Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"My trip was expertly organized, to say the very least and was a truly amazing experience.

I have already commented on all the camps, so I'll just comment on the overall organization. I think the selection of camps for me was just perfect. I had a river camp, a desert camp, a jungle camp and a combination river/bush camp. This allowed me to never get tired of what I was seeing and always experience something new. I also think Maruska gave me great advice in suggesting that I do 11 days rather than 7, because the game viewing is trickier in the rainy season, so you see less, so you need more time. So because of my timing, I traded off game viewing for privacy, but because I made a longer trip, I still saw all the game. The advantage to safaris in December is privacy. On 8 of my 20 game drives, I was the only person in my safari vehicle! For 24 hours at Tubu and 8 hours at Savuti, I was the only guest in camp!

But the most impressive thing for my were the transfers. My first day, I left Lusaka and flew to Livingstone where I was met at the airport and whisked away. At the border between Zambia and Botswana, I was met by a boat, which had been waiting for me, was zipped across the river and met by a safari vehicle. This vehicle then whisked to a rendez-vous with the safari camp's vehicle, with then met the afternoon game drive from Mucheje camp part way and I was on a game drive! So I left Lusaka and noon and 5 transfers later, all done seamlessly, and I was on a game drive at 4pm!

Another example is: at Tau Pan in the Kalahari, I went on a morning game drive, came back to camp to have brunch and pack and then had a one hour game drive to the air strip. 5 minutes after arriving, the plane landed and 5 minutes later we were airborne. After a 1 hour flight where I was co-pilot, I landed at Little Tubu and was on a game drive 10 minutes later! So, I was on a game drive in the Kalahari at 2pm and on another in the Okavango Delta at 4pm. What amazing logistics!

Really, really, really well organized trip all in all. It's a rare trip that I leave all the logistics to someone else, but I am very glad to have left it to Expert Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only thing I can think of is for you to probe a little more into what exactly we are hoping to experience. For me, this was my first safari, so I really wanted to see big cats. I'm not sure the camps chosen for me were the absolute best for this (I'm not sure they were not either), but I would have benefitted from some more info as to why those particular camps were best for me in that particular area. I had no idea there were so many options to choose from.

All in all, you guys are awesome and I will certainly recommend you and use you again. I was referred to you by a good friend who has used you a couple of times." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The entire experience was magical. We really got away into a much different mindset - absolutely perfect.

We weren't looking for over the top luxury, we wanted an "authentic" safari experience with as much focus on animals as possible (with running hot water ). Expert Africa and Kwando Safari's delivered.

The advice we got from Megan at Expert Africa was spot on, and the Kwando camps were tremendous. In particular, the staff in the camps have a wealth of knowledge, are very friendly, and love to share their experiences with you while taking the time to understand what you want to get out of the trip.

We are both thrilled with the our trip, and while not inexpensive, fully worth every penny we spent!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"As usual Expert Africa provide a first class service
Megan's advice was invaluable and her efficiency is second to none
I greatly enjoyed this trip.

Footsteps across the Delta was outstanding.
There were a lot of flights and long waits at airports which I found very tiring, but worth it. On the way out I wish I had stayed for a night at Maun to recover before starting the safari." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Saskia planned the trip, and Maruska took over at the end.

Nicely planned - a good mix of camps, wildlife, and land/river.
it was a bit of a surprise to discover how dry Tubu was in November. I was more expecting hippos outside than a dry waterhole.

I'd do it all again tomorrow." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Generally satisfactory. Some game drives were interrupted by rain, but that was to be expected. As previously noted I feel that Kwando is losing its competitive edge, despite having such top concessions. Perhaps the present rotation of camp managers will wake some up. Charles to Little Kwara should get that camp up to where it belongs" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"This trip was partly self planned with the middle section organised by Maruska from Expert Africa. This is the third trip she has arranged for us and I trust her opinion before we travel and her efficiency of organisation when we do. The transfers between the self organised portions and her bookings were seamless and I am so confident of her work that I never have a moments concern about arrangements - leaving me free to thoroughly enjoy every second of the experience.

The trip itself was truly amazing and filled every wish I had. I cannot imagine any way in which it might have been improved.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Camera charging facilities at some camps if possible, otherwise not." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"As normal the whole trip went off without a hitch.

Many thanks to Nick, Megan and Chloe for setting it up for us at relatively short notice." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Trust Expert Africa. They will work with you to get the trip you want, and in our experience everything will be as promised." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Great variety and accommodations, especially given limited time available and sort of last minute booking. Maruska's excellent; courteous, informed, proactive, responsive, creative, etc." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"Overall a highly successful trip.

We travelled with my sister and her husband, who booked with a different agent. Although this meant that our connecting travel was different, we felt that in the event our timings were better, and the advice which we were given always seemed superior. We were for example advised to book international flights ourselves to save money (unlike my sister) which added to an already highly significant price difference between the two otherwise identical holidays.

We were highly impressed by the knowledge and advice given by Expert Africa, not only on the safari part but also in the remainder of our holiday in the Cape Town area." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari