SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nepeleke Africa -- Amazing Family Safari with Exceptional Guide
Our family traveled on Safari in Tanzania with Lazaro Karashi of Nipeleke Afrika and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The trip exceeded all our expectations in terms of the wildlife we were able to view, the incredible knowledge of the guide, the comfort of the accommodations, the delicious food, and the opportunity to spend time in several primary schools.
We visited five national parks on our safari: Arusha NP; Taringire NP; Serengeti NP; Lake Manyara NP; and Ngorongoro NP. Each has its own magic and unique wildlife. We stayed three nights in a tent camp in the Serengeti, which is money well spent as you are able to spend a lot of time viewing the animals -- even from your tent!
Our guide and driver, Lazaro Karashi is an encyclopedia of Tanzanian wildlife, especially the amazing and numerous birds. He would notice an animal off in the distance while driving, stop the jeep to peer thru his binoculars, and then quietly turn to us to point out the leopard or lion or cheetah that he had found in the distance. Our group included a very avid bird watcher and as a result we saw many, many, many birds. And again, Karashi identified them all, from the largest Marabou Stork to the tiniest fly catcher.
We had programmed a day of rest into our trip, which permitted us time to relax after the gravel roads and dust of the previous 6 days (especially important for the 80+ year old and the 11 year old in our group). On our rest day, we visited a local market and purchased staples to bring to one of the local orphanages that Karashi has a long-term relationship. This gave both us and our children the chance to see another reality in Tanzania, to appreciate what we have, and to reflect upon the capricious nature of our lives.
We would recommend Nipeleke Afrika without reservation. They are wise, honest, wonderful people. We look forward to traveling with them again.
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!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a fantastic time!
We loved all the camps and the game drives and saw so many great things. Each area was slightly different which kept it interesting. We saw all the big 5, the ugly 5, most of the small 5 and a few other groups of 5 that we made up ourselves. We loved the private bush dinner for our anniversary and the cake for Brendan’s birthday. I think he was very surprised and touched. We did our hot air balloon ride which was magical (although I forgot to mention I am afraid of heights!).
Our only disappointment was not for us, but for the camp operators and staff, because even though it was low season there was practically no one at the camps! We were the only guests and at a couple of the camps due to the freak-out over the Ebola crisis. So sad that people are misinformed as you are probably aware. I am now telling everyone that they shouldn’t be scared and they should go. So all in all it was great and I still have post-holiday blues. I am now thinking maybe we will go to Tanzania next time and make sure we see the migration so I will let you know!
Thanks for all your help and organising, it was superb and I will definitely seek your advice for future trips.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip with an amazing team
I travelled through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe with Jobovic, an had a thoroughly brilliant time.
As a single traveller, I was a little apprehensive about taking on such a trip, but the team quickly put me at my ease, and made sure that I had everything I needed.
The truck journeys were great fun, with excellent local commentary and plenty of stops not only for comfort breaks and refreshments, but also to spot wildlife, see great viewpoints, and generally experience life in Africa.
Once at camp, we were served great food (with plenty for second and third helpings!), I particularly liked the grilled meats and salads, but we certainly were kept well fuelled for our adventures.
The team made sure that we didn't miss a moment of the sights around us, and really made the tour perfect in every way - thank you!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania has definitely stolen my heart. For sure I will return!
My daughter and I booked a safari through Kasaka Tours to Mikumi Park, starting from Dar. It was a great experience! The drive to the park is long and with very busy traffic but our driver Peter took so good care of us and was an excellent driver. We felt safe. The experience in the park was so incredible fantastic! It almost seemed as we were the only jeep on the stretched plains. Peter knew exactly where to go to see all these beautiful animals as the lion, elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalos, monkeys and many impalas and so many more. The drinking pools were outstanding where all animals gathered at sunset. Our stay in Camp Bastian was like a fairytale. Beautiful. We also did the hike in Unzwanga National Park to Tanzania’s highest waterfall. A lovely hike up hill, but really good to do in the shadow of the immense trees. Nice guides who carried our lunch
Heaven on Earth!
What a special place, doing special work! Wildlife was diverse, abundant and showed many natural behaviors. Not touristy nor overcrowded--a plus. Fantastic accommodations and the guides were phenomenal. Highlight--giraffe and zebra being "shooed" off dirt airstrip as we landed.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We found Kenya a friendly welcoming country with incredible geographical diversity.
Our experience was incredible, we went from a vibrant cosmopolitan city to plains ravaged by drought to lush mountains and brilliant lakes. The people we encountered were very friendly and welcoming.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great days in tanzania and sansibar
we spent three wonderful weeks in serengeti, ngorongoro crater, tarangire and lake manyara park. it was a beautiful trip, good lodges, everything well organized and we wre very lucky with our driver/guide, Inock, who was a very friendly person who knew a lot about animals, plants, landscapes. thanks to him we saw all the animals, he was excellent.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a wonderful experience, just what we were looking for.
I searched the internet for a tour that would give the best chance of seeing all African Big 5 animals. After contacting several tour groups in Tanzania, African Big Cats Safaris responded promptly with a private, 14-day tour plan, modified to fit our specific needs, that would visit 5 National Parks, including multiple days on the Serengeti. We were amazed at the abundance of animals, including all Big 5: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and black rhinos. We saw countless zebras and wildebeests in migration, plus baboons, impalas, gazelles, even cheetahs pursuing zebras, and a host of birds. It was a wonderful sight to behold. Our accommodations were very good, including several days in a tent sided lodge allowing us to hear sounds of the animals at night. African food was good with abundant fresh fruit and vegetables. Our tour guide was the best. He was able to spot the more elusive animals that we would have missed by ourselves, and answered all our questions. We were always allowed ample time to take pictures and enjoy observing the animals in their native setting. We also visited several native tribes to get a feel of their culture and how they had survived from ancient times. We participated in nature walks and hunting expeditions with native guides who displayed remarkable skill with spears and bow and arrows. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone who loves adventure and would like to see exotic animals in their native habitat. African Big Cats safari did a great job in providing our trip.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
our trip to Tanzania
We only had limited time, 2 days, and we had extensive email correspondence with Dima about six months earlier when he gave us all answers to our many questions. We took his advice about where to go, where to stay and he took care of all the many details, airport transfers etc. Everything went like clockwork, and it was excited journey. Would recommend Altezza to everyone.
Our driver was friendly, helpful and reliable.