50-65 years of age
Mountain Zebra park is a unique Karoo biome and utterly spectacular scenery and wildlife
The Park accommodation is very good and our chalet was newly refurbished - within easy walk of the swimming pool where you can laze away the hot midday hours while being watched by Rock Dassies (Procavia capensis), which are abundant in the area and the favorite meal for the Verreaux's Eagles. Far from being devoid of life the Karoo is alive with a wide variety of species specially adapted to the harsh semi desert conditions. Specials include the Mountain Zebra's which the Park was established to conserve, Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus)- South Africa's national bird and the nocturnal, shy, Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) which feeds almost exclusively on termites and can be seen early morning or at dusk if you are lucky. The roads are good and suitable for normal cars and take you up onto the surrounding plateau with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. There are also nice hiking trails for early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more comfortable. All in all a must do for a night or two to truly appreciate the magnificent Karoo.
50-65 years of age
A day-trip into a mini-bite of real Africa
Hell's Gate National Park is situated approximately 75k north of Nairobi, just south of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. It's unusual in that the rates are lower than the major parks, and you're permitted to walk or cycle in it as there are no elephants, rhino's or lions, as long as you keep to the main routes. Don't let that fool you into thinking there's no danger. There are plenty of buffalo, there are leopards, and cheetah have been seen on occassions. The main attraction is its' scenic beauty; thousands of years ago the lake water burst through the cliffs in the vicinity of the main gates, (hence it's name), leaving huge towering cliffs in it's wake and a number of towering "plugs" from long-dead volcanic activity rising up from the grassy plains. Even today there are areas of minor volcanic action within the park, where steam can be seen rising from underground vents and at an area known as the "devil's kitchen" the ground is hot to the touch and a strong smell of sulphur pervades the air. In addition to buffalo and the two species of Big Cat mentioned above, there are numerous species of plains game to be found, including Zebra, Kongoni, (Hartebeest), Eland, Clipspringer, Masai Giraffe, Thomson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, and various other species of animal such as Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Silver-backed Jackal, Warthog, and, if you're really lucky, Bat-eared Fox. Vultures nest on the cliffs, and at the base of the "plugs" live colonies of Rock Hyrax, a little brown animal resembling a guinea-pig, although substantially larger. In the centre of the park is a scenic gorge, - you can generally walk down this, (a good level of fitness is required), or view the gorge from above. The gorge was used in the filming of "Sheena, Queen of The jungle", and other locations within the park have on various occassions been used as a film-set, such as "Born Free", the story of Elsa the lioness. Hell's Gate National Park is highly recommended for a good day out whether you're in a vehicle or whether you've walked or cycled in from Lake Naivasha, where most of the campsites and lodges are located. Although my last visit was a while ago, I've been returning regularly since 1989. I stay at Fisherman's Camp, about three miles from the main entrance along the South Lake Road. This is primarily a campsite for back-packers, but the owner rents out a cottage which is ideal for a family, and there are bandas available too. When I visit with my wife or family we always rent the cottage, which is 600' above the lake near the owner's own house, - beyond this is the "top camp" which is quiet and secluded, or you can choose to stay on the bottom camp by the lakeshore. There's a restaurant there in which meals are served throughout the day, good simple fare such as buger & chips, etc., at a very reasonable price, indeed the food's so good that we take all our meals there throughout our stay although we tend to self-cater for breakfast. Within a short drive of the camp is Hell's Gate of course, and in the opposite direction there's Elsamere, (the former home of George & Joy Adamson), now open to the public for afternoon tea, and Crater Lake, a small private game conservancy with scenic views into the remains of a dormant volcano, open daily. Further afield there's The Aberdares and Lake Nakuru National Park, both of which can be visited in a day. For it's central position in relation to the other major lakes & parks, (Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Samburu, and to the south, the Masai Mara, I always base myself at Naivasha for the major part of each and every trip. There are other camp-sites and lodges around Lake Naivasha but the other camp-sites don't have the stability and infra-structure of Fisherman's Camp and the lodges are of course, very much more expensive.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Crossing Serengeti
I have been travelling to Tanzania yearly for 12 years and have gone their on safari 4 times. By far the most enjoyable and authentic experience I have had has been with Naenda safaris. The owner, Jesee, volunteered with the charity I volunteer with in Tanzania, so it was natural for me to book with him. He and his team are genuinely caring and giving. The concept of social business on which he has founded his company is still new in the safari business.
He brings to his company a culture of giving and their support of vulnerable children and women made my experience with Naenda that much more enrichning.
This company is organized, professional, responsive and the staff are always pleasant and service oriented.
They can organize any type of safari you want according tailored to you. Just ask, they will go out of their way to make your time with them memorable.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Six Weeks In Heaven
I had dreamed of Africa since I was a child. It took me till my 50's to finally make the dream come true. I contacted Ntaba Tours. I started by arriving two days before the tour began. I participated in a charity project. Then spent 9 days in a small tour group of only four of us. All accommodations were wonderful. We were accompanied on all flights, game drives, and activities by Robin Mountain (owner/operator). The safari lodges were all so personal, with excellent staff. The meals were all first rate. You can never guarantee game sightings on game drives, but we were never disappointed. We had first rate guides and trackers. No comfort was lacking. I noticed that at every lodge you were assigned a guide who was there from sun up to after dark, and we were not just ma'am or sir, we were addressed by our name. Ntaba Tours had an excellent working relationship with every lodge we visited. It was just beyond reproach.
