BE
20-35 years of age
The smallest NP of Uganda, but great experience!
We stayed 2 days in nearby town Kisoro, before camping 3 days right outside the entrance to Mgahinga NP. Mgahinga is very small, but it stole my heart. We went tracking for Gorilla's, and without much fuss found a family of 3 juvenile males, 1 female with a 3 weeks old baby gorilla. Meeting these gentle giants was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Though tracking was not cheap, I'd certainly recommend it in a small NP as Mgahinga. It has the advantage of less tourists, and a good chance of finding the gorilla's. The rangers were very nice, correct, informative.
In Mgahinga we also climbed the Sabinyo Vulcano (3647m) which has it's summit in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda and DRCongo. It was a steep climb (aprox. 5h) through eery alieneske vegetation, climbing ladders for the steepest parts and enjoying really breathtaking views. The descent was rather quick and enjoyable (aprox. 3h).
US
under20 years of age
Review about Botswana by Bec
I was living in Botswana at the time of my trip on the Zambezi Queen, and was lucky to be able to explore all around the country. The people are great and there's a very relaxed pace of life. The wildlife is abundant and the scenery unbeatable.
BE
20-35 years of age
Review about Uganda by roel
Uganda is a very green and fertile country, with wonderful scenery and friendly people (most of them speaking kind-of English). A minor downside is that the big wildlife is spread over several NP's (we didn't visit them all, so we didn't see girafs f.e.). I would recommend tracking Mountain Gorilla's in Mgahinga NP, a few days rest at the magical Lake Bunyonyi (we stayed at Byoona Amagara Island Retreat), tracking chimps at Kyambura Gorge (QE NP) and going for a whitewater rafting on the Victoria Nile (we went with Adrift).
In my opinion, the best travel guide to Uganda is 'Bradt Uganda'. We had so much use for this book: it's clever, informative and funny! It really added an extra dimension to our travelling in Eastern Africa!
Review about Kafue National Park by Spencer
It feels very remote and doesn't have the vibe that you're in the middle of a tourist zone like in Tanzania.
Zambia is an extraordinary country because of its lovely people and beautiful wildlife and scenery.
The wildlife was amazing. I went on safari in Tanzania after Zambia and I think I saw more interesting animals in Zambia. The scenery -- the bush, the rural areas, Vic Falls -- was all amazing as well. Accommodation was easy to find in general and not too expensive. I liked the food - nshima, fish, beef - a lot. We didn't really use any guides or private transport. For more information, you can read about my experiences in Zambia on my blog at www.aperturezambia.blogspot.com .
20-35 years of age
Review about Botswana by Billysnr
Truly stunning scenery and wildlife.
In general less rampantly touristy than places like Masai Mara in Kenya however as such overall more expensive for the prime wildlife areas.
A magical, almost primordial, place apart.
My wife and I have visited Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (the oldest in Africa, established in 1895) on four occasions – usually either before, or after, staying in St Lucia (on the coast to the east) so that I can experience the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (renamed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, November 2007) and Cape Vidal.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is about 280 km (174 miles) north of Durban or if you are travelling from Swaziland (e.g., Lavumisa/Golela Border Post) it’s a 3½ hour (approx.) drive due south. The park occupies around 960 km² or 96,000 hectares (371 sq. miles or 237,221 acres) in the middle of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal – and affords the lucky visitor some breathtaking vistas. If you are possessed of a vivid imagination, you might almost think that you are in “Jurassic Park”, half expecting to stumble across an apatosaurus or a herd of hadrosaurs. Rather than dinosaurs, however, you will, almost certainly, experience many close encounters with ‘white’ rhinos, giraffes, zebras, nyalas, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, elephants, woolly-necked storks, wart hogs and cape buffalos. You might also be exceptionally lucky to see, hovering in the skies, a huge African Crowned Eagle which has an appetite for vervet monkeys and even small antelope.
If you are overnighting for a few days at Hilltop Camp and take the Forest Trail you may encounter the small, secretive Red Duiker antelope (another meal time favourite of the African Crowned Eagle) in the company of iridescently-feathered Crested Guinea Fowl and, usually nearby, the ubiquitous vervet monkeys.
Joining a morning game drive in the company of expert rangers is a ‘must’ and, as well as having a fair chance of seeing other members of the ‘big five’, you may have the joy of meeting an extraordinary bird – the ground hornbill strolling down a track.
The accommodation around Hilltop Camp is well-equipped and more than adequate for any traveler. Remember to book in advance. If you are travelling independently, allow adequate time to reach your accommodation before the rapid nightfall. (Pack a torch/flashlight for ambling around camp at night.)
The food (buffet style) is quite good and can include (very tasty) game (e.g., Kudu); reasonable selection of wines. (As a general rule, the food in South Africa is of very high quality and naturally produced - not 'adulterated' or factory farmed as in the U.S. or much of the U.K.) Well-stocked ‘Curio Shop’. Generally friendly, helpful staff. The rangers are truly excellent and a mine of information and expert knowledge.
Essential to hire a car when visiting South Africa (if you want to experience as much as possible) – preferably a ‘high-sided’ vehicle with a bit of ‘poke’.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is one of the planet’s enchanted places – which draws my wife and I irresistibly to it on every occasion when visiting the hugely varied and stunningly beautiful South Africa. Go visit!
Review about South Africa by MrTicklingstick
The country is possessed of enormously varied scenery - from large scale, stupendous grandeur to the exquisitely 'bijou'. The parks are located variously - on the coast and inland. Seemingly virtually unmatched diversity of flora and fauna which is very accessible. Good roads, generally helpful and friendly people, excellent food, excellent wine. No praise is high enough. It is most certainly not an idle boast when South Africans (truthfully) state that 'it's all the world in one country'.
CA
50-65 years of age
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Yukon Travellor
Been here three times. Depending on the time of year will necessitate the quantity of feathered friends you will see. The animal viewing is also superb as is the surrounding area.
CA
50-65 years of age
Review about Ol Pejeta Conservancy by Yukon Travellor
A visit here is a must. We've enjoyed the 'tented'camp atmosphere on two occasions and the game viewing was fabulous.