20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A magical and breath taking experience
Nakuru National Park is a stunning wildlife haven in the south of Nakuru in the Rift Valley. The park is wrapped around the tranquil soda lake and each area you explore offers a lake side view or a game filled plain. There is a wonderful variety of animals to see, sometimes the fun is in the search. Each corner or junction unfolds the unknown.
The best time to set off on your game drive is in the early morning or the early evening. The colour of the sunrise or sunset can dramatically change the appearance of some pockets in the park especially when you are lakeside.
One of the best aspects of Lake Nakuru is its size. It is completely manageable to get around if you chose to go without a guide and have your own transport. Its sign posts are crystal clear and you are guaranteed to see some magical sights. It offers the ideal safari experience for those who are wildlife fanatics, it is fairly priced and worth every penny.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a Must for elephant lovers
We fell in love with South Africa when we first visited the country in 2011. Since then we returned almost every year. During the last years, we visited a large number of national parks in South Africa. Addo Elephant NP was on our itinerary almost every time, with ever increasing time spent there: the first visit, we stayed only one night, and on our last visit during Dec2015/Jan2016, we stayed 6 nights. The park's main attraction are the elephants, and you will not be able to miss them due to their huge numbers. There are also lions and rhinos, but they are very rare. There a no giraffes. We can spend hours at the waterhole simply watching the elephants interacting with each other. Their social behaviour is very much like humans. We particularly like watching the little ones, and there were always many of them.
The bird hide next to the restaurant is also worth a visit. Lots of red cardinals and weaver birds.
We always stayed in one of the park's chalets. They offer sufficient comfort and you are close to the animals. Although outside the park there are more luxurious accommodation for almost the same price, we always opt to stay in the park, because there is a major advantage: People in the park are allowed to enter 1 hour earlier and leave one hour later than people staying outside (this is because the gates between street and Addo rest camp close earlier/open later than the gates between rest camp and game area). Add the driving time from your accomodation to the park and you can easily calculate that good light for photography is impossible when you stay outside.
A typical day as we organize it looks as follows:
- get up 30 mins before the game gate opens
- have a coffee and some cookies or light breakfast (kitchen available in the chalet)
- enter the park when gate opens (usually at or shortly after sunrise)
- stay in the park (mainly at the waterholes) until 9 or 10a.m.
- return to the restaurant for breakfast
- during the day, get the sleep you missed (aircon available in chalet)
- around 4p.m. start the afternoon drive (some cookies and coffee before come in handy)
- leave park when gate closes
- have shower and dinner at the restaurant (but self cooking at chalet would also be possible)
- sleep
It is advisable to bring in your own supplies, especially if you want to cook yourselves, because the shop has only minimal choices.
Amazing tour including good office support and great driver during the trip
We love Uganda and very much appreciated the flexibility by Gorilla Tours to pick us up from Mukono.
Ronald was a competent driver and very pleasant and knowledgeable company.
We will definitely keep coming back to Uganda
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kenya's first national park opened in 1946 with much to see.
From Kenya's capital city, a wildlife safari is a mere 8 km ( 5 Miles) away at the Nairobi National Park. There are more than 80 mammals and 500 bird species within its boundaries And far more visitors than in the ever popular Masai Mara. With large numbers of residents coming from Nairobi. The park is located to the south of the capital and takes around 15 minutes to drive to the main entrance along the Langata Road, and inside the park's boundaries a good network of roads allows visitors to explore every habitat. Near the entrance is the headquarters of the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. The best time to visit is in the dry seasons when 2 wheel-drive cars are possible - February and March, or August and September. During these periods, migratory herds of zebra and wildebeest enter the park through the Kitengela Corridor adjoining the unfenced southern boundary. The park offers a good introduction to safaris, and visitors can spend an entire day game-viewing and picnicking at the various sites provided. Overnight accommodation at the Masai Lodge situated on the southern boundary.
The parks higher western quarter is clothed in dense forest which is watered by several streams that have been dammed as they enter the broad grassy plains covering most of the park. Wildlife is abundant and from the lookout near the Narogoman Dam it is possible to watch herds of animals moving across the plains. Gazelle,kongoni,buffalo,zebra and Masai giraffe, and the Ngong Hills, of Out of Africa fame, form an impressive background. Buffalo, bush pig and bushbuck are encountered in the dense forests, while impala are found in the open woodland.Over 50 Rhino are protected but wild and I have seen one near the gate on the many times I have been. Lion are found through out the park over 20 have been counted and are frequently seen in the Hyrax Valley where they spend on average 16 of the 24 hours sleeping . Cheetah are common and often seen as are Leopards but only seen late afternoons. Other animals include leopards,baboon,hippo and a dozen antelope species. Unique in its location on the threshold of a major city, the park conserves an unspoilt tract of forest,woodland and grassland Along the southern border, visitors can explore a trail along the banks of the Athi River at the Hippo Pools. The trail and its succulent vegetation is a refreshing getaway from the bustle of nearby Nairobi, but do keep a look out for Hippo and crocodiles in that area. I think one of the highlights of this park is that animals like Zebra are very close And try to include a photo of the city skyline in the background whilst animals graze in the foreground, when using a telephoto lens it enables you to compress the distance making them appear closer..... But do remember these are wild animals you are not in a Western Safari park. Do not take chances.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
We were there for only half a day and early next morning on our way out. The views are fantastic especially on the way and from the Sopa Lodge. Got to see a lot of wildlife like buffalos, gazelles, impalas, zebras & warthogs. We were so very lucky to see Rhinos, Giraffes and Lions and pigmy antelopes. We did not see different birds for which Lake Nakuru is famous.
The lodge was ok and not luxury as described but the views from the bedroom and dining area were fantastic. The staff were friendly and tried their level best to make the experience enjoyable. The food was not of high standard but was ok and the waitress failed to understand the order.
The weather was excellent and both guides made the experience memorable. Joe was very knowledgeable and knew where to go so that we can get to see the wildlife. He had the patience to wait for the animal to get closer so that we could get better photos of the Rhinos.
Our only regret was that we should have stayed one more day.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Short trip in Zimbabwe with Nyati Travel & Tours
We planned a four day trip, travelling from Mutare, via Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Lake Muturikwi (Lake Kyle) Recreational Park, Chivero Recreational Park, to Harare. Nyati Travel & Tours provided the car and driver. We had a wonderful time. The driver, Alec, was a very good driver. He was also kind, helpful and patient. He listened very carefully to what we wanted and came up with some useful suggestions. We enjoyed the beautiful landscape, the sites and the wildlife. We will certainly recommend Nyati to others!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Cheap but good
Northern Circuit Adventure is one of the few tour operators that offer "budget" safari's. Everything was well organized and I had a great time!
But don't expect any extras with a budget safari. So make sure you buy any drinks beforehand as it won't always be possible to purchase them at the campsites.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Pilanesberg Game Reserve by Gareth
A great big 5 park, with a great chance of seeing game based on the varying types of terrain.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Golden Gate Highlands National Park by Gareth
More a mountain park it's great for being outdoors and hiking. If you're looking for a game safari this might not be the place for you.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Bogoria National Reserve by Lekha Suraweera
Lake Bogoria is good for seeing Flamingos. I think that the entrance fee of 50 US dollars each is too much for that park.