Reviews of safaris to Chobe National Park
366 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Chobe.
Mrs P
Netherlands
"My - great - 60th birthday trip to Botswana "
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 May 2022 and 13 Jun 2022
"My trip was really great. I saw may beautiful things in the almost pristine Botswana. I had a perfect mix of different habitats and plenty of wildlife. Wild dogs were one of the main drivers for this trip and I was able to see them in 3 out of the 6 camps.
So glad I included Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in my itinerary . What a great surprise. And what a nice camp, Camp Kalahari. And a meerkat experience which made me literally cry. Savute under Canvas was a bit of a disappointment. Due to the fact that this time the Savute channel was dry (no water - no life) and not the best guiding experience. Lebala I could have skipped without missing anything.
Great Plains offers superb wildlife experience. In very many ways. I have been very spoiled and lucky to have a car all to myself in both Duba plains and Selinda. Both are very pretty areas, and Duba plains even has a touch of magic.
I travelled alone and Botswana is a perfect and very safe destination. You travel alone, but are never alone. In the "posh" camps , people tempt to be a little bit more on their own, in the camps just below that level, all people join for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Logistics were arranged perfectly. Everybody knew when I was coming or going. It has been a wise - and very good - decision to book privates in several camps. Unique wildlife experience in your own pace. The " privates" in both Duba and Selinda were an extraordinary and great bonus." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Botswana safari
So glad I included Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in my itinerary . What a great surprise. And what a nice camp, Camp Kalahari. And a meerkat experience which made me literally cry. Savute under Canvas was a bit of a disappointment. Due to the fact that this time the Savute channel was dry (no water - no life) and not the best guiding experience. Lebala I could have skipped without missing anything.
Great Plains offers superb wildlife experience. In very many ways. I have been very spoiled and lucky to have a car all to myself in both Duba plains and Selinda. Both are very pretty areas, and Duba plains even has a touch of magic.
I travelled alone and Botswana is a perfect and very safe destination. You travel alone, but are never alone. In the "posh" camps , people tempt to be a little bit more on their own, in the camps just below that level, all people join for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Logistics were arranged perfectly. Everybody knew when I was coming or going. It has been a wise - and very good - decision to book privates in several camps. Unique wildlife experience in your own pace. The " privates" in both Duba and Selinda were an extraordinary and great bonus." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
John
Braintree
"My May 2022 trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 18 May 2022 and 9 Jun 2022
"Excellent: it lived up to expectations, after the two year wait caused by Covid, we thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. Everything ran very smoothly, all of the lodges were good and we saw nearly all of what we hoped to see!
The food was generally very good but we did notice that when we went from one Wilderness Safaris Lodge to another the food options were rather similar because they seemed to work off the same menus!
In retrospect, we would have liked three nights somewhere. Perhaps at Ongava? If we were to have cut a destination it would probably have been one of Nxamaseri or Kazile Island Lodge where you are in both cases on the river, although we liked them both in their different ways.
The driving was generally OK but we did have three long days of driving early on almost wholly on untarred roads. Later on in Caprivi the roads were excellent. We got one puncture - caused by a screw and not the roads!
Whilst we were warned it would be cold at night it was more than that. In a lot of places it did not warm up until the afternoon, when it did become hot. We happened to encounter a lot of windy days which made it worse. On game drives you are perched up in an open sided vehicle and so the airspeed makes the cold seem much worse than the temperature would suggest. We took fleeces and gilets but a wind proof coat would have been better than a fleece. That said May still seemed a good time to go, however, because it was before the coldest time, and after the rainy season, and the lodges were not very busy and so there were no big crowds on the game drives.
Star attractions:
- Sesriem and the dunes
- Damaraland and the Daro Nawas lodge
- Ongava
- Muchenje" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
The food was generally very good but we did notice that when we went from one Wilderness Safaris Lodge to another the food options were rather similar because they seemed to work off the same menus!
