US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing chimpanzee encounters- where Jane Goodall started it all!
I have wanted to visit Gombe ever since I read one of (and then the rest of) Jane Goodall's books years ago. It was a dream come true to visit the place where she started studying the chimpanzees more than 50 years ago.
I can see why she stayed- Gombe is beautiful! The mountains meet Lake Tanganyika's shores in Gombe and there are several streams and waterfalls. Views from the peaks above the lake are spectacular. When it's clear you can see the mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo across the lake.
If you stay at Gombe for 2 days you are practically guaranteed to see a chimpanzee. Sometimes they hang out near the camp, but seeing them in the bush is even more exciting. We saw a group in camp the first morning and a larger group on the forest where there was a lot of social activity going on. Your guide will be sure to tell you how to behave for the best chimp-viewing experience.
One of the other highlights for me was swimming in Lake Tanganyika. It's one of the largest and oldest lakes in the world. The temperature was perfect and the water was beautifully clear.
Gombe is small (in fact, the smallest of Tanzania's national parks) but remote. You'll have to take a boat from Kigoma to Gombe (the only other option is to walk!). Kigoma has an airport with several regional flights each day but the town is smaller than I expected.
I stayed at the self-catering hostel which was basic but not primitive. All buildings in Gombe need to be chimpanzee- and baboon-proof so it can't be too rustic! I would have stayed longer than 2 days if I could and I would absolutely love to return.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by seltzca
Tanzania is a diverse and beautiful country. It has a range of safari options (budget to luxury) and is a safe and peaceful country. Even as a largely independent traveler making my own transportation and accommodation arrangements, I did not feel unsafe.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Botswana by David Sullivan
Botswana felt exotic, with lots of wildlife easily seen, even just driving through town! The people are pleasant, and I never felt unsafe at any time.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Special Experience
This was my first Safari experience and a colleague recommended that I should go to Mala Mala and it didn't disappoint. The excellent, knowledgeable guides and spotters, great wildlife viewing opportunities at the end of winter (September, dry season) fantastic accommodation and the fact that you could fly directly there from Johannesburg all were big positive points.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Markle1
The perfect tourist country. Beautiful countryside, friendly people, excellent food, plenty to do and see.
Review about Kibale National Park by erbsl99
I hole day with chimps is better then visiting the Gorillas
Unique place on earth: Murchison
We, a small group of 5 pax, stayed there for 1 night. I would recommend 2 days, because there is so much to see.
Wildlife - compared to other destinations like Kenia, Botswana, Tansania is not so rich, but good. Before visiting, I was a little concerned, that we would'nt see so much due to poaching in the past. But I was happy to watch a lot of animals.
Scenery is excellent - there is a great, unsurpassable variety. That's the big difference to Botswana, the country with the best Bush vibe - but the landscape is plain.
Weather was great, no rain, but green, vivid landscape.
Accomodation: we stayed for one night at Paara-Lodge, I really good lodge.
Guide: Our tour guide Akim was excellent, also the local guides tried their best to show us the country.
In my opinion this is propably the best place on earth for a safari due to the beautifulness, the scenery of the Nile-river, the Murchison-Fall and the wildlife.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent, as an hobby photographer, I couldn't capture it all
From our very first moment entering the Reserve accomodation I was impressed by the reception, personnel and food and as an extra we were also greeted by a young Bull Elephant who broke in inside the compound for a little threat. We didn't see the big 5 as everyone like to bragged about but we saw plenty of animals (lions, rhino, hippo, zebra, giraffe all sort of gazelles and antelopes, elan etc... and a mother chetah hunting down a young wildebeast with her 2 youngs. Fabulous photos. I didn't rate the birding high because birding wasn't my main focus, but I got a few shots of birds and I am sure that it could have been excellent.