US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful country with many contrast including people, wildlife and scenery!
This was our first trip to Africa and it lived up to all expectations. The wildlife in the Serenghetti was tremendous. We had to keep telling ourselves that it was real and not a Disney ride. We travelled with an American company, Overseas Adventure Travel, and their constant attention to detail was exceptional. Certainly seeing the major groups of wild animals was a highlight, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinocerous, hippos, and all other animals was exceptional. The weather was perfect during our trip with little to no rain. Visiting the Masai was another exceptional experience as we had the opportunity to enter their modest homes and learn of their daily lives. As a lover of elephants I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time photographing them and studying their interactions individually and as a group. Food was excellent and the experience of staying on the Serenghetti in tents for several days and nights was one that was a highlight. Seeing a sunset on the Serenghetti whil you are eating a gourmet meal cooked inside a field tent kitchen was amazing. Our guides were knowledgable as well as friendly and attentive. Overall I would recommend everyone to take a trip to Africa and experience the vast, beautiful continent that it is. If you can add a hot air balloon ride over the Serenghetti at dawn don't miss it.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
See South Africa's Big Five and have the experience of a lifetime.
Our trip to the Shamwari Game Reserve in June 2007 came as part of a 'once in a lifetime' trip to South Africa. We flew from London to Capetown, spent a few days there and then flew to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our hire car. The drive to Shamwari was far easier than we expected and as we got closer so our excitement increased.
We arrived at our hotel, Riverdene, in the afternoon and settled into our room . A short while later our hosts announced that we were going to go on our first safari and we were introduced to our guide and driver. Along with several other guests we climbed into one of the reserve's Land Rovers and set off into the bush. As most of the tracks we used consist of unmade roads it was quite a bumpy ride but the excitement of seeing elephants and giraffes in the wild soon made up for that. Although much of the tour was on level ground we did go in and out of a lot of gullies so we were able to see how good the Land Rovers was at going down VERY steep slopes and back up the sheer bank the other side.
After a couple of hours we returned to the hotel where we had a shower and joined the other guests for dinner. The food there was excellent with a selection of local wildlife - e.g. Impala - not quite we are used to in UK restaurants. The hotel had lots of facilities that we did not use but there was loads to do when not on Safari.
The following day we were woken at 6am so that we could go on an early morning trek. The nights on the plains get very cold so we were advised to wear warm clothes, a hat and gloves and we were also given blankets and hot water bottles. Not quite what you expect in South Africa but very necessary. The morning treks were, in my opinion, the most exciting as that is when we saw most animals. Over the course of the days we were there we saw lions, elephants, leopards, warthogs, numerous kind of deer, giraffes, hippos (from a long distance - they are reputedly Africa's most dangerous animal) as well as black and white Rhinos.
The resort also has a Born Free Foundation sanctuary where we were able to view rescued lions close-up. This area does some amazing work helping local wildlife and is well worth visiting.
Although this trip was meant to be a one-off trip I am confident that the lure of seeing wild animals in their own environment will bring us back to Africa. Well worth the visit!
Although the Safari was the highlight of the trip we also enjoyed our drive back from Shamwari to Capetown - about two days drive! During that journey we went through Hermanus where we were lucky to go on a whale watching boat trip - if you like wildlife you MUST take that trip!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Roger Cossey
This was our first safari but it exceeded our expectations and gave us the experience of a lifetime.
GT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent. Great accommodations, and wonderful wildlife.
We had a great experience. It was kind of cold and little rain, but we enjoyed our stay. Since we entered the reserve, we started to view wildlife (giraffes, wilds hugs and we were lucky to see a Lion in the middle of the road). People are really nice. Phinda was great. Excellent food, well organized tours, luxury accommodations. We saw a lot of wildlife including, Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Wild Dogs, and many more.
US
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect experience for anyone wanting to experience the South African Bush.
The Timbavati Nature Reserve is truly one of the best places to go for safaris in South Africa. Its borders are massive thanks to collaborations between the previous owners of the land. Located next to Kruger National Park, it is easy to combine the two reserves on one trip for both safari experiences. I was 15 when I went to Timbavati in 2011 and stayed at the Umlani Game Reserve. My experience couldn't have been more incredible. The staff is incredibly friendly and the group is small so it is easy to get to know everyone there. Our guides were excellent as well and really seemed to have a strong knowledge of the bush as well as a passion for their jobs.
The food at Umlani was incredible as well- It was by far the best out of our month-long trip. Some of our meals included a delicious sweet potato and butternaut squash soup, casseroles, full english breakfasts, various meats, impala stew (try it!), and of course rusks. I was at Umlani during the Winter so the weather was nice although it had rained a few days before we arrived.
The wildlife was beyond anything that I had expected. We encountered all of the big 5 many times and saw a huge variety of animals. My group was fortunate enough to see a lion kill as well as enormous herds of Cape Buffalo. The elephants were everywhere and seemed to not care about our proximity to them.
Umlani is located next to a water hole so that viewing animals is still possible in between game drives. About a mile away is another water hole where interested guests can stay in a tree house for the night! Thanks to encouragement from the staff, I summoned my courage and spent one night in a tree house in the bush.
Overall, The Timbavati Nature Reserve and Umlani specifically is the best place to go to experience the South African Bush. There are friendly staff members, good food, knowledgeable guides, beautiful scenery, and of course lots of wildlife to observe. I don't often check 5 stars in all categories but Umlani deserves it. Too see videos from my trip, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/futbol7t/featured. Make sure to make Timbavati and Umlani part of your trip.
GT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Erick Cuellar
You can find very nice cities, and in a few hours on the road, you are in the middle of the wildlife.
US
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Tommy
South Africa is a beautiful, friendly, country that has something for everyone. Although I have not experienced Safaris elsewhere, South Africa seems to have all the animals anyone would want to see (penguins included!). I'm not a birder so I'm fairly unsure as to what the variety is although the lilac breasted roller is the most beautiful bird I've ever seen.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic, up close and personal experience in Africa -- a sense of adventure at every turn
Royal Legend Safari Lodge had beautiful accommodations, excellent food. Seeing animals up close and personal a thrill. Expert guides Fani and Rufus. The most awesome experience was when an elephant walked to our jeep, putting his trunk right in our faces! An experience no book or travelogue could ever duplicate.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Five Days of Pure Magic
We travelled to South Africa at the beginning of July 2011 - the dry season - and it can be chilly! However this also means that there are no mozzies or other flies but the disadvantage is that there is less variety of general wildlife to see. However every day on Sabi Sands, we saw all the key species several times over!
Our twice daily drives were led by knowledgable, friendly Rangers and trackers whose ability to find the big cats was uncanny. Going on drives from Idube, being on a Private Reserve, means that you never encounter many vehicles and only ever find one or two at any sightings so unlike many centres we have been to. This means that you can often observe the animals quietly for long periods undisturbed.
There is also plenty of opportunity to go tracking in the local area safely with the Rangers to see bird life, insects, and smaller mammals and the odd snake!
This is a really friendly, small family run centre where nothing is too much trouble for their guests. The accomodation at Idube is very comfortable indeed and the meticulous care and attention you receive to make every single person's visit special is wonderful. The food is also astonishingly good and we came away with many recipes they are more than willing to share with us. Eating our evening meal around the Boma is such a friendly way to end a day.
My husband and I recommend Idube unreservedly as a centre for African Safari adventures.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Inyati experience is hard to beat, great hospitality and amazing wildlife viewing.
My husband and I have travelled down from Sweden to South Africa on numerous occaisions and Inyati is our favourite. The wildlife viewing is amazing. We followed the trials and tribulations of the Mapogo lions. We watched when they ruled the roost but also when they were run out by the younger, stronger Selati coalition.
In one day you can view the elephants, giraffe and wild dog and finish off photographing leopard up a tree in the fantastic South African sunset.
The rangers are experienced and knowledgeable.
The hospitality at the lodge is excellent. The food is so good we often leave with a recipe or two.
We can highly recommend Inyati Game Reserve for a great safari experience.
