IE
20-35 years of age
US
20-35 years of age
The most beautiful country I never thought I'd visit!
My mother and I had dreamed of going to the Seychelles for years and, after winning a charity auction for a trip to South Africa, we decided to go. When we were booking our trip, we decided that since we were taking such a long journey from the west coast of the U.S., we should make the most of our trip and also visit Botswana. As it turns out, I may have dreamed of going to the Seychelles, but I now dream about going back to Botswana--it is a beautiful, magical place.
Unlike other countries in Africa for safari trips, tourism in Botswana is somewhat more exclusive, albeit growing. Our camps were luxurious and small, with the staff outnumbering the guests--in some cases by 5:1. We used Wilderness Safaris for our two camps in Botswana and the accomodations were exquisite for being in the bush; the staff knowledgeable, friendly, and professional; and the food was top-notch. We visited both the Savuti Channel and Okavango Delta, both of which were amazing. The Delta was absolutely awe-inspiring, and after having 2 weeks of land-based safaris through South Africa and the Savuti Channel, it was thrilling to have a safari on the water (including one afternoon in a traditional Makoro). We saw a wide variety of game, even spent an entire hour just watching a Cheetah. There was rarely another vehicle in sight, unlike in Kenya or other popular places where if you spot rare game, you suddenly are surrounded by 10 more jeeps filled with spectators. The birds in Botswana were amazing--it's where I fell in love with the Malachite Kingfisher.
I travel quite a bit and rarely do I find a place that I yearn to visit time and time again. Botswana is one of the places. Magic, beautiful, dreamy. Visit if you have the chance.
NL
35-50 years of age
Review about Hwange National Park by Boris Bals
It was my first experience and it was really good, but I have no reference what so ever, so it's hard to say, how good it really is. We saw 4 of the BIG 5 and a lot more, and that is the main reason you're there, right!? ;-)
Must-see places
In Tsavo East I would highly recommend the crossing the park. Make sure to visit the 'Crocodile Point' and watch the sun set as you drive away, back to the tents of the 'Satao tent camp'. Spending the night there is just amazing, especially since you are allowed to spend the night besides a campfire, waiting for animals (such as lions) to visit the puddle next to the camp. Bring a long-range camera lens, to catch all the beautiful birds that I'm sure will make you wonder where they all come from and why you never made a visit before...
Diving into the wildlife
We really appreciate our two days safari: watching all the wild animals into their habitat is an experience that changes your life. Jeff, our guide, just took us at the right place at the right moment: in fact we had the chance to watch 4 lions hunting a giraffe, and this is not something you'll often see in your life. By the way, the giraffe has been fast enough to escape...We would come back tomorow just to do this safari again
35-50 years of age
Mana Pools - Heaven on Earth
I have stayed in Mana Pools many times and each time I don't want to leave. This trip was a 3 night, 4 day backed up canoe trip, which took us along the national park shoreline on the Zambezi river.
Each morning we would set off just before sunrise, when the river was as calm as glass and all the birds were starting to wake. We would paddle until around 8am and then stop for a cooked breakfast on either an island or on the shoreline while watching old duggar buffalo bulls come down to the water to drink, or a herd of elephants swimming across the channels to get to the islands where the sweet nutritious vegetation awaited them.
After breakfast we were back on the water and as the heat of the day increased, we paddled past large numbers of antelope, elephant, buffalo and hippo all at the waters edge. We were even lucky enough to see wild dog and lion. The bird life was teaming and we pasted large colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters nesting in the banks of the river. After our lunch stop, we spent the heat of the day resting under Acacia trees watching baby elephants playing in the shallow waters while their mothers waded into the deeper water to reach the water lillies to feed on.
Mid afternoon we were back on the water and just before sunset, we arrived at our new camp site which was already set up. Drinks would be waiting for us, a hot water shower ready and a lovely 3 course meal.
General Information:
Transportation
Tour operators will arrange road transfers from Kariba or Harare if required.
They can also arrange air charters from anywhere within Zimbabwe.
