Reviews of Lagoon Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
278 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, 74 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Lagoon Camp.
Lion
92% success
Leopard
70% success
Cheetah
55% success
Wild dog
51% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Wildebeest
99% success
Zebra
94% success
Buffalo
85% success
Spotted Hyena
64% success
Sable antelope
52% success
Roan antelope
43% success
Brown Hyena
9% success
Pangolin
5% success
Aardvark
3% success
Mr & Mrs B
Chippenham
"Excellent predator veiws and tracking skills"
3 nights Arrived 28 Jun 2008
"Lagoon has the advantage of wild dogs denning near to camp. Wide variety of predators and other African wildlife. The guide and spotter had excellent tracking skills and a vast knowledge of the behaviour patterns of the wildlife. The guides gave us a paticular good insight to the wild dogs in the area (the main reason for our visit) and we enjoyed the the following of the dogs on their hunt. The guides were able to track the movement of the dogs from the den when they had already left to go hunting.
We had a veiw of a cheetah and we tracked a lioness with cubs for about an hour and found her with cubs and a dead wart hog for their tea.Wild life and the camp was just the safari we wanted.
The only negative part was having our safari trip being used as a taxi to take another couple to their next camp - I beleive we lost valuable time from the lagoon team and wildlife. Would have liked to see lion.
Brlliant experiences !!! Special to see dogs on hunt and tracking location of wild dogs and lioness." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
We had a veiw of a cheetah and we tracked a lioness with cubs for about an hour and found her with cubs and a dead wart hog for their tea.Wild life and the camp was just the safari we wanted.
The only negative part was having our safari trip being used as a taxi to take another couple to their next camp - I beleive we lost valuable time from the lagoon team and wildlife. Would have liked to see lion.
Brlliant experiences !!! Special to see dogs on hunt and tracking location of wild dogs and lioness." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
The Honey Badgers
NY
"Memorable Time at Lagoon"
2 nights Arrived 13 May 2008
"We spent two nights at Lagoon from May 13-15th with Charles as our guide and AT as tracker. The entire staff at the camp was very courteous and attentive. The rooms were well kept. At night, it gets really chilly in the room. You can hear the hippos in the lagoon outside your room the entire night. It's quite beautiful especially coming from New York, you hear cars honking and fire truck sirens, so it's a very welcomed change to hear hippos serenading you.
The game drives were very exciting. We saw a lot during this time. The guide and tracker are very active in tracking for cheetahs, lions, leopards and wild dogs. We did see lions during the afternoon snoozing but didn't catch the elusive wild dogs and cheetah though others during our time there were lucky to see them. Also, the camp gave us checklists which was a plus so I can just tick off what I saw instead of jotting down the names in my notebook.
Some negatives:
Freezing in the evenings - At Vumbura, they left "hot water bags" between the sheets that warms your bed considerably, perhaps, Lagoon can do something similar
The water in the sink goes down very slowly and the water is yellowish-brown which leaves a metallic after taste after teeth brushing.
Concerns:
The staff does seem a bit tired as I understand they work 7 weeks a day for three months straight followed by 21 days off. The guide joins you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At Vumbura Plains, the guide didn't have to join you for brunch and dinner which I believe enables him to have a slight break and/or time to unwind." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
The game drives were very exciting. We saw a lot during this time. The guide and tracker are very active in tracking for cheetahs, lions, leopards and wild dogs. We did see lions during the afternoon snoozing but didn't catch the elusive wild dogs and cheetah though others during our time there were lucky to see them. Also, the camp gave us checklists which was a plus so I can just tick off what I saw instead of jotting down the names in my notebook.
Some negatives:
Freezing in the evenings - At Vumbura, they left "hot water bags" between the sheets that warms your bed considerably, perhaps, Lagoon can do something similar
The water in the sink goes down very slowly and the water is yellowish-brown which leaves a metallic after taste after teeth brushing.
Concerns:
The staff does seem a bit tired as I understand they work 7 weeks a day for three months straight followed by 21 days off. The guide joins you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At Vumbura Plains, the guide didn't have to join you for brunch and dinner which I believe enables him to have a slight break and/or time to unwind." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
Lagoon's management comments that with regards to working hours, the working cycle of 3 months on, 21 days off is standard for remote safari operations in Botswana.
They also comment that their guides do sit at all meals with their guests as they feel that this helps to add to the guiding experience which involves not just the game drive itself, but the whole guide/guest interaction. Lagoon Camp (along with the other Kwando camps) employs trackers and one of their responsibilities is to ensure that the game vehicle is in good order and they fill up the vehicles, clean them, gather the morning tea and sundowner drinks and snacks and also maintain the vehicles with the help of the camp mechanic, which takes a good deal of pressure off the shoulders of the guides - and allows them to spend more time with guests.
They also comment that their guides do sit at all meals with their guests as they feel that this helps to add to the guiding experience which involves not just the game drive itself, but the whole guide/guest interaction. Lagoon Camp (along with the other Kwando camps) employs trackers and one of their responsibilities is to ensure that the game vehicle is in good order and they fill up the vehicles, clean them, gather the morning tea and sundowner drinks and snacks and also maintain the vehicles with the help of the camp mechanic, which takes a good deal of pressure off the shoulders of the guides - and allows them to spend more time with guests.
Mr & Mrs H
Hampshire
"Overall best Safari at Lagoon Camp"
3 nights Arrived 11 May 2008
"Although the facilities are not as posh as the previous camp Selinda this turned out to be our favorite camp of the whole trip.
Issac the manager was also our guide with Bede our tracker, the atmosphere of the camp was exceptional, no request was too much trouble.
The game drives were tailored to our requirements including an extra long game drive to see elephants in the south concession we also walked, fished and had an evening boat ride, the camp was regularly visited by baboons and after one game drive elephant tracks were seen on the path to our tent, this was confirmed the following day when the elephant turned up whilst we were there." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
Issac the manager was also our guide with Bede our tracker, the atmosphere of the camp was exceptional, no request was too much trouble.
The game drives were tailored to our requirements including an extra long game drive to see elephants in the south concession we also walked, fished and had an evening boat ride, the camp was regularly visited by baboons and after one game drive elephant tracks were seen on the path to our tent, this was confirmed the following day when the elephant turned up whilst we were there." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Wild hunting dogs
UK
"African Hunting Dogs"
3 nights Arrived 9 May 2008
"The camp is beautifully situated on the lagoon, and it was good to enjoy the siesta on the verandah watching the hippos and crocodles. The staff here were very friendly, helpful and efficient and the food good.
Animal sightings here were plentiful and varied. Our guide, Roc, was very good, although not usually employed at this lodge. He worked extremely well with the tracker, who had been at the lodge for some years. Apart from lots of herbivores, we saw lions and cheetahs.
The highlight, though, were the African Hunting Dogs. We had been following tracks one day, without success, and then the next day a dog ran through the camp while we were having the early morning breakfast . There was a quick rush to the vehicles, and we all joined in the chase. The dogs were not at all bothered by the vehicles, and the driving skills of the guides were amazing. We had lots of sightings of dogs, and then came upon the pack just after they had killed an impala.
We were able to watch the dogs feed, then trot down to the water to drink, and then wander back into he bush to rest. We located them again in the afternoon, and stayed to watch them waking, greeting each other, and then set off to hunt again. At this point we lost them, but while we were having a sundowner by a pool, two dogs appeared at the other side of the pool, and ran round to within a few feet of us. We felt very lucky at privileged to experience the whole hunting and resting routine of these beautiful animals.
We didn't experience the boat trip - our choice - we were enjoying the safari drives too much." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Animal sightings here were plentiful and varied. Our guide, Roc, was very good, although not usually employed at this lodge. He worked extremely well with the tracker, who had been at the lodge for some years. Apart from lots of herbivores, we saw lions and cheetahs.
The highlight, though, were the African Hunting Dogs. We had been following tracks one day, without success, and then the next day a dog ran through the camp while we were having the early morning breakfast . There was a quick rush to the vehicles, and we all joined in the chase. The dogs were not at all bothered by the vehicles, and the driving skills of the guides were amazing. We had lots of sightings of dogs, and then came upon the pack just after they had killed an impala.
We were able to watch the dogs feed, then trot down to the water to drink, and then wander back into he bush to rest. We located them again in the afternoon, and stayed to watch them waking, greeting each other, and then set off to hunt again. At this point we lost them, but while we were having a sundowner by a pool, two dogs appeared at the other side of the pool, and ran round to within a few feet of us. We felt very lucky at privileged to experience the whole hunting and resting routine of these beautiful animals.
We didn't experience the boat trip - our choice - we were enjoying the safari drives too much." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs V
Cornwall
"Great camp for commited wildlife enthusiasts"
3 nights Arrived 26 Feb 2008
"The purpose of our safari at Lagoon Camp was to see wild dogs. Through the excellence of our tracker Atang and our guide "General", they turned a chance sighting into an encounter with the full pack on day one. The next day we tracked them to their well hidden resting place for more observasion and later in the day returned to follow them at hectic pace through the bush on their successful night time hunt. The dogs flushing out a pangolin during their hunt.
In all a very special experience." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
In all a very special experience." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs G
Highgate
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 23 Dec 2007
"The position of the camp on the lagoon, near the river, is very beautiful and the boat trip we made was most interesting, sadly cut short because that was the one day when we had really heavy rain. But the frogs liked it! We also liked the layout of the tents
The guides were very skilled and enthusiastic. We saw wild dogs, a leopard and we also saw the most elephants here: large groups with several babies ! This camp was also good for hippos.
We especially liked the friendly atmosphere at this camp: the waitresses came and introduced themselves and guests, managers, guides all sat down together for meals . The food was of an excellent standard. We loved the campfires where we sat at breakfast time to eat delicious porridge." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
The guides were very skilled and enthusiastic. We saw wild dogs, a leopard and we also saw the most elephants here: large groups with several babies ! This camp was also good for hippos.
We especially liked the friendly atmosphere at this camp: the waitresses came and introduced themselves and guests, managers, guides all sat down together for meals . The food was of an excellent standard. We loved the campfires where we sat at breakfast time to eat delicious porridge." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Python
Kent
"Lovely Lagoon camp!"
3 nights Arrived 26 Nov 2007
"Another lovely setting, quite serene and picturesque. Staff were very friendly and amusing.
Our first snake encounter - came across a python which was 2 metres long and moved pretty quickly!
Experienced 2 wild dog chases both of which ended in a kill right before our eyes! Exhilirating drive through the bush trying to keep up with them. KB and AT are driver and tracker kept us amused and were very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. This was a great end to our stay in Botswana." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Our first snake encounter - came across a python which was 2 metres long and moved pretty quickly!
Experienced 2 wild dog chases both of which ended in a kill right before our eyes! Exhilirating drive through the bush trying to keep up with them. KB and AT are driver and tracker kept us amused and were very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. This was a great end to our stay in Botswana." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr S
AskhamBryan
"Wild dogs at Kwando"
3 nights Arrived 21 Nov 2007
"The highlight was a pack of 13 wild dogs and the hippos walking past the tent at night. Generally the game was plentiful.
A very well run and organised camp in a lovely setting." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 7n in Zanzibar; 3n in Zambia
A very well run and organised camp in a lovely setting." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 7n in Zanzibar; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Mr & Mrs P
Oxon
"Amazing Kwando safaris - Lagoon camp"
3 nights Arrived 17 Nov 2007
"The camp, it's staff, the food, our guide and tracker were all very good and friendly.
Although all our guides and trackers were excellent Kaybee and Baruti (sorry may have spelt names incorrectly) stood out. We tracked three cheetahs for well over an hour and found them. Following the wild dogs on a hunt was truely amazing.
The ostrich we had one night was lovely." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
Although all our guides and trackers were excellent Kaybee and Baruti (sorry may have spelt names incorrectly) stood out. We tracked three cheetahs for well over an hour and found them. Following the wild dogs on a hunt was truely amazing.
The ostrich we had one night was lovely." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms Grey Lourie
UK
"Fabulous experience at Kwando Lagoon"
2 nights Arrived 7 Nov 2007
"The Kwando Lagoon Camp experience was amazing - albeit unbelievably expensive.
Overall this was one of the highlights of our trip and we would most definitely visit again (once we have saved up more money or robbed a bank !!)" See all these reviews: 3n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Overall this was one of the highlights of our trip and we would most definitely visit again (once we have saved up more money or robbed a bank !!)" See all these reviews: 3n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
Sadly … camps in Botswana can be often frighteningly costly these days!
Relative to the other accommodation places booked (in Namibia) for this particular trip, Kwando Lagoon Camp is by far the most expensive. It’s in one of Botswana’s top private reserves, and it includes not only accommodation and meals – but also a full spread of very exclusive guided activities, and most drinks.
So: yes! Kwando Lagoon is very expensive, when compared with most lodges in Namibia.
However, when it is compared to similar camps in Botswana, Lagoon’s costs are, in fact, very reasonable indeed.
Relative to the other accommodation places booked (in Namibia) for this particular trip, Kwando Lagoon Camp is by far the most expensive. It’s in one of Botswana’s top private reserves, and it includes not only accommodation and meals – but also a full spread of very exclusive guided activities, and most drinks.
So: yes! Kwando Lagoon is very expensive, when compared with most lodges in Namibia.
However, when it is compared to similar camps in Botswana, Lagoon’s costs are, in fact, very reasonable indeed.
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.
