Reviews of safaris to Kalahari's Salt Pans
142 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kalahari Salt Pans.
Mr W
Altrincham
"Holiday of a lifetime "
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 24 Jun 2017 and 13 Jul 2017
"Excellent trip.Probably one of the best holidays you can imagine. Beautiful, safe country with well educated pleasant people.
You want to go return." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 15 on a Botswana safari
You want to go return." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 15 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C
Southwest USA
"Wonderful Safari"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 27 May 2017 and 12 Jun 2017
"I have tried hard to frame my comments from a specific point of view of an ex tour operator. The majority of our party was overwhelmingly satisfied. My dissatisfaction with Kwando comes from (perhaps unrealistic) previous expectations. The animals, the service, the camps, and the people were all 5 stars. I purposely put off giving this feedback to gain some perspective on the events of the trip, and I feel like what I have said is justified and fair.
I would like to offer some feedback to ExpertAfrica specifically - we were very frustrated with the lack of a final reconciliation 2 months before we left. We were trying to make our individual final payments and there seemed to be no way for us to get a list that said, PAX #1 owes THIS, PAX #2 owes THIS, etc. We ended up having to sit down with literally pages of payment records, separate out our own credit card surcharges, subtract our own payments made to come up with final payment amounts. It was EXCEEDINGLY frustrating. I can't believe that we are the first group travel you've ever dealt with - so it baffles me that a clear and final reconciliation was not provided. I went round and round via email, and requested this several times in several ways, but got the impression that I was asking the impossible.
In addition, I asked about tour arrangements in Cape Town, and was quoted USD75 per person to join a scheduled bus tour. When I asked about a private mini-van, the price doubled. I did a little research and booked privately with a well-known, well regarded tour company who gave us private tours for USD60 per person inclusive of wine tastings and park fees. My issue was that I had no means of contacting them once we were on holiday - although they were great and checked in with Acorn House, and it all went off just perfectly. it would have been much simpler to do this through Expert Africa and I cannot believe that with an office there you can't do better than what was quoted. The LEAST you could do is offer a recommendation of a company you like to save your clients the trouble of finding out. This booking was over USD40,000 and I had to do a lot of the legwork myself - don't get me started on international air because thats a different can of worms. I understand if you can't offer consolidator fares from the US, but arrangements need to be made if you're serving the American market." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
I would like to offer some feedback to ExpertAfrica specifically - we were very frustrated with the lack of a final reconciliation 2 months before we left. We were trying to make our individual final payments and there seemed to be no way for us to get a list that said, PAX #1 owes THIS, PAX #2 owes THIS, etc. We ended up having to sit down with literally pages of payment records, separate out our own credit card surcharges, subtract our own payments made to come up with final payment amounts. It was EXCEEDINGLY frustrating. I can't believe that we are the first group travel you've ever dealt with - so it baffles me that a clear and final reconciliation was not provided. I went round and round via email, and requested this several times in several ways, but got the impression that I was asking the impossible.
In addition, I asked about tour arrangements in Cape Town, and was quoted USD75 per person to join a scheduled bus tour. When I asked about a private mini-van, the price doubled. I did a little research and booked privately with a well-known, well regarded tour company who gave us private tours for USD60 per person inclusive of wine tastings and park fees. My issue was that I had no means of contacting them once we were on holiday - although they were great and checked in with Acorn House, and it all went off just perfectly. it would have been much simpler to do this through Expert Africa and I cannot believe that with an office there you can't do better than what was quoted. The LEAST you could do is offer a recommendation of a company you like to save your clients the trouble of finding out. This booking was over USD40,000 and I had to do a lot of the legwork myself - don't get me started on international air because thats a different can of worms. I understand if you can't offer consolidator fares from the US, but arrangements need to be made if you're serving the American market." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Good
Ms S & Mr K
USA
"Finaliy-Wild Dogs!"
I visited Malawi and 2 other countries between 19 May 2017 and 4 Jun 2017
"On this trip I traveled with one other person to Botswana, Livingstone, South Luangwa and Malawi from May 17-June 4,2017.
Everything went smoothly-no delays or cancellations.
Highlights: New sightings that included: meerkats, brown hyena, porcupines, genet cat and wild dogs.
This was our third trip to Africa and first to South Luangwa and Malawi. Loved Malawi. It is a beautiful country with beautiful, happy people altho quite poor. The highlights here were the village walk and beautiful relaxing stay at Pumalani. Also loved the staff and surroundings at Mkulumadzi.
Was somewhat disappointed in the lack of wildlife at South Luangwa since we had read about the abundance of wildlife. Also -didn't realize there were no cheetahs(my favorite). However seeing the pack of wild dogs made up for everything.
Botswana-seems to be getting more and more expensive so will probably be my last trip there." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Malawi trip
Everything went smoothly-no delays or cancellations.
Highlights: New sightings that included: meerkats, brown hyena, porcupines, genet cat and wild dogs.
This was our third trip to Africa and first to South Luangwa and Malawi. Loved Malawi. It is a beautiful country with beautiful, happy people altho quite poor. The highlights here were the village walk and beautiful relaxing stay at Pumalani. Also loved the staff and surroundings at Mkulumadzi.
Was somewhat disappointed in the lack of wildlife at South Luangwa since we had read about the abundance of wildlife. Also -didn't realize there were no cheetahs(my favorite). However seeing the pack of wild dogs made up for everything.
Botswana-seems to be getting more and more expensive so will probably be my last trip there." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Malawi trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Bertie
UK
"Botswana Rocks!"
I visited Botswana between 6 May 2017 and 17 May 2017
"We love this country. The people are so friendly. We felt very safe travelling around.
We learnt a few words of Setswana which was really appreciated.
This is a fascinating country, if you go ask about the history, Batswana are very proud of their country.
This trip was put together by Sarah Glyde who was very helpful, patient and knowledgeable.
Our first trip with Expert Africa and we would really recommend them." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
We learnt a few words of Setswana which was really appreciated.
This is a fascinating country, if you go ask about the history, Batswana are very proud of their country.
This trip was put together by Sarah Glyde who was very helpful, patient and knowledgeable.
Our first trip with Expert Africa and we would really recommend them." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Good
Kathy
Tucson, AZ
"Botswana in March"
I visited Botswana between 18 Mar 2017 and 27 Mar 2017
"March is a non-traditional time to visit Botswana, but we found it awesome. The central Kalahari is bursting with life. And the Okavango Delta was awesome too - though the grass was tall, and many of the roads were muddy.
Expert Africa did a great job at putting together a diverse itinerary; in every camp we saw different types of game and landscapes. Their description of the camps and game likely to be seen was very accurate. All the camps were great - well above our expectations. And the off-season rates were very good for the quality of the experience.
This was our first safari, and we were mesmerized by the experience. It is amazing how close the game is willing to come, and how much there is to see. It's like driving into the middle of a Natural Geographic documentary. One of the peak experiences of our lives." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Expert Africa did a great job at putting together a diverse itinerary; in every camp we saw different types of game and landscapes. Their description of the camps and game likely to be seen was very accurate. All the camps were great - well above our expectations. And the off-season rates were very good for the quality of the experience.
This was our first safari, and we were mesmerized by the experience. It is amazing how close the game is willing to come, and how much there is to see. It's like driving into the middle of a Natural Geographic documentary. One of the peak experiences of our lives." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs G
Herts
"It's not the economy stupid, it's the weather"
I visited Botswana between 22 Feb 2017 and 1 Mar 2017
"Given the extraordinary weather, just prior to arrival, life was made very difficult for the driver/guides, particularly at Nxai Pan, where the vans are required by park rules to stay on existing roads, even if they were so muddy they should not have been used. Ours { Mr T) coped very well. (And was Jessica sent to Nxai to smooth guest relations.?)
Having been to southern africa animal watching on numerous occasions over 30+ years, but always in the dry, a green season trip was very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable, but perhaps only once." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Having been to southern africa animal watching on numerous occasions over 30+ years, but always in the dry, a green season trip was very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable, but perhaps only once." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr BG
Newport Coast
"My Feb 2017 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 13 Feb 2017 and 26 Feb 2017
"Great trip, well planned and executed."
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Darius
Paris
"Botswana at low season"
I visited Botswana between 8 Feb 2017 and 20 Feb 2017
"We felt that the London Expert Africa people were following our trip in order to ensure satisfaction.
This included making arrangements for a helicopter lift out of one camp in order not to miss connecting flights (flooded runway).
Fortunately, Mack Air was able to make a short distance landing and takeoff with a regular plane. I'll be back.
Sarah offered two contrasting trip plans which allowed us to choose well in terms of budget and overall comfort. Well done." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
This included making arrangements for a helicopter lift out of one camp in order not to miss connecting flights (flooded runway).
Fortunately, Mack Air was able to make a short distance landing and takeoff with a regular plane. I'll be back.
Sarah offered two contrasting trip plans which allowed us to choose well in terms of budget and overall comfort. Well done." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr A
Australia
"Namibia & Botswana - Ian & Lynda Ancell"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 2 Nov 2016 and 22 Nov 2016
"This was from start to finish one of the best trips we have had. Our Expert Africa team member Maruska was fantastic throughout our planning, with great advice and feedback to our questions.
Everything worked as clockwork and showed the level of planning and professionalism that went into this trip by Maruska." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Everything worked as clockwork and showed the level of planning and professionalism that went into this trip by Maruska." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Ms T
Ongar
"We had wonderful trip, all logistics-perfect"
I visited Botswana between 31 Oct 2016 and 8 Nov 2016
"Very pleased overall, the Expert Africa planning worked like a dream even the flights were pretty much on time."
Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
142
reviews of Kalahari Salt Pans by travellers since August 2007
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