US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by bertly13
For an American, there is nothing like actually going to Africa to see it in person. It was just an incredible experience.
Review about South Africa by Hennie van Heerden (wildlife photographer)
South Africa has it all; from breathtakingly beautiful wildlife to (for those who seek that) interesting city-trips (Cape Town) and beaches, wonderful scenery (the Flower route and the Wine route)
Experience level: first safari
A life-changing experience that left a bit of my heart in Africa and that I will never forget!
The wildlife of the reserve was plentiful and we were always able to get quite close to most animals on every drive (morning, afternoon, night). The scenery was stunning -- I'll never forget sitting a top the hill as the sun rose and drinking coffee, listening to the sound of the bush coming alive. The weather was perfect in April - not too hot, not too cold. I really enjoyed the guide comments and character and how they shared so much knowledge about the animal's behavior, droppings, tracks, etc.
VG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kwandwe Game Reserve by Ken Okumura
Kwandwe has a more dramatic location than Madikwe.
VG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Creature comforts and lots of creatures
We went to Madikwe Game Reserve in 2009, having been once before on a safari to its sister park Kwandwe some years earlier. I doubt any two game reserves are the same, and it Madikwe was very different from Kwandwe.
Highlights for me were tracking the pack of wild dogs (which are apparently very rare in Africa but were fairly plentiful in Madikwe), watching a pride of lions relax and play with each other next to the airstrip and having a lioness almost brush past my leg whilst I was sitting in the rear seats of the safari jeep.
Overall I'd thoroughly recommend Madikwe (and Kwandwe) to anyone wanting to get a safari experience whilst staying in relative luxury.
Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Kristin
South Africa is unlike any place I have ever experienced. It's modern yet basic, unique in it's own customs that draws one in personally.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Marcus Abreu de Magalhaes
The best thing for animal viewing is that in Botswana they don't allow too many tourists and the drivers must keep on track. Because of that you will see a better preserved region of Africa. On others countries you will find better prices, but lots of tourists and not so scenic drives.
VG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Ken Okumura
It's ideal in that you can go a relatively short distance from civilisation and be in the wild outdoors of nature. South Africa does offer that, although I do not have a comparison point with another safari-offering country.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Go2Africa by Marcus Abreu de Magalhaes
We booked the trip with only tree weeks of advance, and they did a very personalized plan, with private planes and specific places we asked about.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent mix of pamper and excitement
The team made me feel very welcome and did a great job of encouraging guests to greet one another without being cruise ship pushy. This helped me relax from the beginning.
The "tents" were awesome! I would pick this over the top of the ANA hotel in Tokyo any day of the week. Bed was good, bathroom was crazy nice and the tub was one of these baths that overlooked the scenery. Just like in the movies.
Our guides did a great job of tracking and finding animals in their native environment. During the day, we found the lions sleeping peacefully on the hillside. They looked so cool and you could hear them breathing, you just wanted to rest your head on their bellies and give them a great scratch......and then in the night tour! We caught them in the act of feeding. It was stunning, natural, scary, ALIVE! I caught an awesome video of it all and posted it on YouTube, just search for Thornybush lion kill.
FOOD was good and there was a great variety.
We drove through the forests to Phalaborwa, spent the night and played golf at the Hans Merenski where I was able to play around the giraffes, literally.
But I promise you, take the time to get to Thorneybush. It's a totally different experience.
I would have brought a better coat. It was warm in the day and chilly at night.
I would also have added another day to spend at the lodge.
If I was to improve the experience, I would suggest everyone gets a keepsake, something native and simple to remind them of their visit. Our guide showed me how to weave a rope with the native grass, which was cool, but I forgot to bring it home. The Americans would probably have confiscated it anyway.
Don't try to bring home biltong, they will ask at the airport in the US.
DO try some, it's fabulous.