An experience spoilt in one day.
Our visit to the Masai Mara was spoilt in one day by a visit to Observation Hill. Was a disgusting scene to behold. The area is used a toilet stop except that there are no toilets. Hundreds of people a day use this area as a viewing point and a makeshift toilet. As the only stop for the day, one had no option. I am told the female area was particularly disgusting. The area is a disgrace to the National Park system and to the Kenyan Government. Were does all the money collected as park fees go. One wonders.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mkomazi National Park by StoufferLSU
This is another park that's great but not where you want to start. There are some really special mammals here, but not tons of them. Birding is really good in the Northern Hemisphere winter, less so when the migrants are gone. Almost no tourists go here, so the staff are particularly friendly and the camping area is really comfortable. I don't think there are any active lodges nearby, but we only camped, so I'm not sure.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Diverse habitats but not the fantastic spectacle of some of the other Tanzanian parks
Arusha is a great place if you already have experience at the major parts. On the positive side, it isn't crowded with tourists. It has diverse habitats from forests to lakes to savannah to mountains. There are quite a few large mammals, but no predators or elephants. The flamingos around Momella lakes will blow your mind (and are so much closer and easier to enjoy than at Lake Natron, the other famous flamingo destination). It has a lot to offer for serious birders, but doesn't have too many of the spectacular birds that interest casual birders. We only went there self-guided, so I can't comment on going with a guide. There are a couple of great lodges just outside the park, Hatari by the north entrance, and another I can't remember by the south entrance. The park is small enough that you can see most of it in two days (excluding hiking in the forest, which I can't comment about; supposedly climbing Meru is fantastic, and a much different experience than the crowded slog up Kili). The small size makes it manageable, but is probably also the biggest negative and why I said it is good to visit after a major park- Arusha just doesn't have the vast open spaces and throngs of animals of Tarangire, Ngorongoro, or Serengeti.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Caroline
This was more of a canned experience with the rangers knowing exactly where to take you. For that type of experience however, it was exceptional.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Ithala Game Reserve by Caroline
Been a while since I visited but the birding is exceptional. The game viewing less so but the accommodation was pretty good.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The proper African experience!
Challo Africa lived up to my expectations during our tour of the Masai Mara,Kenya.
They really ensured we were looked after and the accommodation they suggested in the African bush was exactly what I had in mind.
The lodge itself was beautiful,a cosy house set in the remote wilderness.The service we were given was one of the best I've ever had the opportunity to experience and the safaris were conducted by an extremely experienced,yet friendly guide.
This is the company to go with if you're looking for that genuine African experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wild and wonderful
A great country to experience wildlife and local tribal customs. The scenery goes from Savannah to dense forested bush with soaring snow capped mountain ranges . Safaris are safe and comfortable.
PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nature!
First of all I have to thank you Karumuna Safaris for exciting time. We spent two weeks together. We visited Murchison Falls, chimpanzees, rhino sanctuary, gorillas, Bunyoni Lake. The operator even helped us with tickets in Kenya.
We felt safe, although there had adventures, malaria and repaired cars. Richard took care of everything! And we will remember this wonderful adventure forever!
EE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travelling in Kenya requires an open mind!
Wildlife - stunning! You will most probably see more than you expected. NB! Not recommendable for people who need more than 1-2 bathrooms stops per day.
Booking a safari tour - be ready that the tour will take place in principle, but not as agreed. You will learn afterwards what does the tour include, what is mandatory/optional, how many people will be there in the group (can be also 8 despite "max 7" in the tour description), how much does which part of the tour cost, in which minivan you will be, etc. Before the booking is confirmed, answers to various questions are received quickly (and you will even be looked up via WhatsApp), but when an issue arises during your safari, you will not get hold of anybody, and no solution will be there either... Your seat may not necessarily have a safety belt (and the ride on these roads really demands it!). At the end you are just very happy that you are back in Nairobi!
Booking an accommodation - the booking may work, but also be ready that it does not work (it gets cancelled, you will be advised to cancel it, you are offered lucrative alternatives - say 'no' to these!) and you will need to find quickly a new one for you.
Booking a beach trip on your own - domestic flights perfectly ok and with a good service. Online boarding pass, however, needs to be changed into another boarding pass at the counter. Diani beach is marvelous!
Paying with cash - works in principle, but be ready that when paying with larger bills than the item costs, you will not get back anything, because "Sorry, sir/madam, I don't have any small bills". Whenever possible, use MPesa.
Transportation - use Uber. Works very well.
Roads - there are hard-cover roads where the ride is smooth, but outside the capital, be ready for roads that 'check your internal organs'.
Cleanliness - clean in safari park, inside shopping malls, buildings, hotel areas, beach, else not...
Airport security - be ready for several check-points where you need to 'unpack' your watch, phone, laptop, etc. for one single trip, incl. domestic ones.
People are friendly.
Enjoy coconut, avocado and mango - they are truly exceptionally fresh and delicious.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice experience !
We decided to visit Chobe mostly because it was very close to Victoria Falls, which was our intended destination. Given the fact that accommodation in Victoria Falls is quite pricey, and there was not much of interest for us to do in terms of activities to occupy us for more than a day, we decided to stay near Chobe, and do a one day VF trip during our stay.
We did not expect much from Chobe, since the only thing we knew about it beforehand was that it was famous for elephants.
Our stay was fantastic, we enjoyed very much the boat cruises, from which you can really enjoy all of the wildlife on Sedudu island.
I am not a big fan of birding, but we did see lots of interesting birds, and some people apparently seemed very into the matter and enjoyed it very much !
We also did a morning game drive, which was good, but not excellent. There were too many vehicles compared to some private game reserves, and since we could not get off-road, the animals we saw where quite far away. Still, it was a good experience, and the park still has lots of animals, and for a much more affordable price than what you pay in a private game reserve.
Overall, our experience was very nice, people were very friendly, the scenery was fantastic, and we did see lots of animals !