The Team ..Quite Bizarre to be served such Great Quality Food in such a place...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
“Dear Melinda,
This fantastic trip has come to a close as we have just landed at JFK.
While I know it is your business, addressing the needs and questions of a group of 15 (over our years of planning), and tying all logistics together, is no easy feat. All was fabulous! Eco-resorts has done it yet again (to no surprise).
A lifetime of memories created for all of us (and again, for my family).
On behalf of each one of us, from the littlest Ava, to our 6 teens, and 8 adults, I want to give you the biggest ASANTE SANA possible! A truly remarkable adventure!
As you say, all the very best...and until we speak again, be well!
(Planned during the Pandemic 2020, blocked 2021 and travelled 2023)
Sheila and I have just completed a fabulous safari at the spectacular Ole Seki camp. As well as completing a series of game drives on which something really special seemed to happen each time including Leopards, Lions with kill, 15 lions stalking a hippo and an array of other wildlife, the camp is beautifully appointed, the food was great and all the s staff were friendly and helpful. A bonus was the infinity pool which we were able to relax in with a panoramic view of the Mara and the animals there.
A special thank you to Melinda Rees of Eco Resorts who arranged airport pickup, overnight accommodation, transfers, our stay at Ole Seki and flights to and from the Mara and the coast. Everything went like clockwork. We will be back.
It has been over 20 years since Melinda organized the trip of a lifetime for me in Kenya. When I see images on the Eco-Resorts.com social media, I have a truly visceral response. I can feel the air, and I can smell the wood smoke, and I still expereince a surge of hushed adrenaline. I will always be amazed, even from thousands of miles away!
We had a marvelous trip and have sung your praises. As James met us at the Wilson airport to take us on the final leg of our trip to Kenyatta, Jane said, 'Bless Melinda". Everything that you organised worked a dream. Our trip was superbly arranged, honed and met all the various conditions that I imposed upon you. Thank you so much
A brief note to thank you all for a wonderful experience over the last 2 weeks.
We’ve had an utter blast and have done so many extraordinary things together, too many to mention.- all arranged impeccably, thank you Melinda - expect a top tripadvisor review. Then there was the wedding, such a perfect event, beautiful couple. Special thanks to you all for making me personally feel so welcome. Asante Sana
We are feeling ever grateful for such a wonderful time, I think we are all beaming from memories. Much love to everyone and sending huge thank you’s and happy blessings to all the Watamu crew
Despite the couple of days back at work... I’ve been gliding through on my sunbeam. Watamu with all of you was beautiful, blessed and totally inspiring
We had such a fabulous trip and I am so sad to be back home. But I have a whole new load of Kenyan friends and hope to be back before too long. Thank you!
Back to normal finally, and time to reflect on the trip
Firstly, thank you so much for co-ordinating the main travel arrangements. All worked smoothly and seamlessly and all parties were very happy with the trip. and have asked me to thank you once again on their behalf for organising your parts of it!
After a long flight, we are safely home! Thank you so much for all of your help, it was a pleasure to meet and work with you as well. We will most definitely be in touch in the future and hope to work with you again!
the best, Kate & Jonathan
I do not think I sufficiently shared the great appreciation I have for you and your willingness to help our Habitat for Humanity group have a safari after our building experience. As team leader, my goal is to always to make the build experience as good as it can be for our team members. Thanks so very for making our after build experience so wonderful.
Melinda,
What a Trip! when you plan a trip with my Mom it is incredible. the family loved it, the animals cooperated. We did not see those elusive wild dogs but I am certain we will get another chance. Steven and his gang were better than a comedy routine with the animal noises at the Serengeti camp. Seeing the southern star, and the Cape Buffalo drinking from a pool incredible. A Serval cat during the day time awesome. Having both an elephant and a hippo give us a warning we were too close was very cool even though you did not like it for our own good.
Which was extremely motherly and smart of you not to allow us to go fishing by boat after that experience. All the events at the airports and so many other experiences that I could go on writing for days about are what made this trip the trip of the life time to remember. I am certain all the young and older boys and ladies for that matter who travelled will come to realize that the work and effort that went into making this tip a success was similar to planning a wedding half way around the world and trying to make all the guest pleased in as many aspects as possible. It was simply an unbelievable feat that you accomplished. I would like to thanks you from the bottom of my toes to the top of my head and then some. The pleasure my kids had and the memories they have will not be forgotten. The faces in the pictures that we took tell only a small tale of what I am speaking about but give a good idea.
Love David
WOW! I don't know what else I can say - it was indescribable! - just the most amazing, incredible, spectacular, wonderful holiday-of-a-lifetime EVER!!!!!
I genuinely cannot thank you enough for putting together our two week photo safari - we have come home with such wonderful memories, over 4000 photos and a desperate yearning to be back there and not back here - I just cannot tell you! Bill Gozansky was brilliant - he gave freely of his time, knowledge, experience and expertise as a professional wildlife photographer, even lending his own equipment when that would help. - a genuinely nice guy who did everything he possibly could to help and encourage my husband and son to get just the right shot every time. We thoroughly enjoyed Bill's company and learned a great deal - my husband has already commented that he can see his technique improving day by day as he looks through his wealth of photos. My son has made a giant leap forward in his own ambition to be a wildlife photographer himself.
And Isaac - our driver/guide - well! I can see from the testimonials on your website that he has made quite an impression on others too - and I can confirm that every word of it is true. It is difficult to imagine that there could be a more knowledgeable, skilled, committed or enthusiastic driver/guide in the business. Is Isaac the best driver/guide in Kenya? If not, he must be a very strong contender for the title! It would be impossible in a reasonable space to list all the animals and birds we saw at close quarters, including some rarities such as a pack of African wild dogs and a Patas monkey. Isaac shared every moment of our excitement on seeing all these creatures, great and small (like the rhino beetle we studied at the dinner table one evening!) and knew so much about each one of them that there was never a question that went unanswered. The only disappointment is the conviction that no future holiday will ever come close to being as good as the one we've just had. With all good wishes and everlasting gratitude
Hi, Melinda, We are back home in Belgium after a one-day delay courtesy of Brussels Airlines. We didn't complain though - another day in sunny Kenya! They put us up at the Safari Resort - it was fantastic.
Melinda - I cannot tell you how amazing our trip was. Everything went so smoothly, and we felt we experienced so much more out of the trip than we could have imagined. Kanani House was spectacular to start and of you know that Elvis took great care of us. You were so right to suggest Kanani, especially after the hectic but fun-filled times at Rising Sun. It was a perfect place for us to reflect on our days and to spend time together as a family. I can't remember seeing Henry so relaxed. Anna was a gracious, yet so efficient, host for us at the orphanage. We felt so welcomed by everyone there, and children opened up their hearts to us. The second leg of our trip was as rewarding. Julius, our guide, was amazing! His knowledge, openness, honesty, experience, and positive attitude made our safari experience perfect. He connected with both children immediately, and never once seemed like he wasn't having as much fun as we were!
The staff at JK were great too; always ready to help with anything. Finally, a huge thanks to you, for putting all this together. We can honestly say that the two weeks went by without any issues. That is unheard of in our experience! We not only relaxed, but we had invaluable experience at Rising Sun. Charles and Grace learned more in one week than years of schooling could ever do. Thank you for realizing our need for both, and for making it all "gel". We are seriously considering a repeat of the trip next year.
Melinda: You helped our party of four to plan a very memorable trip to Kenya in September. We had such a great trip, witnessing animal behavior and seeing animals we had not seen in previous trips. Several of us wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your's and Isaac's (our guide) efforts. Below are our messages:
Dear Melinda,
I would like to tell you how pleased I was with my safari in Kenya. This was my first time ever doing something to this extent. I was fortunate in that my friend, Betty, had been on safari before and helped me with any questions I had prior to the trip. I was still anxious for the trip to unfold.
The trip met my expectations and more. Seeing all the wildlife and the countryside was amazing. I would like to tell you how "great" Isaac was to our group of 4. He was very gracious in asking us what we wanted to see and do. He answered all our suggestions. From a sunrise photo opportunity to a sunset opportunity, he made sure we were able to get our photographs.
One could sense the passion he brings to his guide position. He was fantastic in knowing that we really wanted to do photography and he would position the Land
Cruiser in the correct manner to have the proper lighting on our subject if it was at all possible to do. He gave us the opportunity to be in the parks from sunrise until closing, which is what we wanted to do. We wanted to observe the animals and birds for the day. Not just for 2 or 3 hours per day.
His knowledge of the mammals and birds was amazing. We would ask him question after question and he knew the answer or would find out the answer and tell us the next day. One can truly see that he loves the safari drives and the wildlife. I have been with guides in other instances but no one showed the passion that Isaac showed. He is a superb guide and a wonderful teacher.Kudos to Isaac!!
Jambo!!!
What an extraordinary experience!!! And how lucky we were once I decided to book our Horse Riding Safari with Melinda Rees through www.eco-resorts.com & www.bestofkenya.com. The first very nice surprise was with the Hotel we were booked on our arrival to Nairobi, the Macushla House, such a small and so pretty place. Then the lunch at the Trout Restaurant on the way to the Laikipia area. Also a unique place.
And already on the first day, 5 minutes after leaving the ranch, already a beautiful giraffe. This was obviously just an introduction to the wild life, as we during the 7 days horse riding safari through the El Karama Ranch we saw so many more, as well as all the other animals, including a male elephant we had to escape from, as I guess he felt that we were not welcomed in what he considered to be his territory. Wooauuu!!! what an experience escaping from him at full gallop.
Fortunatly, the story ended happily, with only me losing my hat, though was recovered the day after. My wife Paula & Jane (also part of the group) were lucky enough to see a lioness early in the moorning when they were taken on a jeep tour by Laria´s (our guide) husband, James professional photographer actually making an article on a lioness and her cubs. Laria and her staff were all so friendly, life in the camp so real and far away from the world we are today living, the wild life and extraordinary landscape, well all those things made it all a great and unforgettable experience to the four of us.
Summing up, a big thanks to Melinda for the organisation of such an experience for us, Laria and her staff for the whole Safari including the logistics involved, not a minor task for a 7 days Horse riding Safari, the horses, all so friendly but galloping when requested (the Elephant!!!), the camels so calm but friendly, all the wild life!!!, and last but not least M. Grant (Laria´s father) and the rest of their family. I hope we can repeat & anyway meet in the future either in Kenya or in Spain the good friends we made during this trip. With my best regards.
