Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"Simply put - we had the best time on safari ever and would use the service again without hesitation" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was one of the best holidays I have ever been on. The game was exceptional and the camps very comfortable. The other guests were mainly from the USA and a wider mixture would have been interesting but I imagine it is the cost which deters people. I felt it was well worth the money as I have many wonderful memories.

It can not have been easy for Chloe to coordinate this trip for us as I was in France and the UK and my travel companion was in the USA.

Expert Africa - and Chloe - were very helpful in sorting it all out for us and helped us make good choices. Thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"A once in a lifetime experience. Though of course do hope to go back (to the private concessions). I love the Africa that I saw!!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We spent a lot of time planning this trip with Tracy, and we really appreciated her expert knowledge and her patience as we narrowed down the options to finally make a selection. Because we had had such detailed discussions, we had high expectations of our trip, and we are delighted to say that those high expectations were not just met, but were exceeded. We had a truly wonderful time!

We knew that visiting 4 safari lodges in an 8 day period would be hectic, and so it proved to be. However, although Chitabe Lediba and Kwando Lagoon were our clear favourites, both Savute Safari Lodge and Little Kwara had unique features that we are really pleased were included in our itinerary.

We were exhilarated and exhausted in equal measures after 8 days of safari, so to be able to finish off the trip with a (relatively) relaxed 2 days at Tongabezi was an absolute delight. We are so thankful that Tracy encouraged us to stay there rather than at a hotel in Livingstone.

All of the transfers worked seamlessly, and we were particularly impressed by the coordination between Mack Air and the lodges to ensure that we never missed out on our game drives. The transfer between Botswana and Zambia was also very well managed." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Our trip was one of the best things we have ever done! It was perfect and we couldn't have asked for more. It was an excellent experience. The terrain is gorgeous, the animals are fantastic, people wonderful - a dream come true. What lucky people we are to experience that part of Africa.

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We were just amazed. Everyone was where they were to be when they were to be. Africa is a really special place and I thought we lived in a really special place. The trip was great and Maruska gave us the best advice. We met so many people staying at the camps for just two days complaining that they were always on the move. One really should stay for three. That was a great piece of advice.

I really cannot think of anything one could do better - it was like I said earlier - perfect. You all know what you're doing. So glad I got Chris's book on Botswana and found you. Thank you so, so much.

Last question - so now that one has been there how do you keep from returning again and again? I think Africa has hooks and keeps you coming back again and again." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first safari. We stayed firstly in Zambia for the Victoria Falls, and then onto 3 lodges in Botswana. In all a fantastic experience which exceeded my expectations in every way.

In talking to others at our camps I did feel we had made the right decision in going to a national park (Chobe) first to get used to elephants, giraffes and zebras being everywhere, and that didn't fully realise the restrictions that applied within the Park. Consequently we really appreciated the freedom for game-viewing (at night and off road) offered by the second two camps which were on concessions. The concession model also limits the numbers of people who are able to stay in one area. This in turn made it seem we were really out in the wild and added to the experience. It just isn't the same at a National Park.

I didn't expect to be get so close to the animals and also to get involved in the story of the animals - what their behaviour was indicating, the various hunts and stalking, caring for the young, etc. At times I really did feel like I was living in a David Attenborough documentary. Botswana is a efficient African country, with good facilities. You could instantly see the difference between it and Zambia as we crossed the boarder. All the people we met - Zambians and Botswanans were polite, well spoken and helpful. They were all proud of their countries and welcoming.

A safari experience is simply wonderful, and I felt so privileged to be able to view the animals with such informed guides.

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Although I have given the feedback on Maruska above, because of her maternity leave, we also had Nick Hobbs as our contact. Nick was also very helpful - and I would give him the same markings as above for Maruska - in particular I was grateful for his advice about what shoes to wear as I was receiving conflicting advice from friends and various websites, and nearly bought a pair of boots which would not have been needed, So a big thank you Nick.

We were also grateful for the assistance we received from Megan Ingoldby - as she really helped us plan our trip during an "early planning stage" phone call. So a big thank you to Expert Africa - both Anne and I thought you were helpful, patient and more importantly accurate. Everything worked like a dream." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Maruska was no less than exceptional during all of our planning. And the best part, was that all the details of getting from Zambia to Botswana, and throughout the trip occurred flawlessly! I was a bit nervous traveling with just my husband but she guaranteed we would never be left "alone" and would be met everywhere as we passed from one point to the next and it was perfect! I would highly recommend Expert Africa. We loved the ability to travel independently, but still feel connected and safe throughout the journey.

When we were leaving Sandibe Camp one of the women who worked there said their is an expression in Africa; "Once the dust of Africa settles in your soul, you can never get it out."

Well it is in my soul, and we will return!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Definitely update the website on Sandibe with new photos, etc. Otherwise continue the excellent work and service. We hope to again go back to Botswana in the future....the high cost, but low impact of people is the best way to be on safari. We never saw more than two other vehicles in the bush and they are only allowed to have three at a sighting.

