Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area
593 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kwando-Linyanti.
Mr & Mrs C
Berwick
"Magic moments"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 4 Sep 2013 and 16 Sep 2013
"First we thought Nick advised us well to start at Victoria Falls then move on to the camps. The pre-holiday information sent by Expert Africa was extremely informative and useful and Nick was always prompt in answering our queries.
The three Kwando camps were uniformly excellent but different in their own ways. The common denominator was the positive and welcoming attitude of all the staff. No exceptions. We can't praise them too highly. All were extremely helpful, worked hard and really seemed to want to contribute to the enjoyment of your holiday.
We were apprehensive when setting out as to how we would cope as vegetarians but we enjoyed every meal. We have seen negative reviews about the food but literally everything is cooked or prepared from scratch and we found it extraordinary how such delicious things are prepared in the middle of nowhere.
A small point but we think Kwando are missing an opportunity in the camp shops where there is little choice of local crafts as mementoes. Indeed no-one seemed to know what if anything had been made in Botswana.
This was our first visit to Africa and would probably be difficult to beat. Everything went smoothly from the moment we landed at Victoria Falls to our return flight to Maun. We saw everything that we wanted to see and more and returned home with more than 1600 photographs and memories that will be with us for a long time. Kwando's policy of a maximum six people per jeep makes for memorable and intimate sightings. On a couple of occasions we were the only ones in the jeep. Being so close to the wildlife with no-one else about was magical." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
The three Kwando camps were uniformly excellent but different in their own ways. The common denominator was the positive and welcoming attitude of all the staff. No exceptions. We can't praise them too highly. All were extremely helpful, worked hard and really seemed to want to contribute to the enjoyment of your holiday.
We were apprehensive when setting out as to how we would cope as vegetarians but we enjoyed every meal. We have seen negative reviews about the food but literally everything is cooked or prepared from scratch and we found it extraordinary how such delicious things are prepared in the middle of nowhere.
A small point but we think Kwando are missing an opportunity in the camp shops where there is little choice of local crafts as mementoes. Indeed no-one seemed to know what if anything had been made in Botswana.
This was our first visit to Africa and would probably be difficult to beat. Everything went smoothly from the moment we landed at Victoria Falls to our return flight to Maun. We saw everything that we wanted to see and more and returned home with more than 1600 photographs and memories that will be with us for a long time. Kwando's policy of a maximum six people per jeep makes for memorable and intimate sightings. On a couple of occasions we were the only ones in the jeep. Being so close to the wildlife with no-one else about was magical." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Cambridge
"Sept 2013 trip to Botswana"
I visited Botswana between 1 Sep 2013 and 10 Sep 2013
"We had been planning to go to Botswana for some years having been on safari to a number of other African countries and had high expectations for Botswana. We were not disappointed - we had a fantastic trip.
Botswana is a beautiful country and the combination of the terrain, the mix of desert and abundant water, the remoteness and unspoilt and uncrowded nature of the area, the universal friendliness of the people and the superb array of animals and birds makes for an unforgettable time. Everything on the trip went like clockwork. All the camps were excellent - all had great location, great tents, wonderful staff and good food.
We thought that the Kwando camps distinguished themselves with the quality of their guiding and their dedication to the task. Duma Tau (the Wilderness Camp) had a greater degree of luxury throughout and a real responsiveness in the staff to allow you to do whatever you wanted - although we felt that the guiding was not as good there. In addition we preferred the Land Cruiser vehicles at Kwando (which had more room) and preferred not having a canopy on the vehicles. We also valued the guide and tracker system that was used by Kwando.
Overall a fantastic trip - we are already talking about when to go back!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I thought that the service from Expert Africa through Megan was excellent. I particularly valued the advice and input when we were putting the trip together and the views on the different strengths and weaknesses of camps and operators - which I think was borne about by our experience." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Botswana is a beautiful country and the combination of the terrain, the mix of desert and abundant water, the remoteness and unspoilt and uncrowded nature of the area, the universal friendliness of the people and the superb array of animals and birds makes for an unforgettable time. Everything on the trip went like clockwork. All the camps were excellent - all had great location, great tents, wonderful staff and good food.
We thought that the Kwando camps distinguished themselves with the quality of their guiding and their dedication to the task. Duma Tau (the Wilderness Camp) had a greater degree of luxury throughout and a real responsiveness in the staff to allow you to do whatever you wanted - although we felt that the guiding was not as good there. In addition we preferred the Land Cruiser vehicles at Kwando (which had more room) and preferred not having a canopy on the vehicles. We also valued the guide and tracker system that was used by Kwando.
Overall a fantastic trip - we are already talking about when to go back!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I thought that the service from Expert Africa through Megan was excellent. I particularly valued the advice and input when we were putting the trip together and the views on the different strengths and weaknesses of camps and operators - which I think was borne about by our experience." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Atlanta
"Our African adventure"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 31 Aug 2013 and 15 Sep 2013
"Every expectation I had about our trip to Africa was fulfilled, it was a truly magical experience that I will never forget.
I cannot thank Maruska enough for the itinerary she arranged for us. I loved the different terrain we experienced in the different camps and the camps themselves." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
I cannot thank Maruska enough for the itinerary she arranged for us. I loved the different terrain we experienced in the different camps and the camps themselves." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr Z & Ms D
Vancouver
"fantastic"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 30 Aug 2013 and 28 Sep 2013
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs E
Montana
"A dream trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 22 Aug 2013 and 11 Sep 2013
"It was a trip of a lifetime! The planning was superb, everything just flowed from one place to another. The experience was better than anything we could have imagined.
