CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 Fabulous Days in Ongava / Etosha
My time in Ongava Game Reserve and Etosha was fabulous! Admittedly, this was my first safari so I don't have a point of comparison but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. At Ongava, I liked how the animals were more integrated into the land so the guides had to do some tracking for us to see them. My favourite were the lions since we got to see them hunt (positively primal), play, play fight and do all sorts of high-flying acrobatics when the mother and cubs greeted. Walking with the white rhino was pretty spectacular too. Etosha itself was very different, with animals congregating more so at the watering holes, so it provided a nice contrast. I enjoyed watching the crashes of zebras run, the springbok males locking horns over the females, the innumerable giraffes of all colours from orange-brown to dark brown, seeing oryx, wildebeest, ostrich, etc... Seeing the pan itself was also pretty spectacular. Facilities-wise, Ongava Tented Lodge was beautifully appointed with fabulous food and it's own watering hole where we were able observe white rhino, black rhino, elephant (they had broken in from Etosha the day I arrived), kudu, etc... daily. It does get quite cold in the evenings so definitely bring warm clothing and treasure the hot water bottle that they leave in your bed in the evenings! For photos of my Namibian adventure, click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolyncheng/sets/72157655744210916 (the animals are at the end of the album).
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing once in a lifetime experience, made possible by Joao, Baraja and the Team
We floated a question on a Search Engine requesting for a Tour Operator who could plan a safari for us .Joao picked up our request with such alacrity that left us wondering if he is on the computer all the time! A string of E-mails followed and the rest as they say is history! Within a fortnight our trip was finalised. We landed in Tanzania and were met by Dickson who was to be our Guide for the next 6 days. Not only did we see the Big 5 (Dickson made sure that we did..) but the entire experience of the Trip-be it the Balloon Ride or the Night Safari or the Game drives or the packed lunches or the provision of the Field Glasses, were meticulously planned.All this was possible because of the professionalism of the Team- Joao ,Baraja,Sylvia,Elizabeth et al.Once we moved to Kenya,Patricia and Martin took over to give us an equally enriching experience at Amboseli and Nairobi.The Lodges that had been booked for us were wonderful especially Kibo Lodge in Amboseli.A Big Thank you to the entire Team of "It Started in Africa". Even before we touched down in India, we had started planning for another trip next Year!!!!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Pinar Erc
Serengeti is beautiful to visit but it is quite large. So to spot animals you need time or you need to be lucky. Game drives are a bit tiring but it is all worth it. I would definitely come back and stay more. Wildlife is enchanting.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and excellent host.
Allan thank you for sending some of the photos that you took - what beautiful memories! We've told several people about our safari and have recommended you and your company very highly. We can't imagine having had a better safari experience with anyone else.
Pauline & Jack Seattle WA USA.
2014
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tanzania is an excellent safari destination with lots to be seen.
I visited Tanzania in December 2023 and did a 9 day safari over the Christmas and New Year period. I booked through Doreen Paradise and Wilderness, who were excellent. I was taken on a circuit of the national parks in the north of the country, and had some great wildlife viewing as well as some cultural encounters with the Maasi people.
The only real downside is that a lot of the roads are not metalized and can be rough and corrugated. So driving what can be long distances could be difficult for those with a bad back or similar condition.
Another piece of advice I would offer is always to go with a reputable travel company unless you are very confident of making your own arrangements. The bush in Tanzania is very different from European or North American city life and one could feel very lost without a ready made support network.
But I had a great time and would recommend it highly.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Heaven on earth
The scenery is excellent. Very suitable for safari if you have short time. All land is visible, you can spot lots of animals in a short time. A little bit cold in the rim. It is a must if you are travelling to Tanzania for safari.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Holiday in Zimbabwe: Mana Pools, Hwange and Victoria Falls
We wish to thank Suzanne and Luke so much for organizing our trip in Zimbabwe, for we had a fantastic time walking in the wild, following footprints, running into wild animals, canoing in the upper and lower Zambesi, a.s.o.
The main difference between the experience of the safari in Zimbabwe and other African countries we visited before is that here we have been feeling in the bush more like players rather than onlookers.
