US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Together with the Serengeti It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers
I had been to Tanzania 3 times and Kenya twice. Every trip is different depending on the time of year and the climate. The best time to visit the crater is March-April with the start of the rainy season. With the rain the grass becomes lush and green attracting herbivores, and they are followed by carnivores.
My last trip was in March 2015, and it was the best. Although it was dry and dusty, the wildlife was plentiful and more variety. The Ndutu lodge was wonderful and the safari vehicles with the guides and drivers were always helpful.
Ngorongoro crater is truly one of the gems of Africa. Together with the Serengeti National park It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers. It is a large volcanic caldera created by a super volcanic explosion 2.5 million years ago. The original volcano is estimated to have been about 5000 metres (19,000 feet) high. After the explosion it collapsed on itself and the floor of the crater now is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep. Its floor area is massive covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). The crater floor is mostly open grassland with two small wooded areas dominated by Acacia trees. The area became a Unesco world Heritage site in 1979.
The main source of water is rain in the rainy season and numerous springs that feed a lake. Last year was unusually dry and dusty but there was a large variety of animals present. The crater was home to a healthy resident population of lions. I photographed elephants, hartebeest, hyenas, wildebeest and zebra. Cape Buffalo, eland and Thomson’s gazelle. The buffalo population has increased greatly as well as zebras, waterbucks, black rhinoceros, jackals, hippopotamus, Serval cats. The crater has many species of birds such as flamingoes, eagles, owls, weaver birds, cormorants, ibis and other water birds.
I was comfortable in safari vehicles with elevated roofs to allow photography. I stabilized the camera with a been bag, supplied by the guides. Accommodation was in a lodge on the rim. I found it clean and comfortable with a beautiful view; a good service and Western style food was provided. The staff, drivers and guides are friendly and always willing to please.
Together with the Serengeti park Ngorongoro is a must see for photographers and safari travelers
My last trip was in March 2015, and it was the best. Although it was dry and dusty, the wildlife was plentiful and more variety. The lodge was wonderful and the safari vehicles with the guides and drivers were always helpful.
Ngorongoro crater is truly one of the gems of Africa. Together with the Serengeti National park It is a must see for photographers and safari travelers. It is a large volcanic caldera created by a super volcanic explosion 2.5 million years ago. The original volcano is estimated to have been about 5000 metres (19,000 feet) high. After the explosion it collapsed on itself and the floor of the crater now is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep. Its floor area is massive covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). The crater floor is mostly open grassland with two small wooded areas dominated by Acacia trees. The area became a Unesco world Heritage site in 1979.
The main source of water is rain in the rainy season and numerous springs that feed a lake. Because of the variety of animals present, the Ngorongoro Crater is a well known tourist attraction. It is home to a healthy resident population of most species of wildlife. particularly strong cheetah and lion populations. I photographed elephants, hartebeest, hyenas, wildebeest and zebra. Cape Buffalo, eland and Thomson’s gazelle. The buffalo population has increased greatly as well as zebras, waterbucks, black rhinoceros, jackals, hippopotamus, Serval cats. The crater has many species of birds such as flamingoes, eagles, owls, weaver birds, cormorants, ibis and other water birds.
I was comfortable in safari vehicles with elevated roofs to allow photography. Accommodation in the crater is widely available on the rim of the crater. Lodges, hotels and tented camps with private facilities dot the rim. They are clean, comfortable; a good service and Western style food is usually provided. The staff, drivers and guides are friendly and always willing to please.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tanzania by Rick Engel
We enjoyed both Kenya and Tanzania. Of the 2, Tanzania seemed a bit more friendly and safe, but by the same token, there were fewer people in the Kenyan parks. As well, in January/February, Tanzania was not as dry as Kenya.
NL
good wildlife, kind People, stunning views
Climate is great (not too Hot). People are kind. Not too crowded with turists. Abundant wildlife. Great variety in accommodation.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari, absolutely wonderful holiday
We are just back from our honeymoon in South Africa. We arrived at King Shaka airport, Durban and headed for the Bidvest car rental agency. The process was easy and stress free and we were soon on route to Lalaria Lodge, Salt Rock.
