Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"This was our first safari holiday and our first time in Africa and as such this was an excellent holiday with all expectations met or exceeded and with many surprises on the way. The holiday was very well organised and transfers between the lodges never caused a problem.

We saw all the animals we had hoped to see, and a few more, and despite the early morning starts, the immersion in the world of safaris was both restful and refreshing. Driving in Namibia was unproblematic and the border crossings in and out of Botswana were relatively quick.

My personal highlights: watching giraffes taking on cheetahs at Okonjima; walking to a group of Rhinos at Ongava; the beautiful Tree Top camp at Onguma; fishing in the Okavango at Nxamaresi; and the huge herds of elephants at Nambwa and Garden Lodge." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was mind blowing.

Richard Ball was instrumental in building the picture in our minds of what the trip could be like and he was definitely spot on about Gomoti Plains Camp! Megan Green delivered a perfect execution throughout including at the very last minute to arrange an additional activity as we were flying out to Africa.

Advice on photography by Chris McIntyre was helpful and really beyond the call of duty.

We thank everyone on the team and we look forward to working with them for our next trip!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The detailed knowledge that the staff have of the different camps including sightings and camp characteristics distinguishes Expert Africa from the many other operators we approached and really helped us in deciding what to do/where to stay. Their advice on travelling with children was also spot on and very helpful.

Perhaps more focus could be provided as the trip is planned on the safari guides, as they really make the difference to one's trip (even if we appreciate travellers cannot choose who they will be guided by).

Looking forward to the team living up to our newly heightened expectations for our next trip!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Expert Africa was great to work with and Ellie was on top of everything." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We visited a wonderful combination of hunting and photo safari camps that not only provide outstanding experiences, but serve to illustrate how important BOTH are to sustaining/maintaining the value of so many wildlife species and the habitats upon which they depend." Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari

"A great 70th birthday trip.

Perhaps erred a bit on the luxurious side, but we didn't really complain." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 26 on a Namibia trip

"An excellent and memorable trip that probably surpassed our expectations. Botswana is a fantastic place to visit." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"I would really recommend this holiday. Away from all pressures and - as one of the other guests put it - you pay to see the animals and the vegetation on your own. This is a tailor-made experience, away from the crowds of people you find in other safari holidays. You can watch a leopard quietly feeding with no other truck around. This is impossible in most game reserves. In a word: outstanding." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Awesome trip, ready to go back.

Everyone was friendly. Seen lots of animals.

And Victoria Falls are beautiful." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"We had 7 amazing days at 3 camps in an around the delta in August (Gomoti, Machaba and Lebala). Compared to places like the Mara/Kruger/Serengeti, I'd say there was less volume of game (or the plains are less open, so it's harder to see) - sometimes you'd go a couple of days without seeing a lion - so you had to work a bit harder for the sightings. However, the fact that they're all private reserves (or private-ish) means that when you're driving around you are in total isolation, and your sightings can mostly be enjoyed without other vehicles for as long as you like.

Even though there are several reserves and concessions, nothing is fenced - that's great as it makes it truly wild, the downside being that animals can cross the dividing lines but people can't, so you need to go to a few different camps to minimize the probability that the animal you wanted to see crossed the border yesterday and so isn't accessible (this happens quite a bit).

We had great sightings of leopard and wild dogs, saw the big 5 in a single day, had some truly amazing night drives - lion hunts, wildcat, serval, civet, owls galore - and picked up over 100 species of birds in the week. We went on a motor boat trip once, which was very beautiful, really relaxing. We also tried the mokoro, which didn't do much for us (felt quite rickety, and didn't see anything).

In August, the temperature goes from 5 degrees in the morning to close to 30 in the afternoon - that contrast really enhanced the experience as it felt like you were moving from one place to another every day.

All in all, it was by far the most thrilling safari experience I've been on - the tranquility makes it seem so much more wild/natural - and so in future I think I'll be coming back to Botswana rather than Kenya or Tanzania.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - Megan was fantastic as always" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Trip entirely met expectations and organisation was faultless with good steers on content

The excellent detail on website helped choose with Tracy the best options" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari