Reviews of Lagoon Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
280 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, 76 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Lagoon Camp.
Lion
92% success
Leopard
71% success
Cheetah
56% success
Wild dog
51% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Wildebeest
99% success
Zebra
95% success
Buffalo
85% success
Spotted Hyena
65% success
Sable antelope
53% success
Roan antelope
45% success
Brown Hyena
9% success
Pangolin
4% success
Aardvark
3% success
Ms S & Mr K
USA
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 4 Jun 2015
"Huge and beautiful rooms
Excellent Food
Favorite guide: Sugar
Phone service
Lions mating twice in five minutes, wild cat and cerval night sighting, herd of elephants at water hole during sundowners, great evening boat cruise with hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Spent hours tracking wild dogs to no avail
Game drives were a little long due to the expansive area but overall a fantastic camp" See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Excellent Food
Favorite guide: Sugar
Phone service
Lions mating twice in five minutes, wild cat and cerval night sighting, herd of elephants at water hole during sundowners, great evening boat cruise with hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Spent hours tracking wild dogs to no avail
Game drives were a little long due to the expansive area but overall a fantastic camp" See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Oklahoma
"Lagoon Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 1 Jun 2015
"Lagoon camp was beautiful, and we really appreciated the way the guides tried to keep up with the wild dogs. That was exhilarating and a highlight of our overall trip. The boat trip we took was pleasant as well.
One camp manager, Chawa was excellent, the other, BK was not. The camp employees spoke in Setswana to each other constantly. Around the fire before dinner, in the vehicles, at meals. At times around the fire, guests were sitting silently and employees were having animated conversations in Setswana. The staff also wanted things done their way and were not relaxed about guests doing their own thing (about things as small as where you sat for meals).
They did do a good job on the gluten free diet." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
One camp manager, Chawa was excellent, the other, BK was not. The camp employees spoke in Setswana to each other constantly. Around the fire before dinner, in the vehicles, at meals. At times around the fire, guests were sitting silently and employees were having animated conversations in Setswana. The staff also wanted things done their way and were not relaxed about guests doing their own thing (about things as small as where you sat for meals).
They did do a good job on the gluten free diet." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Utah
"Lagoon Camp"
2 nights Arrived 6 Mar 2015
"Lovely setting, loved the elephants walking into camp! Nice boat ride, again. Loved the informal atmosphere of all the camps.
Loved the fact that we weren't charged extra for beverages, or laundry. Probably written into the price, but better than being nickle and dimed!
Good guides." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Loved the fact that we weren't charged extra for beverages, or laundry. Probably written into the price, but better than being nickle and dimed!
Good guides." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Westerham
"Lagoon Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 28 Feb 2015
"The boat transfer to Lagoon was fantastic fun and immigration into Botswana and the river check point was great . I think we were the only people the immigration officilas saw that day.
Lagoon camp facilities have been totally upgraded since our last visit in 2009 . The rooms and general areas were greatly improved . The staff were excellent all the time , especially our guide Sugar and tracker PK were worked tirelessly on the drives to find sightings when at times the grass was so high that anything could have been next to the road and we would not have seen it." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 6n in Namibia
Lagoon camp facilities have been totally upgraded since our last visit in 2009 . The rooms and general areas were greatly improved . The staff were excellent all the time , especially our guide Sugar and tracker PK were worked tirelessly on the drives to find sightings when at times the grass was so high that anything could have been next to the road and we would not have seen it." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 6n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Nevada
"Great way to end our trip"
3 nights Arrived 17 Nov 2014
"We ended our trip at Lagoon Camp. The rains had come early---good for the animals, but the wildlife was a little less plentiful. It was nice to see such a green landscape.
We were very lucky and still able to see a number of predators. We had the most amazing experience with 8 lions all drinking simultaneously. Our guide and tracker, Sugar and James, were excellent!
We were placed in an amazing room--great view and very spacious." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in South Africa
We were very lucky and still able to see a number of predators. We had the most amazing experience with 8 lions all drinking simultaneously. Our guide and tracker, Sugar and James, were excellent!
We were placed in an amazing room--great view and very spacious." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Somerset
"Lagoon Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 10 Nov 2014
"Very disappointing. Management very much set the tone of a less than friendly overall experience. Guides seem to have their own agenda as to what we should see.
Roof leaked in our allotted chalet down onto the bed! We were moved although Manager was reluctant to do so!
Not to be recommended despite excellent location." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
Roof leaked in our allotted chalet down onto the bed! We were moved although Manager was reluctant to do so!
Not to be recommended despite excellent location." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Poor
Mr & Mrs S
Yorkshire
"Lagoon Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Sep 2014
"Arriving at Lagoon camp was just amazing. On the deck overlooking the river, watching about 70 elephants with young cross over to the islands in the middle distance was just extraordinary. What a place to finish our holiday.
The camp and room were excellent and the food very good. The bedroom must be about the most luxurious "tent" it is possible to stay in with a huge room, large bathroom and shower an the external shower as well. A long communal table helped us chat with others and we had excellent company there. Heard many hippo around at night but none seen nearby.
The guides were very good and we had a great piece of tracking done by one of them looking for a leopard which they found for us. He also tracked a lion successfully. We had fabulous views of wild dog chasing warthog into a termite mound and biting a spotted hyena which got too close. On the final morning we were heading back to leave when they found another leopard 10 mins before we were due to leave and we were able to watch this one for another 30 mins before having to leave.