It was surprising and adventurous (we had indeed great experiences!!) even though we always felt safe thanks to our skilled guides.
We also wish to thank Suzanne and Luke for taking so good care of us, meeting us at the airport and at the hotel before the departure. We will certainly come back in the near future !
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A beautiful country with complexities that you can feel. Very organized for tourism
My tour operator was Mzansi Experience. Not expensive and really very good. The parks are wonderful and full of animals, it is a very varied landscape. Tourists are welcomed with kindness and attention everywhere. Unfortunately I can't say I've lived the cities, because are described as dangerous, and in hotels they don't recommend walking - even during the day - so I didn't visit either the center of Cape Town or Johannesburg
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The real bush.
I have been to Kruger a good number of times now, but I still remember my first time in 2006. The main thing that stuck with me of that trip was a bit of disappointment. As a kid I always watched nature documenteries on Discovery channel because of that, I kind of expected Kruger to look more like the Serengeti plains, or the Okavango. This fault was purely my own due to a lack of preparation and I would tell this to first-timers. This initial thought might have been a bit negative but it was quickly turned around by all the wildlife we saw. Nothing beats the sense of awe of seeing your first elephant walking next to the car. It became addictive in a way and I have returned many times.
Kruger is the Bush. I have been to other parks but none of them had the same Bush vibe. It can get very crowded in the south of Kruger though. This means car pile-ups and sometimes fighting for a spot to see things. The positive of a lot of cars means a lot of eyes spotting for animals. I have seen many a lion that we probably would have missed if it was just our own car driving. If the south is too crowded, there is always the middle of Kruger. You can easily see the Big Five (hate that name) there in a day if you are lucky, with a few legendary 'cat' roads. Or go to the north, near Shingwedzi or Punda Maria. Beautiful landscape and if you spot an animal, it often is yours as there aren't many other cars around.
About the subject of self-drive tourists: this is definitely a positive to me. I like driving our own car, at our own pace, doing our own thing. Sure, in a gameviewer you are higher up, the drivers have radio communication for good sightings and they get to drive at times when regular tourists can't. It is more of a safari feel for sure, but as an amateur photographer, I prefer to have an own car. Early morning or at night, I won't be able to take good photos anyway. Don't get me wrong, it is fun and a great experience to drive in a gameviewer, but in the end, self-drive has my preference.
The accomodations in Kruger are great. From simple camping sites and tented camps to nice rondavel cottages, and high-end accomodation (which I have never used). There is something for everyone. All camps have some similarities but also their own vibe. There are (expensive) shops, which are great for souvenirs but food is expensive, so bring your own if you can.
Kruger National Park is a big park, and a great one. You can go there on a budget in your own car, with a small tent or you can go with your own decked-out SUV and stay at the luxury housings. You can go to the north for a bit of the 'old-Kruger' feel or go to the south with high densities of animals. Go wherever you want, whenever you want. Go for a quick weekend-trip when you happen to be in the area or stay there for a week, travelling from camp to camp. A holiday within a holiday. Go in the winter when everything is dry for easy viewing, especially at the waterholes, or go in early summer, when everything looks fresh and green, with lots of baby animals running around. Any time of year is a good time to be in Kruger, because you will be in Kruger.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They did what they said they would do THEN exceeded our expectations!
When we started interacting with Bramwel Safaris from Australia, it immediately felt we were dealing with a good friend. Their response to any questions whilst finalising our itinerary was consistently prompt and gave us a lot of confidence.
They exceeded our expectations, not just by what we saw, but how they went about it. Our guide was fabulous and every day showed so much care to ensure we maximised what we saw on each game drive, tried to minimise too much dust engulfing us and was not only very skilled in his knowledge of the wildlife but was very flexible to ensure we achieved our goals. We were also able to learn so much from him, including about the culture in Tanzania.
As enthusiastic photographers, we saw everything we hoped to see then some. For 3 hours we followed and watch enthralled as a cheetah searched for, stalked then successfully hunted for its next meal, just amazing.
Would happily recommend this company but more importantly, use them again.