Reviews of Lagoon Camp

"Great "tent" in lovely surroundings. Very attentive staff and super meals. We would agree that the guides are very keen to show predators to the detriment of many other interesting birds and animals. The vehicles were as comfortable as could be expected on sandy tracks. The guide and tracker did tend to talk amongst themselves rather than to their passengers.

We were lucky to see a pangolin during the daytime and it caused great excitement among all the guides.

Our wedding anniversary coincided with our stay, and the staff made it very memorable." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"The camp is in a beautiful position on the Kwando River which forms the boundary between Botswana and Namibia.

We stayed in Room 7. An enormous room with a sunny verandah overlooking the lilies on the river. Rooms 7 and 8 are the farthest from the main area of the camp but they have the best position on the river. The luxurious bathroom has a huge roll top bath. A word of warning - plan well ahead for a bath, the water pressure is such that it takes about 3 hours to fill! As at Little Kwara, its sister camp, the food did not live up to expectations. However we did see 2 scops owlets in trees by the dining tent.

Paul was a superb guide. When we arrived he asked us what game we would particularly like to see. We said pangolin and honey badger. Paul pulled a face and said he hadn't seen a pangolin for over 2 years!
On our first drive we found a nomadic lion guarding a buffalo carcass being watched by hundreds of vultures in the trees. We watched as he fended off an increasing number of hyaenas patrolling around. Just after leaving the lion, in the dark, we had a flat tyre and all had to get out of the vehicle. Once back on the road we saw a serval and then a honey badger.

Lions were heard during our second night. The next morning we picked up the tracks of a lioness and her cubs, and found them with a large male kudu kill. Later we found the 2 dominant males of the pride sleeping in the shade. On the same drive we watched a large elephant family walking thru' marshy water. At one point as they got closer to our vehicle they all lifted up their trunks in unison to smell us and then trumpeted.

During the afternoon drive news came thru' that a pangolin had been spotted. We raced over to the other side of the Reserve and found it curled up motionless. It was a long time before it decided to move. We had just poured our sundowners (in the vehicle) when off it went. We stayed with it until it ran off into the bush.

Driving back to camp in the dark we found the 2 dominant males of the pride whom we had seen flaked out earlier. This time they were wide awake marking their territory; and roaring loudly in stereo. On our last game drive Paul found leopard tracks and spotted a female leopard up a tree. We followed her into the long grass. We could hear her calling her cub. Eventually they were reunited and we watched them playing together. It was a fitting ending to our safari trip." See all these reviews: 24n in Botswana; 7n in Mozambique; 1n in South Africa

"On the Kwando River which we very much enjoyed. The rooms were beautiful and if only I had taken advantage of that bathtub! Loved the fact the baboons wandered through the camp.

Again, friendly staff and enjoyed our stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"The Kwando Lagoon Camp was directly on the Kwando River which then feeds into the Chobe River; and the accommodations were quite large and sumptuous. The bath and shower area was large with an outside private shower and a bath tub where you could relax and watch the river and the sun. The manager B.K. was very helpful and the chef Kim and her staff served delicious meals in a large open area.

The bed was huge and the front of the room had chairs to rest in after a busy day, and there was a balcony in the front where we would sometimes surprise a critter who then slid into the river.

This camp had wonderful food and lots of it. After our late afternoon drive, there was a fire pit where the guests would take their refreshments and talk about their day. This camp was not restricted to a National Park so when out on a game drive the guides would suddenly veer off through the bush if they spotted something we would like to see. The vehicles were large and held up to six people. We went on a river cruise where we saw elephants and hippos and other animals drinking at the river's edge. Lots of elephants! We enjoyed this camp very much." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe

"I know you come to see the flora and fauna, but the layout and design of this camp can't go without mention. Lagoon lies by the side of the Kwando river with views towards Namibia. There are a couple of shaded, decked areas with seating to look out over the river. The lodges, restaurant and bar area are all reed thatched buildings and have real character. As this was our 4th camp, we thought it would be a challenge for our guides to find something new. But we weren't to be disappointed.

First sighting of a Martial eagle, then introduced to a grey lori (also called the go-away bird) after its cry and apparent ability to warn animals of approaching humans. Our guides Carlos and Ishmael said in the past that hunters would shoot the bird then the game!! Another first, a gorgeous solitary Steenbok. Yellow-billed hornbills (knickname the flying banana) as well as the more usual red-billed variety provided our escort. Best group of giraffes so far, an imposing pair of tawny eagles and a lion with two cubs, these just 4 months old. So over 4 camps we have seen cubs at 3 different stages of development. At this camp in June, we did a lot of driving/tracking on the morning drive, with a more leisurely drive in the evening.

At breakfast, on a chilly morning, an elephant was wading half deep in the river by the camp. An experienced traveller (pilot and tour guide from Namibia said the elephant was crazy!!) Again, the changing light and various shades of grasses provided an artistic backdrop for a shot of a reedbuck. Also a beautiful small group of young, female waterbuck. Taken to the site of an elephants grave with numerous bones and a complete skull. Saw ostriches for the first time, then a great coffee break watching a group of some 20 elephants having a drinks break too. This group included a very cute baby, so young it could not yet use its trunk.

