20-35 years of age
Gorilla Tracking Day at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The day started very early at our campsite on the border of Bwindi Forest. Around 4am we were guided towards one of these Toyota people carriers, Hiace. Not very comfortable, but heey, it was only going to last for 1 hour or so. The reason we needed transportation is that the Gorillaclan we were tracking (something you don't decide yourself, you get assigned to a group of Gorilla's) were on the North-Western side of the Forest (close to the Entrance Gate) and we were lodged on the South-Western side. The name of the clan we were about to meet was Nkuringo.
Now, the forest is only about 10K wide and the quickest way around was clearly through DRC, this being far too dangerous and the forest being "impenetrable" (a 6 hour hike), we had no other option then to go all the way round in what later became known as the "torture Toyota". All the way around a park which is an estimated 20K wide, couldn't take much longer than 1, maybe 2 hours. So after 3 hours of incredibly windy and headbashing dirt gravel roads on a seat that made your bum sleep, we started asking where we were going. The answers were served in true african style: "we a almos the", "just a littel bit furder"... Anyway, it took more than another hour to get there! So after this we were convinced that we had to rewarded with something incredible, something that would far exceed all expectations.
At the entrance we were briefed and asked to put our trousers in our socks to avoid termites and to use mosquito repellant. The whole entrance area has guarded by military men. We set off with a few trackers / guides and carriers into the impenetrable rain forest. It was absolutely astonishing to enter a microcosm full of birds, flowers and trees. We saw other monkeys high up in the trees and listened to several very special birds. The news came that Nkoringo, our Gorilla hosts for the day, had been seen not very far from where we were (I assume the eye that saw this, circles somewhere around the earth). Soon enough the guides halted the group and we were let very close to them to take some pictures. Family Nkoringo did not pay much attention to us as they were feeding. Circling around the big family feedfest, we found an older Silverback on the border of a small creek resting after his lunch, together with a baby gorilla that clearly was in playmode, amazing spectacle. Anyhow, as tourists can't stay longer than 1 hour we had to make a move, and seemingly the gorillas were doing the same. Most of them had left the feeding site and were waiting on the path we came from, when a few older boys and a Silverback that had stayed behind join up with the group! Whis particular scene can be seen in the video. The guides said we were very lucky to catch this.
Fully Recommended, including the car-ride!
Nick
Etosha is a beautiful wild space where you can quickly get really close to nature.
Everyone in our group loved Etosha. The scenery is stunning particularly out round the pan and the facilities were excellent to return home to. Even though it was the wet season we saw lots of game and the highlight was seeing - and videoing - a cheetah kill on the edge of the pan, where a mother winged a springbok so that her cub could make his kill.
20-35 years of age
Review about Uganda by nickvp
Uganda is not an obvious Safari destination. It's variety in scenery, people and wildlife makes it an truely recommended and unique travel, especially for someone who has already seen the big game Safari in Kenya or Tanzania. In Uganda you can see tree hanging lions in the morning and Mountain Gorillas in the afternoon, there is no other country in the world that has that. We went with drifters, a tour operator that uses very comfortable trucks (instead of jeeps) for groups up till 16 people. In my opinion, the trip was such a great experience because we camped almost every night and we had the most fantastic guide Anthony Washford to drive the truck, cook the food and plan all the excursions such as the astonishing Gorillas at Bwindi.
Review about Namibia by petlob
We have visited many African countries but Namibia is the most elemental - the deserts and dunes are just stunning.
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by theterrribleone
There must have been a million flamingos. If I had not seen it myself, I would have never believed the "pink lake" was pink because it was covered with flamingos.
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by theterrribleone
The Masai Mara was where we witnessed the great wildebeest migration, complete with crocodiles, lions, and vultures. As the trip progressed, our accommodations got progressively more "bush", with the last being tents with no fences, no electricity, and Massai guards. An amazing, awesome experience.
Amboseli: An Absolutely Awesome Safari Destination
Amboseli was the first destination on our safari. What an awesome introduction to African wildlife! Even before we got there we saw groups of hippopotamus, elephants, crowned cranes, many sorts of antelope, wildebeest, and many other animals and birds. We stayed at the Oltukai Lodge, from which many elephants, in particular, were seen. On our first outing, there were lions, hyenas, flamingos and many other water birds, wildebeest and zebras, and many other antelope and birds. It was beyond our wildest dreams. We had thought maybe we might get to see an elephant, and probably some antelope. The reality was so much more stunning than our preconceptions that it was mind-blowing. We were able to see and obtain excellent photographs of the "big five". It was truly the trip of a lifetime. I am so glad we went!
One of the particularly nice things was the weather. I don't think it was above 73 degF or below 67 degF at any time during the trip. Most amazing of all was the lack of bugs. We had spent hundreds of dollars on mosquito-proof clothing, sprays, shots, etc. There wasn't a single mosquito. All in all, it was a majestically fine trip. I recommend it highly.
Review about Kenya by theterrribleone
It was a great experience. Everyone spoke English, even the Massai tribesmen in their cow-dung huts. The wildlife was simply phenomenal in its variety and profusion. The great wildebeest migration started early the year we were there, and we witnessed that. There were wildebeest from horizon to horizon. Amazing!
35-50 years of age
Review about South Luangwa National Park by africadunc
South Luangwa National Park was fantastic. The road there was in bad condition, but Flat Dogs camp was one of the best camsites ever, right on the river and beautifully maintained and run. Many animals crossed right into the camp and some days we just sat and watched without going into the park itself. We even saw leopard on the park side of the river from camp. Game drives into the park were great.
35-50 years of age
Can only improve with time (review from 2004)
It's an adventure just getting to Lower Zambezi National Park. You must cross the Kafue River on a hand-winched punt and in some places the road and bridges are washed away (floods in 2003). A highlight was the community campsite just outside the park, which was in a wonderful location to relax on the banks of the Zambezi. It was wonderful watching the full moon rise over that great river with the hippos grusting nearby.The sunrise through the door of the tent, just meters above the river was great as well as was the visited by an inquisitive elephant, which Philip the campsite manager expertly dealt with when it got too close. To get into the Park you drive through a river, which can be tricky if the water is high. In 2004 the animals were quite wild and ran from cars on the west side of the park. Further in, near the more expensive lodges, it may not be the case, but it seemed that there must have been poaching going on. Over time hopefully things will improve and Lower Zambezi National Park will be more accessible. It would be great to visit again.
