Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"This was the trip we have wanted to make for many years and I found the information regarding Expert Africa in a tour book in our local library. Since then, we have told everyone we know about this company. Every detail was taken care of and the tour was booked according to our wishes.

This was not a tour where we went on a specific route; we decided the area of Africa we wished to visit and what we hoped to see and they could advise us of the places we could stay. In our case we wanted to see elephants and the delta region and this area of Botswana was recommended.

We then checked their web site and decided on the camps. I called Maruska a few times and she was very helpful and answered all of my questions. The book on Botswana was written by Chris McIntyre for Brandt and there was much information on local customs and regions.

If we return to Africa, we will book through Expert Africa again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Absolutely excellent.

Worth every penny. From Megan at Expert Africa to all the lovely happy people of Botswana and their beautiful flora and fauna, we will be forever grateful. A truly wonderful, memorable experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No :)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"everything I'd hoped and dreamed of and more

there were few problems, mostly related to transfers, e.g. we spent an hour at kasane airport looking for our transfer and were about to phone when someone turned to take us to the border; and you can't control the weather which sent us and the wildlife looking for warmer shelter

it was worthwhile thinking about, planning and researching for 3 years, going with an open mind not a tick-list

We've never ever been so well looked after, still in shock having to think, plan and take care of ourselves and others

have already recommended your services to others we met on the trip, we really appreciate the time and patience you have shown, I would do it again but I know Richard has a long list of places to visit before we repeat. thank you so much

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think you are doing all you can, a pity you can't sort out airport security" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"A terrific holiday! We had some amazing experiences and met some lovely people.

We booked a great holiday to Namibia with Tracy Lederer in 2010 and she was the natural choice when we were planning a trip to Botswana. Thank you Tracy for your patience and invaluable help.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think the feedback should have a category 'Very Good'. It is too big a jump to go from 'Good' to 'Excellent'." Read full review: 34 nights in Africa; 24 on a Botswana safari

"Botswana is definitely the premier destination for wildlife safaris. Having been to Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa, I felt Botswana had the most to offer although the former holidays were great in their own right.

The camps were, on the whole, well run and the staff hospitable and friendly. The guides were passionate and knowledgeable - always keen to answer questions and reveal the secrets of their country. We not only learned a great deal about the wildlife but also the traditions of the people and how the country has benefited from the flourishing tourist industry. Other struggling African nations could learn a great deal from the shining example posed by Botswana.

We had a fantastic time and hope to return at some point in the future, Expert Africa's recommendations and organising skills were spot on. Flights, pick ups, drop offs etc etc all went like a dream, so well done to Megan and her team. These things don't happen without a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

One negative point, perhaps worth mentioning, is that we were told it would be difficult to book the holiday as late as January as the good camps would be full. As it turned out, none of the camps were anything like full, and Duba Plains, probably the best camp we stayed in, was half empty for two of the three nights we stayed there. I know that travel companies want you to book early but it did not suit us on this occasion to do so.

Another useful service Expert Africa could offer, as some other companies do, is a breakdown of the costs of each camp. This would allow the client to compare like with like and assess, at least in a cost sense, the quality of individual camps.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just keep doing what you do. I can think of nothing to criticise in the organisation of the holiday. Obviously, very expensive but a lot of the tourist cash does filter back to the people of Botswana which is vital in maintaining the passion and commitment of guides and staff.

It would help to receive some feedback from Expert Africa re my observations and comments above. We did not receive any feedback to our comments regarding a previous holiday in Tanzania. Perhaps a phone call discussion with Megan would be a useful way of showing that our feedback was valued." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari

"We had a simply amazing vacation. Perfect balance between true bush experience (mobile safari) and luxurious african safari. We saw something different in each park/concession and therefore felt that every "stop" was worth it.

We could not have dreamt of a better trip to Botswana." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"The trip exceeded our expectations. The choice and order of camps was strategic and well thought out.

We liked the variation of geographies and saw an extremely wide range of game - some at very close range. We felt very attended to with our special requests always taken into account.

Expert Africa did an excellent job helping us plan this trip - thanks to Megan." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"See comments below." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was fabulous.

We were too tired in Cape Town to fully appreciate and enjoy it. Then having to get to a 6am flight to Windhoek, really kept us from getting fully adjusted. I did not appreciate the distances we had to cover in Namibia and the slow going (with no place for rest stops) on the gravel roads. We loved everything we saw in Namibia, and I have no regrets. I just wish we had more opportunity for catching our breath or down time!

Botswana is special - everything is easy. Wilderness Safaris do an amazing job, down to helping us check our luggage as we were departing from Maun. All their staff are charming and helpful. I am ready to go again - next time, other Wilderness lodges!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, enjoyable. If it had been our first trip it might have disappointed in terms of game viewing. However, as always, the camp staff made the stays in both camps pleasurable. Alkso, we were lucky in that most fellow guests were amenable.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

See our comments above about the transfer Selinda/Maun/Jack's. I'm not sure this could have been foreseen, but it did mean we spent most of that day travelling. Our guide sat at the airstrip for Jack's for nearly 2 hours waiting for us (he didn't complain!)

Our international flights, which you arranged, all went according to plans. But the 26 hours of travelling from Jack's to Edinburgh proved somewhat tiring - more to do with our age than anything else.

Thank you for a well organised trip." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari