Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"Thank you for a memorable experience.

Just a couple sidebar comments - Bill and I really took to heart your brochure/manual's instructions and brought/bought all neutral clothing and packed in soft-sided duffle bags. We were pretty shocked that a good percentage of visitors wore bright clothing and brought suitcases with wheels! I was a little embarrassed for them (especially the Americans). Does this happen often?

We cannot thank you enough for our best trip yet! :-)

Up until this trip, I would've said that my trips to China/Japan and New Zealand were my favorite, but since this trip, I have told anyone who asks, that this is by far my most favorite trip I have ever taken. It was amazing. I went into this trip thinking that this would be a "once in a lifetime" experience. But now, Bill and I think that if we can afford it, we will DEFINITELY go back and if we could, we would go back multiple times (and also explore other parts of Africa).

As I mentioned in my review of Kwara, Chris certainly showed Bill and I why he wrote the Bradt Guide on Botswana. Chris could not have been more on par with planning our trip considering we planned it so late and there was not a whole lot to work with in terms of availability.

In hindsight, there are a couple things I would have done differently--

1) I would not have stayed 4 nights at Chitabe. I would've stayed either one more night at Kwara or Vumbura.

2) Vumbura would be the last camp, rather than second to last.

3) If it were possible (although, I did not see this occur nor do I know if one could do this), I would have requested a different guide at Duma Tau.

Overall, an excellent experience! The best trip we've ever taken!!! :-)" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"First of all, many thanks for your help and all the arrangements you made for us. We would be happy to recommend you to anyone interested. For a photographer it was an extraordinary experience, I will be processing images for some time.

Altogether, our trip was wonderful - so much so that we are beginning to think of a repeat (if possible), perhaps in 2009. We would seek your advice sooner , we were told that a year ahaead is reasonable. We really liked L. Vumbura and the Kwando camps (thanks for suggesting them).

The time of the year seemed to be just right (although at Jao we were told that we missed the wildlife by 2 weeks)." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"would repeat trip with some small changes" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"The best part was the variety of wildlife - hard to beat.
Travel at times rather hot and tiring but just had to be got through!

People on the whole were lovely and guides very good.
We would go back to Botswana again, maybe to other camps." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"we had a really wonderful time we especially wanted to see the African wild dogs and did so 3 times including just after a kill
everyone at the camps was really good, nothing was too much trouble, sad to leave africa

we love informality but wondered if the staff should wear first name tabs ,staying only 2/3 nightsyou really struggle with names other than your tracker and guide.

you missed out african Odessey transfer which was not good. the guy that met us had no juice on his phone and the minibus was late, when he turned up we were not on his list. then he checked and said our flight was 12.45. he must of then received another call because we went from slow to fast to the airport,we arrived at 5 to 11 for an 11am flight!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Wonderful.

Only problem is I daren't hink of going back (at the moment) in case it wasn't as amazing the next time.

I was impressed by Lucy right from the first time I contacted the office at 5.25 one afternoon and I was offering to ring back at a more convenient time, and she just said that it was fine and too important to leave and she would sort out what I wanted straight away." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Expert Africa as good as last time.

Chris gave good overall initial guidance and Lucy Scholte was just great and worked continuously to make sure we got what we wanted on our itinerary. Even after trip had been paid for Lucy still worked up to departure to get changes in bookings to meet requested loges/camps.

Not many agents bother like that once the cheque is in. Really outstanding work by Lucy and much appreciated.

We would certainly use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was well planned around the bookings in Kwara and Lebala.

Thanks to Lucy and Chris (from Expert Africa) whose professional help and planning ensured the success of our trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"This is the full yext of an email sent without prompting.

We are back from our hols and I wanted to say thanks for your help and guidance.

The holiday was fantastic and we even managed to hold onto our luggage, which many people didn't.

The camps which you recommended at Kwara and Lebala were both fantastic. Exactly as you described as ''lacking the chic of CCAfrica'' but very comfortable with good food and very high standards of game viewing. We had a great time at both camps with great staff and great game viewing. Our guides (Steve at Kwara and Vundi at Lebala) were first class in all respects.

The 'tents' at Kwara are new and very smart, whilst at Lebala they are older and a bit tatty in comparison.

The only slight hesitation with Kwando is that all camps seem to serve the same meals on the same day each week. so anyone doing 3 or 4 Kwando camps would spot this. The food was always good and more than enough, so it is a very minor issue meant to be constructive.

The transit arrangements at Jo'burg worked very well, though the transit lounge only has one scanner and so there is a large line to get through.

Now the negative! Luckily it was the single element of the holiday that we insisted upon so you are totally in the clear.

We returned to Nexabega because we enjoyed it so much last time. The camp was largely unchanged from 5 years ago and the food and accommodation is superior to Kwando in small details such as style and the quality of the cuisine. However with water levels in the Delta very high this year the game viewing at Nexabega was very poor. The staff admitted that some 5 weeks back they considered closing the camp because of water levels and the lack of game. The range of area available for game viewing was limited due to the water depth. There were loads of Elephants, Giraffe and great bird sightings. No big cats at all (no Lion for the last 4 months), though there is a Leopard in the area which we did not see..

It is a bit like going skiing when the hotel has failed to mention there is virtually no snow! I would be very careful of sending other customers to this location. It is still pretty scenic with all the water but so is Kwara ( with Boat and mocorro trips) and Lebala (no water based activities) but lots of lagoons to drive around, and there was massive animal populations with daily Lion and Leopard sightings. We also saw large herds of Zebra and Buffalo. We saw 4 big cat kills with Kwando and Lebala which had daily sightings of Lion prides and Leopards at both camps, Nexabega was very sparse in comparison." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"The most important thing about any trip is to make sure it is well organised, everything has been booked and you have been well breifed. I would like to thank Expert Africa for taking care of this part of my holiday, because then i just need to turn up and follow the instructions.

What happens on a safari is largely out of your hands, i did not want to spend 3 days in an ash/dust bowl, but seeing that is what was on offer and the is nothing you can do about the weather, it's best to make the most of it and enjot the expereince.

Wildlife does not have an agenda and there is never any guarantee, go with an open mind, expect to see nothing and then be amazed a what nature can provide. This is my 7th safari and I had my first sighting of a wild cheetah, in pretty poor light, but the experience was stunning and well worth the wait." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari