US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful, geologically and biologically diverse country
I spent about 4 months (August to December) traveling in Kenya, visiting several different regions of the country from Lake Victoria to the Indian Ocean. I passed through Nairobi several times between different legs of the trip and I gradually became accustomed to the hustle and bustle. The roads were overall in poor condition when I visited in 2002, but they were dramatically better when I went back briefly in 2010.
While in Kenya, I snorkeled in the Indian Ocean, summited Mount Kenya, watched the big game in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and near Tsavo, drank cow's blood with Maasai, camped and had an exciting close encounter with wildlife in Hell's Gate, and explored the rainforest in Kakamega. There is tremendous ecological diversity in Kenya- not just the classic savannah!
One of my favorite places was the island of Lamu. Nearly 10 years later, I sometimes still fantasize about the fruit smoothies they sell there. Delicious! If you have time, I highly recommend visiting the Kenyan coast. The history of trade is fascinating and the beaches are beautiful! Watamu was one of my favorites because you can easily swim to the reef for snorkeling.
Another highlight of the trip was climbing Mount Kenya. I went with two girlfriends and we hired a guide but no porters so we carried all of our own things. We only saw two other people without porters in the 6 days we were on the mountain, and we definitely felt like a bad-ass group of women. The climb up Mount Kenya was scenic and interesting- well worth it even if you don't get to the peak. Our guide was impressively agile and a great help.
I spent a fair amount of time in western Kenya, in the rolling, tea-covered hills between Lake Victoria and Mount Elgon. Kakamega Forest, a unique habitat in Kenya, has tremendous biodiversity. I am not a birder, but I know that Kakamega is one of the best places for birding in Kenya. One of my favorite memories is from walking up to a hill in the forest before dawn to watch the sunrise and see the mist and birds above the tree canopy. I loved Kakamega so much that I almost did my dissertation research there, but ended up working in Tanzania instead.
Throughout Kenya, I stayed in homestays, budget, or mid-range accommodations. I often took public transportation (for both long and short trips). The basics of Swahili are relatively easy to pick up, but most people in Kenya also speak English.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by seltzca
If you want to see classic African savannah with the big 5, this is an excellent choice. Just be prepared to also see lots of tourists.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by seltzca
Hell's Gate is one of the only parks where you are allowed to walk around on foot. What it lacks in big carnivores, it makes up in scenery and your ability to explore without a vehicle. If you decide to camp, be aware that cape buffalo might come to graze your campsite in the middle of the night. Just don't startle them! I highly recommend hiking the gorge, but look out for pumice floating in the stream or you might end up in water where you thought there was solid ground.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kakamega Forest National Reserve by seltzca
You won't find big game in Kakamega, but you will find diverse birds, reptiles, and plants. It's off the beaten track, and there probably won't be many other tourists around. That said, western Kenya is a densely populated rural area, so you are likely to see people.
Review about Kenya by gathee1000
there are various destinations worth visiting by people from all walks of life; animals, beaches, culture, etc.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very special SA safari experience vacation
Ulusaba is hard to fault. Arriving at the reserve's own airstrip via light plane was very special. The location, the activities and the people were outstanding. We visited during the SA summer, but despite this the game spotting was plentiful and, for first time safari-goers, very exciting. Ulusaba offers a compelling mix of beautiful surroundings, luxury accommodation and F&B, and a genuinely engaged and knowledgeable staff and safari team. Highly recommended.
An idylic setting for a Malaria-free but authentic Safari Experience
From the moment we were collected from Port Elizabeth Airport, we knew we had made the right decision. Having originally considered staying somewhere where we would fly in a small plane directly into the Game Reserve, we were recommended to Shamwari by so many people that this is where we decided upon.
The accommodation was wonderful, having been designed as large wooden huts covered with tarpauline type rooves which may sound basic but in fact were done in a way to provide luxurious 5 star accommodation whilst at the same time still feeling that you are sleeping in the bush. The bathroom was lovely with huge windows looking onto the bush and the wet-room type shower was a joy to use. Each suite has it's own plunge pool & sunbathing deck and the warthogs do like to join you in the morning & later at night.
The game drives were well organised and our guide JR was extremely knowledgeable & experienced. We we were lucky enough to be in on the capture of a zebra by a pack of lions, from initial set-up through stalking to capture and finally the kill. Not pleasant in itself but to have experienced what would normally only be seen on a wildlife program was a privilege.
Catering was not as good as we had expected but I think as we were unlucky with the rain, so the kitchen was also unlucky in that it couldn't serve meals outside in an informal BBQ environment & more formal indoor service was their forte.
WE would highly recommend Shamwari as a Safari destination
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Comfort and Country all in one package
I arrived at Tembe and was warmly greeted by the staff, many of whom I knew from a previous trip. Luggage was taken to my very comfortable tent and I had plenty of hot water to shower after my long drive. Then it was time for the late afternoon bush trip.
There were so many animals seen - antelope including suni, ellies, giraffes, lions and a rhino. And so many kinds of birds that I couldn't keep track of them all.
Then back to the camp for supper, which was taken in the open. It was atmospheric, convivial and tasty, with the special treat of a bushbaby hanging in a tree near my table begging for fruit. The bushbabies also raid the coffee station near the front desk for packets of sugar, and one little novice ended up stealing a packet with a tea bag in it instead, so I imagine he was very disappointed.
After supper the staff lit a big bonfire in a pit and chairs were placed around it so we could sit with out coffee or after-dinner drinks. There are various entertainments there, singing, dancing groups sometimes, or just quietly chatting as we wound down, getting ready for sleep.
Night in the tents is just magical, with the scent of the earth and growing things all around and the sounds of the animals as they move through the bush or hunt. Elephants sometimes come into the camp at night after everyone is tucked away to snack on the trees around the tents, and at least one nyala makes a habit of browsing through the camp during the day.
The daytime activity I liked best was getting a lunch from the kitchen and going to one of the hides and just sitting there, listening to the breeze, the birds and insects and watching the passing parade of creatures that came to drink. Watching a mom ellie trying to teach a little one how to take a mudbath properly was a hoot, and very special.
There is a small library of nature books and a few novels in case you just want to kick back and do nothing active for a while, computer access for those who must keep in touch, and plunge pool for those hot days. A leisurely, delicious breakfast eaten on the deck in the fresh morning air set me up just right for another day of wonderful discoveries.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by sgrud1
South Africa is so completely different (the landscape, the people, the food and especially the wildlife) from anything I have on the East Coast of the U.S.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantasy trip!
My wife and I spent almost a week last February at Londolozi and loved every minute of it. From the friendly, helpful staff, to the delicious and abundant food to the immaculate rooms (we stayed in Varty camp), Londolozi spells luxury. The safaris were above and beyond what we had hoped for. Our ranger and guide, whom we spent the entire trip with, did whatever it took to allow us to see, hear, smell, and experience as many animals as they could track down. Over, under and through rough, tangled, wet, (you name it) terrain they made sure we saw as much as possible, even taking special requests. There are thousands of acres of wilderness to explore at Londolozi and we felt like we travelled every inch. As we were there in the middle of summer the grasses were tall so it was hard to find smaller game, such as wild dogs, but seeing a foursome of lion brothers saunter past our jeep just feet away made up for that. You will need to save your money for a stay at Londolozi, but it will be more than worth it.