35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lake Ziway is a birder's paradise!
I visited Ethiopia for 10 days with my family. This was not our first trip to the country, but this was my first time to have some time dedicated to viewing wildlife. Ethiopia has a rainy and a dry season. Roads can be difficult to navigate during the rainy season (July - September). We were fortunate to travel during the dry season (March) this time around. I am an avid birder and photographer and I really enjoyed our 2 days at Lake Ziway. We didn't use a guide - we just hired someone to drive us from Addis Ababa to Lake Ziway (about 3.5 hours drive). Addis Ababa sits in the mountains but shortly after leaving Addis we descended to lower elevation into what is much more iconic African savannah scenery with Acacias and sparse scrubland.
We stayed at a resort along the shore of Lake Ziway which was fitting of the name. They have nice, clean accommodations, a good restaurant on site, a nice pool, manicured grounds, spa, etc. They can arrange a very inexpensive (US$6 per person) boat ride out on the lake to view hippos and "bird island," which is a forested island that serves as a rookery for cormorants and African Darters. The boat ride was just over an hour in length and we had great views of hippos at a close, but safe, distance. With a field guide and several hours walking along the shoreline of the lake you can easily see 100-150 species of birds. The sheer number of birds can be overwhelming at times. There is a paved walking trail that runs parallel to the shoreline that is good for birding, but you'll also want to get off the path and walk out onto the mud flats to get closer to the water and away from people. Most of the roads in Ziway are dirt and it is safe to walk about and talk to the locals. We saw very few tourists during our two days in Ziway. I think maybe a total of 3 Europeans and that was it.
All of the local restaurants and hotels serve Ethiopian food, which is delicious. Even during fasting seasons, which most Ethiopians observe, these restaurants have meat available for their guests. Several also have western food items, if you are so inclined. The Haile Resort has Grilled Nile Perch, which was delicious. We also visited a local fish market, which was little more than a lakeside fire ring and someone cooking fresh caught fish, which was really good and a fun experience. There are many Marabou Storks hanging out in this area, eager to eat your leftover fish bones, which you can toss to the birds.
CA
It was an amazing experience
Our guide was amazing, felt welcomed and safe. Be sure to bring bug spray and portable battery. Make sure to have some cash to buy beautiful jewelry from the massai community markets
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable 4days Safari with mogalakwena Safari tours
The whole team was great including the chef,accommodation was top notch and tour guides
We recommend them to any Traveller wishing to understake African safari..
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's a very nice company where by everything was planed well and we were handled well.
Their guide was so equipped with the information about the park and he drove us well, had a lot of fun with him and show us a lot of animals which we didn't know about.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Erika Santana
We loved our trip to the Sossuvlei Desert. It is a unic place with scenic views and a good energy. It seams that Namibia is still evoluing in the tourst business. I think that the service given on the trip is too expensive for what they offer, but it is still worth. I would do it again.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a life time experience
We loved our trip to the Sossuvlei Desert. It is a unic place with scenic views and a good energy. It seams that Namibia is still evoluing in the tourst business. I think that the service given on the trip is too expensive for what they offer, but it is still worth. I would do it again.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized and exciting safari tour
This Safari trip really lived up to my expectations, the guide seemed to know what he was talking about and did also speak good english.
The campsites we stayed at was good and we got Nice food and slept in good tents.
So overall im really happy about the Safari and would highly recomend it!
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My Daressalam city tour was perfect!
I could organize the city tour from one day to the next day, very good. I could speak about my wishes,
what I would like to see in town and so one. The communication with manager on mobile phone
without problems. And next day punctual the driver and guide Oswald picked up me at the hotel.
I got a lot of very interesting informations about towns historie, culture, local peoples living,
tinga tinga painting, special music forms and more. I had a very nice day! Thank you.
Barbara
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good for most parts
Driver picked us up from our accommodation in Nairobi but was 30 minutes late. Journey went well although very bumpy ride in the vehicle after Narok. We did call at Tuskys supermarket at Narok and stocked up with snacks and water. There was a pizza place in the mall but were told our lunch would be later. Lunch was a big disappointment and health risk. 700 KES each for a poor quality buffet with birds constantly pecking the serving spoons. We set off again and reached Masai Mara and our first game drive. We had 4 altogether over 3 days and we enjoyed them. We stayed at Mara Serena Lodge which was within Masai Mara park and it was a lovely hotel and food. The second day the driver told us 6am start but then turned up 30 minutes later and said it was 6:30am. He said we’d got the time wrong but all of use heard him say 6am. Everything else went smoothly. Our driver was Benard but I did wish we had a 4 wheel drive vehicle rather than an 8 seater minibus. Overall we did enjoy our Safari.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
4-safari
The trip was fantastic, I have no complains to your product. The driver and the chef cared for our every need, they did their outmost to make this an unforgettable experience . The parks and facilities lived up to every expectation.
Also a 4-Day trip is more than enough. The 6-day package does not offer much more.