Reviews of safaris to Kalahari's Salt Pans

"We woudl have liked to have known before we went that neither camps could cope with us walking the first one as it is in a national park and you are not allowed and the second one we all worked as a group so if one wanted to go for a walk everyone had to we were hoping to have gone on a guided walk on our own as we have done before" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Absolutely excellent ! The wildlife experience and quality of accomodation were superb.

Expert Africa were extremely helpful and knowledgable in getting the itinerary we wanted and dealing with all the questions we had.

Suggestions for improvement:

On your website I would suggest you try and give more details on the wildlife a visitor might expect to see with a bit of luck at each camp." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Botswana safari

"We felt that the trip to Botswana/Livingstone was extremely expensive.

We were somewhat dismayed that at every turn someone was there with their hands out. It was particularly annoying to have to tip spotters who did not do anything. We much prefer the European systen of tipping only when something special has been done. All the other people we met on the trip felt the same way. Everyone found the tipping part to be very stressful. This was discussed over sundowners with all the other guests. Since these camps are so expensive, at least make tipping an exception and not the rule." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 15 on a Botswana safari

"The overall experience was better than expected and the trip gave us a further insight into Botswana" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We always enjoy our trips that you organise, but this year, in particular, we felt that it was your influence that got us the choice accommodation sites at the camps and lodges. Especially the Mukwae. We couldn't be so lucky all the time.

We appreciate the time and effort you must put in to find the camps that we would like." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Met all out expectations - great trip!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had a fantastic trip. All the logistics worked out perfectly, our flights from camp to camp were all in the middle of the day so we didn't miss any activities and all the flights except the last one were without any stops and we were the only passengers. The only incident came on the trip back home, when our BA flight from joburg to heathrow had a 4 hour delay, so we missed our connection to Madrid and had to take a later flight. At least they didn't lose our bags!

We really liked the lodges & camps, most of them met or exceeded our expectations, and we will recommend them to friends, except perhaps Jack's Camp, which we didn't like that much: it's too stuffy and snobbish for our taste, the people there need to loosen up a bit. Also, we didn't like that they plan all the activities for you and don't tell you what the plan is when you arrive, it's like they want everything to be a big secret surprise, a bit childish and condescending.

All the rest were fine, our favorite was Duma Tau. I also loved Mapula because of its very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere and its focus on game viewing; my wife also liked it though she found it too rustic and less tidy than the others.

Expert Africa did an excellent job in organizing this trip, keeping us informed of changes (e.g., when NationWide Air went bankrupt and the flight was changed to BA), submitting all the info, etc. I especially liked the "camp availability chart" they sent us so we could figure out how to fit our preferred camps in the itinerary, that was a most useful tool for urs." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"My trip was what I had hoped for, a great adventure that was well organized.

Thanks Lucy." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"From the first contact with Expert Africa we were confident that we had made a good choice.

The lengths Lucy was prepared to go to in order establish our expectations of the trip and match them to specific camps, within our timescale, was extraordinary. She obviously had firsthand experience and was super efficient. Lucy was always a pleasure to talk to, and we really do feel it is down to her expertise that we had such a well-organised and balanced holiday that could not have gone more smoothly.

We were also pleasantly surprised that your prices are so competitive when you offer such a personal service.

Suggestions for improvement:

We have been very happy." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was absolutely excellent - your advice on routing was good and the choice of camps excellent. You were very efficient throughout and it was a pleasure dealing with you. On this basis we would be happy to recommend you to anyone wishing to do a similar trip.

One suggestion: we noticed that several people doing similar trips had been provided with a spiral bound booklet with more information about the itinerary, details about each camp, with photographs and maps. We would have appreciated something similar, which would not be expensive to produce and would have been a very nice touch. Given the cost of the trip, the excellence of your service and the quality of the camps and transfers this would be an appropriate part of the package you offer." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari