Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"We had a most enjoyable trip. Eight nights in the safari camps was sufficient. We could have enjoyed a third night at Shinde, with perhaps only two at Gomoti, where the activities were limited by lack of water. We were mostly lucky with our fellow travellers, who can make such a difference to the trip.

It was much colder at night (between about 5.30 pm and 9.00 am) than we had expected. We just about had enough warm clothing, and the hot-water bottles were very welcome on both morning drives and for the night.

At Gomoti and Splash, we found the timing of evening drives, from 4.00 to 7.30, and dinner at 8.00 more difficult than at Shinde, where dinner was at 7.30. With the former, the wake--up call at 6.00 am seemed to come round too quickly.

Tipping: Your guidelines were clear and we followed them. But we were concerned that we did not see anyone else tipping their guides when they said their goodbyes. Perhaps they were very discreet, although we think not. Do some companies include the tipping in their prices, or are the guides not getting the tips which are an important part of their income?

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Megan was very helpful, including about aspects of our longer trip which were not her responsibility. We felt reassured that she was available to help as and when needed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Trip was absolutely fabulous. We have spent a lot of time in Southern Africa and the game tracking and viewing on this trip was spectacular.

The evenings and the morning game drives were much colder than we had anticipated, especially in the Kalahari Desert, so go prepared with layers of very warm clothes." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"A good blend of self drive and guided, the trip delivered on all we wanted, both animals and birds.

We enjoyed Botswana and the fellow guests we shared with quality time with.

I would not recommend anyone doing three flights in a day starting in Windhoek, maybe we should have stayed overnight in Jo'burg, not something | thought of, before flying on to Maun and beyond.

Thanks again to Tracy for making it all happen without any problems." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"This was such a great holiday I don't know where to begin.

Freddie and Richard at Expert Africa were great, safari exceeded expectations guides knowledgeable especially Mott at Gomoti and the superb Andrew Harkness.

Accommodation first class everywhere." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Great holiday.

Enjoyed every minute of it." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Both camps made a special effort to celebrate Annabelle's birthday which was most enjoyable and really appreciated" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"The best trip we have ever taken. We were all saddened that it ended, we definitely could have stayed many more days tapping into Andrew’s knowledge base.

We highly recommend Expert Africa and a mobile safari for the experience of a lifetime. From the very beginning the communication with Expert Africa was professional, thorough and with easy access for questions. Andrew and his staff were incredible." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Great" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was an absolute trip of a lifetime!

We couldn’t have asked for more!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"My adult daughter and I agree that Somalisa was the best camp with Waterberry a very close second. Her favorite experience was the meerkat climbing on her. I found so much of it awesome it's hard to describe.

In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.

To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.

One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.

I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari