Reviews of Chobe Under Canvas

"This was our first stop actually on Safari after the Vic Falls. We were met at Kasane airport and did a 3 hour plus game drive across the National Park to get to the position of the Camp, which moves every few days. During this first drive it became clear that the NP was absolutely teeming with wildlife. We spotted so many things on this first drive, and all subsequent ones.

We had an excellent guide for all our activities in Michael. He clearly knew his way around the area, especially where all the lions hung out!

We stayed three nights which meant that we got a free Photo Safari Cruise which was definitely worthwhile, and also that we had the same guide for all three days and were the only ones in the jeep - which was an incredible bonus for us.

It is an incredible feat to move the entire camp every 5 or 6 days, but it was well established in the position we found it in - well to the west of the Park which was quieter than near to the main gate. Our personal tent was adequate. The biggest problem we found was that we arrived after dark, and the lighting in the tent was very low level - putting it mildly!! So we were rather fumbling around in the dark - literally! The camp manager knew this was a problem and apparently they are looking at better lighting in the individual tents. I got quite quite adept at putting my contact lenses in in the dark. There was a good flush toilet and bucket shower, and jugs of lovely hot water provided on wake-up, return to camp and before bed. The bed was comfy, although we often lost our pillows down the back!

We took our hats off the chef who was cooking on open fire and with a dutch oven only. The food produced was okay in these circumstances - but it was carried across from the kitchen area completely uncovered and the dining tent was open on all sides and could be quite windy. This tended to mean that most of the food was cool verging on the cold. A few plate covers or covering them with foil would have helped this.

This was our first mobile camp, as we had stayed in a semi-permanent one in Tanzania a few years ago, and in lodges, and were moving onto permanent camps, so it was a really good experience.

We know that Expert Afrtica make a bit of a thing about it being the NP, so it is not quite such a good experience - but we saw more game here than anywhere else, and there were not too many jeeps - although there were more private cars on the Saturday (just as we were leaving) .

So in summary - great guide, fantastic game spotting, interesting and adequate accommodation. We would definitely recommend a stay here." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"This place was fantastic. This was the best of the safari camps.

More rustic but staff was phenomenal. Food cooked over an open fire was gourmet and very tasty.

Very nice service and lots of animal sightings. No night drives since this was in the park and some sightings were crowded.

Chobe guide was phenomenal--a nearly spiritual experience.

Overall, a total delight and a great variety." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe

"Camp staff and guide were great. Lots and lots of animals to see in park.

Pangolin boat tour with camera lesson was a great way to start a long photography-centric adventure!" See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 4n in Zimbabwe

"We were concerned about this part of our trip - but shouldn't have been! It was a wonderful experience, being located within the park itself. The tents were well presented, clean and free of any insects etc. The facilities were obviously basic but fully acceptable. The showering facility was novel and the staff couldn't have been more helpful in providing warm water whenever needed. The comfy chairs and foot baths outside our tent were very welcome. The communal dining again helped to meet and talk to the other quests - the food being delicious. All the staff were a credit to &Beyond - singing to us on our arrival at the camp and again after each evening safari. A particular thanks to Daniel, Tony our guide and the Chef. The highlight of the trip was the photographic boat trip. We got very close to hippos and elephants and learnt many new photographic tricks - also being able to keep the memory stick with all our photos. The only downside was that were only booked for 2 nights and would have loved an extra night here." See all these reviews: 4n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia

"Situated in the middle of the bush near the Chobe River, Chobe under Canvas proved to be a unique mobile camp experience, with no electricity or h/c running water in the tents. However they were very comfortable and serviced very well by the excellent camp staff. Hot water for washing and bucket showers was always provided on time each day and any other services were carried out with efficiency and a smile! The food served under the dining tent was excellent and there was always a good variety.
A highlight of the day was having cocktails sitting around the campfire following the afternoon safari before dinner.
Our driver/guide for the safaris, "Tony", was very personable and did a great job in spotting all kinds of wildlife. With only 4 of us in the truck we had lots of space so it made things quite comfortable with plenty of room for cameras etc. Tony did not rush us when taking photos and always tried to manoeuvre the truck to get the best vantage point without disturbing the animals.
A highlight of the safari trips was the boat safari we took on the Chobe. It was an unexpected bonus ." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"We had an absolutely wonderful stay with Chobe Under Canvas.