In retrospect, we would have liked three nights somewhere. Perhaps at Ongava? If we were to have cut a destination it would probably have been one of Nxamaseri or Kazile Island Lodge where you are in both cases on the river, although we liked them both in their different ways.
The driving was generally OK but we did have three long days of driving early on almost wholly on untarred roads. Later on in Caprivi the roads were excellent. We got one puncture - caused by a screw and not the roads!
Whilst we were warned it would be cold at night it was more than that. In a lot of places it did not warm up until the afternoon, when it did become hot. We happened to encounter a lot of windy days which made it worse. On game drives you are perched up in an open sided vehicle and so the airspeed makes the cold seem much worse than the temperature would suggest. We took fleeces and gilets but a wind proof coat would have been better than a fleece. That said May still seemed a good time to go, however, because it was before the coldest time, and after the rainy season, and the lodges were not very busy and so there were no big crowds on the game drives.
Star attractions:
- Sesriem and the dunes
- Damaraland and the Daro Nawas lodge
- Ongava
- Muchenje" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr D & Dr U
UK
"My May 2022 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 6 May 2022 and 21 May 2022
"Absolutely fantastic holiday.
Twice postponed due to covid it did not disappoint when we finally got there.
Everything went extremely smoothly, it was both exciting and relaxing at the same time and we cannot wait to go back.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, I think the service is well above and beyond what can be expected and so was our trip" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Twice postponed due to covid it did not disappoint when we finally got there.
Everything went extremely smoothly, it was both exciting and relaxing at the same time and we cannot wait to go back.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, I think the service is well above and beyond what can be expected and so was our trip" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr M & Mr D
Yorkshire
"My May 2022 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 6 May 2022 and 26 May 2022
"My memory is that I asked Sabina to get us the perfect experience when I very first spoke to her. She did! This was our third visit to Namibia (the only one booked through Expert Africa) and it was the best of the lot. Absolutely every detail was better than we had expected. Everything went completely according to plan. That this happened while the planning was mostly done in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, when nothing seemed to stay the same week to week, is astonishing. I can’t imagine the amount of work that was going on in the background.
Every question (no matter how daft) was answered in full. Documents etc were sent out in a timely manner and were of good quality. There were handy little extras included too - such as a credit-sized card detailing all phone numbers that could be required in an emergency and a booklet giving information about hire car return, tipping and all the other things that are better to know than not.
The only critique I would have is that it would be helpful to offer a sat nav with the hire cars, or perhaps to give more detailed driving directions. The tourist map provided (seemingly to all tourists, whoever they booked through) was not completely accurate and, therefore, was the subject of many conversations with other travellers. It was also old, so did not cover the new roads around Windhoek which made the journey to the airport, um, “interesting”. Fortunately, we had given ourselves plenty of time and had a vague memory of the roads around Windhoek but could have got completely lost. In fairness though, Google maps was of no greater help.
All in all an amazing holiday. Thank you Sabina (and Expert Africa generally). We will be back," Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Every question (no matter how daft) was answered in full. Documents etc were sent out in a timely manner and were of good quality. There were handy little extras included too - such as a credit-sized card detailing all phone numbers that could be required in an emergency and a booklet giving information about hire car return, tipping and all the other things that are better to know than not.
The only critique I would have is that it would be helpful to offer a sat nav with the hire cars, or perhaps to give more detailed driving directions. The tourist map provided (seemingly to all tourists, whoever they booked through) was not completely accurate and, therefore, was the subject of many conversations with other travellers. It was also old, so did not cover the new roads around Windhoek which made the journey to the airport, um, “interesting”. Fortunately, we had given ourselves plenty of time and had a vague memory of the roads around Windhoek but could have got completely lost. In fairness though, Google maps was of no greater help.
