35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Use to be fantastic for wildlife, now saturated with noisy disrespectful tourists vehicles
I first came to the Masai Mara 13 years ago, where it hooked me for life on wildlife and photography. Subsequent visits over the years, this was the forth, has shown a continuing decline in wildlife and a explosive increase of vehicles and the type of tourist that has little or no respect for the animals or landscape. Every spotting was swamped in minutes and upwards of 40 vehicles corralling the animal. Stressed animals, disrupted hunts and animals forced off rest-ups where common, and the norm. I would be surprised if you saw a hunt these days by any of the much rarer cheetah or leopard.
Parts of the reserve now seem devoid of wildlife, Rhino Ridge, Paradise Plains, Talek river, this was strange to us as these areas have always been good for wildlife. This could be seasonal but our guide, very experienced and many years in the Mara as a guide, indicated that it was rare to bother going over to these areas now unless a migration crossing was happening. So it sounds liked something else is happening to the wildlife. He indicated that a lot of resident wildlife is heading to the surrounding conservancies for a more peaceful life.
The lion population is still very good. Lions being lions spend most of the time sleeping so easier to find, although again if they had cubs they tended to hide much deeper in the bush.
The landscape is still beautiful and with the right timing you can get a vista without the ubiquitous white top safari van marring the view (why can't these trucks be in muted colors that blend?)
One of most my most loved parts of Africa seems to have become a victim of its own success, hopefully more controlled access and a cap on new developments will be implemented soon.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tarangire National Park by Alexia Claudel
Guid not in the mood , we did all in a rush. Couldn’t stop to take pictures.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Alexia Claudel
Crater was nice but since we got a 2,5 hours late because they just hired a last minute free lance guide that was not aware of his mission.we did not went to olduvai i had to stuggle for the refund but i got it.
CI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Mikumi National Park by Kane Fadima
They have 4 out of the BIG 5 and it is difficult to see the lions.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good experience after initial mishap
Day 3 and day 4: We had a good experience at the Mara, our driver Peter Kimani is knowledgeable and made sure we saw everything there was to see.
We received and accepted an apology and awesome complimentary dinner at the Carnivore restaurant, from our booking agent.
My husband and I in the end, are pleased with our overall experience and will consider using Palbina for future travel.
Thanks.
Lucy.
SA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Selous Game Reserve by Mr. Algwaiz
Selous had more animals than Mikumi National Park , and we saw the African wild dogs there.
SA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Mikumi National Park by Mr. Algwaiz
I think the Animals were hiding from us that day.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3 day masai mara
Safari was good but had unexpected and unexplained cost of visit to Masai village. Our guide was knowledgeable but a bit disinterested. Note that vehicle was not 4wd, and got bogged on rough roads in as was during the wet season.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Kaitlin
We had a "poor" day in Lake Manyara in comparison to the rest of our safari days. The scenery was beautiful and felt like a jungle, but it also meant that animals were often hard to see. The flamingos were very far away to the point where you could only see them on the horizon.
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Carmen Morelos
Lake Manyara is beautiful , but i see more monkeys , than any other anímals.