Reviews of Vumbura Plains
Wildlife sightings and reviews
34 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Vumbura Plains and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Vumbura Plains review"
Game drives were good with some interesting sightings although overall levels of game were low.
Transportation to/from the lodge was well-organised, albeit not through Mack Air, as previously advised.
Transfers were through Wilderness Air who were very efficient." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
1 sighting

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Vumbura Plains review"
We enjoyed the 2 mokoro evening trips, one boat trip (fishing) and a morning walking safari which none of the other camps we visited were able to offer.
The view from the lodge over the lagoon (with many resident hippo) was truly wonderful at all hours of the day and night. Sleeping can be a problem due to the noise of nocturnal wildlife ,hippos are very vocal,so bring earplugs if that will annoy you. The frogs sound like high pitched wind chimes from dusk until dawn. We loved every sound.
The quality of the food is high and the virtually all female management team ran a very happy but efficient service with very big smiles!
The accommodation is very much in-keeping with the African style but could,perhaps,have a little bit of a refurb. thats being overly picky but we had just been to Sandibe and Mombo where refurbishments had recently been carried out.
The rooms were very large with a huge open shower area facing the lagoon which could be privatised with billowing ,clean white drapes. what a bathing experience!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
1 sighting

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"3 night stay at Vurumba"
"Vumbura Plains review"
The layout and concept of the guest rooms are excellent and very spacious however the condition of the rooms are well below par as a result of insufficient maintenance. The condition of bathroom fittings is completely unacceptable at this price point and every other prices point for that matter all the way down to simple B&B's - eg. cracked and chipped sinks, rotten floorboards around the shower and poor quality minor repairs and fixes. Having a pool with each room is a great option but when they are not properly cleaned and maintained the pool became a negative - I doubt that the water quality was ever properly tested judging by the 'tidemarks' around the pool at the waterline level.
The guide was obsessed with finding lions, even if that meant hours of fruitless driving around with EVERY client in the vehicle expressing a wish to focus on the more plentiful games animals.
By and large the staff are well trained, pleasant, happy people who provided high levels of service, however the company standard approach to clients wasn't to our (and other clients) preference - Wilderness seems to want to treat everyone as if they are part of 'the family' and the approach is a Disney level of insincere friendship. The synchronised waving by a group of staff members every time a vehicle entered the camp was nauseating. In my view luxury isn't treating everyone the same its providing what each individual feels most comfortable with and for our part we actually didn't want to meet every member of staff and every other guest we wanted to enjoy a private holiday.
Two game drive sessions were used to go out on a boat and on a mokoro which were both interesting options but personally I found them dull and I would have preferred to have the option to take a normal game drive as an alternative.
Much of what I have written is negative but I should clarify that none of the points raised had a lasting negative impact on the holiday, we thoroughly enjoyed being at the camp and in the concession and our over riding long term impressions will be favourable." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Vumbura Plains review"
"Great start & introduction to Okavango Delta"
Lazzie also had a local guide who accompanied us. He had great local knowledge as he'd grown up in the area. Fun driving in the river ways with our 4x4 The best siting of sable we have seen, they were so relaxed! Good lion and fantastic leopard sittings. We also had a nice relaxing cruise along the Okovango delta in a mokoro. Wonderful lilies and beautiful painted frogs.
The camp is set in a stunning location" See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
"Simply the best"
The game drives were outstanding and our guide ST was funny, knowledgeable and incredibly helpful when positioning for photography. He managed to find us Leopard with young, Cheetah with young and hunting, Lion pride and the male, hyena with young and much much more.
If you don't like this camp your not meant to be on safari." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Vumbura Plains review"
The guides were very good and we saw lots of game." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Excellent Safari, questionable facilities"
The architecture of vumbura plains is unfit for the area. It requires continuous maintenance and careful cleaning. Unfortunately, none of the two seem to be a priority. For example, the shade rollers were all damaged and were banging all nite long. The plunge pool looked like it had just been visited by the local hippo. There was not even one chair or stool in the kids room. We wiped the kids closet shelves , and the cloth came out black.etc etc" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Outstanding sightings at Vumbura Plains"
I would say the camp is now in the Classic category rather than Premium. Although the size of the rooms is impressive the fittings are dated and in bad repair (stained cushions, filthy outdoor furniture) and the plunge pool looked like a health hazard, stained and uninviting. It was also curious that at many times (afternoon tea especially) there were more staff than guests, yet when a thunderstorm rolled through it was one of the managers who came round to wind down the blinds (I couldn’t figure out how to do it as the mechanical winder was hidden away) so the room furniture, floors, steps and some of my gear was drenched, luckily nothing irreplaceable.
That said the wildlife is outstanding and our guide Ron was brilliant at finding the lions, we also saw leopard and cheetah as well as wattled cranes and a selection of raptors. Would highly recommend for the wildlife and I am thinking about visiting little Vumbura on a second trip." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana
In this effort they have sectioned off the camps, room by room until all of them receive a new thatched roofs as well as replacing all 1.6 km of boardwalk. This was arranged purely in accordance to availability of rooms. They acknowledge however that housekeeping should have picked up on the state of the furniture both outdoors and indoors and are looking into this and make sure it does not happen again. After the completion of each of the chalets renovations Wilderness have replaced almost all décor and specifically those that were marked or unsightly. The pools have also been overhauled and repaired one by one. So hopefully with all these completed renovations and refurbishments Vumbura Plains is now looking very smart. We will be keeping a close eye on this and will have someone out to see the camp in the near future.
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