FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by camselrac1
few tourists, well preserved nature and rich wildlife, amazing landscapes
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kenya by Sue Green LRPS (suebg1)
I would rate Kenya quite highly as a safari destination mainly because in most of the parks it is possible to observe the animals quite closely.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Zambia by Tob Photo
Of all the countries in Africa I've visited (and I've been to a few - I currently reside in Mozambique), Zambia is the friendliest and most action-packed in terms of places to visit!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Kenya by axda73
The diversity of this Country is amazing. From Tropical beaches to alpine zones and from deserts to Tropical rainforests.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
3-Day Safari to Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
My trip to Northern Tanzania in early April of 2015 was a very memorable experience thanks to the services of Kilidove Tours and Safaris Ltd. If you ever want to undertake a safari to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater - and also decide to actually climb Mt. Kilimanjaro - then I would strongly recommend using the services of Kilidove. Indeed, their flexibility and amenability to any type of safari and/or climb are never a problem, because the company is staffed with experienced personnel who have access to a large fleet of LandCruisers. In terms of professionalism - whether it be measured from the standpoint of expertise, reliability, competence, customer service, or integrity - the organization is second to none.
As we deboarded from the plane that Sunday afternoon at Kilimanjaro Airport, it was none other than George Joseph himself, Director and Owner of the company, who greeted me and my son. He immediately drove us to his office in nearby Arusha to finalize payments and to answer any questions we might have concerning the Activity Sheet handout. Finally, George chauffeured us to our hotel - but not before taking us to the outskirts of the city, to view Kilimanjaro just before sunset.
One invaluable service rendered by Kilidove - ever mindful that accommodations have become as important as the wildlife - was their choice of Outpost Lodge in Arusha. The hotel staff was both friendly and hard-working. Our unit had two comfortable beds, TV, fan - with an adjoining bathroom never short on towels, soap, hot water nor electricity. Unforgettable were the lush grounds and communal poolside restaurant -lounge where free breakfast always included fresh-squeezed juices.
Equally commendable was Kilidove's choice of hotels over the next three days of our safari: first, at luxurious Seronera Sopa Lodge in central Serengeti National Park, followed by Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge directly on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Food and service were excellent at both places.
DAY 1, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK: The next morning Joshua, our gracious and experienced guide, arrived promptly at 7a.m. - as indicated on our Activity Sheet handout. Being conversant in Swahili and English (Tanzania's second national language), there was never a communication barrier.
Fifteen minutes later we had already left Arusha - reaching the Park entrance by noon. En route, we drove through open plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the Maasai live and cling defiantly to a pastoral lifestyle (little changed from that of their forefathers) continuing to graze their cattle, goats and camels for milk and food, and even cooking termites extracted from nearby 3-foot mounds; women still make and wear intricate beadwork, which they also sell to tourists alongside the road.
Made an optional stop at a full-fledged Maasai "manyatta" (a semi-permanent village of huts ringed by a thorn fence as defense against wild animals) in order to acquaint ourselves better with the culture and mores of these noble people. Also stopped to visit the memorial of Professor Bernard Grzinek who wrote the book, "Serengeti Shall Not Die," in his quest to have the Serengeti plains declared a National Park, which finally happened in 1951.
It is now also a World Heritage Site.
At the Park entrance, our guide had us eat our box lunch (a wonderful assortment of chicken breast, potatoes,
crackers, fruit juice, and dessert). We then hopped into our LandCruiser and began our journey (or "safari" in Swahili) into the interior. Over the period of six hours Joshua'a expertise,persistence, diligence, keen vision, good driving skills (avoiding mud holes), and maintaining radio communication with other Kilidove-guided tours proved very beneficial for us.
From our lofty convertible deck we could gaze out in all directions over the expansive grasslands, capturing the thrill of seeing Africa's great wildlife. That afternoon alone we beheld not just 1 but all 3 of the Big Cats: a pride of lions, a female leopard rejoining her cubs, and a solitary cheetah (the swiftest animal on earth). Moreover, we even sighted one of the most elusive Small Cats of all - the Serval. Our guide explained to us that this spotted feline, smaller than a cheetah but with a similar build, favors a habitat of long grass and reed beds, and is therefore rarely seen when hunting for small mammals, birds and reptiles.
My son and I also witnessed an incredible array of "Cud-Chewing Mammals" - dozens of different species of antelope, from the imposing Eland, Roan and Greater kudu, to Hartebeest and Wildebeest (the most abundant antelope in East Africa). There were also Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle (the most abundant gazelle in East Africa, with numbers approaching 1 million), and the African buffalo (very heavily built and very dangerous). Interestingly, commented our guide, the "Acacia Savannah Grassland "eco-zone of the Serengeti plains are dependent upon being grazed by these wild animals. If grazing were removed from the equation, the grassland would naturally revert to acacia woodland (where Tanzania has more than 40 types of indigenous acacia!).
In our sightings there were also "Hoofed Mammals" such as the Maasi giraffe (the world's tallest animal, grasping acacia leaves with its amazing 18-inch tongue), zebra, warthog and hippopotamus. "Other Land Carnivores" included hyenas, jackals, Bat-eared fox, and Banded mongoose.
Amongst reptiles, Joshua pointed to the unforgettable sight of a full-grown Nile crocodile warming itself in the sun beside a river. Attaining a length of about 16 ft. and weighing around 500 lbs., it could deliver a crushing bite of more than 3,000 lbs. of force per sq. inch - by far the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom. This brute force would allow them to shatter bones of zebra, warthog, wildebeest, or even the shells of animals such as turtles!
Thus, by the end of the first day, we must have encountered at least 30 types of large mammals. (By "large" zoologists mean anything from the size of a domestic cat.) Yet this count was to be expected in Tanzania, remarked our guide, where over 80 species reside.
Day 2, Serengeti National Park: Leaving Serengeti Sopa Lodge at 7a.m., we continued to explore the savannah habitat - consisting of broad rolling grasslands dotted with lone acacia trees. The openness and vastness of this landscape made it a perfect home for large herds of grazing wildebeest and zebra.
In particular - and thanks to Joshua's persistence - we especially wanted to track down the Great Migration, where some 8 million hooves - mostly belonging to wildebeest and zebra - would pound the plains in search of fresh grass (as a consequence of the rainy season).
This happened, when suddenly over the horizon line, there appeared a massive column of thousands upon thousands of wildebeest - with accompanying herds of zebra, Thomson's gazelle and Grant's gazelle. We were just dumbfounded - looking on in disbelief and amazement for close to an hour.
Later that morning, our guide obligingly took us back to a desolate "koppie' (an isolated granite hillock) to revisit the spotted leopard caring for her two cubs. With our binoculars we could barely discern them inside a cavity underneath a high overhanging ledge. Also saw several herds of majestic giraffes (comically unperturbed whenever little birds perched on their heads), another pride of lions, some Vervet monkeys, and countless baboons (Africa's largest monkey).
When having our box lunch at a Park rest stop, my son and I noticed a pod of hippos submerged in a river bend
only a 100 yards away. But why the signs, "DANGER: HIPPOS"? Our guide quickly explained to us that a full-grown hippo can be even more dangerous than the crocodile . Although the hippo's jaws do not possess as much power as a crocodile's jaws, they are still capable of biting down with great strength with their razor-sharp tusks. Moreover, weighing up to 4 tons, they can easily overpower and kill even a large Nile crocodile.
In the course of two days, however, my son and I were especially surprised by the abundance and variety of bird life seen on the Serengeti. Indeed, with Joshua's help and expertise (while also reverting to a "Field Book," when necessary), we must have identified about 30 species - starting with brilliantly colored rollers, starlings and bee-eaters perched on trees, alongside beak-heavy hornbills and nest-making weavers. The open savannah was home to the magnificent Grey Crowned crane and snake-eating Secretary bird, as wells the flightless ostrich and showy Kori bustard (the world's heaviest flying creature). And everywhere the sky was alive with birds of prey, ranging from the Pygmy falcon to the immense Martial eagle and Lappet-faced vulture.
Equally unforgettable, as we were leaving the Park en route Ngorongoro Conservation Reserve, was encountering an adorable Kirk's dik-dik by the side of the road. The tiniest of all antelopes, it was no bigger than a full-grown hare!
Day 3, Ngorongoro Crater (a World Heritage Site): After spending a pleasant night at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (crater rim elevation 7,000 ft.), we proceeded early next morning to drive down 2,000 ft. onto the floor of the world's largest complete volcanic caldera. This vast scenic area of 100 sq. miles supported around 20,000 large animals, including the work's densest population of lions and spotted hyenas. Very noticeable were large herds of zebra, as well as a gathering of hundreds upon hundreds of Lesser flamingos on a shimmering salt lake.
By the end of the day - due to Joshua's expertise, persistence and keen eyesight - we had finally encountered multiple herds of Savannah elephants, together with 1 Black rhino. Thus our wish to have seen Africa's "Big Five" -elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo - had been fulfilled!
That evening - back in Arusha at Outpost Lodge - my son and I could really celebrate (and Joshua deservedly received a nice tip from us).
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly travel in very nice ambience. Flexible program. Interesting explanation about wildlife
Flexible program, Fine friendly service, nice accomodation, accomodation for gorilla trecking in community was very likable, full reliable Service, Guide with very goog Knowledge about wildlife.
For a next Trip to Uganda I'll choose Pearl Afric again.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Far exceeded our expectations the organisation was excellent very professionally done.
From the very first conversation with Monique it was obvious Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern African Travel) knew exactly what a dream holiday meant and that's what we had, from the moment we were met at the airport it ran like clockwork, Cape Town Grootbos , Safari, Victoria Falls, Zambeze Queen cruise on the Chobe River each part of the holiday was just as amazing as each other but in its own way different an experience we shall never forget, top class accommodation wherever we stayed very friendly people could not fault it, internal flights went very smoothly and on time, can't wait to do it again!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a life time!!!!
When my husband and I first started planning our safari, we contacted a couple of companies but none really put the effort into finding out what we really wanted to see and do. Then we were fortunate enough to be referred to Leslie of Mama Tembo Tours and everything fell into place. Leslie gave us options and called us so we could communicate by phone which was much more productive. She arranged everything to perfection and even when we were late arriving, our driver, Lyimo, was waiting for us.
Leslie has surrounded herself by quality employees. Lyimo's knowledge of the wild life and birds of Africa is amazing. Each day we learned so much and were in awe of his ability to locate animals for us to view. Thanks to him, we got many amazing pictures.
Safety is another big issue and it was easy to tell that Leslie stressed this to her employees. We never felt threatened by any situation (animals or camps that we stayed at). Each camp had staff who would walk you back to your tent after dinner in case there were animals about.
Some of the highlights of our trip were visiting the Leaky museum at Oldupai Gorge, hunting with the bushmen and of course watching the wildebeest crossing the Mara River. We got up close and personal with so many animals, it would take a whole book to describe these events.
The only disappointment in the whole trip was the fact that the fridge in our land cruiser wasn't working so we had to drink warm water. In the grand scheme of things, this is a very small negative but it was the only one I could think of and when doing a review, it should include both positives and negatives.
Needless to say, my husband and I wholeheartedly recommend Mama Tembo Tours!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing Congo wildlife adventure
The support for this trip began well before departure with helpful communication on what to expect and what to bring along. Whilst nothing can prepare you for your first time experience in ROC, we were well briefed each day and evening and really every eventuality had been thought through and prepared for.
The adventure was truly a life changing trip and I still feel so privileged to have observed gorillas in such a remote part of the world. Highlights include days sitting quietly contemplating the breath-taking scenery at Mbeli Bai watching forest elephants as well as gorillas at the edge of the Bai and the time we spent with the habituated gorilla families at Mondika Camp.
The journey was made all that more special through being guided by Leslie Nevison who looked after our group with great care, good humour, and made sure we were as comfortable as possible given the rigours of the trip. Her experience in this part of the world is invaluable.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top vacation of our life
Never dreamed we would do a safari in our lifetime, but this "Wild at Heart" adventure lured us to Africa. From day one of the presentation of the travel agenda and the detailed organization of the schedule, we were hooked! Robin is an expert at helping and directing "novices" on getting to Africa, experiencing Africa, and never wanting to leave. She was on top of EVERYTHING and gave us the best vacation we have ever had, hands down! Every venue she set up was top notch and flawless. We made friends on our trip that will remain in our lives forever. Thanks Robin!!!