An Authentic, Accessible Experience
I was greatly impressed by the wildlife and scenery of Tsavo National Park. I was even more impressed by the accessibility.
As a working professional, my vacation days are limited. I had booked a week at a beach resort in Mombasa, intending nothing more than to escape the New York winter for a tropical beach while putting another country under my well-traveled belt. Going on safari was almost an afterthought.
After two days of beach, beer and sun, I decided to check out the wildlife. I asked the reception at my youth hostel for a safari recommendation. After one phone call on a borrowed cell phone and one taxi ride into downtown Mombasa to pay the fee (they took American Express) I was booked for an overnight Safari at Tsavo National Park.
We left Mombasa early in the morning, arriving at our hotel for lunch. I stayed at the Voi Wildlife Lodge, which I highly recommend! It combines modern amenities (including air conditioning: a pleasant luxury for Europeans but an absolute must for Americans) with incredible scenery. There are several swimming pools and an observation deck that stretches approximately 50m into the park and overlooks a watering hole.
The safari itself was very memorable. We saw elephants, giraffes, baboons, wildebeest, gazelles, dik diks, cheetahs, and we even saw a lioness in the morning! Our guide was a native Kenyan who spoke perfect English and what sounded to me like very good German. It rained, very briefly, as we were driving from Mombasa to Tsavo. Not a lot, but just enough for me to "Bless the rains down in Africa" as the song goes. Aside from that one drizzle the weather was invariably sunny and warm: 88 degrees for Americans, just under 30 for Europeans.
Tsavo was incredible, I can't emphasize that enough, but the biggest draw for me was the easy accessibility from both Mombasa and Nairobi. If I'd stayed longer, I would have included several other parks in addition to Tsavo. I would have liked to venture into Tanzania and perhaps checked out the island of Zanzibar. Sadly, I have a limited number of vacation days and a lot of world left to explore...
PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Maciek Bit
It would be great but there was too many people.
Review about Uganda by The Far Horizons
Uganda is an unspoiled destination, because it has never suffered the mass tourism of Kenya and Tanzania. The people are friendly and welcoming by nature, and there is plenty of opportunity to get out of the vehicle and explore on foot and to interact with the locals.
Game densities in some places are very good, but here, you have to work a little harder to spot your game than in other, more popular destinations. Also, top end accommodation can be hard to find in certain areas. However, Uganda has a beguiling charm, and will get under your skin. At the end of a multi-country African safari, Uganda will linger as one of your fondest memories, sometimes for reasons you can't quite put your finger on.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Matt D.
A great place to view game, but as it's a national park there are many regulations that don't allow one to see everything.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kenya by KitingYan
Kenya is a great safari destination varied parks both operated by the Kenya Wildlife Services and also private game conservancy.
Abundant wildlife.
Friendly people.
Great coastline - superb beaches.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Matt D.
South Africa is an amazing country for safaris, and there are a range of lodges catering to everyone's particular taste. Whether looking for the true bush experience or a luxury holiday adventure, South Africa has it!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One full day packed with wild life and scenery that only Africa can offer
There is genuine feeling of visiting Africa of the past when experiencing Murchison Falls National Park. The wildlife is plentiful and the tourist are few. It is such a large geographical area that there is a sense of being in a remote part of the world. There is both simple & inexpensive as well as upscale accommodations available in the park. There was freedom to drive you own vehicle around or have a guide take you. The boat trip up the river to the falls is well worth the 3 or 4 hours. The encounters with the Hippos and river creatures was exciting. As a professional photographer / videographer there was plenty of opportunity to captures images that will forever stimulate the imagination.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Uganda by ReynoldMainse
Uganda is at the heart of Africa and presents itself as very Friendly to visitors and full of wonder and encounter once in the wild. Make sure you sit with the people and take time to engage them in conversation.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Tsavo East National Park by WW
We stayed at the former warden's house with a group of friends where we hired a cooked and maid. There happened to be 2 wells/water holes behind the house so it was amazing to see the elephants and buffalo in "our backyard", though a little scary. Lions roaring nearby was even scarier. The self-drive tours were just ok and we didn't try to do more. I wanted to see but did not the famous lions of Tsavo which are descendants of the man-eating lions which were infamous during the construction of the Mombasa to Kampala railroad.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by WW
Soda lakes are interesting. Flamingoes and Pelicans were amazing. Drove from Nairobi as a day trip once. Stayed once at just ok hotel which name I can't remember. Walking safari felt as though we were walking in a zoo without fences.