All in all an amazing holiday. Thank you Sabina (and Expert Africa generally). We will be back," Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Caterham
"My Apr 2022 trip"
I visited Botswana between 28 Apr 2022 and 3 May 2022
"Everything was perfect from organization to the actual trip"
Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms B
Arizona
"My Apr 2022 trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 22 Apr 2022 and 24 May 2022
"The entire trip was incredible, none of us wanted to go home. The planning was excellent and everything went flawlessly. The guides inNamibia and Botswana were excellent. It was wonderful being in these countries and meeting the people who are very happy to have tourists returning.
Maruska designed a trip for us that matched all of our goals. She was outstanding during the pandemic in rescheduling a couple of times and kept us informed of everything she was working on and changes. She is the best travel consultant we have ever worked with. She is timely and precise in her dealings with suppliers and companies in Africa. She was very responsive throughout the 3 years of planning. We highly recommend her. Thank you Maruska!" Read full review: 32 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Maruska designed a trip for us that matched all of our goals. She was outstanding during the pandemic in rescheduling a couple of times and kept us informed of everything she was working on and changes. She is the best travel consultant we have ever worked with. She is timely and precise in her dealings with suppliers and companies in Africa. She was very responsive throughout the 3 years of planning. We highly recommend her. Thank you Maruska!" Read full review: 32 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr J.
Makati
"Our extended southern Africa adventure"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 21 Apr 2022 and 29 May 2022
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Prestbury
"My April 2022 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 27 Mar 2022 and 17 Apr 2022
"Because of Covid, the trip had to be rescheduled twice and this was done very willingly and very efficiently. The advice given about choosing the itinerary was superb and comprehensive. The recommendations for Sandibe Safari Lodge and Thorntree River Lodge were inspired for our purposes.
The particular selection of the five lodges gave us the breath and variety we sought having been to Africa four times previously. We were most appreciative for the advice and assurance we were given concerning Covid and the attending requirements. All transfers were made seamlessly with any assistance required.
This trip was the best yet.
Of course the animals are always there for you to find them, but the quality and variety of the lodges has risen considerably over the years and the local wine and food offerings have improved immensely. Good guiding is almost a given and the natural friendliness, charm and grace of the local people are such a plus to any safari.
Expert Africa's knowledge, experience, efficiency and reliability in making arrangements and accommodating your interests makes a great experience all the more remarkable. We owe a great big thank you to Lucy!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
The particular selection of the five lodges gave us the breath and variety we sought having been to Africa four times previously. We were most appreciative for the advice and assurance we were given concerning Covid and the attending requirements. All transfers were made seamlessly with any assistance required.
This trip was the best yet.
Of course the animals are always there for you to find them, but the quality and variety of the lodges has risen considerably over the years and the local wine and food offerings have improved immensely. Good guiding is almost a given and the natural friendliness, charm and grace of the local people are such a plus to any safari.
Expert Africa's knowledge, experience, efficiency and reliability in making arrangements and accommodating your interests makes a great experience all the more remarkable. We owe a great big thank you to Lucy!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs SA
Norfolk
"Our clever Botswana Holiday 2022"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 Mar 2022 and 7 Apr 2022
"Our holiday is best summed up by a travel rep we met on Safari who looked at out itinerary and commented that it "was very clever indeed".
It yielded most of what Botswana can offer on the wild life front in varied locations each with their own characteristics of flora, faurna and animals in some of the best lodges that Botswana offers. We were a very lucky couple and many thanks to Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nearly 3 years in the making with changes and cancellations and a host of really helpful suggestions from Expert Africa who showed great patience with us..............is there anything more to suggest.... NO.
Thanks Expert Africa.............you are all stars." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
It yielded most of what Botswana can offer on the wild life front in varied locations each with their own characteristics of flora, faurna and animals in some of the best lodges that Botswana offers. We were a very lucky couple and many thanks to Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nearly 3 years in the making with changes and cancellations and a host of really helpful suggestions from Expert Africa who showed great patience with us..............is there anything more to suggest.... NO.