I am ready to go again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Maruska was fantastic, we were so lucky to have her." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
I am ready to go again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Maruska was fantastic, we were so lucky to have her." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
The R family
Solihull
"My Aug 2013 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 17 Aug 2013 and 28 Aug 2013
"Everyone enjoyed the trip enormously. We are able to compare with both South Africa (the Kruger National Park) and Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara). The wildlife viewing experiences were hugely more pleasant [Ed: Here in Botswana!] because of the fewer numbers viewing the game. This meant that it was easy to get up close and your enjoyment wasn't impacted by crowding out by others. The standard of accommodation was massively better than we had in Tanzania, but that was down to the budget allocated to the trip.
The organisation of the day (which was the same in each of the camps) seemed good and designed to make the most of potential wildlife sightings.
The density of wildlife is probably not greater [Ed: in Botswana] than Tanzania (especially Ngorngoro) but the viewing much more enjoyable.
Perhaps one small criticism would be a lack of variety between the three different camps, although they were selected to give us a variation, in reality the differences between them were really fairly insignificant. If we were doing something similar in the future we would certainly ensure the different locations all offered something quite different.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really, the organisation and logistics were all excellent.
We met people who had booked with other agencies and then found your website afterwards and said that it was much more informative than what they had seen previously.
A small point, we visited Zambia and i changed some money which i probably didn't really need to do, and now I can't get anyone to change it back. It might be worth drawing this to the attention of customers. Small local tips can all be paid in dollars." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
The organisation of the day (which was the same in each of the camps) seemed good and designed to make the most of potential wildlife sightings.
The density of wildlife is probably not greater [Ed: in Botswana] than Tanzania (especially Ngorngoro) but the viewing much more enjoyable.
Perhaps one small criticism would be a lack of variety between the three different camps, although they were selected to give us a variation, in reality the differences between them were really fairly insignificant. If we were doing something similar in the future we would certainly ensure the different locations all offered something quite different.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really, the organisation and logistics were all excellent.
We met people who had booked with other agencies and then found your website afterwards and said that it was much more informative than what they had seen previously.
A small point, we visited Zambia and i changed some money which i probably didn't really need to do, and now I can't get anyone to change it back. It might be worth drawing this to the attention of customers. Small local tips can all be paid in dollars." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S
Illlinois
"Another Mind Blowing Safari"
I visited Zimbabwe and 3 other countries between 13 Aug 2013 and 6 Sep 2013
"My trip couldn't have been better. Nick Hobbs did a superb job of arranging all the logistics so that almost everything went smoothly. I have to send my special thanks to managing director Chris McIntyre for sending me my binoculars after I misplaced them on a flight between Tuba Tree Camp and Lagoon Camps. I received them at City Lodge and Chris even paid for shipping them. I was truly impressed by his kindness and generosity.
This was my second safari with Expert Africa and I'm already going to another one next year. I've already been on five safaris, but I still have along bucket list of locations in Africa I want to either visit or revisit.
I love the fact that unlike it's numerous competitors in Great Britain, the United States, and South Africa Expert Africa places the emphasis as much as possible on visiting unfenced national park or concessions, and staying at lodges which aren't fenced as well. This in my experience and many other safari goers I've met greatly improves gong on safari.
I will undoubtedly take more safaris with ExpertAfrica." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
This was my second safari with Expert Africa and I'm already going to another one next year. I've already been on five safaris, but I still have along bucket list of locations in Africa I want to either visit or revisit.
I love the fact that unlike it's numerous competitors in Great Britain, the United States, and South Africa Expert Africa places the emphasis as much as possible on visiting unfenced national park or concessions, and staying at lodges which aren't fenced as well. This in my experience and many other safari goers I've met greatly improves gong on safari.
I will undoubtedly take more safaris with ExpertAfrica." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs B
California
"Our First Trip to Africa/Botswana"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 Aug 2013 and 18 Aug 2013
"This was more than anything we could have dreamed or hoped for. Everything was very well organized, professional, and efficiently run by the various camp staffs.
Flight arrangements between the camps and the attention paid by guides and staff was outstanding. Awesome trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be sure to advise clients on checking through baggage on return from Botswana." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Flight arrangements between the camps and the attention paid by guides and staff was outstanding. Awesome trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be sure to advise clients on checking through baggage on return from Botswana." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr P
Essex
"My 2013 trip- as wonderful as the previous 5"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 25 Jul 2013 and 10 Aug 2013
"Where do I start? As usual Botswana was amazing. The scenery, the wildlife, the excellent Wilderness Safaris camps all as good as ever.
As usual Expert Africa ensured that everything ran like clockwork. All just as we have come to expect on our repeated visits to this area.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cannot think of any way it could be improved.
Expert Africa staff could not be more responsive, helpful and generally good to deal with." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
As usual Expert Africa ensured that everything ran like clockwork. All just as we have come to expect on our repeated visits to this area.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cannot think of any way it could be improved.
Expert Africa staff could not be more responsive, helpful and generally good to deal with." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The S family
Quebec
"my july 2013 trip"
I visited Botswana between 8 Jul 2013 and 19 Jul 2013
"this trip was simply unforgettable. The combination of our stay in Capetown where our theme was the ocean , and our safari in Botswana felt like making two trips one after the other.
The choice of the three camps by Megan was and excellent one. they presented three different environments, which made it even more interesting. All of our family enjoyed every aspect of the safari experience, everything was perfect. we were also very impressed by how knowledgeable our guides were. Our one and only disappointment, we did not get to see a lion, we will have to go back!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
The choice of the three camps by Megan was and excellent one. they presented three different environments, which made it even more interesting. All of our family enjoyed every aspect of the safari experience, everything was perfect. we were also very impressed by how knowledgeable our guides were. Our one and only disappointment, we did not get to see a lion, we will have to go back!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 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.
