NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the most beautiful countries in the world
We did a nice roadtrip from Johannesburg, towards Graskop, Kruger and back. From OR Tambo to Graskop was a really nice road, especially the last part up to Sabie and the Panoramaroute. Those scenics where really beautiful. When arrived in Graskop we went up to Blyde Canyon River over the Panoramaroute and that's really one of the most beautiful views that I've ever seen.
Then we moved towards Kruger, entered through Phabeni Gate and stayed for a couple of nights in Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Skukuza Rest Camp. A really nice park with good tarmac roads, but also enough gravel roads to make it feel more like a safari. We saw the whole big five, so we were quite lucky with that. The leopard was the hardest sighting, but we managed to see two of them. Lots of buffalos and elephants, also plenty of lions and we saw about 9 rhinos. But we were also lucky with other rare sightings like Nyala, Sable Antelope and some really young hyena cubs. Also so many birds, really nice to see so many different species.
We left through the south and stayed for one night in Marloth Park, which is a really nice spot if you want to be outside Kruger but still be very close to the park. We finished our stay in Johannesburg with just a relaxing day at the hotel as we didn't feel the need to go out there in the city as it didn't feel the safest to do.
The food we had was amazing, so much good meat but also some of the South African menus were really nice. The weather was perfect, about 30-35 degrees in Kruger and 24 back in Johannesburg. Really good for a nice holiday!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent location for safari in dry season (September), especially using Lion Rider Safaris.
Best safari vacation ever during September dry season with Lion Rider Safaris and guide Mule Johnson made it exceptional. No bugs, great food, great facilities, huge number of animals. We did Mara Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park, and Crescent Island. All great and different. Included tour of Masai village by king’s son and danced with them.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Another landscape around the corner with so many animals
It was our first experience in Kruger NP and we really wanted to see the Big Five, that was our main goal. We entered through Phabeni Gate on our way through Skukuza. We stayed in the Kruger Safari Lodge, where the staff was really friendly and helpful. Also Skukuza was a nice rest camp with some nice restaurants, we ate at the Cattle Baron and at the restaurant in the Skukuza Safari Lodge, both were really nice. The Cattle Baron had a lot of choice, including some South African specialities.
On one day we had a private tour with Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris, which we can highly recommend. The guide knew the park like it's pocket and knew where we could find rhinos, but also had some good tips to spot leopards.
We managed to see all big five, there were so many elephants and buffalos, especially near the bigger waterholes. Also a lot of lions in the southern part of the park (below Tshokwane). We didn't move further up than Tshokwane.
The views were beautiful, around every corner you have another landscape which makes it so beautiful. It's a very good park for self-drive safaris as lots of the other drivers wants to share information about their sightings.
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Lay Chin Wan
Forest more dense so we saw less animals, it was our last stop
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Lay Chin Wan
We saw a lot in Central Serengeti and witness the wilderbeest migration
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Lay Chin Wan
First day of our trip and we saw cheetah with his prey, amazing
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Amboseli National Park by John William Carlson
Best elephant and giraffe viewing.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by John William Carlson
Best for lions, rhinos, hyenas, and flamingos.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by John William Carlson
Best for hippos, crocodiles, zebras, wildebeest, lions, cheetahs, and leopard.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari was an incredible experience made absolutely perfect by Cluster Leaf!
We took a 3 day, 2 night safari to Etosha National Park with Taedza Mtambanengwe (Mr. T) & Cluster Leaf safaris in May 2024. We were traveling from the USA with our newly 6 year old and knew that we would need to work with a company & guide who was able to accommodate our family so that it was a positive and pleasant experience for all of us. Cluster Leaf absolutely came through to make it a perfect, seamless trip & memorable trip!
The communication ahead of time was timely, efficient & easy. We opted for an all-in experience where we were picked up in Windhoek, driven to Etosha, had all accommodations & meals covered and we are SO glad we did! The price was incredibly reasonable and well worth the value we received. It was the best feeling to not have to worry about where to stop, how to get somewhere, where to find gas, how to navigate the park, etc. We loved that it was just our family & our guide, Mr. T. He knew where the good food was, where to stop for clean bathrooms & we had the nicest time learning more about Namibia on our drive. There were SO many things that we would not have learned or seen had we been on our own. Mr. T spotted so many animals that we would have 100% missed! He also has a fantastic network within the park and was able to get great tips from other guides and park rangers so he knew where to take us to see the animals. It's very clear that he is well respected at the park amongst his peers & staff.
Our animal sightings were incredible! We knew that animals sightings are never a given, but we had the combination of an experienced and knowledgable guide plus some good luck. We saw elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, rhinos, honey badger and so many others! Mr. T was great at pointing out & identifying birds, which we would have never thought to even look for!
All in all, we can't say enough good about Cluster Leaf. Mr. T was so kind and patient answering our sons millions of questions, offering his extensive knowledge about Namibia and Etosha, and generally just being a really awesome person to spend time with. We all talk about our trip fondly & it was all because of our decision to work with Cluster Leaf.
