Review about Hwange National Park by andrew_mc_d
We didn't bush drive at the best times of the day to spot game so it's a little hard to judge
Victoria Falls
We spent two days in Victoria Falls during a two week safari (going throuhg national parks in Botswana). Of course there we visited beautiful and waterfalls. There was ample possibilities for "entertainment" as well: aerial view of the waterfalls by helicopter or micro-light, bungee jumping, elephant rides and walking with lion cubs. Other attractions are boat cruises on the Zambezi river or barbecue dinners in the evening. Be aware: for all of this you pay high dollars (USD of course).
In a high contrast to this is the situation of the citizens: extreme poverty, extreme inflation, unemployment and hunger crisis.
My travel experience is from 2006, since then the situation got even worse regarding economics and politics. Considering this i would not recommend to travel to Simbabwe.
35-50 years of age
A Spectacular, personal and close nature experience that touches the soul!
This was a first visit to Botswanna and lasted a glorious 18 days! Much thought into which season resulted in August being chosen as the least risky in terms of mud and making ones way over tough roads - the result was excellent with no travelling hassles. The Savuti River came down from Angola for the first time in years and this supplemented the experience in the Chobe!
We travelled in two 4 x 4 vehicles and it is excellent to be in a team of at least two for mutual support because you are generally miles and miles from any form of support. Research well and go self contained and ready for any eventuality.
Wildlife including birds are plentiful and the experience is from the barren dessert ot the Okovango Delta with all the water species. No game fences exist and on crossing the border from South Africa we encountered a Cheetha on the tar road and outside an nature reserve area! Elephant are everywhere! The campsites are not fenced and nature surrounds you at all times. We had elephant, jackal, hyena and even kudu wandering through our campsites at various locations that really brought the SAFARI TO YOU!
A flight over the Okavango is a must - withjout that it is impossible to appreciate the vastness of the delta and to really acomprehend the splendour! Boat trips on the swamps and rivers are a must to really get close to the water environment and the birds.
The spectacular Kubu Island is a must see! The majestic Baobabs that tare clsutered on a small island surrounded by a dry pan is so unreal and otherworldy that it really takes your breath away!
As a final statement - take more time and spend more time per venue than you think necessary! Travelling takes time on the dirt roads and you need time at each stop to enjoy the splendid sights! DO NOT RUSH!
50-65 years of age
Review about Zimbabwe by Whyone
Zimbabwe has of course suffered during the troubles of the last 10 years or so. The infrastructure is not what is was in the 1990's due to neglect/lack of money for maintainance. The more remote parks, like Mana, remain beautiful and largely unaffected and are well worth visiting.
35-50 years of age
Review about Central Kalahari Game Reserve by lesliel
Very isolated - camp sites miles from each other and really in the bush with very few amenities. Birding species limited due to dry conditions - however there are plentiful and specials for the area.
35-50 years of age
Review about Chobe National Park by lesliel
Very popular with a wide variety due to abundance of water for Botswanna. Popularity makes for more congested camps without the seclusion of some of the other camps.
35-50 years of age
Review about Moremi Game Reserve by lesliel
Has everything! Seclusion, bush experience, interesting routes and roads/bridges coupled with diverse wildlife and birds. Water, water, water - in Souther Africa it is like magic bringing everything to life and abundance! A must see/stop over for at least 3-4 days on a tight budget, even longer if you can!
35-50 years of age
Review about Nxai Pan National Park by lesliel
Maybe the wildlife is a bit low compared to the rest - BUT THE SCENIC BEAUTY of the Kubu Island in the Sua Pan makes up in abundance - Botswanna without this stop would NOT be on!
35-50 years of age
Review about Okavango Delta by lesliel
As for Moremi - the delta is exceptional! The heart of Botswanna!
50-65 years of age
Unique - where else can you walk amongst the wildlife in a National Park/UNESCO World Heritage site
I have been fortunate to visit Mana Pools on an almost annual basis over the last 12 years (I am now the Mana Pools 'Destination Expert' on Tripadvisor).
It is a magical place - a series of pools, where the Zambezi river once flowed. These pools retain water all year around, so along with the Zambezi, provide a vital resource for animals from far and wide during the long, hot dry season (August - October). We always visit in October - the end of the dry season and nicknamed the 'suicide' month for good reason. It is blisteringly hot, and Mana is not a comfortable place to be at this time of year. But the reward for this discomfort is in the game viewing. Animal numbers are at their peak and they are easy to see due to the lack of vegetation.
On my trips, I have always seen elephant (Mana is the only place I know of where they have learnt to stand on their rear legs to reach up a little higher to graze the Accacia Albida trees which are so characteristic of Mana), hippo, crocodile, kudu, eland, monitor lizard, mongeese of various types, baboons, zebra, vervet monkeys, cape buffalo, impala, hyena, lion & jackal. Most of these have at one time or another walked right through our camp! We have also been fortunate to see on most visits the rare African Painted Dog - Mana is one of the few places in Africa where you stand a good chance of seeing these wonderful animals. We have also had a number of wonderful 'one-off' sightings over the years - leopard, python nyala, bush buck and last year, three cheetah on an impala kill. A very rare sighting as Mana lacks wide open spaces and so is not really cheetah country at all. All of the animals I mention have been seen without the aid of professional guides - we are just a group of friends who enjoy visiting the African bush. Most of the time we walk rather than drive - after viewing wildlife on foot, the experience from the back of a vehicle just isn't the same.
In addition to the animals mentioned, Mana is a 'birding' paradise - so many species to see I couldn't begin to list them, but a personal favourite of mine are the noisy carmine bee beaters who nest in burrows in the sandy river banks.
In the unlikely event you grow tired of looking at animals, the scenery is fantastic - the almost parkland-like abandoned river terraces, the majestic Zambezi and the hazy mountains of Zambia. Always try to be on the river bank just before sunset, a beer or G&T in hand and just watch & listen!
Mana is not the easiest place in the world to get too, but there are a number of safari operators who will take the logistical strain on your behalf, and if you don't want to 'go it alone' and use National Parks camping (or lodge) facilities, there are a number of very good camps (one or two permanent, like Ruckomechi, others seasonal, like Goliath Safaris who have their camp inside the National Park and are run by the wonderful Stretch & Flo)
