Review about Uganda by The Far Horizons
Uganda is an unspoiled destination, because it has never suffered the mass tourism of Kenya and Tanzania. The people are friendly and welcoming by nature, and there is plenty of opportunity to get out of the vehicle and explore on foot and to interact with the locals.
Game densities in some places are very good, but here, you have to work a little harder to spot your game than in other, more popular destinations. Also, top end accommodation can be hard to find in certain areas. However, Uganda has a beguiling charm, and will get under your skin. At the end of a multi-country African safari, Uganda will linger as one of your fondest memories, sometimes for reasons you can't quite put your finger on.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kenya by KitingYan
Kenya is a great safari destination varied parks both operated by the Kenya Wildlife Services and also private game conservancy.
Abundant wildlife.
Friendly people.
Great coastline - superb beaches.
Camp Okuti is a superb camp in an excellent game reserve.
After arriving in yet another tiny 4 seater plane, we stayed at Camp Okuti for 3 nights. It could not be a better camp to stay at. Attentive staff. Luxurious accommodation. Great food. Even some resident bushbuck. Like all camps in Botswana it is built to be semi-permanent, so it can be removed in the future to leave no trace of it having been there. Our guide was excellent. He had worked over most of Botswana and was very knowledgable indeed. We saw everything we had hoped to, including a Wild Dog pack on a hunt and at the kill. Lion, elephant, giraffe, leopard, buffalo herds, kudu, hippo, bushbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck, dwarf and banded mongooses, and of course the ubiquitous zebra and Impala. A relaxing boat trip on the delta rounded our stay off nicely. A photographer's paradise. There was wildlife around us right up until our guide (and us) had to move the huge bull elephant from the runway before our plane out could land!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Matt D.
South Africa is an amazing country for safaris, and there are a range of lodges catering to everyone's particular taste. Whether looking for the true bush experience or a luxury holiday adventure, South Africa has it!
Review about Makgadikgadi Pans National Park by Patrick Smith
The Makgadikgadi pans are an unearthly, perception-bending stretch of cracked gray flatness like the bottom of an evaporated ocean.
It was here where I got my first wildlife sighting. In the late afternoon I noticed two figures in the distant, quivering heat. When I raised my binoculars, I was astonished to discover these weren't a couple of wayward campers, but two gigantic, shoulder-tall maribou storks foraging along a muddy break in the pan. The sight of the huge birds moved me with a peculiar, disarming force: as if to remind me, suddenly and wholly: this is Africa!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Uganda by ReynoldMainse
Uganda is at the heart of Africa and presents itself as very Friendly to visitors and full of wonder and encounter once in the wild. Make sure you sit with the people and take time to engage them in conversation.
SG
35-50 years of age
Review about Chobe National Park by Kelly Cheng
The most accessible herds of elephants by the river.
35-50 years of age
Review about Matobo National Park by Swenglishnick & Zimgirl
A stunning setting amongst the breath-taking kopjes.
35-50 years of age
Review about Zambezi National Park by Swenglishnick & Zimgirl
This park benefits from the awe-inspiring Vic Falls and you see a good selection of wildlife passing along the river.
35-50 years of age
Enjoying a great park on a budget
We visited Hwange in December which is a little far into the rainy season to see the most animals. The best time to visit is in September when the water holes are great places to spot the wide range of animals in the park.
We stayed in the rustic National Parks cottages which, even in the middle of shortages that were affecting Zimbabwe, were great places to stay and very cost-effective.
We did not have a 4x4 but found there to be ample routes around the park for a normal 2 wheel drive car. We saw a wide selection of antelope, giraffe, cheetah and zebra. We were sad to miss out on the elephants but they had disappeared off into the bush because of the rains. We also got great views of the Black Rhino at the nearby Hwange Safari Lodge.
When we were not self-driving, we went on some excellent guided drives with extremely knowledgeable local guides.
At that time of year, the birding was excellent and could fill in the periods when the larger game was not visible.