20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lions in camp and a blanket of stars!
Upon arrival in the early mornings at the Khutse gate, we were greeted by friendly staff that assisted us with a prompt check in, advised us on which roads to travel to camp and shared some more vital information with us. The staff also helped us to fill our offroad trailer's water tanks with water to be used for showering. Note - this water is not suitable for drink water, you need to bring your own drinking water, approximately 2.5l per person per day.
As we set off into the park from the gate, we were amazed at how green and lush the bush is, not quite typical Kalahari. The roads were sandy and require a 4x4, but even a novice would be able to traverse the terrain. We deflated our tires to about 1.6 bar to deal with the loose thick sand even better. The centre of the roads is quite high, so a high clearance vehicle is highly recommended. A normal SUV would struggle and will be scraping the under belly of the car.
Accommodation was exactly what we expected, a huge camp site all to ourselves with plenty of space to pitch at least 4 big tents. Shade for all the tents will not always be available, so my advise would be to camp here in the winter times. The closest neighboring camp site was at least 200m away - you really don't see much other people and you really feel as if you are completely alone in the bush, this made our trip very special.
The only facilities at the camp sites is a long drop toilet (pit toilet) and a bucket shower. As mentioned before, you need to bring your own water for the bucket shower; we used about 5l of water to shower every day. You also have a braai area, but you have to bring your own braai grid. In a nut shell, you need to be fully self sufficient. If you are a novice offroader / camper, I would advise not to travel alone as a few days may pass before someone passes you.
The nights were amazing; the amount of stars you see here at night is absolutely amazing! We took a few star trail photos and Milky Way photos - never have I taken photos with so many stars in them!
As we were at the park after an exceptional rainy season, there weren't many animals around. We saw a few small herds of springbok, gemsbok and hartebeest. We also only saw lion the first afternoon and never again. The lions did visit our camp the first night, so always be vigilant of what may be lurking around your camp site.
It is advisable to wash away all your dishes, pack away our rubbish, close all food containers and pack everything away completely every night as this may attract lions into your camp. As romantic as that may sound, these lions are wild and you do not want a dangerous situation on your hands. Also, DO NOT put any food with you in your tent - again you don't want to attract a lions to where you sleep... Even if you leave camp during the day, pack your rubbish and food away - jackals may just raid your camp.
Overall Khutse was a great experience and I would definitely visit this park again. For the photographer in me this wasn't the best place for doing Wildlife Photography, but to get away from it all and experience solitude - this is the place to be!!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Terrible
On the fourth day, when we came away from the masi mara I saw that the driver did not come out of the gate by which we entered, he made a very long ride in the mountains, at least three times the way he should have done, we lost a lot of time .
In the middle of the road told us if we could come up with the wife, we said that was fine.
At one point it was stopped at a checkpoint of the tickets, gave our ticket to the ranger and the driver did not wait for the ranger give back the ticket, he left very quickly.
After about 20 minutes by road stopped in a village and came down from the bus.
While we waited Jackson arrived a ranger and when jacksone back talked a bit with him, then the ranger climbed on the bus with us and made us go back to the point of checking tickets. I asked what the problem was and the ranger said he had to ask questions to Jackson.
the driver came down and it was a long time talking in the office.
While we waited, the ranger came up to me and my wife and asked us how many game drive we did.
I said the truth, 5 game drive, the ranger was surprised and asked me to explain when we made them. I explained what days we did the 5 gamedrive, the ranger asked me how many nights we slept all'Ashnil and I put 3 nights.
At this point, Jackson has returned very angry and menacing tone told me that I had not done as he had said, to say only one day.
I understood that the problem was in the park tickets and I put that I have paid for 3 nights and that was his problem.
The driver is back with the ranger's office and after a while came back and we left.
We lost a lot of time, my wife and I were very scared and did not know what to do. We had lost all faith in Jackson and we wanted to come down and let us return to Nairobi by a taxi.
We decided to continue because the driver was calmer, he drove very fast to recover the lost time.
At Lake Nakuru did his wife get off the bus and arrived at the park after 17.00
It 'was a very bad experience, my wife and I have had a lot of fear and we have lost all faith. We lost a day of safari. We had to get to lake nakuru for lunch and we arrived in the evening before sunset. There you have cheated and deceived.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memorable trip
Although Tanzania is a long haul destination for us this was truely worth the gruelling 14 hours. Overall the trip was well planned with a real diversity of terrain and every night at a different lodge in a different park was a welcomed experience. I took thousands of photos and look forward to planning any future trips to Africa with Safarihub.
Could have stayed for another week or two.
Missed the leopard and we knew there was no lion. Had very up close and personal time with Elephants, Cheetah, Buffalo, Wart Hogs, Zebra, Giraffe, Hippo's, various impala, Salt water and fresh water crocks, wildebeest, dodgers, a puff adder, a boa and great birds. Plenty of local color. Reasonable food, entertaining guides. Took side trips to Santa Lucia, and very up scale neighboring park. Learned lots, met good people and had a lot of fun. Food was so-so (typical for S. Africa). Nice weather every day, but got a little cool at night. Two trips a day. Am going back in 2016, just bought my trip. Will stay in the lodge in the park this time.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kilimanjaro day tour
I went on a Kilimanjaro day tour with barafu tours & safaris and I had the best moment ever! I recommend this company as I was handled very professionally and it wasn't about the money. They made sure that all my questions were answered and I am looking forward to go up to the summit end of this year and I will definitely go with barafu tours & safaris. I highly recommend it!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our Second trip with Safarihub
After seeing the Northern circuit in 2013 we returned just as promised to explore the infamous Southern circuit and its raw Safari appeal. Manish was instrumental in assisting us to make the right decisions when selecting lodges and activities. It was a very interesting trip and much less commercial in comparison to the North. More wildlife and less of us humans gave it a real alone in the jungle feel. We will be back for the Western circuit….soon. Thanks.
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.
UY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Service
Our tour leader Roger was top class with a great sense of humor, needed to keep our mind off some of the bumpy roads. The lodges chosen in our itinerary were in great locations my favourite being the Pioneer Camp in Serengeti - The candle lit dinner was fab. The vehicle used was comfortable and I was glad to have a power socket to charge my camera and phone. I used her tracker to follow the migration path and the driver was kind enough to explore new roads so that we could get close to the massive herd. We saw the lions on the Serengti lion rocks, the rhinos in the crater, the big elephants in the tarangire river and an elusive leopard in manyara.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We enjoyed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
We travelled to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , which as number of gorilla families for gorilla trekking , We used Gorilla Tour Booking Safaris to book a safari to Uganda the company provided us a guide who was superb in a number of ways he was well informed about the wildlife history and geography of Uganda. Since this was our first safaris we were asking a lot of questions concerning gorillas, national parks and Uganda as a Country.
We loved Bwindi National Park, the hospitality, accommodation, food and drink was excellent.
Thank you Gorilla tour booking safaris team for a very professional service provided
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great and very professional
I used spot Kenya Safaris to organize a safari for guests who were coming to Kenya for my wedding. They were very easy to work with and completely professional. My guests all enjoyed the safari and had a wonderful experience.