FI
35-50 years of age
A hidden treasure in deepest Africa
Mahale is a special place. Very special.
The bad news first: it is hard to get there and it is expensive. It is also not well suited for people who cannot or are not comfortable with a fair bit of scrambling along steep and slippery paths.
But the good news is that you have never seen a place like it. First you have Lake Tanganyika, then a small strip of white sand, and then, steeply rising mountains covered with dense and lush rain forest.
The fabulous scenery alone would make Mahale special. But we have not introduced the main attraction yet. Mahale is home to the world's largest habituated chimp population - the M Group alone is about 60 chimps strong.
And don't understand the word habituated wrong; the Mahale chimps are not tame in any sense of the word: they are wild creatures but they just don't mind people. We are part of the scenery for them. We get the privilege of observing them from up close and learning about the chimps, and, in the process, about ourselves. It is impossible not to feel a close kinship with the chimps – and one does get the feeling that there is something of a similar recognition in them, as well.
A bit about the practicalities. We flew in from Dar es Salaam with a scheduled Air Precision flight to Kigali where a four-seater Cessna met us and flew us to a tiny airstrip a little outside of the park. There we were met by Greystoke Mahale (our camp) staff with boats. The weather being rather windy, the boat ride was a 45 minute thrill ride with plenty of water sprays and liver-banging jumps and bumps.
The camp itself consisted of 7 separate bandas built from driftwood and other recycled local materials. The bandas were quite private and very comfy. There was no electricity apart from small night lights powered by a generator. Our banda was perhaps 40 yards from the lake shore and had (as did all the others, I would imagine) an unobstructed view of the lake and the beach. The banda featured a porch, a very large and comfy bed, a dressing area, and an open air toilet and shower. The banda also had a small attic with lounge chairs that one could slumber in and watch the lake from.
Meals were mainly served in a central building that was a good-sized thatch and timber affair. Food was aplenty and easily on par with any other luxury bush lodge. The dinners were mainly memorable for the eclectic mixture of people and their tales from the bush (and urban jungles) from all over the world. Mahale being remote and expensive, there appear to be few bush dilettantes there - we had a lively mix of people from South Africa, Australia, UK, France, the US, and Finland (us being of northern persuasion).
The hosts at the time, Ed and Annabel, were a delight. Annabel was a UK-born ex radio journalist who had spent a long time making radio programmes in e.g. Uganda. She kept the camp running and had a vast practical knowledge about Sub-Saharan Africa. Ed was the son of a famous local artist who was an unending source of tales and anecdotes and wit - the sort of eccentric Englishman one migh have encountered in books about the bush.
The guides Raphael and were a fabulous bunch of guys. Young Tanzanian guys mainly in their 20's. They were expert, fun, inquisitive, and relaxed. They led us through the forest after the chimps (with able assistance from the park staff), took us on snorkelling trips, fished with us, played soccer with us, and even painted with us.
We staid a full week at Mahale and felt it was not one second too long. While chimp observation is the obvious main attraction of Mahale, Greystoke is also magical in many other respects and should be high on the list of anyone wishing to see some of the best things Africa has to offer in a lovely setting and amidst plenty of bush comfort.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience, one that should not be missed.
This is a one-of-a-kind experience and should not be missed. Being able to get so close to animals on the river was incredibly special, the visit to the elephant bunker breathtaking. Being an amateur, relatively inexperienced photographer, I didn't feel intimidated at all amongst some of the highly experience photographers that were also there. The information, tips and insights into animal habits provided many wonderful photographs. The Pangolin team offer a professional product with the personal touch. I would love to go back.
Primal Experience
This was my very first Safari experience in Africa, and the trip to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve lived up to my expectations.
Although we did not get to see any large cats, it was still awesome to see all manner of mammals and birds. The particularly spectacular experience was seeing herds of elephants from just a few feet away, along with giraffe, zebra, all manner of deer, springbok, etc. I particularly remember seeing a beautiful zebra -- he/she looked gorgeous, even as we got close, and then we passed on the other side, we saw a huge gash on her face; the guide said she likely was attacked by a cat, and would be dead by nightfall.
An experience I will never forget and probably never equal.
I stayed at Matusadona Water Lodge when I was at Matusadona National Park and it was one of the most unique experiences out of all of the traveling I have done. To be able to sleep in a luxury cabin floating on a lake and fall asleep to the sounds of hippo outside your door is truly amazing. The wildlife viewing was wonderful and we even got to do a walking safari where we saw a male lion in the distance. Being able to enjoy Africa and it's wildlife and scenery without the overwhelming and distracting crowds is worth the trip!
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
All was perfect, the guide was excellent, Makasa arrange it all, not even small problem.
Very nice people. They just do the programe as per your wishes and they do a good job taking care of you and taking good care as sometimes there is things you dont know but they already did all for you. Im very happy and we had an excellent time. Also our driver was excellent, fantastic, we told him what we wanted from the beginning and he undertood very well and we get on extreamly good. They will ask you to pay in advance but dont worry, totally safe.
DE
35-50 years of age
Review about Kwando Concession by Wild Dogger
At Kwando all´s about the wildlife activities. If you are looking for guides who show you everything, where there is no way to far, that´s the place to go.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly and helpful safari company
From the moment we were picked up from the airport to the moment we were dropped off, Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris took great care of us! When planning our safari, all emails were answered quickly and they worked with us to make sure we saw everything we wanted while staying within our budget. The food prepared for us was delicious and all staff were friendly and personable.
I would recommend Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris to anyone thinking of a safari!
NL
35-50 years of age
Best park we have visited so far.
We love Itala because their are not to much trees near the roads, you can see a long way. The park has mountains and different routes with nice curvy roads (gravel/tar) were Kruger has only the main straight tar road. We saw elefant, giraffe, zebra, impala, kudu, secretaiy bird, warthhog and rhino. The lodges have lots of privacy and are spacious. The restaurant is very good, we ate their once. The supermarket at the park is not that big and low on products, we had to shop outside the park, a 12km drive. We love to braai and because we had a selfcatering lodge the supermarket is a bit of disapointment. The pool is very nice. Would love to stay in this park again!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly extraordinary experience
Safari is a Swahili word which means journey. For me this safari turned out to be a journey of self discovery as well as a study of the native wild life. I also gained an understanding of the day by day struggle in a rapidly expanding African country to develop an ecologically balanced understanding of the relationship between man, the native birds, animals, and aquatic life and the earth which we all must share.
The Open Heart Safari website contains a section entitled “who should go?’ This is Tom’s list of what or who makes a good fit for an Open Heart Safari. Each item on the list is “right on” and the trip is designed to make sure that the experience is one that will have a significant impact on the participants. You will be cleansed of preconceptions, your values will be challenged and changed, your emotions will be jolted, there will be tears and laughter, and possibly some sheer terror depending upon your reaction to up close and personal encounters with Nile crocodiles, full grown six ton elephants, and a hippo named Lucas who may just sleep outside your door! And believe me, your heart will be opened.
And perhaps best of all, you will become, as I did, close friends with and share some unforgettable experiences with a group of like minded people who care deeply about the enjoyment of nature and wildlife and the preservation of one of the last truly wild and natural places on our planet.
US
20-35 years of age
Review about Okavango Delta by PhotographybyBrianLauer
Great sightings - Many photographic opportunities.