50-65 years of age
Absolutely awesome, and completely remote and felt like you were in your own world !
We spent 3 days at Nxai Pan on a Self drive as part of a 3 week trip to Zambia and Botswana in September 2011. We spent our first days in Livingston doing the adventure activities such as White Water rafting and Micro Flight. We then self drove through Chobe National Park, Savuti and Moremi. We spent 3 days in Nxai Pan which I can say were probably the most memorable days of our trip. We stayed at South Camp and were within 2 miles of the nearest watering hole within the park. The wildlife was stunning !! Stunning sunsets ! Elephants, Springbok (in their thousands), Wilderbeast, Ostrich, Guinea fowl, Marshall Eagles, Hyena, Oryx to name only a few. We came across a pride of lions that were at the peak of health. Approximately 5-6 females and 3 cubs about 3 months old. A very fit and healthy male. The remoteness was amazing and minimal tourist. We spent a whole morning with a Lion pride and not a single other vehicle in sight !
We would also recommend visiting the Baines Baobab trees !
This park is a must for those wanting to get away from the tourist safari !
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great staff and spectacular safari
They gave me and my son a memorable safari. I had been on safari before but this time I took my son with me and we shared great memorable experiences. A surprise complimentary birthday cake for my son on our last day at one of the city restaurants was awesome. We shall return again. Learned a few Swahili words too and here goes.....tamu sana, jambo
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip of my life!
Everything was wonderful. I still can't wrap my head around the beauty of the land, the people and the incredible animals. I hope to go again some day and I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe the length of my trip. If I could I would stay longer!!
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ugandan Birding/Wildlife Experience with Avian Safaris
One of the best birding/wildlife experiences I've ever had.
Crammy Wanyama of Avian Safaris (as bird guide, driver, general guide, info central etc etc) gets full marks from me - he is patient, helpful, efficient, caring, knowledgeable, accommodating, punctual. Everything went without a hitch
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding safari - great value!
We had only 3 full days and 2 part days in Johannesburg, and Themba Tours organized our time perfectly. We were picked up at the airport at 10:45am (they patiently waited with our name on a card) Saturday morning and driven close to Kruger Park to meet our guide who then took us (and only us) the rest of the way stopping to see some great scenic spots. The trip totaled about 6 hours. We arrived at the Sabie River Bush Lodge (lovely) in time to unpack and have dinner. The next two days began at 5am so we'd get priority entrance into the park. Both days lasted 10-12 hours - with breaks. Saw tons of wildlife - and the Big 5 several times. Great weather - warm, but clear. The open jeep allowed for great sightseeing and a constant breeze on the warm days. Our last day there we left early for the elephant sanctuary which was interesting (bought the $20 DVD of us videoed with the elephants) and then the long drive back to town. Two days in the park was enough for us - saw so much! We stayed in the Waybury Guesthouse - nice! Relaxed at the pool and enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal for just us at a reasonable price. The next day, our last, we took a tour of Soweto with lunch included. It was a good overview of how many of the folks live there and the impact Nelson Mandela had on the country. We felt spoiled and attended to by all hosts. It was a wonderful trip - at a great price!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Climbing Kili and Ngoro safari
TSA and Iris are just fabulous they organised or itinerary and looked after us superbly. This included helping our 9 year old disabled daughter and 12 year old son to climb Kili via the Western Breach. All staff were professional and cared for both the climb and the Safari. I have no hesitation in recommending Iris and team as the only company to travel to Tanzania with.
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience
Our honeymoon was in Tanzania in November 2013. It was split into beaches at Zanzibar and Safari in Tanzania mainland…The safari part was organized by Shadows of Africa and it was beyond amazing. Natasha, owner of Shadows of Africa, has provided us with excellent and prompt support at all stages whether at preparation or during our stay. Also, she helped us with great advices, tips and some arrangements for our other part of stay in Zanzibar, although it was not related to her offer.
It was a 4 days Safari, exploring Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro crater. We have booked Medium accommodation and venues were all perfect, clean and at nice locations with great views. Having at least one night in a tented camp is an experience that we shall not forget and shall not be missed :) Our driver and guide was friendly, attentive and punctual; and we have almost managed to see the big five (the rhino was a bit far away :)). The weather was excellent, however, it was almost end of dry season, so big part of lake manyara was dry and lands were of much less greenery, however, it was still rich of wildlife and we enjoyed our time.
This was ana experience beyond expectations…If you are into wildlife and considering going over there, there is no room for hesitation, just book now :D
20-35 years of age
For natural big animals, Katavi National Park is the best
WILDLIFE
Compared to other Tanzanian National parks exclude Ruaha and Ugalla Game Reserve, Katavi has got very big and attractive animals, actually, when you see them, you'll feel the presence of nature to these animals and how wonderful they are. For example, when you look to an Elephant, it looks huge and giant compared to elephants from another National parks.
