Review about Kafue National Park by Achim
It's a very big park with few accommodations but beautifully located along the Kafue River.
If you don't want to see any other safari jeeps on your game drives, you should got there !
Review about Zambia by Achim
Wildlife sightings and photo opportunities are more rare because of the fact that the animals are not as much used to safari jeeps in their area. So they kept quite a distance to us. There were plenty of elephants in the various parks and it was great to watch them in the wild nature.
First time doing safari and I'll be sure to return
Most guide books advise you to go in the dry season to see a lot of wildlife. I did my first safari ever in February in the middle of the wet season. On the morning of my drive, it was overcast, cold, and drizzling. It had rained a lot the night before. I would never have thought of going on a safari while shivering in my jacket. To my surprise, the sky cleared up in the afternoon and there were still a lot to see: giraffes, baboons, elephants, warthogs, impalas, buffaloes, etc. And to my extreme delight, even a painted African wild dog. The only thing missing from the game drive are the predators. The boat cruise on the Chobe waterfront was relaxing and exciting at the same time. We saw an elephant swimming out to an island in the middle of the channel, many hippos and crocs, and plenty of birds.
So what did I miss when doing safari in the wet season? Animals are not as numerous and concentrated but there are no crowds. More importantly, with plenty of water to drink and grass to eat, the animals are not stressed; they're not fighting for their survival. The lush vegetation is beautiful and pleasing. The cool and comfortable weather (at mid day) more than makes up for seeing fewer animals. The deep blue sky reflects on the serene water of the Chobe River like a painting. What a great place to be for the animals! And for humans, too!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very enjoyable safari!
We (2 students, couple) were looking for a Safari in Northern Tanzania and collected several offers as we were looking for budget options. SunnySafaris made the best offer together with some good recommendations on e.g. Tripadvisor. Therefore we decided for a 3day/2nights camping safari with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire NP starting from Arusha. Prior we had a very good email communication with Masha, and all our questions were answered. In the morning on the first day we were picked up by Paul, our guide, accompanied by our cook.
We were lucky to be the only ones on the trip, so we had the huge car for us, which turnded out to be great to move around during gamedrives and to have a real 360° view. Also, we could stop where and for how long we wanted. By midday we reached the Tarosero camp near Lake Manyara where our cook prepared a great lunch. After that we startet the gamedrive in Lake Manyara NP till the evening. Then evening - sleeping in good tents - we were surprisingly tired. Next morning we got up early, after breakfast we left to Ngorogoro. There we spend the day, lunchbox during the day, good dinner again and the next morning we packed everything leaving to Tarangire NP, in the afternoon leaving back to Arusha, where we got dropped off at our accomodation, even though it was a bit outside of Arusha and difficult to find.
Negative aspects:
- Prior to the safari we asked for the option to buy additional water because the provided 1 l per day is not sufficient. It was told to us that we will stop at a cheap supermarket for that and do not need to worry. However, this "cheap" supermarket was designed especially for Safari-Tours and was not cheap at all (water in the village near the camp was cheaper).
- The driver/guide stopped twice at some kind of souvenir shops where we were forced to spend time while he went for a coffee.
- The guides/cooks eat seperately at the camp - they cook local food (e.g. Ugali) prepared on a nice fire place. It would be a nice option to also be part of that.
- On the last day we really need to stress that we would like to spend as long as possible in Tangire NP, as our guide wanted to leave to Arusha.
Positive aspects:
- Guide and cook were very friendly.
- We saw amazingly many animals (from the big 5 we did not see rhinos) and the guide gave us an introduction for all the different species. He also knew good spots for animals and pointed out many things for us.
- The camp was very luxurious for a tented safari - there are good bathrooms - and power supply to charge cameras, mobile phones was available. Very secure feeling within the camp.
- The food in the camp was made of 3 course menus - we got catered with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian option as ordered before. The food was very nice, the lunchboxes were okay as well.
- The three parks are very different in their topography, fauna and flora. We enjoyed that a lot and felt that this Safari really gave us an amazing insight in the wildlife in Northern Tanzania.
Review about Nxai Pan National Park by Terry Carew
Not a popular venue but does boast the famous "Baines' Baobabs, a must see if you visit here.
Review about Nata by Terry Carew
Game is around but the pans in the area are the attraction. When they are full of water the birdlife is fantastic. Not a lot of game but it is around.
Review about Chobe Forest Reserve by Terry Carew
Birding is great anywhere in Botswana. More and more operators are opening lodges and camps in areas outside the parks that offer good value for money. Most of the game in the reserves are well represented in these areas including lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and cape hunting dogs to mention a few.
It is always a pleasure to visit the Chobe national park.
The wildlife in Chobe is diverse and abundant. The park is sub-divided (my definition) into two main centres. The river edge of the park in the very north of the park is my favourite. The road network offers visitors the option of traveling along the river edge next to the floodplain or in the densely wooded area bordering the floodplain. The river road option offers good sightings of the main attractions to Chobe, namely elephants and buffalos. These are very much in evidence as they drink twice daily. Other notable species are impala, waterbuck, sable, hippo, crocodiles, warthogs, puku, lechwe and others. Lions are usually around as are hyenas and jackals. Birdlife is magnificent. The fish eagles are plentiful as are most of the other raptors. Aquatic birds are best seen by buying a seat on a river craft operated by numerous hotels and agencies in Kasane which is outside the border of the park. Boating is very rewarding for big game spotting as well.
The other centre is to the south and west of Kasane and is referred to as Savuti. The Savuti channel runs through the park and drains into the Mbabe depression. This part of Chobe is very popular with visitors and during peak times of the year can be a bit busy. Very well wooded it is one of the best areas in Africa to see four of the big five. Birding is also of the best. Both centres are connected by a road that can be traversed only by a four wheel drive vehicle. About here to five hours traveling is the norm if conditions are good.
Visitors can access the park by self drive 4X4 vehicles (fully equipped and available for rent in Kasane) and camping is available but can be rough, or by booking with an operator and be driven around the park. Advance booking for self drive is essential as camp sites are limited.
The scenery in the park is pretty much dominated by bush and trees, but along the river edge the sunsets are superb as dust and smoke in the air make for vivid colours.
Peak seasons for visiting the park are April to September. October is very dry and can be windy and November to March is the rainy season.
More information can be obtained from the Botswana tourist board or by "googling" Chobe itself.
Review about Ghanzi by Bruno
We stayed at Ghanzi region just before going to Okavango Delta. So we didn't make so much things there other than a scenic flight over the Delta. It was scary, but beautiful to see the wildlife from above... groups of elephants, giraffes. But yes, the flight is scary just like a roller coaster, be prepared!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Time in Serengeti
My family of 4 visited Serengeti with World Tour in March this year. We all enjoyed our trip thought it was very dry in the park. Our driver Frank is a skillful driver. He is really helpful. As for the cook, I think his cooking skill needs some improvement for cooking beef. It is very hard to chew.