Reviews of safaris to Kalahari's Salt Pans

"We explored going to Africa with numerous outfitters and specifically selected Expert Africa because of Megan and how she explained the variety of experiences! She was attentive, patient and friendly! She explained each experience in detail and catered to exactly what we wanted for this trip. Her detailing was on point- she was accurate in her depictions of each activity. And, they lived up to her high praises. She held our hand through packing and preparing for the trip as well!

The book provided and pamphlet were all extremely useful in preparing and learning about the trip!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had the most amazing family holiday - so many unforgettable moments. Maruska was efficient and helpful from the planning stages through to the completion of our journey. She stepped up to help immensely when our bags had been lost between Kilimanjaro and Joburg Airports. She stepped in and got the Wilderness Safari folks to help follow up with the airport and airlines which was a huge relief for us as we were "off grid" for several days following their loss and felt very stressed about what to do next. Overall - we were thrilled with our time in Africa and thank Expert Africa team for helping to plan such a great trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Converting NZD to USD to pay for the trip was daunting - felt hugely expensive. Yes, we requested and planned a high end experience and were aware of the costs, but we definitely felt a big hit to the wallet. When you factor in that we were also giving healthy tips (as suggested, and we felt like with the great service we should do at least the "minimum") on top of the high room rate at each camp ... we felt it even more. Next time we might consider a mix of high vs medium range camps to save some money. Again, not to take away from an incredible trip planned together with Maruska ... thanks" Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We absolutely loved our Botswana safari. The organization was flawless and everything went smoothly and without a glitch.

The combination of the 4 camps worked to make it possible to see everything we'd hoped to see, with each giving us unique and wonderful moments. We really appreciated the trackers at the Kwando camps.

Our guides at Lagoon (Spencer/Gee) and Camp Kalahari (KG) were great, very dedicated. We could tell that for them, guiding and wildlife sightings were a passion, not just a job. As photographers themselves, both Spencer and KG knew how to position the vehicled perfectly, too.

Our guide/tracker team at Lebala (Thabo/KB) were very good, but needed a bit of prodding before they gave us their best effort - but boy, did they come through with the leopard!

We were least impressed with Rogers/Chris at Kwara. Instead of really tracking predators on their own, they took us on 'scenic' drives, showing us the animals that happend to cross our path. Rogers also managed to get us stuck in sand on our first night drive on the way back to camp. After unsuccessfully trying for at least 30 minutes, he had to call the camp for help and we had to be towed out. However, once sightings were called in by other guides, he turned into a combination race driver/hunter and managed to get us to sightings of lions, a cheetah and best of all, Wild dogs - once tracking a pack of three through dense bush and the same evening, a pack of 3 feeding just before the light went.

The helicopter transfers were comfortable and very enjoyable, done in helicopters that seated just 4 including the pilot. Interesting fact: Since there was no room for our luggage, our bags got their own helicopter flights! As soon as we were dropped of at the camps, the pilots flew back, picked up the bags and brought them to us.

We were also very, very glad we had private vehicles for all our game drives, as it allowed my Mum to sit up front in the passenger seat and my Dad in the 1st row." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Magic.

Thank you so much also for helping deal with the bag panic at the start of the trip, we don't know who was ultimately responsible for getting it to us but thank you to the Expert Africa team, Maggie at Natural Selection in Maun, and Noli and Teo at Camp Kalahari.

Special poo poo to British Airways for landing us 2 hours late and causing the mess in the first place." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Although we ended up staying at camps we had been before - one by choice, Chitabe Lebida - and the other because Sabe closed down and we ended up a Duma Tau, it was a perfect plant\ in terms of changes in habitat followed by a complete change at San Camp.

Our entire experience including transitions was seamless. The trip was magical and a great family experience.

Maruska did a great job.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can't think of a thing." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"If I could give Expert Africa 11 or of 10, I would!

Lucy was fabulous - knowledgeable, careful and a good listener too.

The result was the holiday of a lifetime, filled with memories we will never forget.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Totally professional and nice too! No, I can't find any way to improve." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was an amazing trip of a lifetime, and Megan was very patient helping us put it together, and she gave good advice on the different camps to give us variety." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Usually you remember a safari by the wildlife sightings and interactions. In the case of the Central Kalahari and the Kalahari salt pans we will remember the diverse topography and amazing landscapes. That said in the Central Kalahari we have never seen so many Giraffe and Oryx and equally in the Salt Pans the Wilderbeest were in huge numbers." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"I've been to Africa on numerous occations and so decided to visit locations that I haven't been to before. Central Kalahari, Naxi Pan and Kwando concesion in the Okavango.

The three camps that I've stayed in, Tau pan, Naxi pan and Kuara are all run by Kwando safaris. The camps, situated in great locations, were stylish, spacious, comfortable and clean.

The teams were friendly, profesional, easy to talk to and made us as wellcome as possible.
The food was varied and tasty, pesonally I love a buffet and was spoiled with alternative dishes to accomodate my lactose intolerance.

The tents/rooms were enormous and very comfortable.

All the guides and trackers that I've spent time with were cheerful motivated and knowledgable.

Being the rainy season I knew that animal sighting could be patchy, although pleasingly Naxi pan was busy with wildlife due to the limited water supply.

I was delighted to find out that most people I've met were repeat visitors to Africa, some many times over.

Overall I was satisfied with my holiday. Unfortunately the Okanango section of my trip didn't live up to expectations due to few animal sitings." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"It was a fantastic trip.

Tracy was so helpful in all areas of organisation.

The lodges were superb, all the transfers were really easy and ran smoothly.

The itinerary was spot on; a great variety of experiences." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari