Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area
593 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kwando-Linyanti.
Ms B & Ms L
New York
"My May 2014 trip"
I visited Botswana between 17 May 2014 and 3 Jun 2014
"This was to be the trip of a lifetime. It was something I had dreamed of since I was about 7 years old, and hours went into planning and information gathering. We looked at other travel companies, famous and expensive ones. Expert Africa had the most informative website that seemed unbiased. As long as the expectations are clear in advance, there are only positive experiences.
Maruska, the Expert who booked our trip gave all of the information that I requested, which was extensive! Maruska was patient and gave us the benefit of having spent years in Botswana. She was empathic, realizing that not having been there before, I was not certain what precautions were needed. She assuaged my fears with accurate information and patience. She explained all aspects of the travel and elicited confidence. She accommodated a very custom tailored, complicated itinerary, and was indefatigable! I must say that all of her hard work paid off for us. The Botswana experience was far better than I could have hoped or imagined. Everything was perfect would be an understatement. The trip was beyond my wildest dreams.
Bostwana is a spectacular part of the world. The ecosystems are unique, the beauty is unreal, the wildlife was up close and the people are the loveliest of all.
Our trip was wonderful in every way. The people who lived and worked at the camps were filled with humor and kindness, and loved a good surprise. I would like to thank every one.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please keep doing exactly what you do!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Maruska, the Expert who booked our trip gave all of the information that I requested, which was extensive! Maruska was patient and gave us the benefit of having spent years in Botswana. She was empathic, realizing that not having been there before, I was not certain what precautions were needed. She assuaged my fears with accurate information and patience. She explained all aspects of the travel and elicited confidence. She accommodated a very custom tailored, complicated itinerary, and was indefatigable! I must say that all of her hard work paid off for us. The Botswana experience was far better than I could have hoped or imagined. Everything was perfect would be an understatement. The trip was beyond my wildest dreams.
Bostwana is a spectacular part of the world. The ecosystems are unique, the beauty is unreal, the wildlife was up close and the people are the loveliest of all.
Our trip was wonderful in every way. The people who lived and worked at the camps were filled with humor and kindness, and loved a good surprise. I would like to thank every one.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please keep doing exactly what you do!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Prof & Ms M
MD
"My May 2014 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 16 May 2014 and 6 Jun 2014
"A wonderful experience. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maruska.
Your very professional website attracted me in the first place. (I am in the software business.)
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that I can think of just now." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Your very professional website attracted me in the first place. (I am in the software business.)
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that I can think of just now." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr Z
USA
"Zigler's 45th Anniversary Safari"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 15 May 2014 and 26 May 2014
"A great once in a lifetime trip. Far exceeded our expectations.
Thank you very much Maruska for putting it all together and your patience in answering our never ending questions.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Recommend that:
- travelers be forewarned about the transfer between Zambia and the Kasane airport.
- travelers mark their battery chargers with highly visible markings so that they are not confused with other charges in a central charging station.
The trip turned out to be fantastic and would highly recommend the use of Expert Safaris for planning and organizing a safari in Botswana." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Thank you very much Maruska for putting it all together and your patience in answering our never ending questions.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Recommend that:
- travelers be forewarned about the transfer between Zambia and the Kasane airport.
- travelers mark their battery chargers with highly visible markings so that they are not confused with other charges in a central charging station.
The trip turned out to be fantastic and would highly recommend the use of Expert Safaris for planning and organizing a safari in Botswana." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs m
Glasgow
"Beautiful Botswana"
I visited Botswana between 14 May 2014 and 27 May 2014
"We had a wonderful trip. All the arrangements ran like clockwork - thank you for a great hassle free trip.
There are not enough superlatives to describe our visit!! Although Botswana is an expensive destination, the people and the experience are worth every penny.
Our itinerary, which Megan helped us put together, was excellent and was even commented on by one of the guides as a great diversity of camps and scenery.
We would highly recommend Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We cannot fault your service. Thank you." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
There are not enough superlatives to describe our visit!! Although Botswana is an expensive destination, the people and the experience are worth every penny.