You can self drive in, the road is corrugated but a 2x4 will suffice, although the car hire companies will not allow you to take their vehicles off road, if they find out.
Weather
Mana pools is normally closed from the beginning of November until the end of March due to the rains and the road conditions.
May, June, July and abit of August is winter and it gets cold in the evening, but the days are beautifully clear with temperatures normally reach the mid to late 20 Celsius.
August, September and October are very hot and dry months with temperatures reaching anywhere from 40 to 50 Celsius. The concentration of game is at it’s best as everything comes to the water.
Accommodation
There are two upmarket fixed safari lodges within the park.
There are also various tour operators that operate semi permanent camps and trips throughout the season. They will provide everything you need from food through to towels.
There is also one or two tour operators that offer the canoeing safaris and again they provide everything.
National parks offer self catering lodges, a communal camp site with operating ablutions or a couple of exclusive camp sites for anyone that prefers to independently travel. You will need to bring everything with you from tents through to food.
Scenery and Wildlife
Mana Pools is a speculator UNESCO site. It has wide open flood plains that go down to the Zambezi river and overlook the mountains of Zambia in the distance. Mana Pools is the only national park in Zimbabwe that allows people to walk unaccompanied. There are large numbers of animals there and years gone by, you were able to see the big five. Unfortunately there are no more rhino’s there now, but they have a large population of wild dog (African Painted Dog) and you will see lion and leopard. The elephants of Mana Pools are renowned for standing on their hind legs to reach leaves high up in the trees.
Final Word
Mana Pools is a place like no other, it nourishes your soul.
20-35 years of age
Natures wonderland
Recently my girlfriend and I visited Zimbabwe and stayed athe Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. I was born there and left very young so this was my chance to go and experience what I missed out on as a child.
When many people think of Zimbabwe they may think of all the financial trouble, poverty and hard times that the people have have to face becase of the current governments greed and corruption.
I can happily say that the zimbabwean people, despite their situation, are some of the most welcoming and friendly people I have had the privilege of meeting.
We had the most amazing view from the lodge and private balcony, overlooking a water hole where wild elephants and buck came to drink every night. Lying in bed at night we could hear them trampling the bushes. In the evenings we had the chance to lie poolside or sit on the deck and watch the sunset knowing one of the friendly staff would soon be there to help quench our thirst.
The weather at this time of the year is perfect! Around 28degrees and sunny nearly everyday.
The staff at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge are exceptional! The food was unreal! A variety like I have never seen before with the choice of a traditional feast at the 'Boma' a short walk from the lodge itself. Rooms were in tip top shape and the mosquito nets surrounding the bed really made you feel like you were in the wild!
Transfort to and from the Victoria Falls was always on time and our guide was very knowledgable and so friendly!
One thing to do that i would HIGHLY reccomend is a quick flight over the falls in a helicopter! INCREDIBLE!!
Another highlight of our trip was taking an elephant back safari in one of the nearby reserves. This was something I would never forget!! The whole experience from start to end was truely unimaginable! Getting to meet the elephants, some of whom had been rescued from poachers snares, and seeing wild giraffe running through the veld was amazing! You even get the chance to buy a footprint painting of your elephant and all the funds go to the anti-poaching scheme in that area!
I would suggest the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to anyone you wants to relax, enjoy being close to the wildlife and see and experience things that make you appreciate the world we live in.
I feel proud to say that I was born in Zimbabwe! It is one of the most beautiful parts of the world I have been fortunate to visit so far!
NL
35-50 years of age
Zimbabwe was amazing, despite the political situation.
Well, I was there as a contestant of a Wildlife show, of Animal Planet, so everything was well arranged for us. We stayed in Hwange at 'the Hide', that was fantastic!
It was a very dry part of the year, what made it a bit easier to spot wildlife because of the few waterspots that were left. The Hide is a great place to stay, with great service and food and good guides.
Review about Kenya by Mike Klaassen
Hospitable country with enough park to make everyone happy.