Awesome experience that everyone has to try at least once in their lifetime
We chose Tanzania as the destination of our honeymoon. My wife was quite reluctant with the choice, but she forgot every fear as soon as we got there.
Sells Game Reserve is a great destination for those that want to run from the crowds, usually seen in the north of Tanzania and south of Kenya. In this areas, the landscape seems a lot more spectacular, ant that's why I just give 4 stars to the Selous Game Reserve. But I can swear that the landscape in Selous, is just awesome.
The best thing in Selous Game Reserve is the exclusive feeling of the experience as you see very little people while still being able to finde a big diversity of fauna and flora.
We stayed in Siwandu and we can just say good things about it. Friendly people with a nice service and an awesome cuisine. The tents are very luxurious and it is awesome to wake up and watch the wildlife just at your door.
See it by yourself here: https://youtu.be/tX-cdXK1kCY
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A wonderful variety of habitats, the wildlife never disappoints.
Kiboko Travel for Amboseli.
LLama Travel for Aberdares, Buffalo Springs, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara.
Amboseli. Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Impala, Grant's Gazelle, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeast, Hippos, Water Birds. and Kilimanjaro.
Aberdares. Elephant, Buffalo, Hyena, Forest Hog seen around the Arc's waterhole.
Buffalo Springs. Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Grevey's Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostritch, Gerenuck, Impala and more.
Ol Pejeta. White and Black Rhino, Northern White Rhino ( the last 2), Chimp Sanctuary and more.
Lake Nakuru. Greater and Lesser Flamingo, White Pelicans, Buffalo, Hyena, Zebra, Rothchild's Giraffe.
Maasai Mara. Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Zebra, Wildebeast (most back in the Serengeti), Eland, Crocodile, Hippos, Ostritch, a School, and
more.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary
From the beginning to end Pembury Tours was amazing in helping me plan an unforgettable holiday in SA. From giving recommendations, scheduling and answering all questions they helped me every step of the way. We just wrapped up the best holiday of our life in the most amazing country I have ever discovered. My tour organizer was Kerry and she went above and beyond for me from day 1. I highly recommend Pembury Tours to help plan your holiday in SA. I also highly recommend a Safari at Arathusa Sabi Sands, this place was a hidden paradise perfect for a traveling couple to escape. I'm forever thankful for this trip and this company for making it happen. We will return and work with Pembury tours again!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful country with lovely people and breathtaking nature
We spend 15 days in Kenya and every day was amazing. All people we met were so friendly, thoughful and helpful. We did a 5-Day-Safari (with Back of Africa Adventure) in four different nationalparks:
- Tsavo East with a diversity of animals and the beautiful red sand
-Amboseli (next to Kilimanjaro) with Lake Amboseli, birds, large meadows
- Tsavo West with Lava, rocks and mountain
- Taita Hills with a lot of lions (and baby lions) and steppe landscape
We saw a lot of animals and it was a pleasure to see that they have a safe life and a lot of space. Diani Beach was also a great experience. White sand, clear water - perfect to relax. We can also recommend all accommodations and the food. Fresh, local, often healthy and always delicous.
We had a great honeymoon and will come back!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Together with the Serengeti It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers
I had been to Tanzania 3 times and Kenya twice. Every trip is different depending on the time of year and the climate. The best time to visit the crater is March-April with the start of the rainy season. With the rain the grass becomes lush and green attracting herbivores, and they are followed by carnivores.
My last trip was in March 2015, and it was the best. Although it was dry and dusty, the wildlife was plentiful and more variety. The Ndutu lodge was wonderful and the safari vehicles with the guides and drivers were always helpful.
Ngorongoro crater is truly one of the gems of Africa. Together with the Serengeti National park It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers. It is a large volcanic caldera created by a super volcanic explosion 2.5 million years ago. The original volcano is estimated to have been about 5000 metres (19,000 feet) high. After the explosion it collapsed on itself and the floor of the crater now is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep. Its floor area is massive covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). The crater floor is mostly open grassland with two small wooded areas dominated by Acacia trees. The area became a Unesco world Heritage site in 1979.
The main source of water is rain in the rainy season and numerous springs that feed a lake. Last year was unusually dry and dusty but there was a large variety of animals present. The crater was home to a healthy resident population of lions. I photographed elephants, hartebeest, hyenas, wildebeest and zebra. Cape Buffalo, eland and Thomson’s gazelle. The buffalo population has increased greatly as well as zebras, waterbucks, black rhinoceros, jackals, hippopotamus, Serval cats. The crater has many species of birds such as flamingoes, eagles, owls, weaver birds, cormorants, ibis and other water birds.
I was comfortable in safari vehicles with elevated roofs to allow photography. I stabilized the camera with a been bag, supplied by the guides. Accommodation was in a lodge on the rim. I found it clean and comfortable with a beautiful view; a good service and Western style food was provided. The staff, drivers and guides are friendly and always willing to please.
Together with the Serengeti park Ngorongoro is a must see for photographers and safari travelers
My last trip was in March 2015, and it was the best. Although it was dry and dusty, the wildlife was plentiful and more variety. The lodge was wonderful and the safari vehicles with the guides and drivers were always helpful.
Ngorongoro crater is truly one of the gems of Africa. Together with the Serengeti National park It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers. It is a large volcanic caldera created by a super volcanic explosion 2.5 million years ago. The original volcano is estimated to have been about 5000 metres (19,000 feet) high. After the explosion it collapsed on itself and the floor of the crater now is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep. Its floor area is massive covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). The crater floor is mostly open grassland with two small wooded areas dominated by Acacia trees. The area became a Unesco world Heritage site in 1979.
The main source of water is rain in the rainy season and numerous springs that feed a lake. Because of the variety of animals present, the Ngorongoro Crater is a well known tourist attraction. It is home to a healthy resident population of most species of wildlife. particularly strong cheetah and lion populations. I photographed elephants, hartebeest, hyenas, wildebeest and zebra. Cape Buffalo, eland and Thomson’s gazelle. The buffalo population has increased greatly as well as zebras, waterbucks, black rhinoceros, jackals, hippopotamus, Serval cats. The crater has many species of birds such as flamingoes, eagles, owls, weaver birds, cormorants, ibis and other water birds.
I was comfortable in safari vehicles with elevated roofs to allow photography. Accommodation in the crater is widely available on the rim of the crater. Lodges, hotels and tented camps with private facilities dot the rim. They are clean, comfortable; a good service and Western style food is usually provided. The staff, drivers and guides are friendly and always willing to please.
NO
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Botswana Tour
We had great expectations about this trip but this were exceeded by far. Anza in Go2africa had arranged a 8 days safari to Botswana starting in Maun with flight to Tau Pan camp. After two nights we fly to Pom Pom camp and from there to Kwando Lagoon camp and finally to Elephant camp in Zimbawe. All the camps were perfect with nice tents and managements. The top and most elegant was Elephant camp. Every camp had top guides who spoke perfect English and knew a lot about the area. We saw the Big Five except for the Rhino. The weather was beautiful and we had only rain one night. Thanks again to Anza in Office for a great tour and a lot of good and useful information in front of the tour. We will recommend this Company to our friends in Norway.
A last tip: We found out that 2 Nights stay in each camp was enough, then you get both morning game rides and evening game rides.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous experience
We staid in the Ku Sungula lodge for 5 nights and the experience was truly magic. The lodge is quite small and is operated by a small team of fantastic people. The safari trips were magic. Definitely recommend this as a destination! Thanks Yolanda and team.
Wildlife extravaganza at Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Having started our South African Holiday with a Great White Shark cage diving trip, followed by Whale watching from our hotel balcony in Hermanus, our four days at Sabi Sands Game reserve had a lot to live up to.
We need not have worried, from the moment that we were picked up at Hoedspruit airport by a very friendly courier, everything exceeded our expectations.
A quite long, dusty journey was frequently interspersed with sightings of various animals expertly spotted by the driver who slowed down when he could to give us the best possible sighting
Our Journey also took us through many villages, which given that we were heading for a four day stay in beautiful accommodation was a humbling experience.
Despite the poverty there were smiling faces everywhere, and washing lines full of beautifully clean coloured clothing which formed an almost rainbow like illumination against the sandy earth and concrete block dwellings.
On arrival at Sabi Sands we were given a warm welcome with refreshments and hot wet flannels to freshen our faces, this became the norm for all returns from the bush.
Our lodge was situated in a beautiful position overlooking the large Water hole/lake and already Hippopotamus were in full view from our verandah,
However we had little time to settle at that time as we were given the opportunity to head straight out on our first safari within the hour!
The guests were divided into three groups and and each group had its own Ranger and Tracker, Our guide was Ryan and his tracker was De'beer. Over the next four days their knowledge, humour, and patience made for one of the most stunning experiences of our lives.
We had incredibly close views of Rhino, Elephant, Water Buffalo, Giraffe, and various other animals, but the highlight for me was the opportunity to view close up at least four different Leopard which seemed totally at ease in the presence of the land rover, however Ryan made it very clear that the animal must be given total respect with no sudden movement or noise, and keeping firmly in our seats. despite this i managed some stunning photographs which i will treasure forever.
The only animal of the " Big Five" we didn't see was the Lions. this was unusual but apparently the pride had moved across the boundary into another reserve and Etiquette deemed that it was not correct to encroach onto another reserve.
This was no problem to me, but there were murmuring of discontent from others, but hey, you're on safari, Wild animals don't turn up to order,
All meals were eaten communally on the decking overlooking the lake, apart from a barbecue which was cooked for us out in the bush one evening and was a wonderful surprise , We ate beside a roaring fire with traditional African singing competing with the calls of the Hyenas and owls (absolutely magical) The standard of food was excellent throughout the whole stay.
All in all i would recommend Sabi sands game reserve to anyone looking for a first experience of African safari. I'm sure there are more rugged and wild Safari experiences, but if you want excellent accommodation and food, coupled with a truly memorable Wildlife experience provided by funny but very knowledgable guides, who have the animals welfare at heart first and foremost, then this could be the safari destination for you.
BE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our new favorite country!!
We had the most beautifull experience in Uganda! In 3 weeks, we enjoyed Sipi Falls, Kidepo NP, Queen Elisabeth NP, the magnificent Murchison Park and the Falls (never seen such a stunning and powerfull Fall!), Kibale NP, with an unforgettable Chimpansee tracking!! We enjoyed a boatride on the Nile, a boatride at the Kasingachannel, we will never forget the stunning Gorillatracking, it was amazing!! Our last 2 days we stayed at M’Buro Lake NP.
we saw many buffalo’s, Lions, lions with cobs, a Leopard with a kob, snakes, hyena’s, girafs, zebra’s, Topi’s, impala’s, elands, elephants, hartebeests, lot’s of hippo’s, many, many little and very big birds, ….
We visited a school
We visited a coffee plantation and a banana plantation and we went to a community centre for women, we had also a tour with the Batwa people
The weather in september was very good, warm but everyday a little or a less little shower.
The local people were very friendly.
The roads are very bad, you definatly need a 4wheeldrive and a local driver.
We had our trip with Azas Safaris and everything was well organised and we had the best driver/ranger!
We hope to come back!