Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"We had 7 amazing days at 3 camps in an around the delta in August (Gomoti, Machaba and Lebala). Compared to places like the Mara/Kruger/Serengeti, I'd say there was less volume of game (or the plains are less open, so it's harder to see) - sometimes you'd go a couple of days without seeing a lion - so you had to work a bit harder for the sightings. However, the fact that they're all private reserves (or private-ish) means that when you're driving around you are in total isolation, and your sightings can mostly be enjoyed without other vehicles for as long as you like.

Even though there are several reserves and concessions, nothing is fenced - that's great as it makes it truly wild, the downside being that animals can cross the dividing lines but people can't, so you need to go to a few different camps to minimize the probability that the animal you wanted to see crossed the border yesterday and so isn't accessible (this happens quite a bit).

We had great sightings of leopard and wild dogs, saw the big 5 in a single day, had some truly amazing night drives - lion hunts, wildcat, serval, civet, owls galore - and picked up over 100 species of birds in the week. We went on a motor boat trip once, which was very beautiful, really relaxing. We also tried the mokoro, which didn't do much for us (felt quite rickety, and didn't see anything).

In August, the temperature goes from 5 degrees in the morning to close to 30 in the afternoon - that contrast really enhanced the experience as it felt like you were moving from one place to another every day.

All in all, it was by far the most thrilling safari experience I've been on - the tranquility makes it seem so much more wild/natural - and so in future I think I'll be coming back to Botswana rather than Kenya or Tanzania.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - Megan was fantastic as always" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Overall this was a very enjoyable safari which blended northern Botswana with the Okavango Delta. We enjoyed many memorable times with the 'cats' - Cheetah, Leopard and Lion, as well as a 'first-time' with a family of Wild Dog (6 adults and 4 pups) and some special times with our all-time favourites - Elephants.
We were a little 'shocked' by the low temperature overnight at the start of our safari (end of July). We normally visit Botswana at the end of September but thought we should experience a different time of year.
Perhaps due to the low temperatures at the start of our safari (it warmed up during our stay) we felt that, perhaps, 11 days was slightly too long and 9 days would have been better.
Throughout our visit we were impressed by the friendliness and cheerfulness of the Botswanian people." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first ever trip to Africa and it certainly won't be the last.

Botswana and our trip really exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Wonderful." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"It was superb.... totally exceeded our expectations and we found all the camps perfect. When we contacted EA (we've used them before several times) we started with some limits on our budgets but Maruska came back with a fabulous itinerary that met and exceeded all our needs.

In advance of the trip all questions were quickly and fully answered and we headed off with full confidence for the holiday. We have lots more feedback on the camps themselves but in summary this part of Botswana is beautiful and (especially) the Kwando camps are superb with all the staff a great highlight. What also impressed us was how the choices of camp reflected our priorities around viewing, the guides and being more open and in amongst it all.

This was our 3rd Expert Africa trip (Namibia and Botswana twice before) and ideally we'd always look to EA first before booking anything again - Maruska was excellent throughout.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None at all!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had a brilliant time.

All the lodges we stayed at were different and worked very well as a complete package.

We would not hesitate to use Expert Africa again" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"great

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

no" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Maruska organized a vacation for my husband and me, and her expert knowledge and prompt, informative communications were invaluable, ensuring a painless and memorable experience from planning to booking to actually embarking on our trip.

The fact that our trip was as seamless and amazing as it was is attributable to Maruska--we cannot thank her enough for such an incredible trip!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"We were very happy with all the arrangements that Expert Africa made for us, although we were disappointed with Little Kwara.

It was unfortunate that we only spent one night at Little Kwara due to my wife's illness and missed all the game drives, as they may well have compensated to some extent for the disappointing accomodation, but who knows!

We would have liked to have been told that Little Kwara was about to close as this probably was the reason it was so rundown, we may then have decided to change to another lodge." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We had a wonderful safari and our love for Botswana is as strong as ever.

Re the camps themselves, the luxury and style we experienced at several (mainly Duba Suites and Mombo) rather eclipsed the feel of being ‘in the bush’. We prefer something more simple - less luxury and less grand accommodation. Therefore we may head off next time to Zambia or Tanzania.

We presume the companies owning the camps are marketing the USA market and that the luxury is designed to attract many first timers who would otherwise not visit. Quite a few guests we met were Americans who had not been to Africa before and just wanted to ‘tick off’ the big five. And not interested in birds or trees/plants. There is a danger of a Disneyland type situation." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari