ES
35-50 years of age
Review about Tanzania by Miquel Nieto-Gallardo
I've been there three times. Two safaris and climbing the Kilimanjaro. Always a great experience. Lovely people; the sense of freedom. I love the way Tanzania smells.
35-50 years of age
Review about Kenya by navrajghataura
Amazing beaches, loads of wildlife, scuba diving, Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, Aberdares...the list goes on.
20-35 years of age
An unforgettable extraordinary experience with amazing animals
Gombe Stream National Park is mostly known for its chimpanzees and the research of world famous primatologist Jane Goodall. As the park is small and situated in forest in a hilly area you walk through the park with a guide. A day's hike will get you around the park and get you to see the chimpanzees from very close up. As they move around all the time it can take a while for an encounter, but the guides know the park and the behaviour of the animals very well and are therefore excellent at tracking them down. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat was an amazing and extraordinary experience! It's very fascinating, and quite indescribable. Definitely something to go experience yourself.
The scenery is beautiful, there are plenty of baboons and other monkeys, and the forest is right next to Lake Tanganyika. This is also how you reach the park: by boat from Kigoma. You can either enquire at the Jane Goodall Institute when a boat is going from there, or go to Kibirizi and take a local boat from there. This will take you up to the park in about 3 hours, regularly stopping at villages along the shore. This is definitely a great (local) experience and I would recommend to take one of those!
There are 2 places for accommodation in the park itself. Camping is not allowed, so there is no other option than that. There is a forest lodge and a (sort of) motel (it was still being build when I was there). Since there are usually not that many visitors in the park you can take your chances and just go, but if you want to be sure you can book beforehand. If you're for example staying in Kigoma in Nzimano Hotel (highly recommended: lovely staff, great local food, quiet and peaceful, overlooking Kigoma bay), the staff there will be able to help you with bookings.
Kigoma can be reached by plane, but there is also a train going from Dar Es Salaam to Kigoma twice a week, which is well worth the trip. The train crosses the whole country, so you will have an amazing view of the country (it passes through the capital Dodoma, through the Uluguru mountains, over vast plains, and much more). I can very much recommend to take the train in Tanzania. Great experience!
Highlights of Kigoma: Gombe Stream National Park, local markets, Ujiji (where explorers Livingstone and Stanley met), Lake Tanganyika (with apparently an enormous range of unique fish), Amani Beach, Jacobson's Beach, MV Liemba (old German ferry going every week around Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura(Burundi), Kalundu-Uvira(DR Congo) and Mpulungu(Zambia) and back to Kigoma), Katonga(small fishing village).
20-35 years of age
Review about Katavi National Park by Alie Sijbersma
A great off the beaten track destination far away from the tourist hubs, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture while still seeing all animals Tanzania is famous for, with barely seeing any other people while driving through the park.
Mpanda can be reached by train, as well as by bus. Although a small town, Mpanda has some local guesthouses, as well as some restaurants and bars.
A tip for Swahili speakers: try to arrange a local minibus (daladala) to take the day off and instead drive you through the park for a predetermined fee. This will most likely be a lot cheaper than the vehicles that can be rented in the park.
For the upscale tourist there is also a small airstrip in the park, serving a tiny luxurious guesthouse in the middle of the park.
NL
35-50 years of age
One of the true hidden gems in Kenya
Meru is arguably one of the best Safari destinations in Africa. Sure, Masai Mara is more visually stunning, but the widllife in Meru is equally prolific. Especially if you're a birdy you'll have a field day here. Also, Meru is a lot more quiet in terms of tourist driving around. With luck you'll see one or two other vechicles on a game drive.
NL
35-50 years of age
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by jhazevoet
Without match. If this is the one park you can visit for a safari, make it the Masai Mara.
NL
35-50 years of age
Review about Nairobi National Park by jhazevoet
Nice if you a few spare hours in Nairobi, but that's all.
NL
35-50 years of age
Review about Shimba Hills National Reserve by jhazevoet
Excellent if elephants are your thing.
NL
35-50 years of age
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by jhazevoet
The scenery is good, but civilisation is encroaching.
ES
35-50 years of age
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Miquel Nieto-Gallardo
Very interesting place. It's like all in one. Better in off-peak season, because is the only place in Tanzania where you can see too many westerners per square meter.