Reviews of safaris to Kwando-Linyanti area

"This was our seventh trip to Africa since 2016, which we decided to split between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Some of our friends have asked us whether we haven’t seen enough of Africa by now. I’m fully aware of the fact that there are countries in Africa that aren’t safe and better avoided, but our answer would be: no, we haven’t. As strange as it may sound, visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya has always felt to us like coming home. And this is due not just to the charismatic megafauna that can be experienced here, but to the people living here. In our seven trips we have spent more than half a year in Africa, and we have only experienced a healthy curiosity, kindness and open-mindedness.

That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.

Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.

Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.

Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).

When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Perfect in every way, and this from the moment we started planning with Lucy.

The people behind Expert Africa really understand their business. We are therefore already looking forward our next trip.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, as the commitment and support from Lucy and Expert Africa was outstanding" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Fabulous!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Entire trip was brilliant." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Over several trips we have come to rely upon Expert Africa and they never disappoint." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"In terms of game viewing experience, quality of accommodations, ease of connecting between camps and overall enjoyment this is the best safari experience we’ve had.

Expert Africa took care of all the details once we landed in Africa, and when we had a flight delay between camps due to weather, our flight schedule and accommodation for an extra night in camp were organized for us without a hitch.

The quality of every camp was just as we expected. The quality of guiding was the highest we’ve experienced. And even after a month of travel we never tired of the delicious and varied menu options.

Expert Africa took care of every detail and Wilderness (plus Green Safaris for one camp) came through in every camp.

The other companies that provided ground and air transportation between countries or camp-to-camp were also efficient and convenient. Excellent trip!" Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"A very special trip to a very special place.

Well organised, lovely accommodation.

Transfers all worked, although one was a bit tight. One of the camps, Selinda Explorers is a new favourite!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"The whole trip was very well organised by Lucy, went very smoothly in Africa and was very much enjoyed. Unfortunately, our outward BA flight was delayed by over three hours and so we missed our Airlink connecting flight from Johannesburg to Maun but fortunately we were rebooked onto a later flight. Thanks to Lucy for reacting so quickly to our email, warning Airlink of the situation and ensuring Mack Air and our first camp at Lagoon were also aware. The service on the flights to and from Maun on Airlink was very good.

We stayed at four Kwando camps: Lagoon, Lebala, Mma Dinare and Splash. All provided very good and comfortable accommodation, food and facilities, friendly, welcoming and helpful staff; and, most importantly, excellent guiding and tracking, with plenty of time to view what was going on. It was good to be able to drive off road at all the camps which added immeasurably to the sightings; and it was rare for there to be more than one or two vehicles in one place at the same time.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, our fourth with Expert Africa, and it met our objectives in terms of the animals we particularly wanted to see this time (cheetah and wild dogs) although we saw a very broad range of animals and birds." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"The trip as a whole worked really well.

The guidance received from Expert Africa was very helpful in deciding which camps we visited and all of them met or exceeded our expectations.

The arrangements in Botswana all worked efficiently." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Once again our trip, organised by Expert Africa, went extremely smoothly.

One of our bags went on walkabout for 2 days on our way out but it was recovered fairly efficiently by Mack Air/&Beyond and delivered to our first camp (Savute under Canvas). But not a real problem since we always pack some of each others clothes in each bag.

This was our 4th safari in Botswana and our experience was very enjoyable overall. Everything went as planned and on-schedule, and we saw an incredible number of different animals. In fact, we probably had better sightings of Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena than on our previous safaris." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari