Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"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

"Simply the best trip ever, can't wait to return" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"Absolutely fine. As we'd been spending time in SouthAfrica before going up to Botswana and had had a very good time already, the Okavango trip rounded our holiday off wonderfully.

At 10.30 am on Saturday morning we were beside a pack of hyenas dismembering the remains of a zebra and at 6.30 on Sunday morning we were in terminal One at Heathrow still feeling slightly awed.

Can't do much better than that." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"Leaving Air Botswana aside, the whole trip from the organisation by Expert Africa to the accommodation was excellant.

From the moment of booking Maruska kept us informed of every detail of the trip and even when two flight connections went wrong made every effort to sort things out from the other side of the world.

It shows how good the holiday was that we had one of the best holidays ever.

Congratulations, fantastic suggestions for the trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"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