50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacularly wild
Getting to Mountain Zebra National Park by car gives you the impression of so many types of ecosystems in this one small area. Rising up to the plateau, being pursued by baboons coming out of rocky outcrops, the sudden sharp blue enormous sky against steely coloured grasses which hides leopards and zebras, all so beautiful!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by mimtea
Everything was magnificent, and we didn't travel high-end. People were very friendly. The national parks were fantastic places.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
breathtaking location - unforgettable experience
We had our honeymoon in Ulusaba Rock Lodge. It was so phantastic. The rangers, the trackers and the general staff were extremly friendly and helpful 24h a day... It is the right place to relax and enjoy the game.
We will come back!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by kaeppeler
to enjoy the complete Wildlife you need to visit Nambia and Botswana also. Deceleration first class!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a lifetime !
We had no idea what we would expect ! Shamwaris concept is brilliant, because it has something for every taste: Down to earth and very authentic up to modern and luxurious. What we liked most was the small guesthouses where Host and hostess were like family members and everyone sat together for joint meals, listening to the bush adventures our host contributed. The meals where very good and authentic, cooked by local staff under the guidance of our hostess - very very tasty. The rooms where very spacious with excellent equipment and bathrooms of international high standard.
The scenery is breathtaking and our guide - which was our host - was an absolute expert and showed us exceptional things, explained in detail, answered all questions and fulfilled all wishes of what animals to be watched. We spent three days and nights and would have loved to stay on, but were exhausted from all the impressions we gathered. Three days is a perfect duration for a stay, anything else is too short. We have made very many international trips of all kinds - but this was and still is the best ever - and one we will certainly repeat !
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by maudcorinna
It's the diversity that you find in this big country that makes it so interesting !
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by seltzca
You can't beat Ngorongoro for the sheer density of large mammals. That also includes humans. Tourist vehicles are everywhere. You just have to go in expecting to see a lot of people in addition to the wildlife.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tarangire National Park by seltzca
We would have loved to spend more time in Tarangire. We encountered fewer vehicles and had great opportunities to watch elephants and meerkats for an extended time without much disturbance.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by seltzca
We had spectacular elephant encounters at Lake Manyara and didn't leave the park until we absolutely had to. That said, it's very popular so you often see other tourists.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing chimpanzee encounters- where Jane Goodall started it all!
I have wanted to visit Gombe ever since I read one of (and then the rest of) Jane Goodall's books years ago. It was a dream come true to visit the place where she started studying the chimpanzees more than 50 years ago.
I can see why she stayed- Gombe is beautiful! The mountains meet Lake Tanganyika's shores in Gombe and there are several streams and waterfalls. Views from the peaks above the lake are spectacular. When it's clear you can see the mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo across the lake.
If you stay at Gombe for 2 days you are practically guaranteed to see a chimpanzee. Sometimes they hang out near the camp, but seeing them in the bush is even more exciting. We saw a group in camp the first morning and a larger group on the forest where there was a lot of social activity going on. Your guide will be sure to tell you how to behave for the best chimp-viewing experience.
One of the other highlights for me was swimming in Lake Tanganyika. It's one of the largest and oldest lakes in the world. The temperature was perfect and the water was beautifully clear.
Gombe is small (in fact, the smallest of Tanzania's national parks) but remote. You'll have to take a boat from Kigoma to Gombe (the only other option is to walk!). Kigoma has an airport with several regional flights each day but the town is smaller than I expected.
I stayed at the self-catering hostel which was basic but not primitive. All buildings in Gombe need to be chimpanzee- and baboon-proof so it can't be too rustic! I would have stayed longer than 2 days if I could and I would absolutely love to return.