Botswana: reviews from our travellers
Original reviews written by our most recent Botswana travellers.
"My Sep 2016 trip"
In making our decision on routing and camps we dealt with Nick who left the company before our holiday. Sarah took over and was very helpful and professional.
Botswana is amazing and a special experience but at a special price.
I would, and have already, recommended Expert Africa to others." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
"Our African Adventure"
Sabina had given us a great itinerary and set of accommodation, with sound advice about distances and what to see. In retrospect we would not have spent two nights at Camp Kwando, but more in the panhandle. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would love to do it again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A list of where the ATMs are located would be useful.
Note that bird/animal guide books are not readily available at the lodges. Suggest that customers buy them before travelling.
Clarify the cross border permit instructions for vehicles from Namibia to Botswana.
Note that Zimbabwe now charges US$55 for UK residents visitor permit whereas EU members generally are charged US$30." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Another exceptional trip to Botswana"
Whilst we did not see so many of some of the big cats we saw things which we have never seen before, such as a lion climbing a tree as well as a cheetah climbing a tree. We have never seen so many large herds of elephants. The numbers were exceptionally large.
We also had excellent sightings of various wild dog packs, some with pups as well as some of the smaller mammals, such as a bushbaby and a honey badger trying to dig out a mouse. What makes Kwando camps special is that they use a tracker as well as a guide and seeing them work together is fascinating, adding an extra dimension to the experience.
For many reasons it was a holiday to remember.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, your brochure and website have a lot of helpful information and your staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. They are able to fill in any information gaps and knowing the various camps are able to advise on the best options.
We are very happy with the service we have received and would certainly recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
"Vic Falls and Botswana really great"
Thank you so much to Nick (and later Tracy) at Expert Africa for helping me with my itinerary and as usual you arranged everything with the lodges and agents to perfection. We could not fault anything, we felt really well looked after and didn't have to think of anything except enjoying ourselves.The recommendations and discussions over lodges were spot on and we saw everything we wanted to in very comfortable surroundings.
We have used you many times in the past and will not hesitate to again." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
"Botswana trip review"
The 3 camps (Footsteps, Lagoon and Lebala) were all excellent in every way. The quality of guides, friendliness and attentiveness of management/staff and the interaction with them, the quality (and sheer volume!) of food, the quality of game drives and the variety of animals successfully spotted/tracked, the layout of the tents and camps, etc. all exceeded expectations.
Thanks to Sarah (and also to Nick who also helped me with the trip last year, before I had to cancel due to a medical problem) for your expert advice and responsiveness. Everything went so smoothly on the ground, in large part I'm sure to your and the camps' expert organization. And to the amazing people of Botswana, your beautiful country is such a pleasure to travel around. I can totally understand why I met so many people on their 4th and 5th trip!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
"Botswana, Zambia & Tanzania - Sep 2016"
My preferences/interests had clearly been passed onto the camps, and acted upon, which was much appreciated.
An awful lot of work goes into organising a 3-week long trip, and Ellie was most knowledgeable. At times when I contacted her she was very busy and hence there were sometimes some delays in her responses. But everything came together perfectly, and I had a terrific time. I'll be back!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2016 trip"
Mention should be made of Wilderness Safaris in Maun, who on learning of our loss of luggage immediately took over the task of locating it and produced within a matter of minutes two emergency bags for us. After nearly 24 hours of travel their "don't worry we will sort it" approach was most welcome.
Our road transport from Kasane to the border was in a safari vehicle - driving at 40/50 mph in an open vehicle, being blasted by the wind, was extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately the second vehicle over the border was a normal minibus." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
"Botswana exceeded expectations"
Frankly there are many tragic stories in well known countries in Africa that have experienced catastrophic losses in population of major species like Rhino, Elephant, Lions, Cheetahs, Painted Dogs and on and on due to poaching and loss of habitat.
We wanted to experience first hand what was different about Botswana.
The good news is Botswana is the "crown jewel" of African wildlife. In a little over two weeks we experienced:
* A healthy pride of 21 lions
* A pack of Painted dogs with 12 adults and 15 puppies!
* Superb bird life
* Multiple Leopards
* Huge, unstressed herds of elephant
* Honey badgers, Bat-eared fox, genets, hyenas and pups...
All that and people who were kind and gracious to us at every turn.
It was so great we are already scheduling our next safari to Botswana." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
"Zambia, Botswana & Namibia Aug-Sep 2016"
On the downside, the intimate knowledge that I usually have of every trip was gone. For me, this is part of the fun of a trip, so I missed it... having to check the itinerary every time I wanted to know something, rather than simply recalling it.
On the upside, the reason we had decided to use an agent was the difficulties of organising smooth transfers and bookings in a relatively unique environment... and almost everything went like clockwork. Where there was a hitch (the hotel 'upgrade' in Livingstone; pick-up going to the wrong end of the trip in Kasane) it was nothing to do with the booking or agent.
Taken as a whole we enjoyed the holiday very much indeed. Naturally there were highlights - Doro Nawas, Chongwe River Camp and Chobe Under Canvas would be our top three - but small things, like the fascination of the Zambia / Namibia border crossing at Kazangula or the starkness of the road from Henties Bay to Uis, also stood out as hugely interesting." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
"Our August celebratory trip - 2016"
Our stay at Footsteps across the Delta was the absolute highlight for the three boys and to be 100% recommended. The houseboat on the Chobe river was a fantastic way to chill, particularly for the adults, but still enabling peaceful game viewing.
All our arrangements went like clockwork, especially for Africa!
We would all happily recommend the enthusiasm and knowledge of the company.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions ... which says it all!" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip