US
20-35 years of age
Excellent safari location!
I visited Murchison Falls National Park in July 2010 for my first safari experience ever. I'm from the U.S. and had never been to Africa, so this was a really fun new experience for me. I stayed at the Paraa Safari Lodge, which was very comfortable: clean rooms, good selection of food (compared to other places in Uganda), and a swimming pool!
The weather was warm, 80-85 degrees, and was a mix of sunny and overcast throughout the five days I was there. I was on the trip with my father, who had a personal friend who was also a guide take us out on the safari. This was nice, because it was just the three of us in the vehicle and we could go out for however long we wished, and stop for whatever my father and I wanted to look at.
The wildlife was beautiful... fifteen minutes into our first drive out we had to stop for a giraffe crossing the road right in front of us. We saw dozens of giraffes, elephants, baboons, water buffalo, hippos, and more. The only popular animal we didn't see was a lion... they are really tricky to spot, considering they are the best predator out there. However, when my brother made the same trip with my father a month later, they saw a lion, so they can be found, you just have to be patient and look!
Overall, it was a fantastic experience. I have hundreds of photos and video footage to keep forever. My tips would be to pack plenty of clean clothes you can sweat in. I completely changed outfits 2-3 times a day from being so covered in dirt, sunscreen, and sweat. Driving out in the bush will get you very dirty. Also, bring long shirts, pants, and bug spray. My father got malaria from a mosquito bite out there and was dangerously ill for weeks. Visit a doctor and get malaria pills to take before this trip!
US
35-50 years of age
The jewel of East Africa, a MUST-SEE travel destination!
We spent the first 3 days of our trip in Kampala with side trips to Jinja, Entebbe and Ngamba Island. On day 4 we were picked up by a private tour guide. He would be with us for the remaining 5 days of our trip which included Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth NP and other sights along the way. Our guide spoke decent English, was very affordable and his knowledge of the local flora & fauna, wildlife and history made him an invaluable part of our Ugandan experience. We asked him to show us the ‘real’ Uganda and he delivered! He took us to visit with local families, we watched a group of local men make alcohol from fermented bananas and stopped by a wedding in progress where we were greeted by friendly locals and invited to join the party.
The weather was perfect, cool in the mornings and evenings and warm throughout the day (never hot). The Ugandan country side is simply stunning….green patchwork covers the mountainous terrain and the people are some of the friendliest I have ever encountered. We also had incredible food throughout our journey including a delicious tilapia dinner on the shore of Lake Victoria (for the low price of $1.30).
The gorilla trekking was the highlight of our week but we also did a boat tour of the Kazinga channel which was wonderful!
I've travelled all over the world and I can honestly say that Uganda was my absolute favorite destination. The friendly people, incredible scenery, affordability and abundant wildlife make Uganda a “must-see”!!
US
20-35 years of age
Review about Uganda by Allison
Lots to see, expecially if this is your first safari experience!
20-35 years of age
Review about Zambezi Region by Jofie Lamprecht
There is excellent wildlife viewing in the Caprivi, from Mhango in the west, all the way to access to the Chobe National Park in the east - there is plenty of parks, wildlife and amazing to budget accommodation to choose from.
20-35 years of age
Etosha - The Great White Place
The harshest paradise, supporting an amazing array of life - 4 of the big 5, 5 of the photographers big seven with fantastic wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities with a stark white back ground.
US
20-35 years of age
The best safari experience to be had in Uganda.
I saw a diverse variety of wildlife with and without the guide. Even around the lodge you can get very close to the animals. The river trip was the highlight of the safari. Just make sure that you stay on the left side of the boat to get the best views. The guides were friendly and went out of their way to track down a lion for us. I also spent time in the Kazinga fishing village located in QEP and was amazed at how people could live in such proximity to the wildlife.
US
20-35 years of age
A park experience beyond your Wildest dreams
I loved my trip to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - it exceeded every expectation. I was able to see lions, cheetahs, giraffes, gemsboks, springboks, blue wildebeests, red hartebeests, sociable weavers, crowned plovers, fiscal shrikes, brubrus, African drongos, tawny eagles, meerkats - and so much more. As a child, I dreamed of being close to wild lions; at the Kgalagadi, this dream came true - two lions were only feet from our vehicle!
My group arranged to stay at a barracks in the middle of the park - don't worry there was a fence - which means we were surrounded by the sounds of the night. A sight I will never forget is seeing the Kgalagadi yawning open around us as the sun rose. This location also gave us the opportunity to rise early and to view parts of the park before other tourists could reach them.
The services provided at the main points of entry were more than enough to meet the needs of the average visitor - clean bathrooms, postcards for sale, and even ice cream! There is nothing like a cool treat in the heat of the Kgalagadi.
I cherish my memories from the trip and look forward to returning to such a beautiful place one day soon.
20-35 years of age
Review about Namibia by Jofie Lamprecht
Namibia has a diversity making it unique in Africa and indeed the World. From the World's oldest desert to sub-tropical climates in the Zambezi Region - all brimming with diverse wildlife.
US
20-35 years of age
Review about South Africa by spalexan
From A to Z, SA has everything I saw at the zoo as a child, but wild. no fences. no feeding times. no safety of your own backyard.. maybe one of those things isn't true, but SA is definitely a once in a lifetime destination for any tourist.
A relatively small country with an endless variety of landscapes and wildlife.
The wildlife was like nothing I've seen before in my life. Giraffes, lions, monkeys, wildebeest...just about everything you usually picture about Africa, except real and in close proximity. At one point, we even had an elephant blocking the road! That's just something you can't experience in the states. The weather in June was surprisingly mild with highs in the 80s. Scenery was fantastic. I couldn't believe the vast array of landscapes, from vast plains to craggy mountain ridges. Food was starchy and filling. Not the best food ever, but something you could handle for a few weeks. Overall, though, an incredible experience with wonderful people.