Reviews of Lagoon Camp
(94%) From 229 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Abundant Wildlife at Lagoon Camp
The abundance and variety of wildlife we observed on the short trip from the airstrip to camp foreshadowed future game drives. We saw more numbers and variety of wildlife at this location than anywhere else on our journey.
As we experienced at other Kwando facilities, Lagoon Camp was luxurious and comfortable with many helpful and friendly staff members.
See comments by Ms I. from North Berwick for additional details on our shared vacation.
Lagoon Camp review
The volume of wildlife we saw at this camp was at times almost overwhelming. Our guide was excellent, confident and experienced. This was helpful when the Landcruiser starter motor failed twice on an evening drive, once while we were a few yards away from cheetahs and the second time when we were in the middle of a pride of lions at the start of a hunt. I think there were 14 in total. The spotter and guide took it in turns to dash out of the vehicle and effect the quick fix!
It was a great experience overall with a slight problem at the end when the manager took a lot of convincing that we had to speak to Expert Africa about the change in transfer arrangements to our mobile safari. We had to be very assertive to achieve contact and speedy resolution to the problem.
I had one other problem when I was there. During our boat safari, the staff used a coffee table to get guests on and off the boat. As this generated a 2-3 feet drop down onto the coffee table on the way on to the boat, and a 2-3 feet rise on the way out, my already injured knee suffered a set back. A small set of steps would have worked perfectly. Given the age of the client group, I am surprised that the staff thought this was appropriate.
Lagoon Camp Review
A lovely camp with a fantastic view over the river which seemed to be full of elephants and hippos for all the time we were there.
The game drives here were great, with particularly wonderful sitings of lions and wild dogs: The guide and tracker worked really really hard to make our experience as memorable as possible.
The rooms were particularly lovely - very spacious and comfortable. The food and service were also good - a highlight being treated to a private dinner in our room one evening.
We stayed here only two nights and had a game driver transfer to the Lebala Camp on leaving (where we also stayed 2 nights). Two nights in both camps with a drive between the two turned out to be absolutely ideal.
Awful.
Evasive under qualified poorly motivated manager. Overconfident guides whose base knowledge of what we saw was lamentable. Always referring to guide books to answer questions. The staff appeared to run this as a private club rather than for the enjoyment of customers who had paid a grand a head per night for the dubious privilege of being there. If this camp remains on EA's list in the future it will be the last time we book with you.
Read more about the whole safariBeautifully situated Lagoon Camp
A lovely camp situated on the side of the river with constant comings-and-goings of hippos and dozens of elephants as well as numerous birds.
The staff were charming and friendly, the tents large and well furnished.
We had many fantastic sightings including a large pack of wild dogs with pups and two male lions feeding on a dead elephant. Due to the low level of the river boat rides were impossible but the game drives with our excellent guide, Hopps, and tracker, Justice, were exceptional. Some of the areas visited had been ravaged by fires but the new grass provided excellent food for an unusual selection of antelope.
Lagoon review
Had an excellent 2 nights/days here. My only regret was that I hadn't booked to stay longer. I would highly recommend that you spend at least 3-4 nights here. The location/aspect of the camp is unbeatable, so relaxing overlooking the lagoon, with its resident hippos and herds of elephant and zebra bathing and grazing close by. There is a great little plunge pool and deck in which to cool down and laze about between game drives too. And a nice library to have some quiet time.
The huge, permanent tents have a lovely terrace overlooking the lagoon, a separate seating area, indoor/outdoor showers, as well as a stand alone bathtub also overlooking the lagoon. Food and service by all the management and staff at camp (Lebo, Kay, etc) was exemplary.
My guide/tracker (Hopps/Justice) were extremely skilful and great company. On the first morning, we tracked wild dog prints for one and a half hours before finally finding a pack of 23 dogs (including 10 puppies). I was totally blown away by the quality of tracking of these guys. They both have extensive experience in this field and it clearly shows.
On my first night, I was actually staying in the camp by myself, which was amazing (though the camp filled up the next day), and gave me the opportunity to have a long chat by the fire with Jake, the very friendly and hospitable camp manager, and also Hopps, who regaled us with stories of previous guiding successes, client antics, and very funny guiding mishaps/close calls over the years. A really fantastic evening. Highly recommend this camp. Again, I really didn't want to leave.
Great start to my safari
A very enjoyable stay; the highlights being the wild dogs. Within four hours of landing in Botswana I found myself in the thick of the action, alongside the dogs as they first hunted impala and then frantically chased a warthog.
The next morning we spent a relaxed hour watching a flock of around one hundred carmine bee-eaters - two very different but very memorable experiences.
Great room, spacious, clean. The food was mixed, but with several options being offered, there was always something to satisfy my appetite. Service was as I expected, I’ve certainly no complaints, and I think Expert Africa’s description of the camp/service/food is spot on; the service is not as polished as at some other camps I’ve visited, but it didn’t have any detrimental effect on my stay. Most importantly the game drives were excellent.
So overall I would give 4.5 stars, not quite perfection!
Wonderful safari experience at Lagoon
The second high point of the trip. Amazing location with pods of hippos and elephants coming to bathe right next to the lodge.
Perfect accommodation with every comfort and beautiful surroundings. Great food and excellent service.
However the high point was really attributable to the fabulous guides, Bate and PD, who demonstrated astonishing skill in tracking lions and leopard - predicting what we would find before we arrived - and in educating us in relation to birds, antelope .and wild dogs.
Unforgettable
Lagoon Camp review
The room we had (overlooking the river with large numbers of hippo right outside our room) was superb. It was one of the highest standards of rooms throughout the holiday. It was our wedding anniversary while we were there and they surprised us with a private dinner, gift and champagne- it was truly wonderful.
The game viewing was again very good indeed and included one of the most memorable experiences we had when we followed the wild dog pack on a night hunt. Incredible. The guide and tracker's enthusiasm for this, clearly not an everyday experience for them either, was part of what made this so special. We also had the opportunity to enjoy a particularly good walking safari. The freedom to drive at night and go off road also brought great benefits.
The vegetarian food was not quite upto the standard of some of the other camps but it was still very good- and the lunches were generally better than the dinners.
The communal areas in comparison with the room were a bit tired in appearance but had a fantastic setting on the river.
The low water levels meant that all activities were land based which was a shame but out of anyone's control. Expert Africa might like to note that had we been told of this when they were in Oct 2015, (ie soon after our booking was made ) we might have asked to make a change. As it was we were only told when our final information pack was sent out when it was obviously too late for a change.
First camp at Lagoon
Lovely accommodation. Great to be by the river.
Wonderful encounters with lion family (lion, 4 x lionesses & 4 x cubs) coming together over old kill, cheetah, wild dogs. Our guide, Josiah and tracker, Timo were excellent.
Camp staff were excellent - very friendly and helpful.
