NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Nkasa Rupara National Park by Emiel de Lange
Truly excellent. Unparalleled remoteness and adventure. Plenty of wildlife and spectacular floodplains. Often unreachable and easy to get stuck!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by JerseyMolly
As our driver said: this is the real safari! We were there for the migration, so there were zebra and wildebeest as far as the eye could see. Tough to get to, but well worth the trip.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly unforgettable experience
I never imagined it was possible to get so close to wild animals! Elephants were crossing the road right in front of our vehicle, a leopard was enjoying a meal of an impala under an acacia tree, a cheetah was taking a siesta in the bush right by the side of the road and a lioness was taking her three young cubs for an afternoon stroll. There were reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, dik dik, oryx, and lots and lots of birds! Our guide knew all about these animals, and also knew just where to find them. We stayed at the Samburu Game Lodge, which was very charming, if a bit run down. The food was mediocre, but there were several vegetarian selections, so no one went hungry. Samburu is hot, so bring light clothing, sunscreen and bug spray, and prepare to be amazed!
NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Harsh Paradise
I have visited Namibia multiple times, most recently for a duration of 4 months. I am certain to return. Its many sensations and moods often return to my thoughts accompanied by a certain happy nostalgia. Namibia is an impressive country, raw and wild; it rewards further exploration but is also immediately beautiful. If you are anything like me, you may find yourself with a new look on life, certainly if this is your first visit to Africa.
Certainly if this is your visit to Africa, there is no better destination. In Namibia you have vast wildlife, fascinating culture, beautiful landscapes; from lush wetlands to parched deserts, and unlimited adventure. Importantly it is very safe, crime is low and the politics are stable, the infrastructure is remarkably good and everything is well run. Tourism is well established in most areas and is a vital part of the economy, but at the same time it is geared towards low volume-high revenue, meaning you are unlikely to see crowds.
Most visitors to Namibia follow the same circular route, clockwise or anti-clockwise. This route typically takes two to three weeks and covers a lot of the incredible must-see sights and areas and can be done in a rented 2WD drive car. I can not emphasise enough how beautiful and varied this country is; there is far too much to cover in three weeks, but this standard route is perfect in that it pays sufficient attention to the highlights and still allows a great sense of adventure though Im sure one would always wish it had been longer.
To summarise, the main places visited on this circuit:
The Namib desert, which is a unique ecosystem of endless shifting sand dunes and mountains. There is plenty opportunity for walking and to drive along the long gravel roads is awesome. One of the most astonishing natural features on earth is the Sossusvlei and the Deadvlei. The former is a green oasis among the dunes, and nearby the latter is a photographers dream: a clay pan dotted with dead trees.
Swakopmund, a quaint germanic seaside town surrounded by sandy flats. A tourist hub from where it is possible to go on many excursions to interesting birding sites, seal colonies or adventuring in the desert.
Damaraland, a beautifully arid region dotted with rocky hills and villages. It is possible to track down here the famous desert-adapted elephants and there is a large population of free-roaming black rhino. Amidst the other wildlife and still subsisting are the Damara people who graze their cattle. Twyfelfontein is Namibia's only world heritage site (so far), an ancient rock art site.
Etosha, the most famous national park offering the 'classic' safari experience in a rather unique setting. It is dominated by a vast clay pan, the southern edge of which is scattered with waterholes. Particularly in the dry season you will see vast herds of animals waiting to drink as predators such as Lions block their paths. Ive seen incredible amounts of lions here and Rhinos are almost guaranteed at the Okaukuejo waterhole.
A lot of people also visit a reserve called Okonjima. This is the home of the Africat foundation which works to conserve Cheetahs and Leopards. You will almost certainly see these two cats if not truly 'wild'. Ive recently decided no longer to recommend this place due to various ethical issues I became aware of during a volunteering stint.
There are countless other things to see and visit, but I will also summarise here the kost significant regions:
Kaokoland, a large desert area inhabited by the nomadic Himba people. Incredibly remote and rugged, wild, it shouldnt be attempted by unexperienced 4x4ers and certainly not solo. Expect to find vast sandy valleys lightly grassed and not another soul for miles.
Caprivi, a small region crossed by many rivers and characterised by swamps and forests. It is densely populated by a variety of peoples living in a largely traditional manner, but still wild and untamed and there is a large population of Elephants.
Kalahari, a vast semi-desert with sparse but interesting wildlife. Large portions are monotonous and uninteresting but some areas are fascinating. The Khaudum park has much wildlife and is remote and bushmen in the area can demonstrate their skills and way of life.
Fish River Canyon, the world's second largest canyon. Breathtaking and challenging hiking.
Finally, a very small place which I feel deserves more attention is the Mundulea reserve. This is a reserve being restored to its natural potential, and effectively conserves a great deal of endangered species. Visitors here will be received exclusively and be given fascinating lessons about the local nature.
It is easily possible to reach the vast majority of these places in a normal car, and once there tourists of all kinds are catered for. One can have great luxury with expert guides and astonishing views from your room, or one can experience the wild rhythms first hand while camping - of course intermediates are also possible.
Namibia is a truly beautiful country with great variety of things to see and do. It is easy to travel here and there are many options available for accommodation. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kenya by JerseyMolly
This trip was a dream come true, I would love to come back to Kenya.
Review about Tarangire National Park by a_hedrick
We saw lions, leopards, water buffalo, elephants and zebra within 10 meters of our windows at Tarangire. We saw more birds and other wildlife up close and bigger variety at Tarangire in October and November in two consecutive years than the Masai Mara or Ngorongoro Crater. Make sure you check the wildlife migration patterns before you go to any national park to make sure you are booking the right season. We saw lions stalking kudu and other tourists we spoke with saw lions kill zebras. We saw loots of abay elephants up close.
Review about Tanzania by a_hedrick
The BEST part of Tanzania are the people. Do not forget them. Make sure you give a gratuity.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Camping and guided safari excellent
Ladies and Gentlemen,
below you find my Report about Nkasa Rupara Park.I confirm that it never has been published before. You are free to use. If you have questiones, don't hesitate to ask me on [email protected]. Also, if you are interested on photos (free of charge).
My Report about Nkasa Rupara Park of July 2008
In July 2008 we travelled three weeks through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with 5 couples (at the age of between 24 and 58) in 4 cars. We took the Trans Caprivi Highway until a point where we met Keith Rooken- Smith, a very respectable and impressive park ranger. From now on we followed his Jeep for several miles over smaller ways and sand strips through the bush until we reached a water course which we had to cross on a simple wooden bridge. The problem was that the whole bridge with its longitudinal and transverse loose comprised wooden beams was under the water surface, only a few posts on both sides were standing out of the water and showed the driver the direction. It was a wild and risky ride for each car over the rolling slippery beams and after each crossing the transverse lying beams had to be ordered and positioned new by hand.
After about two hours all 5 cars had reached the other side and we could continue our way through the bush and reached one or two hours later the place where we had our camp for the next three days. We slept in tents which were placed on the top of our cars, easily to built in the evening in 5 minutes and to fold together in the morning in 15 minutes. Those tents have 2 main advantages: the low weight and flat package does not disturb upon the car during travelling and the position on the top of the car gives you the feeling of safety before wild animals during the night. It is said that a lion never will enter your closed tent on the ground, but once, when a pack of hyenas were chasing through our camp, we were happy to watch them from our safe lookout.
The camp included the luxuries of a toilet, not water flushing but with a comfortable seat over a digged mine and a bucket with unslaked lime, all hidden behind a blue white striped tarpaulin, and we had a big bucket hanging down from a branch filled with warm water with a shower and a water tap under its bottom. It is a great feeling standing after an exhaustive day alone and naked in the forest under the down running warm water. Some black people looked after warm water all the time and for enough wood for the camp fire in the evening.
Soon after our arrival Keith gave us information about the Caprivi and Nkasa Rupara park and its peculiarity, the frequent annual flood waters which attract thousands of wild animal, elephants, buffalos, lions and many more. And he gave us some basic instruction, how to meet a wild animal (or how better not) to avoid returning home inside plastic sack (citation).
The next three days we went on safari: each day with a little truck to another interesting area and then following Keith through the bush on foot, he was always not armed. He led us close to hippos which gathered when he called them with specific shouting. He brought us close to an Elephant which just crossed a water entered the riverside not more than 100 meters in front of us. To make this possible Keith required from us to obey his orders and advices strictly - and we did.
We had to run over the dry flat or to step through slippery mud and even had to cross streaming watercourses by food which were quite cold at this time and reached up to our chest. It was not easy to keep standing and save our cameras dry. The clever ones of us wore swimwear and put off their trousers and kept them dry, the others had to run through the Kalahari in briefs or had to be cold in their wet clothes. One time we crossed a deeper water course by rowing boat and had a lot of fun. Whether all these exertions really were necessary ore was some sort of safari program for tourists is, an is an unresolved question for me. But all in all it was a great adventure. We watched lots of all kinds of animals and birds living there – only lions were missing.
Because of the high water in that year 2008 there was only one way to enter and leave Nkasa Rupara Park – across our well known bridge under water surface. On the way to it we had to pass a ford and one of our Range Rovers got stuck in the deep mud and we needed 3 hours of hard work and the help of the other cars to get him free again.
When we reached our bridge we found it blocked. One hour before some people from South Africa broke the bridge when they tried to cross it with a caravan trailer. They needed three full days to retrieve the caravan with our help and to repair the bridge with a team of black natives. It was a real torture for the black people to work and dive in the cold water.
As I saw in the net the old bridge has been replaced by a new steel construction and the times of this kind of adventure are gone.
For three other days we opened a new camp in the bush – this time without toilet and shower. We went washing in a nice water course, always being aware of hippos and crocodiles. At last we run out of food, but Keith supported us with bread and beer and helped us to come through the time with some additionel safari trips.
After three days we left Nkasa Rupara Park over the renewed bridge and could continue our trip with our next target, the Caprivi River Lodge, a very comfortable house at the shore of the Sambesi River, at that time owned by Keith and Mary Rooken-Smith.
Summary
Nkasa Rupara Park at 2008 was a beautiful area for people who want to experience wild nature and watch animals and birds. The approach is very difficulty without a guide. Self driving is risky and was not allowed. The guided tours by food were excellent and exciting but strenuous (for the elder ones). During the trips each opportunity to take photos was respected by the ranger. We met no other tourists (except at the broken bridge).
Jürgen Muscholl 20.08.2012
35-50 years of age
Review about Selous Game Reserve by lynetter
It wasn't crowded and didn't feel at all touristy. There were lots of animals and we were able to go offroad in the jeep and so we saw a huge amount, more than I ever dreamed.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by pensivelaw1
Not sure what needs explaining, the crater was lovely and teeming with wildlife, I would put it as a can't miss on anyones itinerary