Email Kelly Guenther | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I've also journeyed to Amboseli National Park in Kenya. That sits next to Mount Kilimanjaro and was much greener with different wildlife -- but I was also there in May. What I liked about South Africa was the different ecology, the ease of having English spoken everywhere, and the incredible knowledge of most everyone we ran into around the Balule Reserve. I came away far more educated than in Kenya.
Email Liz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It is such a diverse country and I hope to be back to get to see more of it next time.
Email duncsboyd | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The range of bush / safari options in South Africa is outstanding - there is something for everyone and every budget.
Email Sharon du Plessis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The national park is fairly far out of the way from most major cities in South Africa, but the scenic beauty is worth the extra travel time.
Birding is worthwhile especially if you are a birder and enjoy identifying all the small birds that occur in the grasslands.
Email matthias.hoelz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
If you like animals, this is the best place for holidays
Everything was fantastic in South Africa
Undeniably great wildlife, nature, scenery and birding opportunities. South Africa is a very popular tourist destination, and as the world gets more populated and more and more people are able to afford overseas holidays it is very difficult not to see a lot of other tourists around, unless you are prepared to pay a lot more money for exclusive private game reserves/lodges.
South Africa focuses on conservation and wildlife preservation. There are many national parks in South Africa highlighting this as one of its foremost tourist attractions. The biodiversity of South Africa is plentiful, and ecotourism takes full advantage of this. There is a big drive in the South African culture on ecotourism and much of the profits made in all the national parks are fed back into the system and education. When you add good roads and infrastructure into the mix, it makes South Africa arguably Africas foremost safari and ecotourism destination.
Email David Verbossche | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Having lived in South Africa for over 25 years I have been privileged enough to travel extensively through the wonderfully diverse landscapes the country has to offer. It has something for everyone from its rugged coastlines of the Western Cape to the Majestic mountain ranges of the Drakensberg. The wildlife, although often limited to its national parks and private reserves, is abundant and can offer visitors any number of jaw-dropping and even life-changing experiences. South Africa allows for one to get away from it all, which is more suited to the adventurer. It can also cater to the urban cats who enjoy living it up in its vibrant multi-cultural cities.
It has something for everyone and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Sanna and Saxon Trip Amazing
Overall we had a great trip. Special thanks to our guide Henry who was with us up to and including Elias - he was knowledgable, friendly, Ngorongoro was spectacular with early morning mist later giving way to brighter weather, and many interesting game sightings.
After an interesting side-trip to Oldupai Gorge, we entered the Serengeti which was really beautiful. The early rains meant it was already quite green. We saw quite a lot of game, especially from Dunia, including a lot of the migration. Quite large herds of wildebeest were already moving south through the central Serengeti.
When we got to Olekira we were afraid there might not be any wildebeest left north of the Mara river. However no sooner had we got to our tent on arrival when we had to literally "scramble" to the vehicles to race to a crossing which was taking place just in front of the camp. Later we saw two more crossings during our stay. In one of these we followed a large herd for some time as they moved along the river bank. Occasionally some would go down to the waters edge, only to go back again up the bank. Finally they decided to stop teasing us, and all charged across the river right in front of us. Many thanks to Northern Masailand Safaris team.