Reviews of safaris to Central Kalahari Game Reserve

"We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed every minute! Organisation was perfect, thank you Megan!

As we particularly enjoyed our walking safari, we will definitely plan more walking and boat trips for our next safari. Leaving Africa was, again, very hard. But we're already dreaming about going back!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It would be great to be informed whether camps accept children." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Botswana safari

"We loved it.

The first couple of flights we were muttering about being told not to have wheeled luggage and luggage sizes as others were obviously ignoring this but then we got to the really small planes from Baines onwards and the need for small bags became obvious. However, we had also been told facilities to charge cameras would be limited and there were no problems in charging batteries between game drives so perhaps this advice could be amended.

Megan was very informative about availability in Botswana and we would recommend ExpertAfrica to our friends.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Can't think of anything." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Megan was instrumental in helping us make educated choices in order to ensure that we made the right choices of locations, camps and activities in Botswana to suit our personal desires. One interesting consideration is that we planned to visit Botswana at a time of year that is considered not quite best for seeing wildlife. We were thoroughly satisfied with what we saw and the low density and number of sightings just seemed to make every occasion just more special.

We consider ourselves fortunate that we chose to book with Expert Africa as they briefed and prepared us extremely thoroughly for the trip which resulted in one of the most enjoyable, comfortable and memorable adventures that we have ever experienced and completely in harmony with our tastes and expectations.

We also value Expert Africa's dedication to responsible tourism which helps lessen the impact (and worry) that people such as us cause lasting damage by visiting these remote and wonderfully pristine places." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"After teh 4th visit to Botswana I just can say: I will come back." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"Botswana was fantastic - shame about their airline though..." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Our 7-night trip to Botswana over Christmas 2012 was excellent. Expert Africa recommended a very good mix of camps and locations, with good contrasts between the vast Central Kalahari and then two quite different locations in the game-rich Okavango Delta. Camps were very high quality throughout, with a few minor areas for improvement which are covered in individual camp reviews.

We definitely felt we were getting good value for our money in each of these places - not only because of the accommodation and guides, but also because of the exclusivity. We rarely saw another vehicle at any point, and never more than one.

We had some concerns about travelling in December, when Botswana is often hot and wet (and when the wetland areas of the delta can be dry with high grass). These proved unfounded - weather was fine throughout, except one grey day, and not uncomfortably hot at game drive times (apart from one very long drive in the Kalahari). Bush fires in the delta actually meant that the grass was short in many areas and game viewing was excellent. And we were able to take boat and mokoro trips in both locations in the delta.

Huge thanks to all at Expert Africa, especially Megan, for the advice and for the quick responses to endless questions!" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Thoroughly enjoyable, if tiring.

This trip was planned some 18 months ago and was programmed for May 2012, but medical problems arose and it had to be deferred to Nov. Throughout this process we were encouraged by the patience and consideration of Nick who is a great ambassador for your organization

The bulk of the time was spent in Kwando camps, with whom we have stayed before. They have a quality product, but it is not a good look when their guides have to borrow guests binoculars/reference books to identify a particular bird.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As long as your staff show the same consideration as Nick when problems arise your customer service satisfaction levels should be high." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"I really enjoyed my safari trip and was very pleased with all the camps.

I was very happy with the help planning that was provided by Expert Africa. I was very pleased with the honest reviews of camps that were given and if I am ever planning another safari, I will definitely make use of Expert Africa's services. Thanks very much to Elie and Nick.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was thoroughly impressed by the services provided by Expert Africa and have no suggestions. I began planning my trip very late and was impressed by how helpful everyone was even though I was so late booking." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Dear Sabina,

Thanks very much for organising such a great holiday again!! Totally different from the dry part of Namibia (Kalahari desert, Namib desert, Damara land, Etosha). This time river deltas, water, green, and also many many animals, and again very nice people. Anybody asking us about our two holidays, we suggest to contact Expert Africa and you. Again, unforgettable.

One topic for your consideration: leaving to our lodge near Rundu, we were stopped at a check point just south of Rundu close to an army base. I stopped the front of my car 1 meter past the stop sign. Anyway, the guy made a big point out of it, a second policeman joined him and I had to come with them to a tent next to the road. Supposedly I would get a fine of NAM $ 1500 for "ignoring the stop sign".

I stayed courteous, said that any fine I'd pay at the police station. Anyway, it was an attempt to get a bribe, but in the end I did not have to pay anything. At another lodge, I heard that a few other tourists had exactly the same experience, at exactly the same check point. Not a big deal, but just that you know this happened.

Again Sabina, thanks very much for your help. It was an unforgettable holiday, again!

Kind regards, Elly and Paul Veth." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"So much of this trip was a bit of magic.

From climbing dunes to watching sunrise over the red dunes to watching a group of lions surround our vehicle and literally ROAR at us to watching Cheetahs stalk and kill, to sleeping under the stars, driving for hours on roads and being in this amazing wilderness and not seeing another car for hours and not to forget all the wonderful people we met. Some proprieters of lodges, guests and employees.

Not all of the trip was perfect, but all in all we had an amazing time." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari