Reviews of Nxabega Safari Camp
(93%) From 23 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Nxabega Safari Camp review
Another very enjoyable camp. It had a little less character than Sandibe, but we were able to see cheetahs and hyenas here.
Read more about the whole safari
Nxabega Safari Camp review
The second @Beyond camp visited. Comments on service and food same as for Sandibe. The guide was average and the tracker,another trainee tracker, was disengaged and didnt seem to contribute much.Both of them need to brighten up their act.
Expert Africa comments
Ed: this traveller's comments on Sandibe were:
"The 'corporate formula' seems to be striving to offer a 5Star hotel service which is out of keeping with the safari experience.
An excessive number of staff (personal butler, masseuse and a legion of waiters, supervisors etc) created a stifling/stuffy atmosphere in stark contrast to the two Kwando Safari camps visited. Once you had broken through the formal service regime, the staff turned out to be pleasant and natural, they just needed to be released from the absurd 'house style' imposed on them. The menus were overelaborate but the actual result was disappointing. Worst of all guests were seated at separate tables which inhibited social interchange. More Bournemouth than Okavango!."
Nxabega Safari Camp review
This was our fourth visit and there will be a fifth and more. Excellent management, staff, accommodation and food.
The real selling point of this camp is the special 'bush' dining. I will not say more about this as they like these fantastic dinning experiences to be a big secret and a surprise. And what special surprises they were.
This camp is a must. CCA (sorry, &Beyond) have a winning formula at this camp.
It was a big mistake with the re-branding many people think that it is a different company and CCA have sold out. Forget the silly new company name, just go to Nxabega. It goes way 'beyond' any expectations.
Expert Africa comments
When we put these comments to Nxagega's head office team, the UK Sales Manager of &Beyond, Andrew, responded to this traveller:
“I’m delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic stay with us. Our team at Nxabega (and our other lodges) really do pride themselves on creating unforgettable memories for all our guests to take home, and I’m pleased that your memories are bringing you back to visit us so often!
It was a difficult decision to change our name, and I’m sorry to hear that the new name doesn’t sit well with you. I hope that we explained the reasons behind the change?
As you found, nothing has changed – we still love to delight our guests, while at the same time making a difference in the conservation areas and among the communities surrounding our lodges. The name has changed, but our core values remain. As we grew to open lodges in India (and soon in South America), we found our name wasn’t working. Firstly, “Africa” doesn’t reflect this growth to other natural highspots around the world. Secondly, potential guests don’t really want to travel with a “Corporation” – not nearly inspiring enough, and doesn’t reflect the amazing experiences at our lodges. Lastly, while “Conservation” is important to our guests, first-time guests want to enjoy themselves in the first instance – only then do they want to know that they are making a difference.
We hope that you grow to love our new name over your future trips to our lodges – we also found it difficult at first, but now love the possibility that our new name offers. We look forward to welcoming you back!”
February stay at Nxabega
Nxabega is a luxury camp set in the delta but it is not as game-rich as other lodges. The guide and tracker had to work really hard to find much game at all on some of the drives although we did have a great time with a lone lioness.
The service at the camp was very good although I did not really appreciate the 20 minute "orientation talk" which was fundamentally a commecial for &Beyond.
There was a good mixture of activities both land and water-based. Many people would really love it here but somehow it was not my kind of camp.
Expert Africa comments
Nxabega Safari Camp sent the following message to this traveller:
Thank you for your constructive feedback on your recent visit to &Beyond Nxabega Safari Camp. I am pleased to read that you enjoyed the overall experience. We apologize that you felt that the staff were pushy in informing you of our other Lodges. We do train our staff in sharing our company information with guests, but I appreciate that it could be done in a more subtle manner. We look forward to welcoming you on safari again in the not too distant future.
Thunderstorms at Nxabega.
Our wagon was waiting by the airstrip for us and we were soon at the camp site where we were given a welcome drink and taken to our room, a good location which was ideal for birdwatching in between game drives and meals.
Our guide and tracker at this location was KB and Kenneth who were excellent and again as we had the wagon more or less to ourselves we were able to do much birdwatching without upsetting anyone else and made a welcome change for them both. We managed to see and photograph many birds and animals.
The food was excellent and all the staff just great who couldn't do enough for you. I must admit though that this camp is wonderful for thunderstorms!! It was half expected as we knew we were heading into the rainy season.
The stops for sundowners were always in good locations so we could watch the amazing sunsets and also admire the scenery before starting our night game drive.
Nxabega Safari Camp review
A good variety of activities including mokoro and boat rides. A very relaxing location even though elephants, giraffes and baboons wander through the camp.
The food was beautifully prepared and presented and the staff were superb. Our guide and tracker (Dux and Stanley) were knowledgeable and actively tracked the game. We saw cheetah at night even though large game is not always present here.
We felt that we didn't have much opportunity to get to know everyone in camp as you were put in a fixed group for the activities and also put on a small table at dinner with the same people. It would have been better if you could choose the activity which then determined the group.
Great finale at Nxabega Safari Camp
A very special camp, even if it is difficult to pronounce! Lovely tents and some of the best food we had in Botswana, especially the brunches .
Wonderful mokoro and boat trips as well as lots of varied game viewing, with Dux and Joe doing all they could to find leopards for us - and finally succeeding. Dux was a mine of information about almost everything and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Nxabega.
This is the lodge we will go back to if we return to Botswana.
Expert Africa comments
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your recent visit to CC Africa's Nxabega Safari Camp in Botswana. Thank you for your kind words and compliments regarding the Lodge and staff. Feedback like this drives us to deliver even higher levels of service. Warm Regards, Debra Fox - CC Africa Group Operations Director
Nxabega Safari Camp review
Demarie and Grant were excellent hands-on managers - very active.
Our guide Dux was excellent and he handled a problem with a very difficult client superbly.
Demarie and Grant were also involved in this - they also radioed ahead to ensure that we (or others) would not get involved in the same situation at the next camp - the family in question was subsequently given a vehicle to themselves to confine the problem.
An informative and comfortable safari.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. Our guide Dux and tracker Stanley were extremely knowledgeable and gave us a lot of interesting information about the area, animals, birds, trees and flowers. There were fewer predators around but we were most fortunate to spend time with a leopard, and we saw hyena as well as lots of herbivores.
The concession seemed rather small, so that most drives seemed to take us around the same areas which we came to recognise. We enjoyed a long mokoro ride, but unfortunately the motor boat was out of commission and that was a disappointment.
There was a new management team in place and Grant could not have been more helpful. The food and service at this camp were really top rate, and our "butler" Diana was charming and efficient. A highlight was having a sundowner standing in the waters of the delta - magical !
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
