Reviews of Sable Alley
(95%) From 22 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Sable Alley
A spectacular experience and beautiful location with top class rooms and service. Has recently been renovated and everything in the camp from the entrance to the general areas and the rooms themselves were wonderfully done. The staff were friendly, helpful and made us feel extremely welcome and comfortable. They often would good 'above and beyond', such as laying on a special celebration for our anniversary.
The scout we were assigned was very knowledgeable and experienced. He made sure we saw a variety of wildlife as well as educating and informing us of specific details related to it. The concession around this camp had a large quantity of wildlife and there was very little we did not see. The 'stand-out' feature for this camp is the water hole right in front of the camp that hosts a large (and noisy) hippo pod as well as attracting many other mammals, birds and a reptile. One day a herd of elephant wandered through the camp passing us just feet away.
Sable Alley review
The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
We liked the lodge, it was clean and the rooms were lovely situated around the waterhole. The guide was very informative.
We spent one night at Skybeds which I am glad we did but would not revisit. As the waterhole there is not lit is was difficult to see the animals although I did have a magical hour watching the elephants move through the camp at 2am.
We also had an excellent game drive back from Skybeds
Amazing staff and service
Sable Alley was wonderful.
The staff are particularly good, led by the exceptional Mrs P. The tents are very stylish and comfortable.
Sable Alley review
Not sure why we needed a tracker as well as a guide - it was somewhat annoying when they were in conversation between themselves, quite clearly on matters not affecting us.
ie we didn't have the whole attention of the guide
Sable Alley feed back
We have always traveled to Botswana with Wilderness Safaris (Xigera; Jacana; Kalahari Plains; Vumbura Plains; Kings Pool). We decided to try someone else. Obviously from the noted camps it can be seen that we love Botswana as we would not be returning so frequently. We had a few concerns however it must be understood that this has not changed our minds to do another trip with your organisation.
1) Not sufficient vehicles for travelling in the bush. Having to share with people who have no clue about what is going on in the bush and who totally lack simple understanding of what a privilege it is to actually be out in the wilds is so disappointing. The reason why I say this is because we were constantly having to drop and pick up people resulting in the vehicle hanging around close to the camp when in fact we should be out on a game drives (Is that no what we have paid for). And as we all know it is timing that finds something around the next corner. If you are not exploring the next corner then you will definitely miss out.
2) No camera facilities for mounting your camera on. It is such a simple requirement that would enable your camera to remain stable when using a long lens (Mounted bean bag)
3) Guides need to understand that when on a drive they should be clear in what they say as only the absolute tourist can be told anything and they will believe it. I have had the privilege to have grown up in the bush and I find it disappointing to sometimes listen to absolute nonsense been spoken by the guides. I am sure you would think that I am a know it all but I have lived and grown up in central Africa (Zambia) for some time however i am based in Cape Town for the last 25 years.
4) Guides need to ask what your preference of drinks are for the day and not to simply assume that what you requested at the beginning is what you will have all the way along. i say this because we are not the normal tourist who are in the camp for 2 days and one could get away with this. We always stay for 4 days
5) Small things if you are flying home and you must leave at a certain time in the morning one should provide a lunch packet. This small gesture shows that you have your clients interest at heart. The question could be asked, and it would be your clients decision if they wanted lunch or not. (Wilderness Safaris does this and this goes a long way)
6) Breakfast needs to be sorted out as some people like to have scrambled eggs/or any other type of eggs with bacon, sausage etc. (Again i say this because Wilderness Safaris does this)
7) Your person running the camp was a wonderful host Johann van den Heever whom i had a similar discussion with telling him what makes a massive difference to ones stay. The rest of the stay was was made a pleasure with your staff that ensured that we were well looked after.
8) Comments such as activities to be graded we do understand that they are all seasonally driven and activities such as Boating etc are restricted by the water levels. That is why one can only note Good.
9) For others to read my comments is something that your organisation should rather take and ensure that the items noted above are addressed as this will make your camp even more special.
AGAIN I MUST SAY THAT WE WILL MOST DEFINITELY LOOK TO DOING ANOTHER ADVENTURE WITH YOUR ORGANISATION
Sable Alley review
as described before. [ Ed: This traveller's review of their whole trip is written under Camp Kalahari - it is:
"We visited Camp Kalahari, Tau Pan Camp, Sable Alley, Chief´s Camp within 9 days during raining season. The trip as a whole was great and most impressive. Our Group consist of 3 men and 3 women from 56 to 80 years old. The air transport was excellent and even so the Chance to store additional luggage in Maun.
The sequence of different locations was a symbol for rising attraction, comfort, number and variety of animals. In Camp Kalahari we met a family of native bushmen (about 25 people, young and old) who introduced us for more than 2 hours into their way of life. Now we can make fire without matches and lighters, we can hunt with bow and arrow, we will find plants with water in their roots and so on. It was a fundamental experience and we are still deeply impressed.
Then we saw many Lions with their cubs, we saw many Leopards, Cheetahs and impressive big Elephants not only at the horizon but often in almost touching distance,
We will never forget excellent Food and Red wine and last but not least we remember the friendliness of all people. Before landing at home we started already collecting money for our next visit in Botswana.
Thanks a lot, it was a great time." ]
Sable Alley review
Our Visit was mid November. No complaints everything worked out well. We didn't know much about this location as it is relatively new. Staff seemed a little confused at times but always willing and eager to help. Game viewing was good overall although there were long periods without too much action.
Our enthusiasm may have been a little muted as we arrived from an extremely busy work week and 46 hr 6 flight journey.
We would recommend Sable Alley to other travelers.
Sable Alley review
Comfortable place, great scenery, nice activities.
Service was adequate but a bit impersonal. Hospitality could be improved upon, it is not nice to send guests to bed at 21.15 hrs because the manager wants to sleep. Next evening 22.30 hrs was slightly better, but still, not really hospitable.
Sable Alley review
This was an outstanding camp. The first night we were here we had an elephant between us and the room (and this is why you are escorted back!). We waited (and waited, and waited...) and went to the tent rapidly when told to go... to find no lights available.
Fifteen minutes later, in a dark tent, we are watching the elephant in the moonlight. In a tent with full lighting, we would never have had such a great show. (The Camp Manager apologised for the power outage, but the unintended view was so spectacular I cannot possibly complain!)
We saw - as our guide put it - SWARMS of elephants. They were moving across the area and never have I seen so many family groups. (The long term impact is to be seen, but the immediate amazement is overwhelming.)
Starting the visit with lions at a kill was excellent. We also had leopard sightings (two at night, one brief in daylight) and a small pack of wild dogs. I appreciated that the guide did not pretend the environment for the dogs was okay - the heavy lion presence impacted their ability to raise pups, and this too is something that is an increasing problem as habitat becomes more compressed.
Overall, this new camp really impressed.
An excellent time at Sable Alley
We had an extraordinary experience at Sable Alley, watching for hours a leopard with her playful cub and fresh kill and then encountering a lion and lioness in the dark on our way back engaged in the activity of producing new lions. Ras, our guide, had the most detailed knowledge of all the birds and animals . Understanding as he did the behaviour of the animals, he was able to get us to the places for the best views. We also saw a sable which is apparently quite rare, and many antelope, zebra, giraffes, hippos, elephants,and crocodiles. I had the impression that not all the other guides were as talented as Ras.
I had imagined the delta to be teeming with wildlife. Sable Alley has lots of wildlife but it is not another Serengetti. Seeing wildlife in the forests--while not at all dense--is not the same as on the plains. Had we left a day earlier, I would have considered it a very ordinary safari experience--and many guests will not see what we did.
What is special is the small size of the camp and the sense that you are not part of a horde of tourists viewing game. But, visitors should know that this is not the place in Africa to see the most animals.
The views from the pool and dining area are superb with a resident hippo pod in front and the occasional giraffe and elephant.
