Review about Katavi National Park by nilsrinaldi
Also a remote park, Katavi was fantastic, with its small river along which wildlife was concentrating. Well-known for its hippos and crocs.
Review about Ruaha National Park by nilsrinaldi
Closer to Dar, this is a better-known park, with also plenty of wildlife. Big cats often spotted.
35-50 years of age
Bush, beach and wide open river - a perfect combination
Saadani was the first time I'd experienced a real safari. I'd been to Tanzania before and was bewitched by the place, but I hadn't actually made it properly out into the bush on the first visit. This time, it was going to be different.
The park had recently been upgraded from a Game Reserve at the time, so wasn't very developed as a destination. However, that made for perfect conditions.
The road in was clearly under water during the rainy season, but we arrived at a time that it was passable, finding our way by buffalo skull signposts. The lodge that awaited us was set in the bush and very welcoming, stylish and comfortable without being ostentatious, and the huts we stayed at were set on the beach. Having arrived in from Tokyo, the wafting breeze of the Indian Ocean and a long sandy beach with no-one else on it was the perfect tonic. Apparently, elephants would sometimes come down and frolic in the surf.
If there was anything I could have changed about the visit, I'd have drunk a little less in the evenings and awoken at the crack of dawn to get a better look at the wildlife. With fine food and hospitality, this was a difficult thing to do! However, given that most of the animals try and stay out of the sun in the heat of the day, we saw plenty. It's always going to be difficult for a giraffe to hide much.
What was the best thing about it? The ability to combine a bush safari, a river safari and a beach holiday all in one place. Would I go to Saadani again? If only I could!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about South Africa by ~lustedtowander~
Go to Addo for the wildlife viewing in a sublime landscape. Much of the main viewing area is fenced and the roads paved, which limits the 'bush' vibe. But we never experienced the swarms of vehicles one might see in Kruger National Park.
US
35-50 years of age
The Most Diverse National Park in South Africa
Addo is a triumph of conservation. Elephants were nearly exterminated in the early 1900's, with only 11 remaining when the area was preserved as a National Park. 80 years later, we saw elephants in abundance. South Africa is working to establish one mega park, extending a wildlife corridor from Volkert's River to the ocean. Thus, the photographic opportunities are fabulous, due to the diversity of landscape. In one sublime safari, you can experience grasslands, mountains and ocean. We drive a Land Rover Defender on our safari, but the park could easily be traversed in a salon car.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Augrabies Falls National Park by ~lustedtowander~
Stunning landscape!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Mountain Zebra National Park by ~lustedtowander~
The best kept secret amongst South Africa's national parks.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Golden Gate Highlands National Park by ~lustedtowander~
Excellent hiking destination.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Pilanesberg Game Reserve by ~lustedtowander~
In my opinion Pilanesberg is too small to accommodate the number of people who go there.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by ~lustedtowander~
Wildlife is difficult to spot, due to the dense vegetation. But low visitor numbers and lovely landscapes make it a very pleasant experience