Mala Mala, Superb accommodation, superb wildlife sightings
It's always difficult to know just how lucky with wildlife sighting you've been on a trip when compared to those who've come before you but on this occasion we must have been very lucky indeed! As a location for leopards Mala Mala is unrivalled in our experience and we've visited a large part of Africa over the years. The accommodation was excellent as was the food and general service. As very keen wildlife photographers we are always reliant on the expertise of the local rangers, we never have enough time anywhere we go and need the rangers to get us to the optimum locations for photography. They know their area whereas we don't and in this respect they are an invaluable source of the local information every photographer needs. Mala Mala has some of the best rangers we have come across and hopefully our photographs did them justice. We would have no hesitation in recommending Mala Mala as a safari destination not just for leopards but for game photography in general including significant numbers of birds.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dream coming true Gorilla interaction experience
We planned this trip around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain - Gorillas and was expecting wet weather and muddy dirt roads and slippery hike thru the undergrowth. The Torrential rains was not disappointing the day before the hike - I was drenched within 2-3 meter when running from the reception to the bungalow - but the next morning we experience a road that was partially washed away with mudslides that covered a 60-75% of the road on the uphill side of the road and cave in scenarios on the down hill side of the road - Needless to say that it was not impossible to uncontrolled heading down hill if it was not for our experienced Driver ( Tolbert from Encounter Arica Safari's ) with the permanent 4 x 4 Hi- Ace bus that take us up ( slipping and sliding) to the mountains thru washed away and blocked roads (tree fell a crossed the road)at some places. The scenery up there was breath taking and the hardworking local villagers plowing the lands with picks i must say was an eye opener for me--(I couldn't believe that all those lands was not work with the aid of tractors and farming implements)
The weather was playing along and we had a perfect day trekking the Gorillas . Even the Gorillas played along and we did found the with a hour and a half since we started the long trek downhill ( I must say another bonus for me--at the age of 58 this is not a joke to trek thru thick undergrowth vegetation with hooks and thorns) -- but I'm not complaining - I was enjoying every minute of it even when I dropped down a washed away hole in the pathway the tracker indicated to us. Then we got our first glimpse of the mountain gorillas in the distance --about 300meter away. I must say the silence was overwhelming and the only thing we hear was the cracking of the boots and clothing against the undergrowth. as we move forward towards the gorillas. We spend the allowed 1 hour in their midst. We were surrounded by 16 Gorillas - 2 x silverbacks, youngsters. 2 x babies and females. Soft whispers and the clicking sound of the cameras as the picture were taken from the group could be clearly heard as the gorillas was in front, left and right next to us, behind and above us . And to soon the hour was up and we had to move on. This was also an experience and a half -- we basically move back at an angle varying from 45º to 75º to the road where our transport will collect us. Now nearly dead when we reached the road . I was puffing, heaving and my heart was beating about 2 feet above my head and this is where i realized why they called it a rain forest-- The sweat was raining from my head.
The food was also very nice especially the fruit - Sweet and very fruity.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve by Shannon
Semliki is great for birding but lacks an abundance of other wildlife. We saw lots of birds, antelope, warthogs, monkeys and buffalo but not much else. There are a few elephants and chimpanzee but they are not always easy to find. The foothills of the Rwenzoris above the savanna was pretty gorgeous.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Murchison Falls National Park by Shannon
Of all of the parks I've been to in Uganda, Murchison is the best. A huge variety of animals and options of activities. I went on the Red Chilli tour and had a great time.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Mburo National Park by Shannon
Lake Mburo has what most other parks in Uganda lack: Zebras. You can walk and hike but hundreds of zebras it is pretty incredible.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by Shannon
I didn't have money for the gorilla trekking but decided to go to Bwindi for hiking. Even without trekking gorillas I had a great time in the park. It is gorgeous.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth
I spent one day and one night in Queen Elizabeth and did the game drive in Inshasha and one in the north of the park. The scenery was good especially in the south of the park. We saw lots of animals including several close encounters with elephants. Sadly no lions though. I drove my personal car but we picked up an UWA ranger for the game drive. I'm glad we did since he knew the best places to stop which I would have likely passed otherwise. We stayed overnight @theRiver which I definitely recommend. Good food and accommodation. There were not many other tourists around so it felt like we had a lot of the park to ourselves. I went in February which is the dry season and was a nice climate.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by JoCo Knoop
Best safari location with most sightings I have ever been to.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by JoCo Knoop
Best safari location with most sightings I have ever been to.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best safari location ever!
We booked our flights from the Netherlands ourselves and traveled with a private guide, Augustin Adventures (excellent!). Serengeti was the highlight of our Holiday. You see so many animals and have a much closer feel to nature than in other parks in Africa. There is a great variety in scenery, and the quantity of animal sighting is unbelievable! If you love this kind of holiday, Serengeti is a must! Be convinced by my photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joco_knoop/sets/72157642333540703/
