Good experience
I went for the budget camping 4d/3n safari in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Right from the start Richard was very good and quick in replying emails. He was friendly, answered all my questions, provided my transport from and to the airport before and after the safari. The safari itself as very good. Frank, our driver guide knew what he was doing and what he was looking for. We saw all the big 5 and so much more. However, the safari would be better if he would give further information about the animals and safari during the long drives. He would answer your questions so you have to be pro-active in asking questions. If not, the safari would be a lot of looking around. Our cook, Sokafour was really nice, he cooked really good and bountiful food for us. In terms of equipment for camping, it was a budget camping so everything was basic. But you get what you paid for. I was quite satisfied with the equipment provided. All in all I thought it was a good experience and I was very satisfied with my first safari experience.
Review about Lower Zambezi National Park by Achim
Not easy to reach and a real wilderness along the Zambezi River.
Review about North Luangwa National Park by Achim
A great park with shy animals, little infrastructe and very few tourists. The most remote national park with pure wilderness feeling. 4WD absolutely necessary.
Review about Kapishya Hot Springs by Achim
A wonderful place and a green paradise !
Review about Kafue National Park by Achim
It's a very big park with few accommodations but beautifully located along the Kafue River.
If you don't want to see any other safari jeeps on your game drives, you should got there !
Review about Zambia by Achim
Wildlife sightings and photo opportunities are more rare because of the fact that the animals are not as much used to safari jeeps in their area. So they kept quite a distance to us. There were plenty of elephants in the various parks and it was great to watch them in the wild nature.
First time doing safari and I'll be sure to return
Most guide books advise you to go in the dry season to see a lot of wildlife. I did my first safari ever in February in the middle of the wet season. On the morning of my drive, it was overcast, cold, and drizzling. It had rained a lot the night before. I would never have thought of going on a safari while shivering in my jacket. To my surprise, the sky cleared up in the afternoon and there were still a lot to see: giraffes, baboons, elephants, warthogs, impalas, buffaloes, etc. And to my extreme delight, even a painted African wild dog. The only thing missing from the game drive are the predators. The boat cruise on the Chobe waterfront was relaxing and exciting at the same time. We saw an elephant swimming out to an island in the middle of the channel, many hippos and crocs, and plenty of birds.
So what did I miss when doing safari in the wet season? Animals are not as numerous and concentrated but there are no crowds. More importantly, with plenty of water to drink and grass to eat, the animals are not stressed; they're not fighting for their survival. The lush vegetation is beautiful and pleasing. The cool and comfortable weather (at mid day) more than makes up for seeing fewer animals. The deep blue sky reflects on the serene water of the Chobe River like a painting. What a great place to be for the animals! And for humans, too!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very enjoyable safari!
We (2 students, couple) were looking for a Safari in Northern Tanzania and collected several offers as we were looking for budget options. SunnySafaris made the best offer together with some good recommendations on e.g. Tripadvisor. Therefore we decided for a 3day/2nights camping safari with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire NP starting from Arusha. Prior we had a very good email communication with Masha, and all our questions were answered. In the morning on the first day we were picked up by Paul, our guide, accompanied by our cook.
We were lucky to be the only ones on the trip, so we had the huge car for us, which turnded out to be great to move around during gamedrives and to have a real 360° view. Also, we could stop where and for how long we wanted. By midday we reached the Tarosero camp near Lake Manyara where our cook prepared a great lunch. After that we startet the gamedrive in Lake Manyara NP till the evening. Then evening - sleeping in good tents - we were surprisingly tired. Next morning we got up early, after breakfast we left to Ngorogoro. There we spend the day, lunchbox during the day, good dinner again and the next morning we packed everything leaving to Tarangire NP, in the afternoon leaving back to Arusha, where we got dropped off at our accomodation, even though it was a bit outside of Arusha and difficult to find.
Negative aspects:
- Prior to the safari we asked for the option to buy additional water because the provided 1 l per day is not sufficient. It was told to us that we will stop at a cheap supermarket for that and do not need to worry. However, this "cheap" supermarket was designed especially for Safari-Tours and was not cheap at all (water in the village near the camp was cheaper).
- The driver/guide stopped twice at some kind of souvenir shops where we were forced to spend time while he went for a coffee.
- The guides/cooks eat seperately at the camp - they cook local food (e.g. Ugali) prepared on a nice fire place. It would be a nice option to also be part of that.
- On the last day we really need to stress that we would like to spend as long as possible in Tangire NP, as our guide wanted to leave to Arusha.
Positive aspects:
- Guide and cook were very friendly.
- We saw amazingly many animals (from the big 5 we did not see rhinos) and the guide gave us an introduction for all the different species. He also knew good spots for animals and pointed out many things for us.
- The camp was very luxurious for a tented safari - there are good bathrooms - and power supply to charge cameras, mobile phones was available. Very secure feeling within the camp.
- The food in the camp was made of 3 course menus - we got catered with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian option as ordered before. The food was very nice, the lunchboxes were okay as well.
- The three parks are very different in their topography, fauna and flora. We enjoyed that a lot and felt that this Safari really gave us an amazing insight in the wildlife in Northern Tanzania.
Review about Nxai Pan National Park by Terry Carew
Not a popular venue but does boast the famous "Baines' Baobabs, a must see if you visit here.
Review about Nata by Terry Carew
Game is around but the pans in the area are the attraction. When they are full of water the birdlife is fantastic. Not a lot of game but it is around.