Reviews of safaris to Central Kalahari Game Reserve

"Almost flawless.

We had selected our camps with care, and were very pleased with the outcome. This was our 4th trip to Botswana, and we are quite particular in our requirements. Our comments are a realistic appraisal of our experience, and are not gushy or over the top.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really, everything went so well. All connections/arrangements went like clockwork.

One minor point would be that the request of Lucy that we be housed in tents away from noisy areas did not reach any of the camp managers.
As it turned out we had no problems in this regard," Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"Everything worked as intended until the volcano caused our flight home to be cancelled. Advice from Susannah about which lodges to visit, and the order in which visit them, was good." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was great - excellent experience in Tau Camp, lots of wildlife in Okavango and a huge Victoria Falls towards the end of the rainy season.

Looking forward to go back - maybe in a couple of years, possibly to Namibia and Botswana.

A well planned trip - all the bookings and transfers worked like clock work!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I am looking forward for the update of the excellent guide for Botswana - due this year 2010
maybe in two-three years (when I might visit Namibia) there will be an update for Namibia as well - especially that I am planning to rent a 4WD." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We were very pleased with the overall selection of camps and the pacing of the holiday generally. We felt that going to the Kalahari first was a good move as it might have seemed a bit low key if we had ended here. The efficiency of the transfer arrangements including help with immigration was outstanding.

The advice regarding the "green season" was good and we have no regrets about going at this time. We only had two occasions when the heavens opened and one of the game drives had to be abandoned. Several times we had spectacular lightning without any rain. Viewing at the Victoria Falls was restricted due to the very high water levels.

It would have been nice to have spent a little time in Maun before flying onwards as it seems to be the centre of the universe as far as the Delta is concerned. The Kwando Safari organisation (including Moremi Air) seemed well organised and we liked their camps. We enjoyed meeting Sue Smart at Kwara.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The warnings about space in passports for visas etc proved unnecessary. We took wet weather jackets but this was not really necessary as ponchos and umbrellas were provided at all camps." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We had a great time in general but was a bit surprised at the difference in level between the Kwando camps and Xakanaxa. I would put a 4 star against Xakanaxa and 2/3 for the Kwando camps.

My comments are relevant being in the hotel industry and feel that if the issues are addressed, they can rise to a 4 star." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"This vacation – our fourth in four years with Expert Africa – was definitely the best we have done so far. We achieved in full our two main objectives, ie seeing Africa green from the rains (including a storm in the Kalahari while we were there); and focusing primarily on birds (with copious help from our expert guides, nearly 200 species identified over 12 days including some real rarities). Furthermore, we managed to see more species of mammals than we have on any of our previous three trips despite the more abundant vegetation and the national park restrictions in the Kalahari; and, of course, we had the pleasure of the Victoria Falls.

The high bird count was in part a reflection of the season. But we also felt that we benefitted in that respect – and similarly with mammals – from staying in four very different terroirs during our trip, ie the “mighty Zambezi” just above Vic Falls, Linyanti, the Delta and the Kalahari. And, needless to say, we would not have been anything like as successful without expert guides in all four camps in which we stayed.

Given the amount of moving around we did – more than usual, especially when one includes the day-trip into Zimbabwe – we should also note that the logistics worked throughout with commendable smoothness thanks to a combination of your planning and extremely competent and pleasant people looking after us locally.

In sum, this was a great trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Officialdom
With one exception, officialdom was always courteous and polite, if often annoyingly slow.

At the vet fence north of Sehitwa in Botswana, we pulled slowly up to the white stop line on the road in front of the barrier as there were no vehicles in front. A policeman appeared and without explanation demanded a "fine" of 200 pula. He said we should have stopped at a stop sign which was propped up on bricks just a few feet earlier. After a polite stand-off, we left without paying. On discussing this incident at our next lodge, we were told that whilst on the spot fines are legal in Botswana, the amount demanded had been irregular. The consensus of opinion was that this had been a try on.

Suggestions for improvements:

We have been very satisfied, hence our repeat business. Off the cuff, we haven't any suggestions.

Overall
There were occasions when a 4WD vehicle could have been useful (but we don't know the cost).
This was our annual treatment for the 'Africa virus' and it worked very well (actually our eleventh trip to sub-Sahara Africa). Where next?" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Very very good. Each lodge had some advantages and some disadvantages, but on the whole they were really good. We had no real problems on the trip and some very good experiences (and animal sightings). It was one long safari, but that was really what we had wanted.

The one contact we had with Wilderness Safaris was good too - through the delay at the airport with the car hire, and the fact that we took one wrong turning on the motorway, we were on course to arrive too late in Waterberg. Wilderness had an emergency phone no and she arranged for the Waterberg gate to stay open, so that problem was solved.

We were also very satisfied with the whole procedure between our first enquiry and the actual trip. Maruska was extremely helpful and efficient, patiently giving us detailed answers to any question we had." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We loved our trip! Although I had a pretty good idea of the camps I wanted to stay at, Susannah helped me to select Tau Pan for the desert camp, and I felt that she would have been willing to spend all the time required if I had needed more help with the rest of the trip. All transfers were seamless; we felt that all we had to do was sit back and enjoy, which we did! We can't wait to go back.

I have to put in a plug for the Kwando camps. We did not stay at any Wilderness camps, so we don't have a comparison, but at all three Kwando camps, the guides were enthusiastic, kind and so knowledgeable. They not only knew the mammals, they knew every bird and plant, and would spend as much time as we wanted looking at everything. We also loved having the trackers with us and felt they added a lot to the experience. The trackers and guides work incredibly hard and put in very long hours--they are amazing. We also loved the atmosphere at the Kwando camps--very relaxed, informal, and friendly." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"This is our 4 trip to Africa having previously been to S.Africa, Kenya and Namibia and this was the best. We were guided by Lucy at Expert Africa as to which camps to stay at and she did a great job.

The quality of service was incredible, everyone made you feel special. All the camps were different and had something special to offer. Food was great. As far as we are concerned this was one of our best holidays." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari