US
35-50 years of age
Review about South Africa by ~lustedtowander~
Go to Addo for the wildlife viewing in a sublime landscape. Much of the main viewing area is fenced and the roads paved, which limits the 'bush' vibe. But we never experienced the swarms of vehicles one might see in Kruger National Park.
35-50 years of age
Bush, beach and wide open river - a perfect combination
Saadani was the first time I'd experienced a real safari. I'd been to Tanzania before and was bewitched by the place, but I hadn't actually made it properly out into the bush on the first visit. This time, it was going to be different.
The park had recently been upgraded from a Game Reserve at the time, so wasn't very developed as a destination. However, that made for perfect conditions.
The road in was clearly under water during the rainy season, but we arrived at a time that it was passable, finding our way by buffalo skull signposts. The lodge that awaited us was set in the bush and very welcoming, stylish and comfortable without being ostentatious, and the huts we stayed at were set on the beach. Having arrived in from Tokyo, the wafting breeze of the Indian Ocean and a long sandy beach with no-one else on it was the perfect tonic. Apparently, elephants would sometimes come down and frolic in the surf.
If there was anything I could have changed about the visit, I'd have drunk a little less in the evenings and awoken at the crack of dawn to get a better look at the wildlife. With fine food and hospitality, this was a difficult thing to do! However, given that most of the animals try and stay out of the sun in the heat of the day, we saw plenty. It's always going to be difficult for a giraffe to hide much.
What was the best thing about it? The ability to combine a bush safari, a river safari and a beach holiday all in one place. Would I go to Saadani again? If only I could!
Review about Ruaha National Park by nilsrinaldi
Closer to Dar, this is a better-known park, with also plenty of wildlife. Big cats often spotted.
Review about Katavi National Park by nilsrinaldi
Also a remote park, Katavi was fantastic, with its small river along which wildlife was concentrating. Well-known for its hippos and crocs.
Discover the chimps!
Mahale Mountains NP is not your average african safari destination: it is remote, wild, and does not bear the usual african wildlife. The main purpose for us to go to Mahale was to see the Lake Tanganyka, and to meet with the chimps. We were not disappointed. Landscape were totally amazing and different, with beautiful beaches along the lake and steep hills just behind.
And we got to see chimps all three days we went into the bush. When looking at a chimp, you are not merely looking at a wild animal. You feel that they are looking back, that something more than just animal instinct is happening inside their brains. Amazing experience!
We did get to see also some hippos, swimming in the lake (in clean water for a change...), and with a little luck we could have seen crocodiles swimming the lake as well. We also spotted baboons on a regular basis, and a few wild boars.
Go, you will not be disappointed!
A different experience, away from the busy parks
I am living close to Mkomazi national park
I saw almost all the animal species there.
The experiences are very varying, sometimes you see a lot of animals, another time hardly any. All times many birds are around.
The park is not well known so you are the only one but also the animals are more shy.
Park rangers are not well experienced yet, a guide from external is at least as good.
In the wet season the park is difficult accessible.
In the dry season it has less animals since there is not much water.
Review about Botswana by giapia
Beautiful earth, nice people, lots of elephants andhyppos, but a few cats (too much water)
35-50 years of age
Review about Tanzania by Globalism Pictures
Tanzania has probably the widest, wildest spaces and the biggest selection of wildlife of them all. The people are very warm, and the sense of somewhere else is unbeatable for a first-timer to Africa.
Review about Tanzania by nilsrinaldi
Less industrialed safaris than for instance Kenya, lots of space for animals to wander around.
under20 years of age
Review about Kruger National Park by Duncan R
I have only been there on a day-trip, but even then I still saw a leopard, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, countless antelope and wonderful birds. It really does deserve its reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in South Africa.