At the end of the 9 day tour, the rest of our group headed to the airport and for home, and I headed out for some solo travel. Ntaba Tours had arranged 5 separate locations for me to stay in, most in remote areas of Botswana. I was in the Chobe area, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, and Johannesburg/Pretoria. Many small planes, transfers, camps, and experiences were all perfectly planned and executed. I NEVER had to worry, never felt unsafe, and all my needs were met and exceeded! Stella Mountain (owner/operator) had given me a detailed itinerary all neatly bound in a small compact book form so I knew what was next. And every place I went, I was treated as if I was long lost family. Again, every accommodation, camp, lodge, airlines, staff, etc... were the best. I was having the time of my life.
The last 2 weeks I flew into Namibia and met back up the Robin and two other ladies, whom I had talked to on line prior to the trip. The plan was to spend the two weeks driving Namibia with Robin and Jamie Bundy (West coast Ntaba agency director) as they did site inspections of lodges for future tours. I can say we had an absolutely fabulous time! It was a new place almost every night, but we saw so much of the country. We ended up driving almost 5000 km. This portion not being a formal 'tour' made it so relaxed. In the end I had 40 days of flooding...of my senses! It was life changing! Ntaba Tours did it all! I didn't have a single minute that I ever had to wonder was this done, or that taken care of. It was done with unbelievable attention to detail! I have to give a big thank you to Stella for that. And when I say my trip was life changing, it is so true. Africa got into my blood, under my skin, and into my heart. I have the most indescribable yearning to return, as if being drawn slowly back to a place where I found myself for the first time in my life. I will be returning in Sept. of 2014 and will be doubling my time to 12 weeks in order to see and do more. And I will trust no one but Ntaba Tours, Robin and Stella Mountain to make my plans for me. I know I am in the best of care.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Attention to Detail
From initial contact through the final drop-off at the airport, Safari Makers provided outstanding service.
Our driver, Joseph Saleko listened carefully to our desires and tailored each day to provide the maximum experiences. The Wilderness camps we stayed at were ecologically friendly, but catered to our every need. Beds were clean, fresh, and comfortable. Food was plentiful, nutritious, made use of local produce, hot, prompt, and delicious. All service was given with friendly concern for our comfort. Early mornings were no problem, and we loved sitting at the campfire gazing at the stars listening to the animals nocturnal activity. Joseph had excellent English, and knew each animal and botanical feature extensively. I loved that he gave information when it was requested, but didn't talk our ears off. We had such a wonderful time. I have no hesitation in recommending this company for anyone looking for the trip of a lifetime.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized, professional organization that cares about their clients and the animals.
From Day one when we signed up through a Groupon, we were impressed with the professionalism and consideration given by Mark Cahill and his staff. We initially were concerned about safety issues but every step of the trip was super organized and at no time did we feel our safety was at risk. Accommodations and meals were excellent and the wildlife viewing is out of this world. The guides did their best to ensure a safe trip but one with the most wildlife and daily outings. My husband became ill during our trip but with their concern for his well-being and his privacy, he was well looked after and able to continue the trip for the duration. If I am fortunate enough to travel to Africa again, I would certainly not hesitate to book with Odyssey Safaris in the future.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An adventure of a lifetime!
Madikwe Game Reserve exceeded my expectations. We saw the Big 5 on the first day of our safari. I was surprised how high the bushes were, I thought it would be flat. However, our guide drove on tiny trails right through the sharp bushes and we came across lion families, feeding lions, a leopard, baby hyenas, many giraffes, elephants, zebras, and other wonderful animals. The stars in the night sky were unlike I've ever seen. Without any lights around for hundreds of miles, the moon shone brightly. We had lightning and thunder storms every night that rocked our tent cabin and was an incredible experience. The accommodations were great. Mosetlha Bush Camp provided gourmet vegan options and the staff was very caring. Very small camp with private accommodations. Our jeeps had covers, so we did not get burnt by the sun during our 2 5-hour safari trips each day. I would love to do it again!
Shimba Hills:Unassuming, Yet Full of Life
The drive to Shimba was fairly easy from Mombassa. Most travelers try to get their as early as possible to maximize their time in the park. The first thing I noticed was the calm, peacefulness of the reserve. While it was relatively easy to spot wildlife, the park was not overrun by hoards of tourists slamming into each other for a photo op. My driver showed me spots to take the perfect pictures outside of the vehicle. A calm demeanor and willing spirit certainly go a long way in the wild. His only advice, no sudden moves and definitely don't try to get too close to the young animals. Glad I stumbled upon Shimba Hills. Most guide books champion it as a lesser known wildlife reserve. Trust me, it's not because the sights are any less beautiful than the others.
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.
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!