65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Was very impressed with the whole tour and especially with our tour guide Mischek M. (Spelling?)
This holiday was the best we (husband Richard and I) have had in many years and exceeded our expectations even though it was very different to what I personally imagined. We were looked after well and have no complaints at all. The accommodation was mostly first class and very comfortable though we were rather hot under those doonas at night! Can't praise Meshek (spelling) enough for his care of the group taking responsibility for every imaginable situation such as vehicle breakdown, sickness, extra travel needs and arrangements etc. Loved the areas we visited even the miles and miles of desert which could have been dull but Mesheks obvious love of Africa inspired us and we took hundreds of pictures and copious notes as well as read a few of the books he recommended. Because of this we feel we really experienced Africa, albeit as tourists, but for my husband (Sth.bAfrican born) it was a refreshing experience as he left Africa at 18 in the '60's and so much has changed. He was very pleasantly surprised. Meshek was very calm and practical and we and others in the group were impressed with his many skills and knowledge. We learnt so much about Africa , the history, geography, animals, geology, social issues, and much more and I am writing up a journal about all I can remember. We are hoping to travel again to Africa in a few years and recommend Kiboko highly to friends and family.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Chobe National Park by Julian
Good wildlife but unfortunately no rhinos. Plenty of birds and nice scenery
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mokoro Trip
I did a 3 days/2 nights self-catered mokoro trip to the delta. It is a completely different experience to other Safari destinations. Do not expect to see as much wildlife as on a game drive or a boat safari, but the bush vibe is fantastic an the hikes on the islands are very nice walking safaris. The delta is also a great destination for bird watching.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Makgadikgadi Pans National Park by Janette
There are two parts to this area - the Pans itself and the National Park. We spent a night sleeping under the stars in the Pans and it was an awesome experience (organised by Meno a Kwena Tented Camp). We also saw meerkats and no-one else. We then did a safari drive in the national park section. It has the second largest migration of zebra (after the Serengeti) which we could believe as we saw hundreds of them as well as lots of wildebeest, elephants swimming and lions very close. And we hardly saw anyone else. It was a very special place.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lots to see but too many people
We spent two nights near the park at Chobe Bush Lodge which was excellent. We went on a early morning safari drive and an afternoon boat cruise. Others from our group did an afternoon drive as well.
Even though we saw lots of excellent wildlife including two lions stalking some warthogs, it was way too crowded during both the morning drive and the boat cruise. There were often dozens of safari vehicles/boats around a good animal sighting with some vehicles hogging the best spot for ages and we often had to wait. This was mainly for lions (we didn't see anything else really special). And when it came to the sunset part of the cruise, lots of small boats sat in front of our bigger boats spoiling our view - there was plenty of room for them elsewhere. Our boat moved somewhere else to avoid these boats. These experiences spoilt the park for us. We actually saw much more in Kruger and it was less crowded.
However, friends who did the afternoon safari drive said there weren't so many other groups and they had some excellent sightings including the rare wild dog.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Julian
I visited the Delta and Chobe; both a great destinations. For my experience Chobe was much better for wildlife but the bush vibe was extraordinary in the delta. Both parks offer very beautiful scenery and are excellent fit bird watching.
CA
A beautiful country with magnificent wildlife.
The wildlife was spectacular.
The quality of the accommodations was highly variable but all were clean.
The roads leading into masai marathon and samburu national parks were extremely bumpy and axle breaking. Very hard on the small van we were driving in.
My guide was a Masai and he was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the wild animals and where to find them.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Janette
There is a huge variety of places to visit such as the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant communication, service, best holiday ever AND they give back to the underprivileged! LOVE
Africa had been on my radar for some time but overwhelming once I started looking for a tour, as there were so many companies to choose and not knowing where to start or who to trust, it all became too hard so I gave up.
A friend told me about an ad she saw from Trailblazers Travel so I sent an enquiry off.
Belinda was extremely helpful, we felt completely confident and we signed up. Never having done a group tour I wasn't sure how I'd go, but as friends travelling together to Africa, we thought it would be better travelling with a small group.
From the moment we met with the other people from the group, we knew we had made the right decision. The ages ranged from 40-70 and everyone got on so well, and from the first celebratory wine at the before takeoff, we knew we were in for a treat!
Wow, Africa - what can I say. So many thoughts race to mind and all my expectations were so far exceeded! It was refreshing to come from a place where we have so much, where we are so consumed with every day routines and where most people are losing the ability to think past ourselves, to land in Africa and see and feel the community and the coming together to mend old wounds. Africans are happy, smiling people with music and rhythm deep in their souls.
Africa is romantic but it’s also challenging. It’s compelling, it’s inspirational, it’s confronting and emotive but it is also life changing and beyond this, Africa will inspire you on all sorts of levels.
It’s something you don’t expect when embarking on a holiday but a new, positive outlook on life takes over you and consumes you in a way you didn’t know possible.
What I love about Africa is your eyes will be opened to new ways. Your body quiets and your mind settles. You relax, you see and you listen. But there are no words. It is in the behaviour of the animals that you will hear the unspoken word of forgiveness, family, self sacrifice, grace and justice.
Africa is enriching on so many levels and above all, the animals become the teachers and we become the student of life. Africa is a reconnection back to the land, to your ancestors, to yourself and to all the possibilities you have. It calls you in, it enriches your life and inspires you to greatness.
You must go at least once in your life. You won’t regret it!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For Gorillas, Chimpanzees and more - Range Land Safaris has it all!
This was our fourth trip to Africa and second trip to Uganda with Morris. Range Land recommended different options for our custom tour and organized our trip just as we expected, communicated to us from Uganda to Los Angeles as needed, and arranged all of the details just as we had hoped for. This was our best trip by far - chimps, gorillas, tree climbing lions and babies of every species from hippos, elephants and giraffe to chimps, gorillas and leopards. Our visits with the Gorillas Doctors, a local school and safari with a park researcher added depth to an amazing trip. The camps were excellent and Range Land took care of all the details. Can't say enough good things about the Range Land team.