Woodpecker and black collared barbet on view in tree overlooking river in our camp, in early afternoon. Then later were pointed out an eagle owl, which to my mind was well covered by leaves/ branches. Again, our ever willing guides, positioned us so that we were able to get very clear shots for photos. Enormous monitor lizard lounging on a log, then giant and also pied kingfisher. As our final evening drew to a close, word came over the radio that a leopard was on the edge of our camp. Some exhilarating driving brought us back, then a quick glimpse of a leopard moving through the bushes near the camp entrance. We took up position, and using the headlights in the failing light, saw it emerge into full view.

It calmly strolled away from us and disappeared into the night. As we set out on our last morning, a couple of teenage elephants trumpeting at us as we passed between them. Our bags were brought straight to the airstrip with a packed lunch for a return flight to Maun, so that we made the best use of time. The final bit of excitement was driving fast alongside the runway to chase off a trio of wildebeest so that the plane could land safely." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana

"After the drama of Duba Plains Camp, Lagoon Camp was a little less exciting although there were a few experiences which made the stay far from pedestrian.
The highlight for us was the discovery of a wild dog den after bumping many miles over terrible roads. We arrived early and witnessed the dogs waking up and welcoming each other in anticipation of a hunt which sadly did not materialise on this occasion. However, it was great to be there watching them interact.

Another highlight was the arrival of three male cheetah into the area after a six month's absence. Again, it was great to follow these beautiful animals through an entire day as they relaxed and attempted to find prey, which, unfortunately, they failed to do. It was much more unfortunate, of course, from their perspective than from ours.

Sadly, we missed a highly dramatic encounter between hyenas and a male lion as the latter failed to protect its kill from the huge pack of scavengers.Those fortunate enough to witness it returned with tales of awe inspiring savagery. A case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, but that is the nature of the safari experience, I suppose.

We saw many other species, including a huge variety of bird life which never disappoints. On our final day, not long before our onward flight, we rushed to see the only leopard of our entire trip. I got one outstanding photo of the predator staring at us through the thick grass.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Lagoon Camp although the standards of catering, while adequate, were not in the same league as Duba Plains Camp." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"Superb location on river wonderful views and hippos at night.

Game not as plentiful so longer drives but still saw everything including wild dogs after a kill and cats. Good river trip with elephants at water and many hippos.

We also enjoyed the evening dancing and singing of the camp staff." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana

"The highlight was watching four month old cubs with their mother and big sister. the cubs playing with one another, climbing trees,or trying to, and all totally oblivious to our presence. It was truly magical!

The one downside was our guide Paul. Although he was very nice we found it quite distracting and sometimes annoying that he took as many, if not more photographs than the guests; to the extent that he sometimes blocked our view. Our tracker ( we think P.D.) was great.

We found Lagoon quite busy but the staff were all very friendly and helpful and overall we had a good time." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana

"The "tents" at Lagoon overlook an arm of a river - a most beautiful view! That afternoon we boarded a two story pontoon boat and meandered down the arm looking at hippos galore - it was just magical seeing the beautiful sundown sipping a favorite beverage while surrounded by hippos snorting away in the water. The view from the top deck was spectacular and allowed us to see a lot of wildlife.

Next morning Paul rounded us up and off we went - the chatter on the radio was that the dog pack that was a Lebala had traveled overnight to the grounds around Lagoon! So we observed the pack on a hunt for about 30 minutes as the dogs jogged looking for prey. We then left the pack and joined another jeep that had spotted lion tracks. Oti jumped out of the jeep and joined the other tracker with lots of discussion on the direction and the types of lions. Paul looked around and decided to loop around and behold we found two lioness, two cubs and a large male lion - a most remarkable sight! We proceeded back to camp and had our brunch and what had become the norm for our afternoon - siesta/reading.

The PM drive started with looking at a herd of wildebeests. We then went over to a double lagoon/watering hole and encountered a large group of marabou storks all gathered in a shrinking pool. We heard some noises and looked over to see five hippos lumbering between the two large lagoons & they went into the water and kept going until submerged. Oti then spotted fresh lion tracks and shortly we came across Blondie, a beautiful young male lion whose fur was significantly lighter in color than the other we saw earlier. We observed Blondie for some time and proceeded to go to our last sundowner with Paul and Oti. On the night drive Oti spotted a porcupine crossing the trail and we stopped to watch it. Oti also spotted several owls on our night drives. The next morning we had a short game drive and went directly to the airport for our flight to the next camp: Kwetsani.

We bid fond farewell to Paul and Oti who had treated us so well during our stay at Lebala and Lagoon." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa

"This camp is located in a beautiful setting. The camp staff were very efficient and accommodating.

The guide and tracker were very knowledgeable and gave us a good safari experience." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 9n in South Africa