Reviews of Kwara Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
234 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kwara Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
97% success
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"Not the optimal"
Secondly, both my husband and I found that quantity of food was a little scarce, particularly at lunch time. A few times we would have to limit our portions seeing that if we took the food in quantities we wanted, there would be very little left for others (i.e. taking the last sausage on the grill without knowing if they have extra). As a side note, my appetite is not gargantuan but rather moderate. Breakfast options were rather limited too.
The most disappointing experience were the activities. We were hoping that we could have at least a couple boat rides (the reason we went to Okavango was that we wanted to see the area being on the water). Well, as it turned out, we could not choose the activities: we were told what we would be doing each day. We only had one boat ride & by the time we go back all five of us (including three fellow tourists from UK) were rather glad it was over. The guide (Hobbs) was assigned to take us for a boat tour but we understand he normally works at Little Kwara so I guess he didn't really care. He showed up late. There was another guide (Wilson) who was driving the boat and he was obviously on a learning curve which is totally ok as long as you don't practice with tourists on board. We crashed into a dead tree one our way back. Luckily, nobody was injured but I had to assume "brace position" as airlines call it which saved me from scratches and bruises. We laugh at it now in hindsight but strictly speaking, it shows lack of operational skills on management's side, it's not just the guide's fault.
We had one short mokoro trip on the morning before we departed - better than nothing... The morning safaris were good. There was one guide, Master, whom we only had for one day, and he did great job tracking cheetahs on our first morning at Kwara. Then he had a death in the family and we were reassigned to another guide, George. He was good too but something tells us our experience with Master would've been better.
The night drives were totally useless. As soon as the sun would go down and it would get dark, both the guide and the spotter would head back to camp without any serious attempts to make it a memorable experience for their guests. I understand that wild life is called wild for a reason & not one guide will guarantee anything... However, it seemed our guides were slacking off during night drives but again, we picked up on it only because we had good night drives in Zambia before (good not only in terms of what we saw at night but mostly in terms of effort which went into finding the creatures of the night). Other guests at Kwara would probably be ok with night drives there thinking that it's normal not to see any nocturnal creatures except the usual game which you see during the daylight (i.e. Impalas, zebras, hippos, elephants etc)." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Botswana
The general managers of Kwando Safaris visited their camps, including Kwara Camp, soon afterward receiving this feedback to work through things with the teams and to do any training/updating where it would be useful. One of the things they planned to work on is their communication, both amongst the team and with the guests. For example, the camp managers at Kwara explained that for meals they cook two of each dish, but only bring out one to the table at a time. Therefore there would be enough food for all guests to have their fill, but currently the guests are not being made aware of that and so they may be holding back on their servings.
Another point raised that both the camp and Expert Africa have learnt from is that if the camp is fully booked, flexibility over the daily choice of activities may not be possible as there might not be enough guides/vehicles available. However, Kwando Safaris assures us that if the management team are aware of the guests interests either before they travel, or once they arrive into camp, then they will be able to ensure that the guests are able to do each activity that interests them at least once during their stay.
The camp agreed that on one occasion they unfortunately had to put 7 passengers on a vehicle this was due to them being a guide short because Master had to return to Maun unexpectedly. This is not their usual practice, and they do try to keep to a maximum of 6 passengers per vehicle wherever possible. The Kwando Safaris team will also be working on their night drive and boating experiences.
"Manager"
"Kwara Camp review"
With the ability to off road the guides are able to track game and offer the best photo opportunities. The highlight of the camp was our chance to see three cheetah brothers beginning there sunset hunt." See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana; 5n in South Africa
"An amazing introduction to Africa"
We saw so much wildlife, elephants in camp, at night munching right next to our tent and then watching it amble off with the moonlight providing a backdrop of the grass plains stretching out behind him. Our first night drive we encountered a big male leopard, precious seconds viewing before he slinked mysteriously away. Another highlight was the den of wild dogs and we got some great sightings. Our guide and tracker, Bate and Master, were two of the best. They were brilliant and actively tracked the wildlife with a passion, providing us details and information that enhanced our appreciation for these experiences.