The guest house was amazing, lovely gated accommodation with amazing views from the terrace over the Indian Ocean. The room was lovely with a sliding door out to the pool area. We stayed one night before setting off on the 4 hour drive to Makuze Falls Private Game Reserve.
If we had been wowed the first night then Makuze Falls Game Reserve wowed us even more. A beautiful complex in traditional Zulu style set in the bush just an unfenced step away from the wild animals. The game drives were amazing. With Jonathan our driver and guide, and Elliott our spotter (I was determined to spot something he hadn't - he was amazing!) we set of on a really comfortable and well equipped open Toyota Jeep. We saw a pride of lions on our first drive, no further that 10 m from us, lazing in the sun after a kill. Then it was Buffalo, Zebra, Elephants, Croc's, Warthogs and Giraffe, not to mention the antelope, birds and spiders. On each drive we stopped and had some hospitality- Biltong and drinks in afternoon and Tea, coffee and snacks morning drive at 7am. When we arrived back from the first afternoon drive around 6pm, we found a bottle of Champagne, flowers on the four poster bed, and a hot bath (again with beautiful flowers floating on the bubbles). All in all, the whole safari experience was amazing, the surroundings and staff at Makuze were absolutely brilliant.
After 3 days of game drives, we drove 4 hours to Canelands Beach and Spa Resort, Salt Rock. A very clean, airy but modern building. The ocean view room offered the most amazing views of the beach and ocean literally 50m away. The location was lovely but there were one or two things that let our stay down. The main problem was that our room (room 4) was above the open plan lounge, reception and were the coffee machine was. Every morning at 6.45am we were woken by staff making tea and coffee. I've never noticed how much noise real coffee machines make before. The stairs to our room was also open plan, not closed in, so it sounded as if they were actually making coffee in our room. The other problem was two couples that had young children who allowed them to play football amongst the tables whilst other guests were having breakfast or sitting having a drink. They did nothing even when the ball hit people eating breakfast.
Other than that, Canelands was a lovely spot as close to the ocean you could get. The staff were really good and friendly.
All in all, I would recommend Lalaria Lodge and Makuze Falls Private Game Reserve and say 11 out of 10, Canelands an 7.5 out of 10.
Go2Africa's Rikke Williams was brilliant from start to finish with advice and timely emails, she dealt with my initial doubts about the safety aspect of holidaying in SA.. thank you Rikki for a wonderful itinery.
Great Experience with ZGH
We worked with Nick and William and they were both incredibly informative and helpful. They booked and organized our safari package and ground transfer and were even available last minute when we had some unrelated transportation issues in-country. They made everything much easier and both were a pleasure to work with over email.
Would definitely recommend!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Trip
This company has very knowledgeable drivers, beautiful views of animals and nature and the expectations were exceeded. The tour was about 3 and a half hours the first day and then we had an all day tour from 11-5 which was so much fun. I came with a group of college students and we all were amazed at how wonderful everything was. No complaints here!
My trip
The goods points of my trip with Flash Mc Tours are that the company was able to accommodate my needs in terms of price and schedule. The guide/driver was very solicited and we were able to see various animals in Amboseli as well as visit the Masai village. The lodge was also good and the staff very friendly. The points that could be improved are punctuality (the car was 2h late to pick me up in the airport and we missed the first day game as we arrived very late in Amboseli, which was compensated later). The car also needed regular maintenance.
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Full of comfort, relaxing and its where we experienced great amazing journeys and tours
Back Packers Safaris have superb communications, excellent handling of clients. Truly our expectations were met and even more than we thought. The passion they have is wonderful.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Easter break in Tanzania
This was our third trip to Tanzania after 7 years and we wanted to experience a safari in the green season. We did get stuck a few times for a short while and found it difficult to cross the serengeti river. Apart from the small weather related issues we found the trip well organised and I was pleasantly surprised that the lodge chefs were alerted about my food allergies and made alternatives.