Thanks Expert Africa.............you are all stars." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Gibblewhites
Newark
"My Nov 2021 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 7 Nov 2021 and 21 Nov 2021
"My holiday of a lifetime - the best ever. Extremely well organised especially under exceptionally difficult circumstances with COVID to deal with. We had constant communication from Maruska on all the administration that COVID entailed.
Our only hiccup was filling in the UK locator form for our return journey to the UK as we had no WIFI access until J'burg airport. This must be completed before you check in for your flight. Johannesburg Airport is a shambles but we travelled in the early stages of COVID and luckily had plenty of time to sort things out.
We couldn't fault any of the lodges regarding the current situation - everywhere was meticulously clean with all the staff waring masks at all times.
We have been looked after so well by all the Africans, all with a smile on their faces mixed with plenty of singing and dancing!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had high expectations for the trip as we usually organise our holidays ourselves. Maruska listened carefully to all our requests and made certain suggestions which definitely improved our journey.
This holiday exceeded those expectations - it will be a lasting memory filled with joy.
Thank you Expert Africa." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Our only hiccup was filling in the UK locator form for our return journey to the UK as we had no WIFI access until J'burg airport. This must be completed before you check in for your flight. Johannesburg Airport is a shambles but we travelled in the early stages of COVID and luckily had plenty of time to sort things out.
We couldn't fault any of the lodges regarding the current situation - everywhere was meticulously clean with all the staff waring masks at all times.
We have been looked after so well by all the Africans, all with a smile on their faces mixed with plenty of singing and dancing!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had high expectations for the trip as we usually organise our holidays ourselves. Maruska listened carefully to all our requests and made certain suggestions which definitely improved our journey.
This holiday exceeded those expectations - it will be a lasting memory filled with joy.
Thank you Expert Africa." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
366
reviews of Chobe by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Chobe
Our suggestions for safari camps in Chobe National Park
Muchenje Safari Lodge
One of our favourites in the area, Muchenje is a small, welcoming lodge at the quieter, western end of the Chobe Riverfront.
Chobe River Lodge
Overlooking the Chobe River, the intimate Chobe River Lodge is a haven of tranquillity away from the bustle of Kasane.
Savute Safari Lodge
Savute Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Savuti Channel within Chobe National Park, and offers access to excellent game viewing, especially during the dry season.
Savute Under Canvas
A mobile camp with the comforts of a semi-permanent tented camp, Savute Under Canvas offers guided game drives within the Savuti region of Chobe National Park.
Chobe Elephant Camp
Located in one of our favorite areas of Chobe National Park, Chobe Elephant Camp is a simple but well-appointed camp with a strong bush feel.
Chobe Under Canvas
This is a typical location for Chobe under Canvas, a small, semi-permanent camp in the Chobe Riverfront area that offers good value for money and high standards of care.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is a good value, hotel-style lodge in the heart of Kasane offering game drives, boat cruises and fishing trips.
Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge occupies an enviable riverfront location within Chobe National Park and boasts well-earned 'eco' credentials, as well as an excellent all-female guiding team.
Ngoma Safari Lodge
With sweeping views across the floodplains of the Chobe River, Ngoma offers superb food and flexible safari activities.
Chobe Chilwero
On the periphery of Chobe National Park, Chobe Chilwero offers luxurious surroundings and excellent food, which complement superb game viewing on game drives and boat trips.
Camp Kuzuma
Camp Kuzuma sits in the Kazuma Forest Reserve and is an excellent place to see elephant in particular. Away from the busier riverfront area of Chobe National Park this camp offers a luxurious base form which to explore this less visited region of northern Botswana.
Savute Elephant Lodge
Savute Elephant Lodge is a luxurious camp on the banks of the now flowing Savuti Channel. This is a classic big-game area, although its location within Chobe National Park does limit the activities which are possible here.
Elephant Valley Lodge
Elephant Valley Lodge is a lovely camp in a beautiful setting – sit in its hide and watch the wildlife come to drink at the waterhole. Activities focus on boating and drives in Chobe which - although very busy, and a long drive from the lodge – is very rich in wildlife.
