US
20-35 years of age
Review about Matobo National Park by Simone
Simply gorgeous. Some of the most iconic views are in Matobo.
35-50 years of age
Review about Tanzania by jonnyboy1403
There is everything there to see, but you might just have to be a little more patient and observation than in some other safari's, but that just makes all it more worthwhile
SE
20-35 years of age
Review about Botswana by Martin
Lots of animals - both on land, in water and in the air. Botswana is a beautiful country.
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Botswana by Scott and Mark
In my review of Chobe National Park you will see why I rate Botswana so highly as a Safari destination. Overall, the people are remarkably friendly and proud of their country, its history and leaders. Even through areas of extreme poverty, there was a consistent expression of pride. The scenic beauty, isolation, and unspoiled expanses of land are worth the trip.
A Magical Location for a Wild Bush Safari
We stayed in a couple of "posh tent" lodges in the middle of the park. It was very exciting because we flew in on a light aircraft and were picked up by a 4x4 to take us to the lodge. Both lodges we stayed in were fantastic and very atmospheric - we got woken up at 3am one night by an elephant eating the tree outside out tent!
The guides were all very professional and had great knowledge of the area and the wildlife. We liked the concept of setting up a table in a clearing and stopping for tea and cakes for the morning and a cocktail for sunset.
Due to the time of the year the big animals were a little patchy - we could go for 30-60 mins and only see antelope - we did see everything we wanted to see with the exception of a leopard (notoriously shy).
We loved it and are currently saving up to go again!
35-50 years of age
Amazing, wild but luxurious, safari the way it should be
If you want a safari where you can guarantee what you see and when, then this isn't the safari for you. The Selous is huge, the size of Belgium if I recall correctly, which means it’s harder to find the animals but rewarding when you do, also means you can go a whole day without seeing any other people. Although there is conservation in progress there isn't 'farming' of animals and they roam free without restrictions so each day becomes exciting as you can follow the same path taking the previous day but see a completely different Selous.
Maybe we were lucky, but on the transfer from the runway, little more than a dirt track, to the lodge we came across 4 lionesses who were just resting after a big kill and feed, the vultures were now tidying up the carcass. We stayed at Sand Rivers, which has an excellent position over the river which was teeming with crocs and hippos, although be expected to share your room, which is open towards the river, with monkeys, bush-babys and various bugs, but that’s all part of being on safari. Be warned the monkeys are very inquisitive, they know when your morning coffee is coming and want the sugar and the biscuits, it’s a funny start to each day. Given the lodge is open to the wild, as night falls you must be escorted by an Ascari for protection, one night a herd of elephants decided the trees by our room were their dinner.
Given the position of the lodge, we were able to take a number of river safaris, given a completely different view as you get a bit more up close to the crocs and hippos, remember the latter are the number one killer of humans in Africa, so hope your guide knows how to navigate. If you’re lucky you may get to see a herd of wildebeest or elephants drinking and washing in the river, the birdlife here is amazing as well. But there is nothing like switching the engine off and just drifting listening to the sounds. You can also do walking safari, with an armed guard, where your guide can talk to you about some of the plants and smaller animals you may come across, as well as looking for tracks of the bigger ones
You will see lots of elephant, giraffe, zebra and impala, you will see lions, but there’s no guarantee when, our encounters were more by chance than planning, in fact our day we specifically set out on a lion hunt proved fruitless until we made the journey back to camp and there was a young lion just sleeping by the dirt track. We were lucky on our first full day to see a young leopard, he had been spotted a few days earlier in the same tree, so as we approached our guide was apprehensive he would be there again but luckily he was. After this meeting he wasn’t seen again that week, despite various other parties looking for him. On our trip we were also managed to wild dogs and hyenas, both are rare sightings and we have to thank our eagle eyed guides for being able to find them. As mentioned earlier due to the remoteness, when you return to the lodge in the evenings you regale your stories of the day to others in the camp over drinks and dinner, as you are likely to have been the only one to have seen yours sights that day, it makes for plenty to talk about. Although all the jeeps are in contact with each other if a rare sighting is made and others are in the area to see it.
One highlight, amongst many, at Sand Rivers is the ability to go fly camping. This is going back to basics, sleeping out in the open, with nothing but a mosquito net above you, although they provide a small modesty tent for changing in. The advanced party had set up the camp by a lake which was full of crocs, wait till the sun goes down and shine a torch across the water and see their yellow eyes looking back at you. A bar is there, a 3 course mean by the lake and the wild all around you, plus a couple of armed guards who stay up through the night just in case.
The guides and hosts were all excellent with good food and plenty of it, breakfast is served to order just don’t expect it in a hurry, but there is no need to rush as everything is done to your timings. The evening meal is served together on big table for all guests, which makes for a great atmosphere as you all share your stories of the day, and don’t forget afternoon tea before you head out for your late afternoon drive, with a different freshly made cake each day. The lodge bedrooms are grand, with a bathroom open to the river but with trees providing enough privacy and a wonderful waterfall shower. Overall this was an amazing trip, raw safari but in luxury.
SE
20-35 years of age
Meeting the African wildlife
The wildlife was the best ever. We first went by boat and watched hippos and crocodiles and birds of all kinds. Great guides that spotted even the smallest animals in the national park and pointed them out for us eager photographers. The weather was great and we had a great dinner at the Chobe Safari Lodge. After that we entered the national park by truck and had a great guide there too. We met elephants, giraffes and lions and a whole variety of different animals.
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Chobe National Park by Scott and Mark
Wow. If you've ever seen the scene in the movie Jurassic Park where the family finally comes upon the vast plain with hundreds of dinosaurs of different species spanning across a vast plain - that's Chobe. The sheer volume and diversity of species is incredible, multiple antelope species, literally thousands of elephants, lions, leopards, dogs, etc. are easy finds. Herds of buffalo, zebra, and antelope; and large quantities of giraffe and baboon; and easy bird spotting all make Chobe a "destination." You will be spoiled after visiting Chobe. You should go here as your last safari destination. We stayed at Chobe Under Canvas, which is a truly tented camp. The entire camp relocates every 5 days. The advantage of "glamping" at CUC, though, is that at 6 am, when the park opens, you are already in the camp and are not being "picked up" at your out-of-the-park hotel/property. You get earliest spotting and best conditions with no other vehicles/tourists around.
Review about Okavango Delta by Simon G
The delta in May was quite full of water and the "bush vibe" was incredible. We would go for a 4 hour safari and not see a single other vehicle during that time. A ride in a mocorro is essential and a brilliant way to see the small details in the water such as frogs and (at a safe distance) hippos.
A beautiful country with so much to offer!
We found the scenery to be the most attractive feature of Zimbabwe in particular places like Lake Kariba with its fishing and wildlife and Victoria Falls, one sight not to be missed. The food is delicious and gives you a taste of Zimbabwe's rich culture! With lovely weather every day and temperatures well over 30 degrees throughout summer Zimbabwe is a holiday not to be missed!