SCENERY
Katavi lies on Rukwa or Western rift valley basin, from around the edges of the park there is gentle slopes with heavy natural forest and at the center of the park its plain grass land like 10km square (Estimate) and at the middle there is a beautiful lake known as lake Katavi and Chada where you can sit and enjoy nice view and animals. Therefore the scenery is beautiful.
WEATHER
Katavi is experiencing two seasons, wet season which starts from October to April/May (Hot season) and dry season which starts from May to September. Depends to what events would you like to see, for example if you want to enjoy lots of Hippopotamus and lion, visit lake katavi and Chada during dry season and for nice birds, baboons, giraffe, elephants and buffalo, visit during wet (rain) season.
In short, weather is nice and I haven't heard any problem about weather.
ACCOMMODATION
Starting from Mpanda Town which is near Katavi (40km), there is hotels, lodging and guest houses all of these differ in status and cost.
Inside Katavi National park, there is Hotels, guesthouse, bandas (kind of small houses with one room self contained) and Camping sites.
FOOD
In Katavi there is variety of food, but also you still can take your own food provided that you don't feed to the animals like baboons and chimpanzee.
TRANSPORT
You can access to Katavi National Park by air, if you lodge a private flight, you can land at Mpanda Airport or direct to Katavi National park air strip or use public flight (eg Precission air) from Dar es salaam to Tabora and then catch train or bus to Mpanda from Tabora.
Using road, there is a main road connecting Mikumi, Ruaha and Katavi national parks via Mbeya, Sumbawanga to Katavi and Mpanda. This road at moment is gravel based though at moment there is construction of tarmac road from Mbeya to Katavi and Mpanda then to Kigoma. From Mbeya to Katavi, the road is good in all weather though in some places is a little bit terrible during wet season. From Kigoma to Mpanda, the road is accessible only during dry season untill when the construction of tarmac road is finish.
Alternatively you can catch train or bus from Tabora to Mpanda, or catch a bus from Sumbawanga to Katavi.
In short road transport is accessible and not bad but not reliable just like in other National parks until when the road construction will finish.
GUIDE
Tour and guidance in general is good because the administration is trying to attract more tourists to this place as it was not famous before compared to other National parks though it starts to emerge very quickly after many tourists discovered that Katavi has the best big and natural animals.
Therefore, to me, I recommend that if you want to enjoy for the best animals, go to Katavi National park, you'll feel it!
Saiwa Swamp was yet another glorious experience in an absolutely beautiful country.
As a volunteer with VSO Canada, I had the privilege of living and working in Eldoret, Kenya for six months in 2007. I used this opportunity to visit many regions of Kenya with friends and fellow volunteers from the UK. Kenya is a spectacularly beautiful country whose people I found to be warm and friendly. I would often find myself in discussion with westerners and Kenyans about the country’s tremendous economic potential both as a tourist destination and agriculture producer to feed western Africa. All it would take, of course, is sound financial investment, strong local leadership (and perhaps a leap of faith) – but we may be a generation away from that happening!
I set out with friends from England for the 100 kilometre trip from Eldoret to Barnley’s House, which is situated just outside Kitale. Compared to the road from Nairobi to Eldoret, which is a nightmare to drive, the trip to Kitale was excellent, and the sites along the way stunning. Barnley’s House is an ideal base for exploring Saiwa Swamp and the nearby Cherengani Hills. We had dinner in the old settler's house and slept in very comfortable tent-style accommodation (both pictured).
We spent the next day walking throughout the park. After the frantic pace of city life in Eldoret, the Saiwa Swamp was an oasis of calm and beauty. As with all of the parks I visited, including Lake Nakuru, Kakamega Forest, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria and Mount Kenya, Saiwa Swamp was without the frills that we would normally associate with many western national parks. We followed a dirt pathway around the park and marveled at the vegetation, insects, butterflies and birds. Our guidebook informed us that Saiwa Swamp was established primarily for the protection of the shy Sitatunga, which is an aquatic antelope with splayed feet. We were not disappointed: we caught site of this sometimes-elusive creature as we were preparing to end our hike.
Before returning to Eldoret, we spent the latter part of the day driving and walking through the Cherengani Hills, a spectacular way to end two fabulous days in Western Kenya.
I look forward to a future opportunity to visit this wonderful part of the world.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
By far the best Safari ever !
We planned to go Skiing in Germany but after three days the snow started to melt so we decided to see if we can go on Safari as my wife has never been to Africa. I got in contact with Shadows of Africa and everything was arranged in just two days with all the parks and attractions we wanted to see. Service was perfect, from the first pick-up at the airport back to the drop off after one spectacular week. Our driver was very friendly and most important very knowledgeable, we had a lot of fun during our week.
We even decided to change some accommodations for some days while already on Safari and it was not a problem at all, you can really plan your safari on a budget or as luxury as you want and Shadows of Africa makes sure it will be your best vacation ever.
Natasha is a professional in her field, very focused on customer satisfaction which you will notice once you are picked up and the drivers phone rings to make sure you have been picked-up in time and all it ok, outstanding service.
Thank you Shadows of Africa and our driver Sariko for a wonderful week .... !