20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by Rapster
We saw many more big game animals there, which was particularly exciting for us as we often travel to spectacular / beautiful parts of the world but don't often see big game!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Away from the crowds -
The rock formations in the Camdeboo National Park are awe-inspiring. The well managed trails make it easy to get up close and appreciate this natural spectacle. The nearby town of Graaff-Reinet is a sleepy throwback with some beautiful architecture that makes a pleasant base for exploring. In October, the temperature was perfect, the sights were quiet, and we got some spectacular storms thrown in too.
Review about Madikwe Game Reserve by kanigma
We managed to see the big 5 over a couple days, we had a wonderful time on safari.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kruger National Park by alex_griffiths
Kruger National Park is massive, beautiful and diverse. The accommodation can be anything from a tent to a 5* resort. The Game lodges like Lion Sands allow you to see and learn about the animals but the Kruger gives you the respect for just how rare some of the animals are and how lucky you were to see them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An unhindered drive into old school bush alive with vibrant tranquility and long sunset horizons.
I drove in unguided with a 4x4 with the complete feeling of discovery and calmness as a privileged part of nature in Nxai Pan. Once inside, there is really nothing beyond the ablution block in the camp to signify man's comforts and trespass upon the wild. Respect for the environment means a novel observational experience like you might have seen 50 years ago, in that there are no tarred roads or fences around hutted camps.
As a photographer, you have unique accessibility to clear fields of view, especially by the water holes, where a sensible proximity to elephants is possible. This increases the feeling of being part of nature and builds a great sense of regard. The open areas allowed me to track a Lion walking for more than a mile and get an awesome sequence of shots.
The camp ground is literally a space for tents and vehicles, with the provision of a water supply and toilet/shower facilities. Walking amongst the trees there reveals many other often overlooked species, particularly birds and insects, heightened with the exciting reality that you are in wild country without a perimeter to keep animals out.
This part of Botswana really does offer some fantastic sunset scenes with long shadows and deep colours as the dust dances in the air.
A thoroughly recommendable trip with a difference, impossible to match in South Africa.
Review about Namibia by ninoximages
Wildlife: Seeing huge herds of Elephant (over 300 strong) on the move through open grassland was a real highlight. At the time we visited there were only small groups of other game, but these were very rewarding viewings.
Scenic beauty: Beautiful grassland, ant mounds, the clear Kwando River and sunsets are all to be highly recommended.
Bush vibe: Highly recommended on this basis. The camping along the river really puts you amongst the game. A lot of the best viewing is right from the camping areas. The relative lack of tourists also creates a real bush vibe.
Birding: Great bird watching in general – numerous species (possibly due to such a diversity of habitats in a small area). Highlights from our trip include different species of bee-eaters, Malachite Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Bateleur Eagles and many types of waterbirds.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Katavi is a place to consider for experienced safari goers who want a wilderness experience.
Katavi National Park presents a bit of a mixed bag. It is remote and therefore expensive to get to. Its remoteness does provide a better safari/bush experience but its very remoteness means fewer roads which force the few vehicles and visitors on them. But, it is a world away from the traffic in the Ngorongoro Crater and therefore will provide a truer safari experience for those seeking it.
I have some difficulty recommending Katavi for a first time safari. It is better suited to a repeat visitor who might know more of what to expect from the safari experience. We were there in August and experienced lots of tsetse flies and reports of blazing heat later in the fall. However, I do not wish to imply that all was negative. In what was our third trip to Africa that included visits to nine parks we saw the largest herds of Cape Buffalo, more Hippos and more Crocodiles in Katavi than in any park we visited. We also we fortunate to see herds Roan Antelope, wonderful Lion prides and some fantastic birding.
Much of the safari experience is dependent on the quality of the accommodations and the expertise of the guides. Chada Katavi was a first-rate camp with excellent food, hospitality and accommodations. Even if the camp Elephants were not always cooperative it was a blast to see one about 75 yards away when in the shower.
The Nomad guides were first rate. They have enormous knowledge, are pleasant and go out of there way to make the safari experience as rich as possible. The ability to go on a short walking safari was a big plus. Nomad Tanzania and Chada Katavi get the highest possible recommendations.
Review about Mikumi National Park by Alistair Tough
Although the main road inland from Dar runs through it, it is not hard to get away into remoter areas. Watch out for tree-climbing lions. The camp site is basic but a wonderful place to enjoy the sounds of the night.
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Alistair Tough
The park is quite small but has an unusual rain forest environment. The hotel overlooking Manyara has one of the most exciting swimming pools in the world - there is a thousand foot drop from one side.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by quilttyme
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is a very beautiful, hilly reserve. There are many animals and they are pretty easy to see.
As a reserve it is open to everyone and you can actually drive your car though on your own. This can tend to make it seem a little crowded.
Be sure to include lunch at the Hilltop Lodge which has fantastic panoramic views of the bushvelt (Afrikaans for bush country).