Yes the accommodation was slightly tired and probably ready for renovation but we liked the rustic aspect of it and in no way did that detract from our experience at Kwara. Thank you." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Authentic Feeling Bush Camp"
Sleeping with the storm flaps up across the front of the tent was a great experience (there is a gauze sliding panel so no worries about insects etc). We could see silhouettes of Elephant and Hippo and heard Impala grazing just outside our tent it was magical!!! Kwando camps are all staffed by local people, Kwara's Manager was Hilda who has risen through the ranks from Waitress and is doing a fine job, a lovely lady. Food and drinks are excellent at Kwara all home cooking not Gourmet but very tasty and 4 meals a day you won't be hungry! Sundowners out in the bush are great fun.
Our personal team of guide, Tom and tracker, Justice were fabulous. Their combined skills of tracking and knowledge of wildlife was at times astonishing. They successfully tracked Lion (several times), Cheetah and Wild Dogs (twice) the tracking was a fascinating experience and thrilling, speeding across wild country in hot pursuit of our goals. We saw many other animals including, Porcupine, Sitatunga, Red Lechwe, Steenbok amongst all the usual animals you might expect to see. Tom has a particularly good knowledge of birds and in 3 days we saw 76 different types.
We were sad to leave Kwara we really got into the rhythm of an African Safari here and could have done everything we did again and again. Thanks to everyone at Kwara," See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Kwara Camp review"
The atmosphere in camp was very relaxed and friendly and even though the tents are a little dated the camp serves it's purpose just fine. We actually quite like the fact that you're still staying in something that looks like a tent as opposed to some of the other 'tented' camps." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 5n in Zimbabwe
"Kwara Camp review"
particularly enjoyed the chance for the night drives and the water trip" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Kwara Camp review"
Our guide Tom and tracker KB worked hard to bring us a great wildlife adventure." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
"Top guides, no game to be found"
Our accommodations were excellent, the food satisfactory and to our liking, and the opportunity to enjoy non-vehicle activities was a plus -- our mokoro trip and hike were great and informative, as were the double-decker motorized launch trips, which gave us a unique awareness and appreciation of the delta, its waterways, bird life and vegetation.
But because our prime motive for visiting expensive Botswana camps like Kwara was to see game, fundamentally we were disappointed and wouldn't recommend Kwara -- at this time of year -- to visitors. We were told by our guide that the normally resident prides of lions had moved away from the reserve. A bad fire had scorched a sizeable area of the reserve just a week before our visit." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
"Kwara Camp review"
The Mokoro canoe trip was fun as was the informative bush walk on the island.
Great staff, guides and food." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
"Kwara Camp was outstanding"
The camp itself was excellent. All the staff warm and welcoming. The tent was very attractive and comfortable with many amenities that I didn't expect. The food was very good (too good!) and they readily accommodated the needs of a vegetarian. We definitely felt well cared for. The size of the camp and number of visitors were both perfect. It was large enough so that we felt we had some privacy, but small enough that we had good interactions with the staff and other visitors." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Little Vumbura
On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.
Shinde Camp
With experienced staff and a wealth of activities, Shinde offers a traditional safari in an exceptionally varied and wildlife-rich environment.
Splash Camp
Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.
Chitabe Lediba
Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.
Kanana
In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.
Chitabe Camp
In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.
Shinde Footsteps
Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Gomoti Plains
Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.
Tubu Tree Camp
A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.
Vumbura Plains
Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.
Kwetsani Camp
Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.
Duba Explorers Camp
Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Camp is a traditional yet luxurious safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion behavior interaction that is often see during the day.
Pom Pom Camp
Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.
Baines' Camp
Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.
Stanley's Camp
In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.
Little Tubu
Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.
Pelo Camp
In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
Xaranna
Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.
Rra Dinare
Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.
Jao Camp
In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.
Seba Camp
Seba Camp is a luxury camp in a lovely location that offers the full range of water and land safari activities, depending on the time of year. This camp is particularly suitable for families.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
Abu Camp
Abu Camp is an exclusive safari camp on the western side of the Botswana's Okavango Delta - offering superb elephant-back safaris and opportunities to walk with them too.
Kiri Camp
Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
Okavango Walking Safari
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari camps in a secluded Okavango Delta Reserve where there are few roads; the ideal location for a walking trail led by an expert guide.
Duke’s Camp
On a remote island within a vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains of the Okavango.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.
Atzaro Okavango
With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.
Mokolwane
Deep in the heart of the Okavango, Mokolwane promises adventure in a largely untouched area.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.
North Island Okavango
Deep in quintessentially “Okavango” territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, North Island focuses on a luxury safari experience with very good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mbamba
Deep within the northern Okavango, the classically styled Mbamba is set to open in a wildlife-rich private concession in April 2025.
Qorokwe Camp
Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.
