US
35-50 years of age
Review about Kruger National Park by ~lustedtowander~
The wildlife viewing in the Kruger is spectacular, if you are willing to jostle amongst dozens of vehicles for the experience. Camps are crowded and noisy during holidays.
Fantastic add-on if you're going to Kakamega
Saiwa Swamp is the best small park in Kenya in my opinion. We hired a car and drove around East Africa in 2009 and this park was definitely one of our favourites. If you are going to Kakamega, another great park, you should seriously think about a few days at Saiwa aswell. It's quiet because of it's location, we only saw two other tourists in the park. You can camp in the park, we stayed at a guesthouse a few miles away. Both are good options.
The park is, as the name suggests, just a swamp with paths around it. You drive in, park up, and walk around. You can easily walk the whole park in half a day, but if I was going again I would camp overnight.
The best thing about the park is the wildlife - it is totally different to any other major park in Kenya. Sitatunga and otters are easy to see. There are lots of mongooses and plenty of monkeys. We saw colobus and a few others. I'm not a birder but there are lots of birds - swamps are generally good for birds are they not?
Entrance fee is very cheap by Kenyan standards aswell. Go now.
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by John Carthy
Fantastic on an organised safari, hard work on self drive. Lots of relatively cheap tented accommodation on the outside of the park near the gates. Otherwise very expensive. Compared to comparably sized southern African parks the Mara is hard to find your way around. Otherwise, it is amazing. Birds are great. We missed the migration but still saw loads of lion, cheetah, hyena (including one striped), rhino, elephant, and loads of other good stuff. Won't let you down. If you've got the money, stay at one of the swank lodges in the middle of the park and go on a hot air balloon.
US
20-35 years of age
Great life experience, but very cold at night!
I went with a group of college students and camped for one night at Khutse Game Reserve. The trip was organized by Africa Insight; they drove us there, provided tents, blankets, and food, and in the daylight took us around the reserve. Everything went very smoothly, and we spent several hours driving around the reserve. The highlight was being able to see a bunch of lions who were hanging around a giraffe they had killed the day before. Our trip leader was great- he was funny, knowledgeable and had a good sense of the place, and he was also very good/careful about approaching the animals (e.g. lions). Camping was a unique experience in itself. There was an outdoor bathroom/shower area. It was EXTREMELY cold at night, though. Make sure if you go around June/July, you pack lots and lots of layers! My feet were numb the whole next day, it was kind of alarming. Otherwise it was definitely a unique experience! Glad to have had it.
SE
50-65 years of age
A family trip to Tanzania
We stayed three weeks, and it was the best trip the family has ever done. Apart from the parks, we also saw Zanzibar.
SE
50-65 years of age
Review about Tarangire National Park by Johan Gardelius
Tarangire by far surpassed our wildest expectations. Up close, and personal, with lions, elephants, monkeys and a long, long list of fascinating wildlife. Add to this a fantastic lodge and an outstanding guide!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Botswana by NC Buzzman
The people of Botswana are some of the most friendly and helpful we have ever met on our travels and this coupled withe the amazing landscape filled with amazing game and birds makes Botswana our top safari destination. The care and service provided by Wilderness Safaris in all their camps was first rate and all the rest of our travels will be measured by their dedication and service. We are already planning our return!
US
35-50 years of age
The wilderness areas of Botswana offer a classic safari experience.
Wildlife conservation in Botswana has been largely successful. With the exception of a network of 'veterinary fences', parks are not fenced and animals can travel freely. Thus, the country feels wild and open. The desert parks of the Kalahari are vast and quiet, and the harsh red landscape demands a taut awareness. In contrast, the abundance of wildlife in the lush Okavango Delta makes for an extraordinary experience. Elephants move through camp during the day, and lions prowl at night.
The people of Botswana are friendly and hospitable. If you travel to this place, bring with you an easy attitude. Let's keep Botswana a classic safari destination!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Central Kalahari Game Reserve by ~lustedtowander~
The CKGR is a difficult safari destination, requiring many hours on rough roads. Thus, it feels truly wild. You must stay on your toes here!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Chobe National Park by ~lustedtowander~
Chobe has some of the best wildlife viewing in Southern Africa!