We also embrace and respect so much that Botswana is now a 100% "no kill" country that is working hard to protect the animals. I will always encourage others to spend their safari dollars in this country where the government understands the value of their animals and eco-system." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was a great trip and Tracy helped us a lot with fixing it up and working out where to go. Thank you so much. I was slightly worried about not staying any longer than 2 nights in any place but this turned out to be right for the majority our trip. On reflection the only thing we found that we would have changed was in Etosha. The trip from Okaukuejo to Mushara was a long one considering that we had already done the main waterholes immediately east of Okaukuejo the day before and we basically bypassed them. By the end of the day we were very tired. It probably wasn't helped by the flat tyre we had. I would suggest thinking about stopping for 1 night in Halali camp. We didn't have time to do any waterholes north or west of Okaukuejo.

Sandstone trip from Swakopmund was a good trip. The driver had not long started working for the company. He was a good driver and was cautious driving along the beach. However he was a bit less good at the birds and all 4 of us knew more than him.

Swakopmund. We had two great evening meals. The first in the Jetty restaurant was superb and then at the Tug which wasn't quite as good but was enjoyable too. Great fish well presented, good service and a lively atmosphere. Highly recommend both. Neither very expensive by UK standards.

Driving. We had three long drives but set off early on all three and had arrived in time to do afternoon activities or just rest for a while. The drive from Swakopmund to Doro Nawas took about 6 hours. The coast salt road is a s good a tarmac with little traffic. The first 50-80 kms going in land on C35 were easy but the further we went the less good it became. There had been some recent grading work on some sections. We stopped in Uis. Petrol easy although one of the petrol stations was closed. Had coffee in the restaurant in town sorry forgotten its name. This was ok.

We didn't stop at Brandberg because of time really. The road was less good after Uis but ok. The D2612 was less good quality than before and needed a number of times to slow down. However it was in the process of being graded and the sections already done are in good condition. We got to Doro Nawas in time for the evening activity and this meant we had seen desert elephant really well that evening.

From Doro Nawas to Okaukuejo was a good trip. The gravel road was ok to Khorixas and then is tarmaced all the way. We stopped at the petrified forest which was good and worth seeing. We also stopped at the bakery in Outjo which was excellent as recommended.

The drive from Mushara to Windhoek was easy on the tarmac road with little traffic. We stopped at Otjiwarongo. The Kameldorn Garten had closed and we ended up in fast food restaurant.

Internal flights were excellent. All the pilots were helpful and friendly. The best flight was from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund. This went up the valley across Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, across the desert and then low up the coast past a couple of wrecks and many fur seals on the beach. Brilliant.

The internal flights in Botswana were all very good as well. All on time except when we had to wait for the other passengers to sort their luggage. We managed to find a bag which fitted the dimensions for the little planes. However it didn't seem to matter too much in Namibia but did in Botswana. We found a bag from Eagle Creek(American company on website but bought in Hathersage Derbyshire) a duffel bag which was the right size but quite expensive at £80. We also used some packing cubes for shirts, toiletries etc which made life very easy. the other passengers had a framed bag which was twice the recommended size and spent 40 mins arguing with the local airline and then having to put half their stuff in another bag provided by the airline.

We took a suitcase with us and it was easy to leave both at Windhoek and Maun airports with Wilderness. The only problem was we couldn't open it when we got back to Windhoek! Eventually opened at home.

Etosha. We really enjoyed Etosha. We could have done with more time. We in the end did not visit any waterholes to the west of Okaukuejo as we decided to do those east of there on our first day and then travel halfway on the second day before visiting waterholes. In the end we were very tired by the time we arrived at Mushara. The NWR map is useful. Waterholes:
Ombika Brilliant start. Many elephant, Oryx, Zebra, Springbok, Impala
Okaukuejo as stated elsewhere some great sightings. Worth visiting even if not staying. 8 rhino the highlight.
Aus Kudu, springbok, oryx, hartebeeste,
Nebrowni spotted hyena
Salvadora 3Lion with zebra kill, Jackal, lots of Wildebeest crossing Pan
Halali middle of day Giraffe, impala
Goas 53 elephant including many young in the middle of day. Really playing in water
Nuames more elephant
Near Springbokfontein Black rhino trying to mate
Dik dik drive many dik dik. Leopard seen by others
Klein Namutoni Elephant zebra giraffe kudu impala springbok
Most of the others were dry or had little game." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"The chosen camps were perfect for the time of the year and the size of our group.

I would highly recommend Expert Africa as a trip organizer. I especially appreciated the book about Botswana that sent out in plenty of time before the trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Trip was very well organised.

The documentation for the trip could have been sent earlier. Finally it was sent by E mail and I printed the material" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari