Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"Overall, a very enjoyable and well organised trip. Because we had been so well briefed by Susannah, we were not disappointed.... as expected,we had to look for game (that tall grass is just so amazing - it hid a whole herd of buffalo!) and despite some reservations about Kwara (which was not our preferred choice but availability was low when we booked) we were pleasantly surprised by Kwara.

Selinda was lovely and Azura was superb. My husband said that he would remember the view of the Zambezi from Tongabezi forever........it was very special." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Whilst we had some wonderful game sightings and stayed in a couple of great camps, I felt that this was the most disappointing trip to Southern Africa (out of 5) that I have had" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"We had a great holiday and a great experience. The balance of locations was right for us. We chose three Kwando camps to keep the cost down, but have no regrets. We enjoyed them all, and we will remember fondly the breakfasts around the campfires at daybreak.

Jacks Camp was amazing, and we were lucky in that we had a free upgrade to it having originally booked San Camp.

The travel arrangements all went like clockwork. We had no delays, even when the journey had several components, as when travelling from the Victoria Falls to Lebala. We were also extremely grateful to Claire for sorting out an alternative flight when Nationwide went out of business. We met up with people left to flounder by other travel companies.

Thanks for all your help, and apologies for the delay in retuning this feedback.

Suggestions for improvement:

I really can't think of any." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Many many thanks to Expert Africa, particularly Lucy, for arranging such a fantastic trip for us. This was a 50th birthday special holiday and it was everything and more than we expected. Travelling was extremely painless considering we did 11 flights in 18 days! Everything on time and the quickest immigration and customs we've ever experienced. Camps fantastic, a really good combination of both wet and dry safari and our week in Quilalea was the icing on the cake.

We have recommended Expert Africa to everyone and will certainly get in touch again when we go back to Africa, which will be in the not so distant future. What an amazing country and people.

Please pass on our best wishes and thanks to all the places we visited and tell them we shall return some day.

Thanks again." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday

"We were 2 to travel and we have both been very impressed with the service we got . Evrything was very well organised . We visited 4 countries , took a lot of flights and there was always someone waiting for us . We never waited.

We had a lot of requirement when we first contacted Expert Africa and it was dealt with very quickly and effectively.

Great job Maruska and to all your contats outhere in Namibia , Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique
we ll definitly use you again for our next time in Africa and will recommand you ( which we have already done )
thanks again for everything and well done :-)" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari

"All admin arrngements worked extremely well and we were met and warmly greeted at every stage.

The speedy trip across the Zambezi was much appreciated as the delay for the lorries wating for the one serviceable routine ferry was more than 1 week!

Many thanks to Lucy for valuable suggestions and recommendations.

Suggestions for improvement:

I beleive that Expert Africa has thought of everything necessary and any comment from me is superfluous!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"Another triumph for Expert Afica and Wilderness Safaris. Oh for the dream team of this duo and Virgin Atlantic!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first visit to Victoria Falls and our first safari holiday in Africa and we enjoyed every moment ! A truly amazing holiday !

We were very happy with the whole experience and would certainly use Expert Africa again for future trips." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"We were the first of the season visitors at Mchenja with new camp managers, Richard and Susie. There were frought moments for them but they handled them well and we wish them every success.

Our flight and road transfers worked well and we should like to mention Geoff Chilongo who met us each time in Lusaka airport and smoothed our passage through.

Selinda provided two high spots, a cheetah stalk and kill and a group of 3 lionesses with 7 cubs. Lagoon provided the ultimate highlight of our trip with good sightings of a pack of wild dogs. Although the camp is beginning to look a little dated, this however is to its advantage in that it deters the spa safari clientele." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was extraordinary. Before the trip, friends asked us why we weren't content to visit zoos or somewhere like Animal Kingdom. Now I know it's worth the effort to visit Africa: the animals behave more normally in their wild native habitats than they do in captivity.

There were almost no glitches; it was difficult to come up with the extremely minor faults I've mentioned in the previous pages--I was trying not to be glib. [Ed: click onthe links below to access those 'previous pages']

We will return to Africa.

Here's an odd thing: everyone told us to visit Namibia for the scenery, not the wildlife-viewing. But we saw more wildlife in Etosha the 4 days we were there than we did the 8 days we spent in Botswana. The 2WD may have slowed us down enough to notice the animals; also we weren't rushing around trying to find lions, and were content to see whatever appeared.

For us, the more remote the better: I found myself being annoyed at Chitabe when I heard planes or helicopters.

We had thought someone was going to drive us from Muchenje in Botswana all the way to the Livingstone Airport. We were not looking forward to waiting in line for the ferry to cross the Zambezi. But as you know, there were a number of agents involved in getting us from the one place to the other. The transition progressed remarkably smoothly, and we enjoyed seeing a little of the everyday Africa one doesn't observe at safari camps.

That being said, the agent at Kazangula, Zambia was very kiind but he didn't seem to know that everyone has to pay a visa fee now. He behaved in a rushed manner, without explaining his intentions to us. I was locked in the van with our luggage then the agent took my husband to the customs office. Unfortunately, I hadn't told my husband about making sure our passports were stamped with the appropriate number of days, so they were stamped 7 rather than 8. When we left Lusaka to fly to London, we were scolded about this.

We couldn't cash travelers' checks at Livingstone Airport; we didn't have enough time to try at Lusaka; and at Mfuwe, the clerk wanted $20 to exchange $50. We had no luck at Kapani either.

FYI, Mr. Grellman at Etango Game Ranch mentioned that Windhoek plans to expand the airport across the road, more or less adjacent to his ranch.

I'm rambling.

I don't know what additional information would be helpful. We're used to setting our own schedules when we travel, and for that reason, we enjoyed having our own car and doing what we pleased when in Etosha. For 2 active people, it's difficult to spend 6+ hours in a jeep each day; and of course, during siesta, one usually can't walk around on one's own other than from the tent, to the dining hall, to the vehicle, back to the dining hall..... I suspect a walking safari is in our future. Also, we'd like to have our own vehicle, or have our own guide who wouldn't be bored sitting watching baboons or elephants for an hour. You can arrange all of this, can't you?

We had never used a travel agency before--for one thing, one of us is detail-oriented and enjoys the researching and planning of trips. But with the complexity of this trip and my slow-as-molasses dial-up laptop, I decided to try an agency. Chris McIntyre's guide books had impressed us not only because of all the truly helpful information, but also because of the lack of platitudes. To make a long story short, Expert Africa's services have been superb. The following remarks are nitpicking and I don't know if they'll be helpful or not.

I mentioned under the "Flights" section about the Zambian Airways vouchers. The Taj clerk also seemed confused about the voucher: she thought I was staying alone and she asked me how I was planning to pay for my night.

There are a few discrepancies between Mr. McIntyre's guidebooks and the Expert Africa website. For example, the books might state that a camp is only open seasonally, but the web site states otherwise.

Perhaps when an agent is going to be out of the office for an extended period, she might notify her current clients to contact so-and-so during her absence if they have questions.

Your turn -- rate us as clients.

Thanks for everything!" Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip