IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was interesting
Weather was very propitious and there were no mosquitoes. The scenery was good accommodation, transport was good and we had a good and informative guide who explained the habits of the various animals we spotted . This was good.
BH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Experience
The overall experience with Wild Race Africa Safaris was amazing; they were organized, timely and very prompt in their services. we happened to plan our trip during the migration season so we made it just in time for the wildebeest migration and Masai Mara is beautiful. I was a little hesitant with the online payments to a local agent but Simon and team were very helpful and guided us through whole process of designing the itinerary in the best possible manner and arranging for pay pal links for advance payment.
we saw the big five during our 4 day stay and so we were very glad and went back satisfied. must check out the local shopping in the area!!
A stunning experience, from views and wildlife to the welcome and the people
This was a big holiday, so we spent a little extra on everything. The two week holiday was a stunning experience, from views and wildlife to the welcome and the people.
One of the first things we noticed was the poverty. The country is one of the poorest in the world. Children under ten work the fields, carry bricks, and generally do what they can to earn a living. Seeing children searching a rubbish tip to find items to either recycle or sell is not uncommon. To make an income this results in the nation, arguably, leading the way in recycling and reusing items. We visited one shop where miniature replicas of bicycles, Put-puts and trucks were made from tin cans and expired medical tubing. They sold for 10,000 MGA (about US$2.50)
The lodges we stayed in were top end of the range, although they varied in quality. All were clean, and though we didn't have any issues with mosquitoes, a couple of lodges did have nets.
You do not go to Madagascar expecting five star food, although there is a French influence. The fruit and vegetables are closer to organic, as the farmers cannot afford pesticides. But the meat is a little tough, to say the least. Zebu is the principle cattle, and is a working animal. Chickens run freely across the road looking for food. Fish and seafood are fine, although menus usually just say ‘Fish’. Get used to the same food and menu options wherever you go. Rice is a staple diet item.
We had a driver for the two weeks. He has been a guide and driver for over fifteen years. He was experienced to know where to go, but ensured we decided what to do. We asked about tipping, but was told it was up to us. Took about three days to get a handle on the tipping for services. Do expect to tip, everyone expects it, and they are thankful when you hand over a couple of notes. Try not to over tip, although 2000MGA may not be much to most, whereas it is a lot to the Malagasy.
The roads are astonishing. The Route 2 main road is more like a field in places. The road is just about a two lane country road. At one point we were driving amongst three rows of various vehicles; trying to avoid pot holes; trenches; whilst over-taking. All whilst avoiding the oncoming three lanes of traffic doing the same manoeuvres. Think of the cartoon ‘Wacky Races’.
But the food, hotels and driving were not why we went. The wildlife and scenery were. Over 90% of rain forest has been cut done. Loss of forests, the introduction of Eucalyptus and Chinese pine and slash and burn (widely used by farmers), has had a devastating effect on nature and the environment. Thankfully some areas are now protected by national parks. In most cases the local villages have fought to protect their forests and wildlife. This improves the environment, and protects the wildlife. Lemurs are now preserved, not hunted.
Wildlife is not predictable, it is wild, so expect to be walking, climbing, and scrabbling through vegetation to find that elusive photographic shot. Visitors must have a guide to enter the parks and rain forests. This means you, thanks to the spotters, will generally be taken to where the wildlife can be found. The 6 hours walking through Ranomafana Rainforest can be tiring. It is up and down steep hills; uneven paths; as well as through the forest itself. Expect rain (as the name rainforest suggests), although we didn’t get any until we hit the beach. It is well worth the effort, seeing 6 or 7 types of Lemurs, including the Golden Bamboo. Listening to the cry of the Indri in a forest is spooky, but not as bad in the early hours of the morning. In all we saw about 15 types of lemurs on our travels.
This is also somewhere to go if you are a ‘Twitcher’, bird watcher. Although don’t expect to wait around in a nice cosy hide waiting for them to appear. You need to be quick as usually you only get a glimpse. If you are lucky then you may see a flycatcher’s nest right by the path at eye level. Or quietly snap a Hoopoe or a Fody, whilst just missing a Hawk. Listen for the chatter of Myna birds, introduced to kerb the rise in locusts.
Our aim was to see not just the lemurs, but also other endangered species, such as tree frogs and giraffe necked weevils. We were not disappointed, our guides knew what they were looking for. The guide in Andasibe National Park spotted a Mouse Lemur in pitch black high in a tree. The guide in Ranomafana found the Giraffe Necked Weevil just as we were leaving. I would never have seen these without their experience and vision.
To summarize: you go to Madagascar to see the wildlife, lemurs, frogs, insects etc. This is a poverty stricken country. The people are friendly and welcoming, on the whole. Lodges are clean, and the food is basic. We never felt unsafe, but then our driver ensured we didn’t stray. Crime against tourists does occur, but not often. As with anywhere in the world, be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. This was an experience of a lifetime, a very enjoyable experience I would highly recommend.
FR
A country like no other
I have been in Ethiopia as a touriste but also to see my family. This country is rich in wildlife but also in culture. You can go from north to the south and from east to west, the landscape is very diversified. The rift valley, the semen and bale mountains, and the green south of Ethiopia are worth seeing. You can find endemic wildlife in those areas and differents cultural activities "near" them. I remember my trip in 2008 in the bale park where I have done hiking on a horse in the middle of the wild animals. Concerning the weather, it depends on your trip, though you will have a hot summer or a rainy season not a cold winter. the nights can be a bit cold neverthless. For the accomadation part, you don't have to expect a very confortable stay on a budget, but there are a few tourist agency and hotels that are trying to make a better destination regarding transportation and hotelery. If you want to live an experience where you want to feel out of the place, Ethiopia is your destination.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic safari experience. Skip the cities.
The lodges were fantastic. Especially leopard mountain. Rhino sands and phinda Zuka. Wish we hadn’t wasted our time at the st Lucia lodge. If going back I would just do two lodges. Minimum 3 nights each. I’d choose leopard mountain and rhino sands over phinda.
Our travel agent did an amazing job. Justin at [email protected] picked us up and transported between Durban and lodges. Provided binoculars. Snacks on the trips. It was all last minute booking for us and his advice and recommendations were fantastic.
We then flew to cape town and drove the wine regions. Which are beautiful. Should not have wasted a night in cape town. Stay in stallenbosch instead. Helicopter tour a must over table mountain. Drive/Walk to cape point a must. Will go back but stay away from the cities.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time
This safari was very nice, I had a wonderful time! We saw the big five and lot of other animals. The guide/driver was a very nice guy and he knew a lot about the animals. Even when there was a problem with the car one evening, he did an excellent job. The next morning everything was all right again, ready to bring us to the next game drive. Sometimes I had to wait a long time for other passengers to join us, but as a whole I had a very nice experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari on a budget
We did the two-night, three-day safari of Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. Staying at the Sunbright Tented Lodge. The company provided a great service, our guide was great and the cook's food was very good.
US
Great game preserve with a variety of animals
There was a variety of wildlife. The game drive operators seemed knowledgeable at what they were talking about and we had a great time
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The real deal
I did a 7days safari (Lake Nakuru, lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Hells Gate, Amboseli) In the overall i have to say that was a superb safari. We had a excelent driver (John), who was a important part of the experience . We had extraodinary moments in the safari itself, and inside the parks we were as good or better than the people of much more expensive companies. The amenities are a littlebit rough but acceptable. I think is a very good relation quality-price. Imran was very attentive with our questions, and always happy to give us any advice we needed.
Amazing
the country is well organized, the country receives the tourists very well. The landscapes are fantastic and the wildlife is very beautiful