NL
20-35 years of age
Review about Tanzania by Erik Altink
Tanzania is a large country with a lot of beautiful scenery. Every park has it\'s own characteristics and is worth a visit. While many species can be found in multiple parks, combining multiple parks is a great way to see the animals in different surroundings. Arusha National Park has a different climat compared to Serengeti National Park but both are awesome.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Samburu and matemwe
After some trepidation we agreed to take Rose's advice and went to Saruni samburu for our first ever safari and a much needed holiday, we were right to trust her knowledge as the lodge offered the perfect mix of wild remote game viewing and luxury. We followed it with a week at matemwe on Zanzibar which was also heaven.
South Africa is so amazing, I ended up never wanting to leave... so I haven't!
I first travelled to South Africa over New Years 2008/9, I loved it so much it was only 8 months before I was back and then I've stayed here (in various Game Reserves) since Dec 09.
My experiences vary -
I initially did a short trip through the country: Game Drives, cultural tours, (a bit of partying), visiting the sites. I visited most of the National Parks on the East side of the country and would say my highlights were Addo, Cintsa (Buckanners Backpackers) and Cape Town.
My next trip started in South Africa but was an overland trip through Southern and Eastern Africa, South Africa didn't feature too heavily but I did manage to get to The Cape of Good Hope which, even in bad weather, is still definately worth the trip. My advice for Tabe Mountain - get there as EARLY as possible, the crowds alone is the main reason but if the wind is high enough, the close the cable cars. (Take the double decker bus too - it's cheap and you get a tour all over the city and surrounds)
Since I've been back I've now experienced a variety of volunteer programmes. You'll find these vary in facilities, organisation, tasks, activities and what's included. I can say I've gotten a mix of everything. I have specifically vounteered in the wildlife area but some of this will be relevant for any area.
If you're interested in volunteering, ask what facilities the place has, we have so many people now that "expect" things and you simply have to say that you're in the bush, you're lucky to get a lot of what we do provide! Some places might vary in terms of hot water, electricty, how many people to a room, food situation (very important for me being a vegetarian!), vehicles.
In terms of what you'll be doing, don't volunteer if you're just looking for a cheap safari - volunteering means that although you get so much more of an experience than a lodge guest (you'll learn more, spend more time, get to know specific animals and not be as stressed to "tick off your list") you do need to give a bit in return. Enjoy what you're doing though - you'll learn so much more by being enthusiasic about helping out (and usually get better opportunities out of it as well - staff are always more willing to help out a great volunteer rather than one who's not)
Some places will say what's included but be aware, some may still "forget" to mention that the price only partially covers extras like excursions. Kruger trips would be a big example. Many don't mention that you will have to pay the conservation fee out of your pocket in addition to whatever they have said.
Most importantly though, have fun when you're volunteering - meet new people and get to know the locals more than you would normally.
35-50 years of age
Review about Etosha National Park by George P, London
It feels wild. Not too many other people about. You can drive yourself if you want. Affordable.
35-50 years of age
Unexpected, unusual, unbelievable, unforgetable
I had no preconceptions about Namibia - I'd always been interested in the sand and the desert elephants and Skeleton coast and i thought I'd visit this place called Etosha but having been to Kruger just a month beforehand I expected little - especially as it was salt flats and not what I considered t be 'bushland'. What did i know? How wrong was I?! Etosha was incredible. We sat in the car just yards from lions for an hour. We saw hundreds of zebra. There were hyena and ostrich and warthogs and rhino and just about everything you wanted to see. In just two or three days we'd seen hundreds of animals in a very relaxed atmosphere - very little traffic on Etosha's 'roads' (it's basic but it's great for that reason). Outside the park though we saw giraffe 'wild' just wandering about the desert. Sadly we never found the desert elephants but the Skeleton Coast had huge seal colonies (man, they smell!) and the vast sand dunes of Sossuvlei are just unreal - I paid $100 for a sunset flight in a small plane and it was totally unforgetable. Namibia isn't as polished as some locations but that's its appeal for me. Just a stunning and unruined country.
US
50-65 years of age
Between the Masai people and the wonderful herds of elephants, the most interesting place on earth.
We spent 2 days at Amboseli, as part of a 9 day safari with Wildlife Kenya Safaris.
We visited other parks including Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, Mara and Mt. Kenya.
I believe Amboseli was my favorite because of our fascinating visit with the Masai tribe that lived there and the huge herds of elephants that went walking past our van on a regular basis. Seeing 30 or 40 elephants march within a few yards of our van was an incredible experience. Galdessa at Tsavo East was the most luxurious of the camps we stayed in. A beautiful place. We traveled to Kenya at the end of June into the beginning of July. The weather was for the most part, very pleasant. We had very little rain. The food in most of the places we stayed was satisfactory, but by no means gourmet. The food at the Serena Mountain Lodge at Mt. Kenya was the best.
I would highly recommend a safari with Wildlife Kenya Safaris. This was a very well organized, stress free holiday. Sammy (our driver) picked us up from the airport in Nairobi and was incredible. He was trustworthy, reliable, knowledgeable, and a very experienced driver on the very difficult roads. He also had the most incredible eye for spotting animals that were well camouflaged and often miles into the distance.
Overall the safari with Wildlife Kenya exceeded our expectations. I would not hesitate to book with them again.
Thank you for such an amazing experience, I would highly recommend both Wildlife Kenya Safaris and Sammy to anyone interested in travelling to Africa.
The entire trip was a perfectly organised, stress free holiday. Sammy (our driver) picked us up from the airport and was incredible. He was trustworthy, reliable, knowledgeable, and a very experienced driver on the very difficult roads. He also had the most incredible eye for spotting animals that were well camouflaged and often miles into the distance.
The accommodation recommended by the company were all excellent, and exceeded our expectations, especially Galdessa in Tsavo East.
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by ticktock01
Greater variety of wildlife than any of the other parks we visited. Many lions.
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Kenya by ticktock01
Amazing diversity of wildlife and very interesting and friendly people.
35-50 years of age
Serengeti, Lake Manayara & Ngorongoro Safari experience within budget.
It wasn't the way we had envisaged going on safari when we originally decided to go, but a camping safari was definitely the best we have experienced to date. Previously we have stayed at lodges in safari parks, and they have been very good. This time we were working to a budget and had to go during peak times so we had to look for alternatives. We booked a package directly with the tour operator based in Arusha and gave them details of what we wanted to see and do, they arranged everything: pick-up at the coach station, car, driver, cook, sleeping bags, tent, food. The tour guide/driver knew exactly which camping sites to stay at, the amount ot time needed to view the wildlife and also specifics about the wildlife. This allowed us plenty of time to see and enjoy the beautiful national parks (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti). Once you arrive in Arusha it takes a couple of hours to get to Lake Mayara and the road is good. Getting to Ngorongoro takes a further 3 hours, but to get to Serengeti you have to go through Ngorongoro and it takes a good few hours, and be prepared for a rough ride, as the road is not smooth. But the whole experience was fantastic. Apart from the amazing wildlife the experience of staying in tented camps was graet. One night was spent in the middle of the Serengeti, where we could hear wildlife around at night and when we woke up we were a facing a glorious sunrise and giraffes and zebra roaming within a few hundred metres. Another night was a freezing cold night at the top of Ngorongoro Crater, but where you could see the stars so clearly that you felt you could touch them. Generally, the washroom facilities in these camps weren't great but the were usable. And having a cook travelling with us was great, he provided breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. All-in-all this was a great adventure holiday for the family (2 adults and 2 boys) which we will never forget and which will provide us with stories to tell.
35-50 years of age
Review about Tanzania by Ravi
The wildlife is so varied and the scenery is superb. One of the mose beautiful sites is the sunrise and sunsets in the Serengeti and at the top of Ngorongoro Crater.