US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Kathryn
We saw just about everything that could be seen by daylight: lions and leopards (almost daily), Africa wild dogs, spotted hyenas and their young, elephant herds, giraffes, rhinos, Cape buffalo, tortoises, hippos, giant land snails, dung beetles, baboons, vervet monkeys, half a dozen kinds of antelope, and birds galore. Only one crocodile because the river was dry. No cheetahs, which are less common there and difficult to spot because of the tree density.
Our &Beyond guides from Kirkman's Kamp were incredibly knowledgeable. They knew the mammals, birds, insects, plants. When they found out we were more interested in insects, plants and soil/geology than the average safari-goer, they made sure to point out more of these features and give us opportunities to discover.
It rained one of six game drives. The safari vehicles are open, so raincoats and ponchos were a must. Some people in our group opted not to go out, but we went and didn't regret it. The rains brought African wild dogs, and the rain was not cold so it wasn't too uncomfortable.
The other days were hot and dry (we went in March, late summer, in a drought year). That meant few mosquitos. We forgot about the heat when we were watching animals, and when the vehicles were moving we had a breeze.
In the private reserves, it's permitted to be out on game drives after dark. We did not do any specifically night drives, but drove back at dusk/nightfall on our afternoon safaris. We saw nightjars, the Southern constellations and a few other things.
Staying in a private reserve afforded us the opportunity to go off-road in appropriate conditions and meant few encounters with other safari vehicles. Because of this, we got closer/better viewing of lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos than we might have otherwise.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great variety of wildlife big and small
We stayed in two of the private reserves that are part of the Kruger Park system: Sabi Sands and Ngala Reserve. Staying in private reserves afforded us the opportunity to go off-road in appropriate conditions and meant few encounters with other safari vehicles. However, it also meant we did not have permission to cross boundaries into the park proper or other reserves—a downside when trying to track African wild dogs, but the downside goes both ways (you can't cross from the park proper into the reserves, either).
We saw just about everything that could be seen by daylight: lions and leopards (almost daily), Africa wild dogs (two days out of six), jackals, spotted hyenas and their young, elephant herds, giraffes, rhinos, Cape buffalo, terrapins, tortoises, hippos, giant land snails, dung beetles, wildebeest, baboon spiders, baboons, vervet monkeys, half a dozen kinds of antelope, and birds galore. Only one crocodile because the rivers were dry. No cheetahs, which are less common there and difficult to spot because of the tree density. (The areas we stayed were not open savannah, but rather dense savannah and veld.)
Our &Beyond guides from Kirkman's Kamp and Ngala Tented Camp were incredibly knowledgeable. They knew the mammals, birds, insects, plants. When they found out we were more interested in insects, plants and soil/geology than the average safari-goer, they made accommodations to get us off the vehicle now and again to look at termite mounds, watch dung beetles, squint at mites, inspect flowers, or admire the dirt.
It rained two days of six (two of eleven game drives). The safari vehicles are open, so raincoats and ponchos were a must. Some people in our group opted not to go out, but we went and didn't regret it. Both times, the rains brought African wild dogs, and the rain was not cold so it wasn't too uncomfortable.
The other days were hot and dry (we went in March, late summer, in a drought year). That meant few mosquitos. We forgot about the heat when we were watching animals, and when the vehicles were moving we had a breeze.
In the private reserves, it's permitted to be out on game drives after dark. We did not do any specifically night drives, but drove back at dusk/nightfall on our afternoon safaris. I appreciated that at Ngala they had red filters on the headlights, which don't interfere with animals' night vision. We saw nightjars, a hippo, and a few other things.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A gorgeous park with amazing elephant and hippo viewing, as well as good birding opportunities.
I'd been on safari at other locations for about ten days already in South Africa, and I'd previously been on two safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, but here we saw the highest concentration of elephants and for the first time got to observe them at length as they drank and played in and around a large body of water. Being able to view wildlife from a boat on the river was also a new experience and allowed us to see a different array of behaviors.
Chobe is also the only place I've seem hippos out and about in large numbers during the day. This is apparently because they need to spend more time eating because of the fierce competition for resources from the large elephant population.
The scenery was gorgeous, especially from the river. I appreciated the number and variety of birds that could be viewed on the river even in midday.
We were there only for a day trip. The weather was hot but not oppressive, and the boat and jeep both had shades to protect from the sun. A rainshower came while we were having lunch but left as quickly as it came and did not interfere our game drives/boating.
We had previously stayed on private reserves in South Africa and our guides in Chobe, while knowledgeable, did not seem to have the same depth/variety of knowledge. For example, our group had a lot of interest in plant life, and our guides did not know much beyond the major grasses and trees. Perhaps they knew them in the local language, but not in English or Latin. Since this was just a day trip for us, though, we didn't have a lot of time to study plants so it wasn't a major drawback.
Our lunch was good and there appeared to be a variety of accommodations in town for varying budgets. The roads to and from the park were wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised by the way drivers observed the speed limit.
The town near Chobe is well built-out, so you don't feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. However, there were some lodges located within the park or on the river, and these had more of a remote feel.
On the drive/boat ride we encountered other vehicles, but there were no "traffic jams." All vehicles/boats I saw had guides, and there were never more than three vehicles (but usually one) at a single viewing spot. Drivers were careful not to block each others' sight lines.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Kathryn
We saw everything from African penguins to zebras. In addition to Kruger, we were in the Cape, which has fantastic scenery and fascinating plant life. Naturally, not all of South Africa has a "bush vibe" since it's got lots of cities and a big population, but you can get that vibe in the parks if you pick the right places.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Kathryn
We were only there for a day, but Botswana is a lovely contrast to Zimbabwe. Border control was efficient, infrastructure was good, and local residents did not seem to have the air of hopelessness that was present among many in Zimbabwe thanks to its economic difficulties.
NO
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guide
We were kind of unlucky with the number of animals we saw, but it still ended up being great because of our cheerful and intelligent guide. Learned a lot.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome, rugby world cup, animals and great guides to top it off, just like family
The whole experience was awesome i loved it the communications from our guide Neil was great he made sure we were all involved and and all enjoying it even though the day we were in krugar was pretty cold.
At night we watched the rugby world cup games and had delicious meals.
The whole experience was better then i expected and Panzi bush camp was a beautiful setting to relax in at night very quiet with the occasional wild animal visiting.
US
Extraordinary Journeys provides 'extraordinary' service!
Extraordinary Journeys took care of all the details so that we could relax and enjoy our Tanzanian adventure. They kept our interests and budget in mind as they planned our trip, in the end giving us more value for the money than another well known tour company that we talked to.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic adventure
It was amazing! I loved every minute of it. I would go back in a heart beat! The accommodation was fantastic felt very outdoorsy but safe behind the walls from the roaming creatures outside. The Safari was great I got to see the big 5 except for the leopard. Will do it all again to see them all.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What I came all them miles to see
Spent all up two weeks at panzi resort Kruger park
On countless safaris seen all the animals excluding
The leopard but that's also my excuse for going back to
Tick that off the list
From day one to my last my tour guide Neil's
enthusiasm never changed weather it wa talking about
And giving facts about plants or the smallest insect to the largest animal
Highly recommend and 100% coming back