NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Campsite
The campsite is simple but fine. We were not welcomed in a friendly way (not allowed to select our own spot while there were no other campers), but the owner came to do this. Each day a nice fire was lighted next to our tent. During payment the rate was different than stated in the reservation but after some discussion this was also solved.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic country, wonderful trip!
First of all: go to safari in Uganda. What a beautiful country! So incredibly many animals, an amazing and very varied nature, and last but not least - the chance to go gorilla and chimp tracking.
Both those are qualities of Uganda, and not Matoke per se. The good thing is that Matoke is specialized on Uganda, and the program they had put together was excellent. Very varied and perfect pace. Enough stuff happening but also enough time to relax.
Our guide, Mike, was excellent. He is very knowledgeable, and you can really tell that he too loves the animals and the nature. He is easy-going and relaxed, and I really liked that he also told us a lot about local culture, food, etc.
We went for Matoke's 13 day Best of Uganda Budget Trip. What made it budget was mostly the fact that we were staying in tents - but these were permanent tents on very nice safari lodges, and all these lodges had communal toilets and showers in good condition. Food was also good. Only thing I was a little bit disappointed about was the car, it had definitely seen better days (several minor malfunctions), so I would enquire about this before booking.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by lem888
The highlight of Hluhluwe was watching a pack of wild dogs playing in the grass as the sun rose - that was actually likely the rarest animal that we saw in visiting Hluhluwe and Kruger. We also saw quite a few rhinos, giraffe and Cape Buffalo while there as well. We did not see elephants or lions, other than from quite a distance. Nonetheless, it was a great experience and we had a terrific guide on the drive. I would definitely go back, but if I had to choose between Hluhluwe and Kruger, Kruger would win hands down.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Animal Kingdom Equivalent of the Grand Canyon
What an incredible place! Words are inadequate to convey the beauty and wonder of the wildlife of Kruger. To me, it was the equivalent of seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time - an awe inspiring display by nature that will move you. Within the first hour of entering Kruger we saw the "Big Five" - elephant, rhino, Cape Buffalo, leopard and lion - and it just got better after that. On the single day in the park, we also saw hyena, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala, warthogs, crocodiles (including one massive guy), wildebeest, hippos and ostrich. While these may be common sights for folks in Africa, for an American it was like seeing a children's book come alive.
For Americans, the feel of the park is somewhat like Yellowstone. A grand, old park with lots of tourists driving around and stopping at every movement in the grass. Nonetheless, the wildlife are the real show and I saw a lot fewer tourists doing stupid things (like getting too close to wild animals) at Kruger than I've seen at Yellowstone. Kruger is fairly well-developed and you certainly aren't going to feel like you're roughing it in the bush, but it is a great way to see the animals that define Africa.
The area outside the park was pretty bleak, but once you enter the park that is all forgotten and you could spend days taking in the action just from the main roads. I would have loved the opportunity to get even closer, but time did not permit more adventurous outings.
The one dark spot on visiting Kruger was the hassle with South African immigration officers. I was traveling with my 17 year old son without my wife and S.A. had just instituted some new requirements that included carrying an original copy of his birth certificate (no abridged versions accepted) and a notarized letter from my wife saying it was OK for him to travel with me. Each time we went through passport control, there seemed to be some new requirement and threats to either detain us or refuse entry. Hopefully, those problems will sort themselves out as the new requirements get formalized, but for now I'd suggest you bring the original birth certificate, the notarized statement from the spouse and a notarized copy of the spouse's passport. Also, make sure all the names match exactly on each of those documents and be sure to circle the correct "I/We" statements on the South African official form of the permission letter (seriously, one of the immigration guys gave me grief about that).
Despite the sketchy experiences with immigration officers, it was the trip of a lifetime. I don't know what other parks or reserves are like, but I would return to Kruger in a heartbeat.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
How would you NOT go to Uganda?!
We were originally planning to go to Tanzania and Kenya, bet kept reading on in the guide book. When we found out you could see all the typical safari animals (lions, giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, rhinos, leopards, antilopes etc) AS WELL as to go chimp tracking and gorilla tracking, we were sold.
The great thing is that even with such high expectations we were not disappointed at all. What a country. So green and lush (thanks to 2 rain periods + rain inbetween), comfortable tempareture (thanks to a high altitude - most of the country sits 1000 meters above sea level), and a very varied nature and scenery (from flat savannah to rain forest to roaring mountains).
I have never been to a safari before so I must admit I don't know how many animals you will usually see, but let's just say it was not an unusual problem to try to photo an elephant - with the giraffe popping in an "ruining" the shot!
I also liked that there is no sense of mass tourism and there are rather few tourists there. Very nice wibe.
(On a general note, and not something we actually noticed in any way, being a woman and a man, Uganda has horrendous views - and laws - on homosexuality).
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
maximum satisfaction from my nine days east africa tour
Helo world;
Am giving this company a five star rating here as a big thanks for a job well done. Between july first and july 9th when i completed my eight days kenya Tanzania safari. We had excellent momments that will forever remain in my memmoroes at the great rift valley at the beautiful lake elementaita based sentrim lodges. My best momments were while at mara national park. Tanzania was a place to remember too with ngoro ngoro beingy favorite. My son had a memmorable time too so was my fiance. She will be writing soon!
LV
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Tanzania
A massive thank you to Priti of Safarihub for arranging the safari and accommodation for us. It was an enjoyable week long private safari and our driver Innocent really knew his stuff with good knowledge . We saw the big 5 and had a chance to visit Olduvai Gorge and the Rhino foundation in the Serengeti.
Surprise, exitement and good value for money
Although Marianne has organised several trips for our family, she time after time manages to find great "personal" camps, where we have spectacular encounters. Swimming elephant in the Zambezi, close encounters with leopard in the Okavango delta or a pride of 22 lion in Pondoro camp near Hoedspruit.
We will for sure ask her to organize our next safari.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing vacation experience
Wedding Honeymoon was great with our tour manager Maturaf and his staff and friends. We cherished every single escapades all over Zanzibar. Would love to visit again.
SG
Experience level: first safari
Wildlife Encounters
Outlook Safaris was very professional right from the start when I emailed them and got a very prompt reply. Although it was a last-minute decision to go on a safari during the peak winter season, Elsabe, the consultant with Outlook, managed to find me a last spot on the dates I preferred. Communication with her both prior to and after booking with them was always very pleasant, polite and prompt. The service I received during the 3-day safari I booked also surpassed my expectations. Despite it being the busy safari season, I had very personalised attention and was either alone or with just one or two other guests during the game drives I had with Outlook in their vehicle. The exception was during the sunset drive when I was put together with other guests with another operator that specialises in sunset drives (apparently, most safari operators do not have access to the reserve after dusk). The food provided by Outlook -- 2 breakfasts and dinners -- was also of an excellent, professional standard. The return transfers from Johannesburg to Kruger were also handled by highly competent drivers, who kept good conversation and gave me interesting insights into South Africa. The best part of the safari is, of course, the game drives themselves, and once again, I had excellent guides in the form of Johannes and F.J.. In the 2 morning and 1 afternoon drives, I managed to see all the Big 5 -- elephants, rhinoceros, lions, buffalos and the elusive leopard. Most of the these, except for the leopard, were close encounters and we had multiple sightings of them, thanks to their experience and quick eye. I was thrilled to see at close range, hyenas, giraffes, kudus, zebras, and blue wildebeests, including the smaller, iconic creatures like guinea fowls and lots of impalas. This was my first safari and it proved to be a most unforgettable one, thanks to the great team at Outlook Safaris. I would highly recommend them as the experience was worth every single cent I spent.