Reviews of Lagoon Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
283 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Lagoon Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2018, 79 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Lagoon Camp.
Lion
92% success
Leopard
71% success
Cheetah
58% success
Wild dog
53% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Wildebeest
99% success
Zebra
95% success
Buffalo
86% success
Spotted Hyena
64% success
Sable antelope
53% success
Roan antelope
44% success
Brown Hyena
10% success
Pangolin
4% success
Aardvark
3% success
Mr M
Bow
"Abundant Wildlife at Lagoon Camp"
3 nights Arrived 8 Mar 2017
"The abundance and variety of wildlife we observed on the short trip from the airstrip to camp foreshadowed future game drives. We saw more numbers and variety of wildlife at this location than anywhere else on our journey.
As we experienced at other Kwando facilities, Lagoon Camp was luxurious and comfortable with many helpful and friendly staff members.
See comments by Ms I. from North Berwick for additional details on our shared vacation." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
As we experienced at other Kwando facilities, Lagoon Camp was luxurious and comfortable with many helpful and friendly staff members.
See comments by Ms I. from North Berwick for additional details on our shared vacation." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Oxford
"Lagoon Camp Review"
2 nights Arrived 1 Oct 2016
"A lovely camp with a fantastic view over the river which seemed to be full of elephants and hippos for all the time we were there.
The game drives here were great, with particularly wonderful sitings of lions and wild dogs: The guide and tracker worked really really hard to make our experience as memorable as possible.
The rooms were particularly lovely - very spacious and comfortable. The food and service were also good - a highlight being treated to a private dinner in our room one evening.
We stayed here only two nights and had a game driver transfer to the Lebala Camp on leaving (where we also stayed 2 nights). Two nights in both camps with a drive between the two turned out to be absolutely ideal." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
The game drives here were great, with particularly wonderful sitings of lions and wild dogs: The guide and tracker worked really really hard to make our experience as memorable as possible.
The rooms were particularly lovely - very spacious and comfortable. The food and service were also good - a highlight being treated to a private dinner in our room one evening.
We stayed here only two nights and had a game driver transfer to the Lebala Camp on leaving (where we also stayed 2 nights). Two nights in both camps with a drive between the two turned out to be absolutely ideal." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs L
Wilts
"Awful."
3 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2016
"Evasive under qualified poorly motivated manager. Overconfident guides whose base knowledge of what we saw was lamentable. Always referring to guide books to answer questions. The staff appeared to run this as a private club rather than for the enjoyment of customers who had paid a grand a head per night for the dubious privilege of being there. If this camp remains on EA's list in the future it will be the last time we book with you."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Terrible
Activities:
Poor
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Terrible
Facilities:
Terrible
Mrs L
Basingstoke
"Beautifully situated Lagoon Camp"
2 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2016
"A lovely camp situated on the side of the river with constant comings-and-goings of hippos and dozens of elephants as well as numerous birds.
The staff were charming and friendly, the tents large and well furnished.
We had many fantastic sightings including a large pack of wild dogs with pups and two male lions feeding on a dead elephant. Due to the low level of the river boat rides were impossible but the game drives with our excellent guide, Hopps, and tracker, Justice, were exceptional. Some of the areas visited had been ravaged by fires but the new grass provided excellent food for an unusual selection of antelope." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
The staff were charming and friendly, the tents large and well furnished.
We had many fantastic sightings including a large pack of wild dogs with pups and two male lions feeding on a dead elephant. Due to the low level of the river boat rides were impossible but the game drives with our excellent guide, Hopps, and tracker, Justice, were exceptional. Some of the areas visited had been ravaged by fires but the new grass provided excellent food for an unusual selection of antelope." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr S
Switzerland
"Lagoon review"
2 nights Arrived 7 Sep 2016
"Had an excellent 2 nights/days here. My only regret was that I hadn't booked to stay longer. I would highly recommend that you spend at least 3-4 nights here. The location/aspect of the camp is unbeatable, so relaxing overlooking the lagoon, with its resident hippos and herds of elephant and zebra bathing and grazing close by. There is a great little plunge pool and deck in which to cool down and laze about between game drives too. And a nice library to have some quiet time.
The huge, permanent tents have a lovely terrace overlooking the lagoon, a separate seating area, indoor/outdoor showers, as well as a stand alone bathtub also overlooking the lagoon. Food and service by all the management and staff at camp (Lebo, Kay, etc) was exemplary.
My guide/tracker (Hopps/Justice) were extremely skilful and great company. On the first morning, we tracked wild dog prints for one and a half hours before finally finding a pack of 23 dogs (including 10 puppies). I was totally blown away by the quality of tracking of these guys. They both have extensive experience in this field and it clearly shows.
On my first night, I was actually staying in the camp by myself, which was amazing (though the camp filled up the next day), and gave me the opportunity to have a long chat by the fire with Jake, the very friendly and hospitable camp manager, and also Hopps, who regaled us with stories of previous guiding successes, client antics, and very funny guiding mishaps/close calls over the years. A really fantastic evening. Highly recommend this camp. Again, I really didn't want to leave." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
The huge, permanent tents have a lovely terrace overlooking the lagoon, a separate seating area, indoor/outdoor showers, as well as a stand alone bathtub also overlooking the lagoon. Food and service by all the management and staff at camp (Lebo, Kay, etc) was exemplary.
My guide/tracker (Hopps/Justice) were extremely skilful and great company. On the first morning, we tracked wild dog prints for one and a half hours before finally finding a pack of 23 dogs (including 10 puppies). I was totally blown away by the quality of tracking of these guys. They both have extensive experience in this field and it clearly shows.
On my first night, I was actually staying in the camp by myself, which was amazing (though the camp filled up the next day), and gave me the opportunity to have a long chat by the fire with Jake, the very friendly and hospitable camp manager, and also Hopps, who regaled us with stories of previous guiding successes, client antics, and very funny guiding mishaps/close calls over the years. A really fantastic evening. Highly recommend this camp. Again, I really didn't want to leave." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms A
Cambridgeshire
"Great start to my safari"
2 nights Arrived 4 Sep 2016
"A very enjoyable stay; the highlights being the wild dogs. Within four hours of landing in Botswana I found myself in the thick of the action, alongside the dogs as they first hunted impala and then frantically chased a warthog.
The next morning we spent a relaxed hour watching a flock of around one hundred carmine bee-eaters - two very different but very memorable experiences.
Great room, spacious, clean. The food was mixed, but with several options being offered, there was always something to satisfy my appetite. Service was as I expected, I’ve certainly no complaints, and I think Expert Africa’s description of the camp/service/food is spot on; the service is not as polished as at some other camps I’ve visited, but it didn’t have any detrimental effect on my stay. Most importantly the game drives were excellent.
So overall I would give 4.5 stars, not quite perfection!" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 7n in Zambia; 5n in Tanzania; 1n in South Africa
The next morning we spent a relaxed hour watching a flock of around one hundred carmine bee-eaters - two very different but very memorable experiences.
Great room, spacious, clean. The food was mixed, but with several options being offered, there was always something to satisfy my appetite. Service was as I expected, I’ve certainly no complaints, and I think Expert Africa’s description of the camp/service/food is spot on; the service is not as polished as at some other camps I’ve visited, but it didn’t have any detrimental effect on my stay. Most importantly the game drives were excellent.
So overall I would give 4.5 stars, not quite perfection!" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 7n in Zambia; 5n in Tanzania; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
XX
London
"Wonderful safari experience at Lagoon"
2 nights Arrived 12 Aug 2016
"The second high point of the trip. Amazing location with pods of hippos and elephants coming to bathe right next to the lodge.
Perfect accommodation with every comfort and beautiful surroundings. Great food and excellent service.
However the high point was really attributable to the fabulous guides, Bate and PD, who demonstrated astonishing skill in tracking lions and leopard - predicting what we would find before we arrived - and in educating us in relation to birds, antelope .and wild dogs.
Unforgettable" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Perfect accommodation with every comfort and beautiful surroundings. Great food and excellent service.
However the high point was really attributable to the fabulous guides, Bate and PD, who demonstrated astonishing skill in tracking lions and leopard - predicting what we would find before we arrived - and in educating us in relation to birds, antelope .and wild dogs.
Unforgettable" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms C
London
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 6 Aug 2016
"The room we had (overlooking the river with large numbers of hippo right outside our room) was superb. It was one of the highest standards of rooms throughout the holiday. It was our wedding anniversary while we were there and they surprised us with a private dinner, gift and champagne- it was truly wonderful.
The game viewing was again very good indeed and included one of the most memorable experiences we had when we followed the wild dog pack on a night hunt. Incredible. The guide and tracker's enthusiasm for this, clearly not an everyday experience for them either, was part of what made this so special. We also had the opportunity to enjoy a particularly good walking safari. The freedom to drive at night and go off road also brought great benefits.
The vegetarian food was not quite upto the standard of some of the other camps but it was still very good- and the lunches were generally better than the dinners.
The communal areas in comparison with the room were a bit tired in appearance but had a fantastic setting on the river.
The low water levels meant that all activities were land based which was a shame but out of anyone's control. Expert Africa might like to note that had we been told of this when they were in Oct 2015, (ie soon after our booking was made ) we might have asked to make a change. As it was we were only told when our final information pack was sent out when it was obviously too late for a change." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The game viewing was again very good indeed and included one of the most memorable experiences we had when we followed the wild dog pack on a night hunt. Incredible. The guide and tracker's enthusiasm for this, clearly not an everyday experience for them either, was part of what made this so special. We also had the opportunity to enjoy a particularly good walking safari. The freedom to drive at night and go off road also brought great benefits.
The vegetarian food was not quite upto the standard of some of the other camps but it was still very good- and the lunches were generally better than the dinners.
The communal areas in comparison with the room were a bit tired in appearance but had a fantastic setting on the river.
The low water levels meant that all activities were land based which was a shame but out of anyone's control. Expert Africa might like to note that had we been told of this when they were in Oct 2015, (ie soon after our booking was made ) we might have asked to make a change. As it was we were only told when our final information pack was sent out when it was obviously too late for a change." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs D
Somerset
"First camp at Lagoon"
2 nights Arrived 23 Jun 2016
"Lovely accommodation. Great to be by the river.
Wonderful encounters with lion family (lion, 4 x lionesses & 4 x cubs) coming together over old kill, cheetah, wild dogs. Our guide, Josiah and tracker, Timo were excellent.
Camp staff were excellent - very friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Wonderful encounters with lion family (lion, 4 x lionesses & 4 x cubs) coming together over old kill, cheetah, wild dogs. Our guide, Josiah and tracker, Timo were excellent.
Camp staff were excellent - very friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
N Hants
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 21 Jun 2016
"accommodation good but cold at night. we had to get the staff to drop the outside window flaps to keep some of the heat in especially the one by the bath.
our guide Joshia and tracker were very good. they made sure we saw the wild dogs which was what we were hoping for.
we spent a mad half hour following them hunting. food and staff were both very good." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
our guide Joshia and tracker were very good. they made sure we saw the wild dogs which was what we were hoping for.
we spent a mad half hour following them hunting. food and staff were both very good." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Kwando-Linyanti area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lebala Camp
With enthusiastic guides and trackers, Lebala – in a vast private reserve – is particularly well-placed for seeking wild dogs.
Selinda Camp
In an attractive area that is particularly rich in game between June and November, the luxurious Selinda Camp caters particularly well for photographers.
DumaTau
DumaTau, in the private Linyanti Reserve, offers game drives, seasonal boat cruises and walks. Wildlife safaris here are quite seasonal, and are at their best during the height of the dry season, between June and October.
Linyanti Bush Camp
An increasingly rare find in Botswana, Linyanti Bush Camp blends relative simplicity with numerous activities and very good guiding.
Selinda Explorers Camp
The luxurious, traditional tented Selinda Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by really top notch guides in a game-rich area.
Savuti Camp
Set above the Savuti Channel, the refurbished seven-room Savuti Camp offers the potential for viewing large herds of elephant and significant lion encounters.
Zarafa Camp
Zarafa is an exclusive camp overlooking the scenic Zibadianja Lagoon within the Selinda Reserve, a particularly game-rich area between June and early November.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool is a top-end luxury safari camp with a price tag to match; the game viewing can be very good during the dry season.
Linyanti Ebony
Independently owned and run, the small Linyanti Ebony sits on the same site as Linyanti Bush Camp, with similarly high standards of guiding, and a strong emphasis on the wildlife experience.
Linyanti Expeditions
Tip-top guiding. In tune with the habitat. Down-to-earth, authentic camp comfort. A place of wilderness safari harmony.
Little DumaTau
Small and sophisticated, Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sibling in the private Linyanti Reserve, overlooking a beautiful lagoon.
