Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"Susannah assisted us in planning our trip and helped point us in the direction of camps that fit our needs. Chris was also very helpful in answering our questions about appropriate photography equipment. We also appreciated Lucy's help with our last-minute questions.

This resulted in an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Suggestions for improvement:

We were originally booked on a morning flight from Maun to Johannesburg on our last day in Botswana, but we were on the stand-by list for the mid-afternoon flight that day. Shortly after we booked our trip, seats opened up on the afternoon flight and our booking was changed accordingly. Because we were scheduled on an 8am flight from Mapula to Maun, we think our changed booking was not updated with either Mack Air or Mapula Lodge. However, the connecting flight was pushed back and we were able to enjoy our morning game drive. That minor hiccup is our only suggestion for improvement, but it did not detract from our wonderful experience overall.

We would definitely recommend Expert Africa to our friends and family.

For the photographers amongst our travellers, these travellers also observed, by email after their trip:

We just returned from our trip to Botswana yesterday. What an amazing experience! We were only there for 8 days, but I can't count the number of impressions we collected on the way.

I just wanted to follow up with you regarding the discussion we had regarding lens selection. Per your advice, the 100-400 lens was definitely the right way to go. The extra zoom came in very handy -- the majority of my pictures were taken in the >200 mm range -- and bumping the ISO was usually enough to deal with the low light situations. Tellingly, one of the guests we rode with at Kwando had both the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 and the 70-200 f/2.8 lenses, and he didn't use the latter at all during the 3 days we spent together on game drives.

Your advice on the flash was also good. Too bad I pulled my clip-on flash at the last moment due to weight concerns and the mistaken belief that I wouldn't be able to use it on animals at night. I later learned that it would not have bothered animals with night vision, and it would have come in handy on two occasions (you were also right about this). But we'll still have the memories.

Thanks again for your help. My girlfriend and I absolutely loved it in Africa and are already thinking of doing a trip to Uganda in two years. We'll keep in touch.

- - - - - - -

Oh, by the way, I highly recommend online lens rentals for people who only want such expensive lenses to use every once in a while. It cost me about $160 for a three week rental, and the lens was insured in case anything happened to is (easing my mind very much). Based on a friend's recommendation, I used www.lensrentals.com [Ed: this is a US-based company], and I think they have similar services in the UK.

I think a lot of amateur photographers would love the opportunity to go on safari with such an incredible lens without having to invest over $1500 in something they will not be able to use very often. You can really tell the difference between my pictures and my girlfriend's pictures (she used my entry-level zoom)." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"This was the most expensive holiday we have ever taken - but it was truly worth it. Botswana seems to have got it just right. There was no commercial feel to it, just observing the natural world, and being guided by locals who you felt genuinely care about the environment, love their jobs, are well trained and justly proud of their country.

Suggestions for improvements:

You are right - it really is COLD in the mornings! Lots of layers are the best things to take - and I was very pleased I had my gloves.

We took your advice on the order we did our trip, and for safari novices it was really good - the night in Motsentsela to acclimatise, then starting the trip at Muchenje - luxurious and a good overview - then Lagoon where we got a bit more involved by following the wild dogs, and some hunting lions, and then finishing with Grant at Santantadibe where we really felt a part of the African bush.

I cannot think of anything that could have improved our trip (oh, perhaps if we could have stayed longer..)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Despite comments made on the previous page about our time at Linyanti, we enjoyed the holiday as a whole and had some excellent and unique experiences. We don't think the additional cost of travellilng to Botswana was worth it since there was no more exclusivity than we have received elsewhere e.g. Beho Beho in the Selous and Chongwe River House in the Lower Zambezi NP - both booked through Expert Africa.

Suggestions for improvements:

Maybe have more confidence in sending more tourists to Vic Falls ...?" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We will return to Africa.

Very impressed and pleased by Expert Africa service -timely, courteous, knowledgeable (expecially about the selection of camps), well-organised.

Suggestions for improvements:

We were very satisfied. Well done, and thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"Just one comment. I would not particularly recommend the guest house we stayed in for one night at Johannesburg. We felt the dinner was a rip-off and the accommodations were only acceptable. The transportation to and from the airport, however, worked very well indeed.

Suggestions for improvement:

When we go again, which we plan to do, we will certainly contact you guys. [Ed: this means Expert Africa!]

Everthing was very well organized and all went smoothly." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"It was excellent 12 days to remember. it is very private and wild. it´s our 5 safari Tanzania, Namibia and 2 South Africa. it´s a pity you don´t have a Ocean and wine.

Wine is a big interest so next year the whole family 10 persons go to South Africa. But I and my husband are going back to Mombo for the animals and Zarafa for the location." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We have had a wonderful holiday" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We loved our trip! Although I had a pretty good idea of the camps I wanted to stay at, Susannah helped me to select Tau Pan for the desert camp, and I felt that she would have been willing to spend all the time required if I had needed more help with the rest of the trip. All transfers were seamless; we felt that all we had to do was sit back and enjoy, which we did! We can't wait to go back.

I have to put in a plug for the Kwando camps. We did not stay at any Wilderness camps, so we don't have a comparison, but at all three Kwando camps, the guides were enthusiastic, kind and so knowledgeable. They not only knew the mammals, they knew every bird and plant, and would spend as much time as we wanted looking at everything. We also loved having the trackers with us and felt they added a lot to the experience. The trackers and guides work incredibly hard and put in very long hours--they are amazing. We also loved the atmosphere at the Kwando camps--very relaxed, informal, and friendly." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"We have brought home wonderful memories and had an amazing trip from start to finish. The whole experience was everything we wanted it to be - and more! As we left the Uk , I was concerned that I had seen so many documentaries and David Attenboroughs that I might be disappointed. How wrong could I have been - it was was above my expectation, there was real wildlife as soon as you left camp and often in it.

The staff were overwhelmingly friendly, nothing was too much trouble and we met some interesting staff and visitors alike.

Suggestions for improvements:

Tipping - this was all a bit difficult. Chris Macintyres book mentioned and I'm glad it did. There were guidelines to suitable amounts in each camp , which were different from camp to camp, which seemed odd. Everything was set based on the average wealthy American family, who live with a culture of tipping. The British don't, the Americans we spoke to said if those were the suggested amounts they felt they should pay more and we just felt mean! I was very glad to have thought this through from home. Maybe its something you could emphasise more in your useful information.

I didn't engage enough with the Wilderness safari culture and ethical stance before I went, due to lack of realisation and time but I'm glad we chose the things we did, given the difference it makes to parts of the country and opportunities it presents. It could be somethign you make more reference to or raise the profile within Expert Africa" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We enjoyed the whole trip, everything went well, food and accommodation were extremely good and everyone we met was very kind and helpful.

Maybe it would have been good to see a cheetah and a lion but you can't have everything!!!!

Suggestions for improvement:

This is our second trip with Expert Africa (we went to Namibia last year), we have been very impressed with your services, we particularly appreciated having someone who took us right the way through from first enquiry to the ticketing and that you have 'experts' on each country who know 'their' countries so well.

Susannah was so helpful and answered my e mails immediately. I am sure that when we return to Africa we will be using you again." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari