CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari!
Had a great safari experience with Malcolm. We had a set itinerary however due to weather we had to change locations which Malcolm re-arranged with ease for us. Locations were varied and remote including Hwange and Chobe National Parks. Malcolm arranged our vehicle hire which was brand new and well equipped and also lead us through immigration check points without hassle. Our first safari experience and looking forward to seeing more of Africa.
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent! Highly recommended!
We went to 2-days Selous safari with Gecko (from Zanzibar). Everything was great! Excellent service, much better than we could expect (even when we found out it's a real problem to print the booking with flight tickets in Zanzibar - asked Rama and they printed everything for us and brought us with the pick up to the hotel; when we came back, and it was really hot, the transfer to the hotel waited for us with wet towels for refreshment; really outstanding service!). Everything was fixed and well organized, had not even one issue with anything. Thank you very very much! From our experience - you are the best in Tanzania!!!:)
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Surprised by the allure of the wild life and the care and information provided by the guide.
Spectacular safari! Seeing the birds and animals in their natural habitats was fascinating and I was intrigued by all the details the guide was able to convey on animal groupings and habits. The guide brought quality binoculars, which were a big plus. If there were many on the journey, it might be advisable to bring one’s own. For accommodations, I sought comfort and cleanliness (not luxury) in scenic settings and was pleased by the company’s arrangements. I did a 4-day trip to Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks and in retrospect would have preferred an additional day in Queen Elizabeth Park vicinity as most of the first and fourth day were spent driving. Though it was super interesting to drive through towns, villages and countryside, it was a lot of driving time. As a woman embarking on a solo safari, I valued the opportunity to make the journey with a woman guide. And I was impressed by the proficiency, responsiveness, attention to detail and fun loving orientation of the company and the guide.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mokala National Park by Alan Crawford
Mokala National Park is South Africa's newest game reserve and is responsible for the breeding programs of South Africa's threatened antelope species. As a result of this the park does not contain predators however offers the visitor opportunities to see some of the threatened antelope species.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mkhuze Game Reserve by Alan Crawford
This game reserve is about an hour's drive north of the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve and is a very good park for birding. The large water pans, when full, contain an abundance of water birds. The park also contains the big five and has very good hides for photography and watching game. The park in in the northern section of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kruger National Park by Alan Crawford
Kruger National Park is the biggest South African game reserve and home to the big five; Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo. Game is plentiful in this game reserve and visitors are guaranteed seeing an abundance of game. Chances of seeing the big five as well as Cheetah, African Wild Dog and a vast variety of mammals is possible.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by Alan Crawford
Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve is based in KwaZulu Natal and is the third biggest South African game reserve. The reserve is well known for bringing the rhino population back from possible extinction. The big five can be spotted at this reserve. The reserve is also close to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park a world heritage sight.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Golden Gate Highlands National Park by Alan Crawford
Golden Gate National Park is based in the northern reaches of the Drakensberg mountain range and the Maluti mountains and is a great destination for hiking amongst high sandstone rock formations. The park contains wildlife found in the mountains of South Africa. A visit from here to the Drakensberg mountain resorts is also possible.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Augrabies Falls National Park by Alan Crawford
Augrabies Falls National Park contains the Augrabies falls where the Orange (Gariep) River carves it path through scenic gorges. The falls are spectacular after periods of high rainfall. A number of animals including Black Rhino can be seen in this arid park.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park visit is an experience of adaption of life to a desert environment
A review of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa by Alan Crawford
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is situated 260km north of Upington, South Africa and the South African section of the park is wedged between Namibia on the left and Botswana to the right. The term “Transfrontier” comes from the fact that the park spans two countries namely South Africa and Botswana and the park is jointly managed by both countries.
Our trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was undertaken in December 2016 during summer. The weather at this time of the year is very hot with temperatures averaging between 32 degrees and 45 degrees centigrade. The heat is a dry heat without humidity and temperatures cool down in the evening into the twenties. In winter temperatures the night time temperatures can be below freezing point.
Whilst temperatures are hot at this time of the year there are advantages for game viewing as animals normally congregate close to the many water holes in the park. The geography park is a desert environment which has two dry rivers the Auob River that flows once every 10 years and the Nossob River that flows every 100 years. In summer the afternoon storms are spectacular as they are intense and occasionally are accompanied by dust storms.
The Kgalagadi is home to the black maned lions and during this year’s trip we were able to see 42 different lion at various locations in the park. Cheetahs were active as the onset of early rains resulted in the large herds of Springbok migrating off the dues into the river beds where fresh shoots of vegetation were growing. After dry periods when the first rains start you can see the change in colours overnight as the fresh shoots of grass and leaves on the “Drie Doring” (three thorn) shrubs start growing immediately. The Springbok can hold back the birth of their young until the rains come. When this takes place the cheetahs are very active hunting the young springbok lambs. Leopards, although difficult to see, are abundant in the park and often hide out in the rocky limestone outcrops where they can survey the riverbeds for prey. The Kgalagadi has high numbers of brown hyena, which are shy animals but often seen in the early morning.
A number of antelope species are found in the park with the dominant species being Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), Red Hartebeest, Kudu and Steenbok. During some seasons when water is scarce in the Central Kalahari in Botswana large herds of Eland, the biggest antelope in Southern Africa, migrate into the park.
The Kgalagadi is not always about the big animals but also a number of other interesting mammals such as the Honey Badger, Ground Squirrels, Mongoose, Surricates (Meercats), Cape Fox, Aardwolf, Pangolin, Black Backed Jackal, Porcupine, Caracal, and African Wild Cat that occur in the park.
Reptiles such a Tree Agamas, Cape Cobra, Puff Adders are often prey for the many small raptors, owls and eagles found in the park.
There are approximately 280 species of bird that occur in the park of which about 92 are permanent residents. During summer birdwatching is excellent as the area has a very high concentration of raptors that follow the rain fronts and feed on termite eruptions. During our trip we were able to tick off 92 different bird species.
There are three main camps Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob. These offer a variety of accommodation from campsites, bungalows to family cottages. Only Twee Rivieren has power for 24 hours whilst Mata Mata and Nossob have generated power form 5.00am to 10.00pm. Most accommodation contains a fridge, hot plate or gas cooker top, microwave oven and the basic crockery and cutlery. Apart from the main camps there are three wilderness camps that are unfenced and offer a wilder experience being more remotely positioned but with modest “luxury’ facilities. Only Twee Rivieren has a restaurant and self-catering is required in all other camps. The three main camps have shops which carry beverages, basic food stuff, meat, curios and basic toiletries.
Apart from the South African side of the park guests can make use of two lodges on the Botswana side of the park one based at Rooiputs in the south and the other at Polenswa in the north of the park. There are also camps at Rooiputs and Polenswa that are completely unfenced and a vehicle with a roof top tent is essential as the camps are often frequented by lion.
Visitors can fly into Upington and rent vehicles to travel to the park although double cab pickup trucks will handle the gravel roads better and the higher vantage point facilitates better game viewing. Upington is a good travel hub to use as the Augrabies Falls National Park is only 112km away. Travelling into Namibia is also possible from Upington.
Further details of the park can be obtained by visiting the South African National Parks website on www.sanparks.org
For a sample of photos of the animals of the park visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanjcrawfordphotography/