The guides were the best we have encountered on safari to date, and the support staff were equally great - fantastic food, very comfortable tents, and amazing hospitality. The wildlife encounters were also excellent, and thanks to the guides we felt we really got to understand the dynamics of the 2 local lion prides and leopard, not to mention all the other great wildlife.

Would definitely recommend Chobe Under Canvas." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Botswana

"Beautiful camp with excellent good facilities and service - personal tents were stunning, quaint enough to forget the urban jungle and kitted it out well enough to be comfortable.

Guides were knowledgeable and experienced. Location in the park made it very special." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa

"Chobe Under Canvas mobile camp was a contrast to Pom Pom camp and the Delta. The camp was situated in the bush rather than on the bank of the river, the facilities were extremely good, the staff were professional and friendly, food excellent and mealtime and sitting around the campfire was great.
Chobe River and the wildlife were great. Our guide was expert and friendly, we saw as much game as we had hoped, which included wild dogs, but there wasn't a wide variety of activities.The rules of the public game reserve - getting back to camp on time, keeping to the tracks, no night driving and the worry that there might be too many other vehicles - were far less restrictive than we had thought and did not reduce our enjoyment. Our LandCruiser never had more than four guests on the drives and there were often only two vehicles stopped for viewing.
The included photographic boat trip on the Chobe River from Kasane was excellent: mounted cameras with long lenses, tuition and plenty of time to get good shots.
The Chobe Under Canvas experience was just as we had asked and hoped for and the vistas with so many animals were extraordinary." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"Chobe Under Canvas is absolutely wonderful. We had never stayed in a tented camp such a this before and it was one of the best experiences of our trip. Innocent, our guide, managed to find lots of 'big game' including 17 lions by the river and a single female who walked right past our vehicle.

The camp has a feeling of permanence, even though it is moved every 5 days. The tents are very comfortable and the meals, taken in the communal tent with some of the staff, were delicious despite being cooked in a camp kitchen. At night, the stars in the southern sky are amazing!

The staff are very attentive and do everything they can to make sure guests have a good time, including 'singing them in' on return from safari.

We would thoroughly recommend Chobe Under Canvas" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 2n in South Africa

"I booked this with a little trepidation as I was not sure living in a mobile tents would mean, but I should not have, it was an amazing experience and the best.

The tents are large luxurious tents with double beds and bathroom and shower area attached. There is a communal tent area for breakfast or brunch, tea and dinner. Food was excellent as the cook specially made delicious vegetarian options for us. Thank you Bee and team for the lovely flavours in the bush. The camp is set in the bush, at night we could hear distant lion roars and hyena calls and elephant rustling. First night there was even an owl who decided to hoot from 2-4am. There were no concerns from a danger point but made it a bit edgy the first night as you wonder how far are the animals making the noise.

Staying within Chobe National Park meant our safari started within minutes of driving. We specially wanted to see elephants and we saw many familiy groups. When asked one day what we wanted to see, my son replied, hundreds of elephants. Guess what we saw, groups of 100s. As it is national park, off roading is not allowed but this did not hinder us seeing a wide range of animals and some did not that others did eg leopard. But we did not feel we missed out. The Chobe river area is a magnet for animals and birds.

The best ever excursion was the Pangolin photography boat trip on the Chobe one afternoon. We were on a small 6 person boat where each person is on a swivel chair with a professional level Nikon camera, large lens and a moveable gimble to hold it. Janine from Pangolin was great both with photographers were she could be technical and non where she made it fun. Every one then gets to keep the memory card with their photos.

What made this an exceptional experience were the people and our amazing guide, KD. He has incredible knowledge and passion for flora and fauna and conservation. He would explain interesting items during the drives and meal times. We all learnt where to look to see certain stars and planets in the night sky. KD was very widely read and one evening we even had a fun discussion on US politics given there was a couple from US.

With hindsight, I wish I had booked 3 nights here instead of 2. It was one of the best overall experience. Well done &beyond, Daniel the camp manager and his very friendly and nothing was too much trouble team and the amazing KD. A great option recommended by Expert Africa." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe