Reviews of Kanana
Wildlife sightings and reviews
78 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kanana and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
94% success
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100% success
100% success
93% success
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"Outstanding Property, Guides and activities"
Our guide "Doctor" was responsible for a truly exceptional safari experience. He is extremely knowledgeable, always has a smile and wants to ensure you have a memorable trip. We are already talking about returning in two years. An absolute "must do" is the heronry. We are not bird people but after visiting this special place you feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to view first-hand.
Food here is delicious and varied.
Accommodation is lovely." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Mokoro heaven plus lions in the camp"
Although it isn't the smallest of camps it had a wonderful atmosphere with a lot of laughter and all of the staff know the guests by name. The staff were enormously friendly and relaxed and nothing was too much trouble, even dealing with more awkward guests. Coffee served with wake-up call. Singing before dinner one evening seemed spontaneous and fun with more and more of the staff, including guides, joining in.
The water-based activities were excellent. We took a motor boat to reach the mokoros, stopping en route to watch an elephant slowly crossing the deep channel with only the top half of his head and the tip of his trunk above the water. All around were malachite and pied kingfishers,African fish eagles and coucals. The trip in the mokoro was incredibly peaceful with thousands of water lilies all around and reeds decorated with jewel-like Angolan reed frogs. This was followed by a walk on a large island with plenty of game to watch before returning by mokoro and motor boat. We also had a longer motor boat trip to enjoy the sunset on the water after visiting a large heronry and also seeing the elusive sitatunga.
We were pleasantly surprised at the amount there was to see on game drives. There were plenty of wonderfully relaxed elephants, reed bucks, red lechwe, greater kudu, zebras and giraffes, also great views of a leopard and late in the afternoon a group of lions. The next morning the lions were in camp watching from a distance as we met for breakfast. Our guide patiently waited for them to start to move so we were able to follow in the vehicle as the three sub adults played on fallen trees in the morning light.
The tent was comfortable with a nice deck over-looking the reeds...a great spot to bird watch. Our guide was excellent and joined the guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On two out of the three nights we missed sundowners as we were too busy watching wildlife...in my opinion the correct priority!" See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
"Amazing"
The staff here are outstanding and will accommodate groups so that there is no conflict of interest amongst viewing priorities. All the guides are extremely knowledgeable and professional.
Tents are very comfortable with electricity and very nice showers. The game viewing was superb we stalked a 4 lions hunting and a leopard.
Simon, our guide, was happy to just sit and observe the animals so that we could really soak up the atmosphere. Amazing. We loved Kanana and would love to go back.
We have been to Botswana before but this lodge was far and above our favourite." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
"Kanana review"
At Arrival we were assigned a guide, as were others, that was with us for our entire four days. These Guides, along with Management, shared our meals at the one table.
The food was served hot at the table and was varied and delicious. Three days of our four we had surprises. We had an amazing picnic, Staff entertained us with singing and dancing and we had a large group Sun Downer. Our twice daily tours both on the water and game drives were fantastic.
We were most fortunate to have Robbie as our Guide. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about African wildlife. His tracking skills were phenomenal and recognized by all. He is the epitome of a professional and caring Guide." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
"A brilliant first safari experience."
We were made feel welcome from the moment we arrived by the staff. Nothing was too much trouble. The camp created a very 'family like atmosphere'. Every member of staff wanted to ensure we had a perfect stay ... and we did. We were even entertained one evening by the staff singing and dancing for us before our evening meal, - lovely! The activities we enjoyed were varied, game drives and water activities.
We also took advantage of the sleep out deck, a night under the stars is not to be missed. We heard lions calling in the night - quite close, and the sunrise in the morning was beautiful. The guides impressed us with their knowledge, we learned such a lot. At all times they showed sensitivity to the environment and wildlife as well as ensuring our safety at all times. We saw an abundance of wildlife each day.
The accommodation was great, and the food excellent. A truly wonderful experience.
We were only there 3 days, but at the end of our stay we felt we were leaving good friends." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Kanana Review"
The managers were really annoying and never left you alone. We didn't like the fact that they tried to make you sit in certain places for pre dinner drinks and tea. They didn't make best use of the great communal spaces and always had one big dining table in the back of the lodge for all meals.
Our room (no.7) was right by a generator which was switched on at 4.30am waking u as it was quite noisy. They should consider solar panels.
We were assigned to Chacjos as a guide but only actually had him for one activity. We didn't think he was very good. He didn't inspire any confidence that he knew the best areas for wildlife and he didn't explain anything eg when he was looking at tracks so it made us feel that he was just driving around randomly.
Wildlife viewing was terrible compared to the other camps but this was what we were expecting so wasn't an issue. The scenery is lovely and the boat and mokoro trips very relaxing. The boat and mokoro trips and really good and heronry is excellent.
When we asked for certain things (a private dinner and an early start taking breakfast to the heronry) the staff were excellent and accommodated everything we wanted to do.
Little things let the camp down e.g guides forgetting the keys for the boat two days running so we had to go back to camp for them and our driver taking us to the airstrip turning up 20 minutes late so that we were in a massive rush and had to take our own baggage from the rooms." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Rwanda; 1n in Kenya; 1n in South Africa
"Kanana Review"
The rooms, food and general facilities were all good.
I've marked them down slightly on service due to an unimpressive response when my wife stepped on a scorpion. Although the camp manager stayed calm (unlike my wife) they were totally unprepared for this, had to phone a doctor in Maun for advice on what to do and had no suitable medication on-hand. Fortunately, the sting was non-venomous. A further negative on the service was that the organisation of getting us and the other couple we were sharing the game vehicle with to the airstrip on the day we left was quite poor.
We were there for 2 nights, as advised by Expert Africa, and I think this was just about enough time for us to experience most of what they had to offer." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
"Kanana review"
The highlight of the visit for us were the two visits to the heronry." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
"Absolutely fantastic camp"
Whilst it is correct to say that big game is less dense in this region, we still saw all the main draws (except leopard!) in addition to a very wide range of birdlife. We enjoyed the variety of game drives and water based activities, and sundowners on the water were magical. The walking safari following different tracks and identifying the smaller fauna and flora was also a highlight." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Lovely Lodge and staff"
Owner guide could have said more but was very brave where he took us.
Food was OK.
Saw lion male eating catch and one day baby elephant. Loved it.
Beautiful vista of impalas in the mist." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
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