US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kakamega Forest National Reserve by seltzca
You won't find big game in Kakamega, but you will find diverse birds, reptiles, and plants. It's off the beaten track, and there probably won't be many other tourists around. That said, western Kenya is a densely populated rural area, so you are likely to see people.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by seltzca
Hell's Gate is one of the only parks where you are allowed to walk around on foot. What it lacks in big carnivores, it makes up in scenery and your ability to explore without a vehicle. If you decide to camp, be aware that cape buffalo might come to graze your campsite in the middle of the night. Just don't startle them! I highly recommend hiking the gorge, but look out for pumice floating in the stream or you might end up in water where you thought there was solid ground.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by seltzca
If you want to see classic African savannah with the big 5, this is an excellent choice. Just be prepared to also see lots of tourists.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful, geologically and biologically diverse country
I spent about 4 months (August to December) traveling in Kenya, visiting several different regions of the country from Lake Victoria to the Indian Ocean. I passed through Nairobi several times between different legs of the trip and I gradually became accustomed to the hustle and bustle. The roads were overall in poor condition when I visited in 2002, but they were dramatically better when I went back briefly in 2010.
While in Kenya, I snorkeled in the Indian Ocean, summited Mount Kenya, watched the big game in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and near Tsavo, drank cow's blood with Maasai, camped and had an exciting close encounter with wildlife in Hell's Gate, and explored the rainforest in Kakamega. There is tremendous ecological diversity in Kenya- not just the classic savannah!
One of my favorite places was the island of Lamu. Nearly 10 years later, I sometimes still fantasize about the fruit smoothies they sell there. Delicious! If you have time, I highly recommend visiting the Kenyan coast. The history of trade is fascinating and the beaches are beautiful! Watamu was one of my favorites because you can easily swim to the reef for snorkeling.
Another highlight of the trip was climbing Mount Kenya. I went with two girlfriends and we hired a guide but no porters so we carried all of our own things. We only saw two other people without porters in the 6 days we were on the mountain, and we definitely felt like a bad-ass group of women. The climb up Mount Kenya was scenic and interesting- well worth it even if you don't get to the peak. Our guide was impressively agile and a great help.
I spent a fair amount of time in western Kenya, in the rolling, tea-covered hills between Lake Victoria and Mount Elgon. Kakamega Forest, a unique habitat in Kenya, has tremendous biodiversity. I am not a birder, but I know that Kakamega is one of the best places for birding in Kenya. One of my favorite memories is from walking up to a hill in the forest before dawn to watch the sunrise and see the mist and birds above the tree canopy. I loved Kakamega so much that I almost did my dissertation research there, but ended up working in Tanzania instead.
Throughout Kenya, I stayed in homestays, budget, or mid-range accommodations. I often took public transportation (for both long and short trips). The basics of Swahili are relatively easy to pick up, but most people in Kenya also speak English.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a remarkable adventure & great opportunity to view amazing animals in their natural habitat.
Though the park does not have the most beautiful of scenery (it's mostly dirt), the wildlife is amazing. I arrived at the park early in the morning for an all-day game drive. Immediately after entering the park, I saw various antelopes and bucks, which made me excited for the rest of the day. It wasn't long before we came across a rare and elusive leopard! What an amazing opportunity! Seeing such a beautiful creature in its natural habitat was a truly remarkable experience. As the day continued, we saw various birds, many giraffes, and even a pack of cheetahs as they enjoyed a recent kill. It would have been nice to be able to spend two days at Kgalagadi in order to see more of the park and view even more wildlife. My guide was very knowledgeable. Our overland truck proved advantageous because it gave us a better view, as we were sitting quite high. There was a gift shop at the park entrance and clean bathroom facilities throughout the park. Overall, I have to say that my experience at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is something that I will never forget. If you're a wildlife lover, this park is definitely worth your time!
Review about Samburu National Reserve by Curtis Horton
Opportunity to see unique wildlife, such as the Grevy's zebra. Overused, but still a magical place.
Peace, Beauty, and Drama in the Bush, Without Crowds
For the serious wildlife observer, who also doesn't mind some creature comforts, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is ideal. Lewa is one of the best examples of ecotourism benefitting the local economy while preserving habitat and wildlife that would otherwise disappear.
I accompanied my then 84-year-old mother on this trip. We were already long-time Africa hands, and this trip was designed to be easy and relaxed, in recognition of my mother's needs, but nevertheless a full experience of the Africa we loved. The staff couldn't have been more attentive or helpful, and our guide, Peter Kiyaa, was knowledgeable, personable, and responsive to the way we wanted to experience the bush -- not rushing around too much, but extended, quiet observation.
The accomodations were delightful--we were in a well-appointed tented suite, a short walk from the lodge/dining building. The lodge is on a ridge with a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape of rolling hills and valleys to the west, all the way to Mt. Kenya to the south. As it happened, there were few other guests during most of our two-week stay, and we had the undivided attention of staff, which allowed us to get to know each other well, and develop friendships that continued long after the trip was over. The food was excellent, a highlight being breakfast on the veranda (with the birds stealing most of the butter, lol). Being a cook myself, I also enjoyed getting to know the kitchen staff.
The wildlife viewing is excellent, with frequent fine views of elephants, rhinos, giraffe, lions, antelope, warthogs, etc., and even eventually an extraordinary night-game-run view of a courting leopard pair. Birding was also extremely varied and satisfying -- all the classic african bush birds, plus special experiences like the raptor and crowned crane migrations (huge numbers) occurring during our visit (January). The rocky outcroppings and cliffs of Hankin's Gorge provided scenic and very entertaining views of rock hyraxes and the unusual stone partridge, which gave us a remarkable sunset chorus. On a night game run, we had memorable encounters with an owl and a strangely hypnotized thick-knee (stone-curlew).
The landscape is everything one could hope for, beautiful acacias, lush grasslands, interesting geographical features, and a wetland area. Gorgeous rainbows appeared after one brief storm. For photographers, the opportunities are endless. The golden hour is glorious!
Our game runs were undisturbed by others, and the ability to observe the natural behavior of the animals and birds for extended periods was priceless. Although this may have been just a stroke of luck for us, I suspect that Lewa manages its tourist capacity very responsibly and maintains a quality experience for everyone.
Definitely a new favorite destination in Africa, and admirable organization deserving of strong support!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Addo Elephant National Park by mimtea
Magnificent and really well run. We drove in our own car each day. Just being in the bush and having an animal surprise us was magical. Wonderful accommodation. Loved the open kitchens!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacularly wild
Getting to Mountain Zebra National Park by car gives you the impression of so many types of ecosystems in this one small area. Rising up to the plateau, being pursued by baboons coming out of rocky outcrops, the sudden sharp blue enormous sky against steely coloured grasses which hides leopards and zebras, all so beautiful!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by mimtea
Everything was magnificent, and we didn't travel high-end. People were very friendly. The national parks were fantastic places.