US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Madikwe Game Reserve offers an excellent safari experience!
A work trip in nearby Gaborone, Botswana afforded me an opportunity to enjoy a weekend safari at the Madikwe Game Reserve. My group arrived in the early afternoon at the Tau Game Lodge. After checking in, we enjoyed a great lunch. Then we loaded up for a late afternoon safari. We were seeing wild animals in no time. Actually, we could see several from the decks of our cabins without leaving the lodge's property.
We received a great treat when the rangers managed to locate a pair of lionesses with two cubs. It was amazing how close we were to these creatures. Our drive was filled with impala, wildebeest, giraffes, and more. Our Ranger, Steph , was fantastic. She really knows her stuff about the animals as well as the trees and landscape. She has a true passion for nature and wildlife and it shows. She had caught a brief glance at a leopard, and did her utmost to locate it.
The weather was spectacular and just the beginning of the dry winter season. The previous rains were plentiful and the grass was still very tall, which probably contributed to the difficulties finding the leopard, and probably concealed some other animals. Regardless, we still saw plenty of wildlife. Our first day concluded with an amazing dinner that included some delicious impala.
Day two begin with morning coffee, then loading up for another drive. Our first catch was a lone Cape buffalo. The morning was not as productive, but Steph still managed to find us a pair of elephant bulls put on a sparring match. Aside from the animals, the landscape is so beautiful. After we returned to the lodge we had a wonderful lunch before our departure. While heading back to my cabin to pack, I noticed a white rhino by water. It was a lucky catch and allowed me to finish my safari adventure with seeing four of the Big Five! The elusive leopard gives me a good reason to come back.
One great thing about our safari in Madikwe is that it is advertised as Malaria free. I highly recommend the dry winter season, at least during May. It was a little chilly for some, but you can always put on more layers and our lodge had blankets available in the Landcruiser. The vehicles are open top.
With a short weekend stay, we were limited as to how far from the lodge our safari could go. Safaris of a longer duration likely offer a chance at exploring more of the huge reserve. The rangers all communicate via radio, and are good about sharing information with each other so all visitors can get a chance to see rare animals.
I would highly recommend the Madikwe Game Reserve and hope to go there again. The Tau Game Lodge, the lodging accommodations, their Rangers, meals, and people are all first class.
FR
The grand tour of Namibia
The tour Nature Travel Namibia put together for us was undoubtedly one of the best touring holidays we have ever had, helped no end by the fact that I wasnt doing any driving!
Namibia is a fascinating country of so many contrasts, and stunning scenery. Having lived in South Africa for many years, and understanding weather and drought conditions, it was wonderful to see the country looking so green and lush, and even a river or two with water in them! We also understood why there was so remarkably little game to be seen in the Etosha. (A first time visitor wanting to see game would have been very disappointed) But we also knew when we booked it was not the prime time of year to be coming. I was not convinced about doing the 'Living Desert Tour' but it was the most fascinating and informative morning!
Jakes was in all respects a marvellous guide, safe driver, and so attentive and considerate of all our needs before we even realised we had any. He is passionate about the country, and with his farming background, so knowledgeable and interested in all aspects of ecology, flora and fauna. He is a very interesting dinner conversationalist; we tend to have an insatiable curiosity about countries we visit, not just what we are looking at, but also about the people and their thoughts, politics and attitudes and history.
He is also obviously a very popular guide and visitor to all the lodges we stayed in, Always a great welcome on our arrival, all the staff know him and would go out of their way to do anything for him and for us.
The Belvedere was in all respects far more comfortable than the Hilton, and as we joined up with another guest, we had a most amusing evening at the 'Stellenbosch Wine Bar and Restaurant'
All the other hotels and lodges were excellent, rooms comfortable, food good and all situated in amazing environments.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
South Lwange was amazing in May, Kafue had good wildlife sightings, but far fewer
I traveled via Cross Country Safaris to Zambia in May 2017. I visited 3 camps in Kafue and South Lwange. Cross Country chose beautiful camps in Chichele Lodge and Flatdogs Camp. Amazing wildlife sightings and great service and comfort at these two camps. I've been on about 6-7 wildlife safaris, and this ranked first or 2nd best. I wish Cross Country had told me more about Kafue, despite the fact that I read it had less wildlife. We did see typically one good game sighting each drive, but far less density of sightings than at South Lwange. If I went back to Kafue, it would be in September. Tseste flies were quite noticeable in Kafue. I found camp staff a little less well trained at Kafue than at South Lwange, and thought it was wierd that they have live shooting practice for rangers inside the park, rather than in the Game Management Area.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by RJK 671
It's hard to believe Madikwe was once farmland. It seems like the animals have always been there. They've clearly adapted and it is truly a wild place that is so expansive. It would take a lifetime to experience it all.
US
Excellent trip
i was with safarihub to Tanazania and everything was simply so beautiful , thanks for everything
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Guides for a Wonderful Musical Exchange!
Patrick and John provided excellent customer service throughout our two-and-a-half week musical exchange in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Traveling with a large group of 28 university students is no easy task, but they both demonstrated eagerness to serve our needs and adaptability to change plans according to sites we wanted to visit. I would recommend them to any group looking for a personal, hassle-free experience. They will make your trip memorable and much less stressful!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Experience
If you want a true Safari experience, look no further than Tailormade Africa. I can't say enough things about how smooth the process was and how helpful and informative Clyde was in particular. He set me and my friend up with amazing accommodations and an excellent Safari camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe to then transfer for a couple of days to Victoria Falls. We didn't have to worry about anything and all we had to do, was enjoy all the amazing wild animals and the stunning views of the park.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sleep out Safari
What an amazing experience, at no time did I feel unsafe, everyone was so professional
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, wonderful guide. A forever memory.
Who wouldn't love to travel in one of the world's most amazing wildlife reserves with a competent, knowledgeable driver? Masilo charmed, delighted and enlightened us. He knows the beasts and the birds and can spot them even when hidden in the branches of a tree. His favorite animal is the leopard and he spotted two of them, quite close to the road so we were able to get terrific pictures. By the way, don't hesitate to hand him the camera. He has a good eye and a steady hand. His pictures were better than mine. I was probably too excited to hold the camera still.
We stayed in Skukuza which is a big and beautifully kept rest camp. Masilo was always waiting for us at 6:30 a.m., even when we got there early. If you are going to be staying in Skukuza, request Masilo as your driver. Then tell him he is being fondly remembered by his friends from Washington state.
GA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Budget Safari
Communication with company was very good prior to safari. They were quickly responsive to any question that we had. Upon arrival, pick-up at the airport was smooth and tour group was able to arrange for in-town transportation for us as we had a full day in Arusha before the start of our safari. The driver was professional and Footslopes arranged for a good price.
Footslopes walked us to an ATM machine and helped us pick out SIM cards and then properly load them on our phones. This was really appreciated.
The safari vehicle was nice and comfortable with a pop-top to be able to take good pictures of the animals.
The wildlife and bird watching was excellent in all of the parks we visited. Our guide was quite knowledgeable about animals and birds.
This is a budget safari and if you're not as worried about dining selections and hot water and more worried about animals and birding, then this is the safari for you.
We do recommend this tour but with the knowledge that it is a budget/value option.