Our itinerary, which Megan helped us put together, was excellent and was even commented on by one of the guides as a great diversity of camps and scenery.
We would highly recommend Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We cannot fault your service. Thank you." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms H
USA
"Our May 2014 Family Reunion"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 May 2014 and 14 May 2014
"Incredible, extraordinary, exciting, unbelievably memorable experience we will always cherish as a family!
Maruska did a fabulous job of getting it all together with not a great deal of time. She got back with us in a very timely manner which especially helped given the time constraints and the fact that we were dealing with 6 adults with different job schedules and on different continents.
She was professional and very knowledgeable.
We would definitely recommend Expert Africa and hope to come back to Botswana some day.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Had we started at Okuti we might have felt differently about the experience. It was so different from Tubu Tree. Obviously one has to work with availability but it might be good, if possible, to use a formula of the least desirable camp first. Being our first safari, we also were not anticipating such a big difference between the private and public reserve experiences. One positive consequence was that Okuti really made us appreciate our time at Tubu Tree and Labala and allowed us to see subtle differences which none the less made a huge difference in the atmosphere and experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Maruska did a fabulous job of getting it all together with not a great deal of time. She got back with us in a very timely manner which especially helped given the time constraints and the fact that we were dealing with 6 adults with different job schedules and on different continents.
She was professional and very knowledgeable.
We would definitely recommend Expert Africa and hope to come back to Botswana some day.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Had we started at Okuti we might have felt differently about the experience. It was so different from Tubu Tree. Obviously one has to work with availability but it might be good, if possible, to use a formula of the least desirable camp first. Being our first safari, we also were not anticipating such a big difference between the private and public reserve experiences. One positive consequence was that Okuti really made us appreciate our time at Tubu Tree and Labala and allowed us to see subtle differences which none the less made a huge difference in the atmosphere and experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr D
Parker
"Southern Africa trip"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 25 Apr 2014 and 10 May 2014
"Overall our trip was excellent. Only glitches were a missing extra spare tire in Namibib and they guy in Livingstone who was to meet us ran off with another couple. Thanks to a great airport travel desk guy, he sorted it out and matched us with the person we needed.
The Expert Africa folks we dealt with were uniformly very good to excellent. There were some delays in feedback during the planning process which we noted but overall very good. Quick feedback during the planning process is critical to us as we are comparing ideas and proposals from more than one company and we need to hear from everyone.
For this trip we spoke to three different folks--Nick, Sabina and one other. Next time I would spend more time in conversation with each of them and would better understand our itinerary options. There is only so much I retain from web sites and travel books.
We also want to find places in Botswana with animals. That was the big surprise for this trip. Our East Africa trips have spoiled us and shaped our expectations for game viewing." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
The Expert Africa folks we dealt with were uniformly very good to excellent. There were some delays in feedback during the planning process which we noted but overall very good. Quick feedback during the planning process is critical to us as we are comparing ideas and proposals from more than one company and we need to hear from everyone.
For this trip we spoke to three different folks--Nick, Sabina and one other. Next time I would spend more time in conversation with each of them and would better understand our itinerary options. There is only so much I retain from web sites and travel books.
We also want to find places in Botswana with animals. That was the big surprise for this trip. Our East Africa trips have spoiled us and shaped our expectations for game viewing." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms J & Ms B
Canada
"My Apr 2014 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 13 Apr 2014 and 17 May 2014
"Overall, a fantastic trip.
Expert Africa did an excellent job in their seamless arrangements." Read full review: 34 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Expert Africa did an excellent job in their seamless arrangements." Read full review: 34 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mrs H
Canada
"My Feb 2014 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 27 Feb 2014 and 8 Mar 2014
"In a word, the trip was superb - and Maruska Adye had a lot to do with it.
It's important, we think, to compliment Maruska on every aspect of her work with us. From the time we first contacted Expert Africa by email, to the phone conversations we had, to the numerous questions we sent - Maruska's responses were quick (ridiculously quick in some cases - we couldn't believe how attentive she was) and always helpful. We felt all along - and our trip was two years in the making - that we were being treated not simply as faceless clients, but as individuals with preferences and ideas that were worthwhile and needed to be dealt with. Maruska's suggestions always seemed to relate directly to the information we'd forwarded to her. She actually seemed to be thinking about OUR TRIP, not her needs.
One of the things that was most helpful for us was that her description of each of the camps we stayed at in our email correspondence before we left was very accurate. So we had a sense both of what the accommodation and feel of the camp would be, and a good idea of what we were likely to see in each of the concessions.
The organization of flights, transfers, etc. was flawless. Every time somebody was supposed to be somewhere to pick us up they were there. Every time a plane was supposed to arrive for a flight (and there were four of those) it was there ready to go. The drivers and pilots were all friendly and helpful. The most complicated little maneuver, the drive from Kasane to Victoria Falls with the border crossing from Botswana to Zimbabwe, was handled expertly by the drivers on both sides." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
It's important, we think, to compliment Maruska on every aspect of her work with us. From the time we first contacted Expert Africa by email, to the phone conversations we had, to the numerous questions we sent - Maruska's responses were quick (ridiculously quick in some cases - we couldn't believe how attentive she was) and always helpful. We felt all along - and our trip was two years in the making - that we were being treated not simply as faceless clients, but as individuals with preferences and ideas that were worthwhile and needed to be dealt with. Maruska's suggestions always seemed to relate directly to the information we'd forwarded to her. She actually seemed to be thinking about OUR TRIP, not her needs.
One of the things that was most helpful for us was that her description of each of the camps we stayed at in our email correspondence before we left was very accurate. So we had a sense both of what the accommodation and feel of the camp would be, and a good idea of what we were likely to see in each of the concessions.
The organization of flights, transfers, etc. was flawless. Every time somebody was supposed to be somewhere to pick us up they were there. Every time a plane was supposed to arrive for a flight (and there were four of those) it was there ready to go. The drivers and pilots were all friendly and helpful. The most complicated little maneuver, the drive from Kasane to Victoria Falls with the border crossing from Botswana to Zimbabwe, was handled expertly by the drivers on both sides." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr G
Cape Town
"Feb 2014 Botswana trip"
I visited Botswana between 27 Feb 2014 and 6 Mar 2014
"An experience of a lifetime. Felt thoroughly looked after and catered to.
We saw the most amazing game and were privileged with the vast bush knowledge of our guides, and the love of the Batswana for their land and country.
Only one real downside of staying in the camps as a party of 6: we literally never had a moment of just being able to hang out or enjoy a meal on our own - because of the nature of long-tables with all guests eating together and guides playing host and conversation-partners during meals. With the strict rules around not walking about at night without a guide present, it created an awkwardness in us about staying around later into the evening and having to keep our guides up. So over the 8 days of the trip we actually had almost no time to interact with our own party on our own.
Lagoon and Kwara camps seemed to offer a reasonable balance between attentiveness and respect for guests' autonomy. Kanana, however, was a bit over-hosted and over-attentive (even though our hosts were truly wonderful) - it got a bit much to be hovered over ALL the time.
Everyone, everywhere, was so genuinely radiant and generous, and we are in love with the Batswana people!
Thanks to Expert Africa for good guidance and organising! And for the wonderful book on Botswana.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Is there any way to include more physical exercise?! It's an extremely sedentary experience with too much food :-) and an understandably restricted environment because of the wildlife.
Somehow though, we would have loved to engage in some kind of more robust activity/exercise over the 8 days." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
We saw the most amazing game and were privileged with the vast bush knowledge of our guides, and the love of the Batswana for their land and country.
Only one real downside of staying in the camps as a party of 6: we literally never had a moment of just being able to hang out or enjoy a meal on our own - because of the nature of long-tables with all guests eating together and guides playing host and conversation-partners during meals. With the strict rules around not walking about at night without a guide present, it created an awkwardness in us about staying around later into the evening and having to keep our guides up. So over the 8 days of the trip we actually had almost no time to interact with our own party on our own.
Lagoon and Kwara camps seemed to offer a reasonable balance between attentiveness and respect for guests' autonomy. Kanana, however, was a bit over-hosted and over-attentive (even though our hosts were truly wonderful) - it got a bit much to be hovered over ALL the time.
Everyone, everywhere, was so genuinely radiant and generous, and we are in love with the Batswana people!
Thanks to Expert Africa for good guidance and organising! And for the wonderful book on Botswana.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Is there any way to include more physical exercise?! It's an extremely sedentary experience with too much food :-) and an understandably restricted environment because of the wildlife.
Somehow though, we would have loved to engage in some kind of more robust activity/exercise over the 8 days." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr B & Ms C
Vancouver
"My Feb 2014 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 27 Feb 2014 and 8 Mar 2014
"Overall we had a great trip. Camps were well run. Staff were sensitive to our needs and preferences. They were also flexible enough to divide our group into different activities to match the preferences within our party. For example, on one occasion four of us went out on the boat fishing while two were taken on a guided walk to study the medicinal uses of the flora.
There was sometimes the sense of being over programmed and not given enough time to ourselves.
We very much enjoyed our walking safaris and could have done more of those.
In conclusion the trip was excellent and no small thanks to Expert Africa and Maruska in particular for helping to organize this trip. Maruska was extremely patient, diligent and made sure that she understood what we were looking for. Nothing was too much for her. She is also very personable and pleasant. Thank you Maruska and Expert Africa" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
There was sometimes the sense of being over programmed and not given enough time to ourselves.
We very much enjoyed our walking safaris and could have done more of those.
In conclusion the trip was excellent and no small thanks to Expert Africa and Maruska in particular for helping to organize this trip. Maruska was extremely patient, diligent and made sure that she understood what we were looking for. Nothing was too much for her. She is also very personable and pleasant. Thank you Maruska and Expert Africa" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
593
reviews of Kwando-Linyanti by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Kwando-Linyanti
Our suggestions for safari camps in Kwando-Linyanti area
Lagoon Camp
Within the vast Kwando Reserve, renowned for its wild dogs, Lagoon Camp offers excellent game viewing that focuses on predators.
Lebala Camp
With enthusiastic guides and trackers, Lebala – in a vast private reserve – is particularly well-placed for seeking wild dogs.
Selinda Camp
In an attractive area that is particularly rich in game between June and November, the luxurious Selinda Camp caters particularly well for photographers.
DumaTau
DumaTau, in the private Linyanti Reserve, offers game drives, seasonal boat cruises and walks. Wildlife safaris here are quite seasonal, and are at their best during the height of the dry season, between June and October.
Linyanti Bush Camp
An increasingly rare find in Botswana, Linyanti Bush Camp blends relative simplicity with numerous activities and very good guiding.
Savuti Camp
For years the Savuti Channel ran dry, but it's now flowing again and this newly refurbished, 7-room lodge has pride of place to witness the spectacle.
Selinda Explorers Camp
The luxurious, traditional tented Selinda Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by really top notch guides in a game-rich area.
Zarafa Camp
Zarafa is an exclusive camp overlooking the scenic Zibadianja Lagoon within the Selinda Reserve, a particularly game-rich area between June and early November.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool is a top-end luxury safari camp with a price tag to match; the game viewing can be very good during the dry season.
Linyanti Ebony
Independently owned and run, the small Linyanti Ebony sits on the same site as Linyanti Bush Camp, with similarly high standards of guiding, and a strong emphasis on the wildlife experience.
Linyanti Expeditions
Tip-top guiding. In tune with the habitat. Down-to-earth, authentic camp comfort. A place of wilderness safari harmony.
Little DumaTau
Small and sophisticated, Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sibling in the private Linyanti Reserve, overlooking a beautiful lagoon.
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