There was a very pleasant sundowner on the river where we able to watch elephant crossing the river from nearby and then see some birds and animals as we went slowly along. This was a much better trip than that at Little Kwara." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
The camp and room were excellent and the food very good. The bedroom must be about the most luxurious "tent" it is possible to stay in with a huge room, large bathroom and shower an the external shower as well. A long communal table helped us chat with others and we had excellent company there. Heard many hippo around at night but none seen nearby.
The guides were very good and we had a great piece of tracking done by one of them looking for a leopard which they found for us. He also tracked a lion successfully. We had fabulous views of wild dog chasing warthog into a termite mound and biting a spotted hyena which got too close. On the final morning we were heading back to leave when they found another leopard 10 mins before we were due to leave and we were able to watch this one for another 30 mins before having to leave.
There was a very pleasant sundowner on the river where we able to watch elephant crossing the river from nearby and then see some birds and animals as we went slowly along. This was a much better trip than that at Little Kwara." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Kent
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 19 Sep 2014
"Spencer was our guide and PK the tracker here, and they really showed us how to track animals, on one occasion tracking and locating lion after an hour or so, and leopard on another. We did get very close to both animals, particularly the leopard, who had killed a kudu earlier, but she was shy and climbed up a tree and vanished.
Several types of antelope here, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, wart hogs and many other animals, together with fantastic bird life including cori bustard and secretary birds. Travelled up the river/lagoon and saw 38 elephants crossing - wonderful sight. Also many hippo making their presence heard, and beautiful bird life - love the fish eagles. Went to hyena den and saw the mother and her 9 month old cub, very aware of their position and the proximity to a pack of wild dogs. Later on saw an older wild dog nannying the young dogs and seeing a hyena approaching them, with the old dog trying to shepherd them away. He must have called to the remainder of the pack because all of a sudden five or six dogs returned at pace and attacked the hyena and chased it away.
On our last morning we found two lions on huge anthills, lazily viewing the area, and later on a tiny elephant suckling, as well as other animals. During our trip, Spencer had introduced us to his favourite area which he called the 'hidden valley'. We could have been in an English autumn woodland with the white colouring of the trees and the red/brown dry leaves on the ground, except for the many zebra cooling themselves down in this shady area - wonderful." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia
Several types of antelope here, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, wart hogs and many other animals, together with fantastic bird life including cori bustard and secretary birds. Travelled up the river/lagoon and saw 38 elephants crossing - wonderful sight. Also many hippo making their presence heard, and beautiful bird life - love the fish eagles. Went to hyena den and saw the mother and her 9 month old cub, very aware of their position and the proximity to a pack of wild dogs. Later on saw an older wild dog nannying the young dogs and seeing a hyena approaching them, with the old dog trying to shepherd them away. He must have called to the remainder of the pack because all of a sudden five or six dogs returned at pace and attacked the hyena and chased it away.
On our last morning we found two lions on huge anthills, lazily viewing the area, and later on a tiny elephant suckling, as well as other animals. During our trip, Spencer had introduced us to his favourite area which he called the 'hidden valley'. We could have been in an English autumn woodland with the white colouring of the trees and the red/brown dry leaves on the ground, except for the many zebra cooling themselves down in this shady area - wonderful." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
J&K
Buckinghamshire
"Top Class Guides at a Comfortable Camp"
2 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2014
"We received a very warm welcome at Kwando Lagoon Camp, where we were lucky enough to be allotted the family lodge. That gave us lots of space and an excellent view over the lagoon. What a treat to be able to watch elephant, waterbuck and baboons drinking from the lagoon at close quarters whilst having a bath!
The accommodation was comfortable and the food was excellent, but above all the thing that we will remember about Kwando Lagoon is the quality of the game viewing. Our guide and tracker, Paul and Ishmael respectively, were like a comedy double act, and when it came to the serious business of viewing wildlife they were exceptional.
We had excellent sightings of lion, including one magical session with a pride where the cubs were teasing each other playfully. This was matched the next day by the equally playful puppies in a pack of wild dog trotting to the water to quench their thirst after feasting on an impala kill. We also had good leopard sightings and a close encounter with a spotted hyena and two pups at their den. The elephants at Kwando Lagoon seemed to be friskier than at any of the other lodges that we visited, so they also provided some memorable moments.
We were able to recharge camera batteries in a cupboard behind the bar." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The accommodation was comfortable and the food was excellent, but above all the thing that we will remember about Kwando Lagoon is the quality of the game viewing. Our guide and tracker, Paul and Ishmael respectively, were like a comedy double act, and when it came to the serious business of viewing wildlife they were exceptional.
We had excellent sightings of lion, including one magical session with a pride where the cubs were teasing each other playfully. This was matched the next day by the equally playful puppies in a pack of wild dog trotting to the water to quench their thirst after feasting on an impala kill. We also had good leopard sightings and a close encounter with a spotted hyena and two pups at their den. The elephants at Kwando Lagoon seemed to be friskier than at any of the other lodges that we visited, so they also provided some memorable moments.
We were able to recharge camera batteries in a cupboard behind the bar." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs A
Hawaii
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 17 Sep 2014
"Absolutely fabulous - couldn't ask for more. It was such an experience. Like being in the garden of Eden with all the animals as God created them and being able to share their space for a little while.
Excellent, excellent experience." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
Excellent, excellent experience." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
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
For years the Savuti Channel ran dry, but it's now flowing again and this newly refurbished, 7-room lodge has pride of place to witness the spectacle.
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.
