Kenya Experience Reviews 113

It was so incredible, we extended our stay for longer. I cannot praise the Kenya Experience team enough. Pre departure assistance was phenomenal, we were made to feel so welcome on arrival and everything during the trip was organised to perfection - all runs were tailored to all abilities, all guides/pacers were so professional and shared insights into life as a runner in Africa.

Willy, Richard, Emmanuel and the amazing pacers made us feel at home. The pacers who made the experience amazing for me were Gilbert, Adni from Somalia (the captain), Belinda, Amos. There were some incredible experiences such as The Gambia Edwards Foundation, St Patrick's School. I loved the running timetable which reflected real-life Kenyan life. The coach and athlete q and A's were very interesting. I liked the flexibility of the team when you wanted to do something different or miss a session.

Amazing staff, wonderful variety of activities, incredible coaching and training, beautiful environment, delicious food. Felt myself getting stronger and faster and happier by the day

The time in Kenya on this trip has been amazing!

Everything is well organized - the staff around Organizer Willy, Coach Richard, Main Pacer Emmanuel and Photographer Tony are amazing and make you feel welcomed and at home at any time.
The people this camp attracts are amazing as well. It has been a long time, since I have meet so many geniunely kind people in one place!
The experience of the Kenian people and their culture, the exposure to healthy food and the abstinence of certain (in some cases unhealthy) luxuries offer a new perspective, that can help you rethink some of your own bad habits and (hopefully) help you to change them in a sustainable way for the better.

The fact that I have not even come to mention the amazing variety of different runs in a beautiful landscape that I mainly came for says it all - you should really book this trip in a heartbeat!

Everything! From the accommodation, food, coaches, pacers and hospitality! Far beyond expectations! Will come again soon!

An experience never to forget! It met all my expectations and even many more. The organisation of the camp with Willy, Richard and Emmanuel is very good. They will do everything they can to help you, no question is too much. The team of pacers also make you feel good every day, They will always make sure you can do the runs at your own pace. But also definitely a word of praise for the kitchen and maintenance staff. Every day they made sure we got a tasty and nutritious meal, always with a smile. The rooms are also serviced every day, they do your laundry and can also ask them anything should you have a problem somewhere. I can only say: this was my best trip ever and I will definitely go back! Anyone in doubt, just do it!

I visited Iten with the Kenya Experience in August of 2024 and had a truly wonderful experience. I’m a 54 year old masters runner who had plateaued before attending the high-altitude training camp. The two weeks I spent with The Kenya Experience completely changed my entire approach to running. Although I expected the running to be fabulous (and it really was!), I was surprised to learn that the Kenyan approach to running is all encompassing and involves so much more than just the training. Every aspect of the Kenyan lifestyle (nutrition, cross-training, recovery, relaxation) is optimised at the training camp to ensure that everyone can reach their maximum potential – I really can’t thank the Kenya Experience team enough for sharing their knowledge and experience! In particular, the core team of Willy (head of guest relations), Richard (head coach) and Emmanuel (head of the wonderful pacing team) were all bursting with infectious enthusiasm. In the six months immediately after the training camp I ran personal best times at 10K (35), half-marathon (78) and the marathon (2:45) and I’m now challenging for British Championship medals at masters level, thanks to the knowledge I learnt in Kenya. It was a truly inspirational experience and I can’t wait to go back.

Review

I visited the High Altitude training camp in Iten with the Kenya experience last summer and have been dreaming about going back ever since!

Before I booked the trip I had several concerns which Gavin and Callum were able to reassure me about.

I’ll be too slow! Not a problem- I always had a pacer that ran with me at my pace. All of the pacers supplied by Emmanuel were incredibly kind and talented athletes, and all the groups ran different distances/paces to suit everyone‘s needs.

I also had some questions about the diet because I have a gluten intolerance (coeliac disease), but the staff on the camp were really careful with my meals, always happy to discuss ingredients and to provide simple alternatives where necessary- rice instead of pasta, ugali instead of chapati. The food was fresh, healthy and plentiful and the social mealtimes and tea breaks were often a highlight of the day.

Running at altitude certainly is a challenge but Richard the coach, and all the pacers were able to modify the days session to suit everyone‘s training and how they were feeling on that day. We were always pushed out of our comfort zones and yet not too far, the sessions were just hard enough so that we could recover and go again the next day. Runs are often very early in the morning so you witness the most beautiful sunrises, longer runs or track sessions might be mid morning, and there’s the option for evening recovery runs too, or relaxation!

It’s not all running, there were hikes, visits to see the work of a local charity supported by the Kenya experience and visits to the Iten club, plus the infamous killer core workouts which take place 3 times a week. Top tip, practice your planks before you go and be prepared to find muscles that you didn’t know you had!

Willy Songok (head of guest relations) made everyone feel welcome and special, and reassured us that nothing was a problem, although sometimes it was an unexpected experience.

Richard the coach taught us how to run hills, track and do drills, about the importance of balancing your training; prioritising running, simple nutrition and recovering well.

The secrets to Kenyan running success - Run, Eat, Sleep, and follow your heart rate. Do this and your heart might lead you back for a return trip.

We were able to spend two highly recommendable guided training weeks in Kenya. The level of professionalism, but also the warmth and variety of the program were unique. During the stay, we gained insights into the entire spectrum of running training activities, exchanged ideas with top athletes and coaches, had individually graded performance groups with top pacers and benefited from many cultural, social and nature-based activities in addition to running. Many thanks to Willy, Richard, Emmanuel and the whole team for an unforgettable Kenyan experience. Greetings from Switzerland, Marc & Cédric

An experience that totally changed my perspective on running. I traveled more than 12,000 kilometers to fulfill my goal of learning how the best long-distance runners on the planet train. I felt very supported by the training camp organizing staff. Iten is a safe, quiet place where going for a run is always challenging and wonderful. In addition to gaining more knowledge, I was able to learn about its culture, which was fascinating. I definitely want to return in the future. Thank you very much, you are a great team.

Somewhere I have wanted to run for over 10 years since reading "Running with the Kenyans" and it did not disappoint.
From the booking of the camp to travel to Iten and attendance at the camp everything worked like clockwork (just one no show of a local star runner)
There was a range of runners at the camp coming from 14 countries, aged 18 to 70 with a range of running backgrounds and capabilities. A great group of people to spend 2 weeks with.
Willy, Richard and Emmanuel and all the KE pacers (too many to name) provided so many iconic and fantastic run experiences. I wish I had another week or two particularly as I felt I was just beginning to cope with the altitude after 13 days!
I will be back - thank you, thank you, thank you

It was an amazing experience to join the Kenya experience in Iten. The camp was really well organised and every day was fully packed. It really adds value to book this experience instead of going to the HATC on your own. The seminars they organise, the optional Safari and the group of pacers who are there for you to support you. Amazing! If you are into running, and into travel/adventure, book this trip you won't regret it!

Very nice running camp which brings the kenyan way of training to the participants. The organizers have an astonishing passion for running, have run amazing times in the past or invite elite runners or coaches from kenya to share their experience. The individuals connected extremely well and the whole group quickly turned strangers into friends. I was very happy with their organic locally produced food, the sauna with the interesting stories Willy told us or the hard sessions we had on Tuesday and Thursday. For anyone reading this, make sure to take easy sessions easy, like Richard says, easy is supposed to be easy!
If I have to find things to improve then maybe a more individual training plan for the runners, since sometimes it wasn’t that clear how hard to push and the WIFI. Maybe a central network with multiple access points rather than individual routers makes it already better.

This was an amazing experience and a week wasn’t long enough. Willy, Coach Richard and all the team made sure everyone was looked after and knew what to do. Your run pace didn’t matter so this really is an experience for anyone who enjoys running. I met some great runners at the dinner table (2.06 marathon pace!!) and Tuesday Track Training was an experience you will never forget. I’ll definitely be back.

I had a great time on the Kenya Experience. We were looked after from the moment we arrived at Eldoret airport. I learned so much from the coaches and pacers and enjoyed the training. The whole trip was amazing but highlights were the Fartlek, running on Moiben road and the Safari.
Highly recommend

Amazing experience! Too many memories and great times to list them all! Highly recommended for runners of all levels! The entire Kenya Experience team took care of my group! I will definitely be booking again in the future!

The Kenya Experience 🇰🇪 more than exceeded my expectations. I spent a month in Iten on two different camps led by Coach Richard and Willy Songok.

Meeting like minded running enthusiasts from all over the world really added to the experience for me.

My advice for people considering booking with the KE is go for it and don’t look back! The level of care I received in the HATC, along with the exceptional quality of coaching and the amazing people I met from all across the world is something I will look back on forever.

My favourite aspect of the camp was the team of pacers led by Emmanuel, who pushed us morning and evening to do our best. This camp is for everyone no matter how fast or slow you think you are, as they have pacers to run alongside you at whichever desired pace😊.

A special thanks to Callum, Gavin and the rest of the KE team back in the UK! I appreciate the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make this camp such a success!

I hope I get a space next year 🤞

Asante Sana

Gavin 🇮🇪

The last 2 weeks have been a truly inspiring experience for me! I have learnt a lot about the Kenyan approach to running, but also about the Kenyan culture and way of living. I feel sad to go home, but at the same time very excited to start applying everything that I have learnt in my life at home.

Iten is really an inspiring place for runners and it was great to meet so many likeminded people who share the same passion (all the other the participants as well as all the staff and pacers).

Everything was very well organized, and even though it is a group program, there is a lot of personal attention and care, and flexibility to tailor the program to each individual's wants and needs.

I highly recommend this camp to anyone who loves running!

What an amazing trip! Honestly do not have a bad word to say. An incredible experience and everything ran smoothly thanks to the best team. Nothing was ever too much for Willy and Emmanuel who always went above and beyond to make sure we were okay. The paces were fantastic and it was a privilege to run with Sylyvia (my pacer) every day. I personally learnt a lot from coach Richard, Emmanuel and Sylyvia and I have returned to the UK more inspired than ever.
Thank you for the best experience and I’ll be back!

An eye-opening and fantastic experience overall for the two weeks in Iten! Everyone involved went above and beyond, from the communication team to the camp staff and organizers, as well as the wonderful local pacers. I felt truly supported and cared for during my entire time. Great camaraderie among our group! Looking forward to taking everything that I have learned to my own training!