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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"Kwara Camp review"
Our guide Jacob and tracker Goms were both excellent. Jacob looked after us extremely well throughout our stay. He and Goms were very knowledgeable and made an excellent team as they worked together to ensure that we had many wonderful wildlife encounters. Their tracking skills were amazing - we saw a large number of animals, birds, and reptiles. We thoroughly enjoyed the two water excursions they took us on - one on a boat and one on a mokoro.
A great place to stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Kwara Camp review"
The elephant grass growth was too high to allow walking, thus drives dominated activities. Possibly due to guest pressure, a mornings Mokoro tour was arranged using all 5 canoes, and by moving access point a boat trip through the delta in Moremi NP was arranged. Both were very enjoyable, although animal sightings were infrequent.
Whilst the animals were well spread out reasonable sightings were had, but the variety of birds was very good throughout.
We were told bird spotting was a minority pursuit but it was a great time to see them. In fact we would say that the green season was not for new Africa hands. The guides were exceptionally informative and knowledgeable. However for us the drives were too long and without sufficient break time for sundowners etc. The spotlight drives were very perfunctory given the vegetation.
As recognised by a forthcoming refurbishment the tents were old fashioned poorly positioned and with very inadequate plumbing." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Activities in the green season are often quite different to the dry season - in that guided walks do depend on the grass levels and visibility, game drives can be delayed or cut short because of rain, and water activities all depend on water levels and whether or not there is enough shallow water around in a safe area to allow for mokoro activities, and enough deep water to allow to boat activities.
With regards to the tents and their refurbishment... we're anxiously awaiting news on this. Watch this space!
"Kwara Camp review"
The area was just beautiful and lush, and we did see a pack a wild dogs as a bonus. Other game was somewhat hard to find, our guide worked really hard to track cheetahs and lions with limited results, though.
We did have a leopard kill an impala about 20 feet from our tent, though!" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Kwara Camp Review"
Going there, we were somewhat apprehensive as some people we had met in the previous camps (and other Trip Advisor comments) let us to believe that it was going to be rather run down. This was reinforced by the fact that it was considerable cheaper than the Lagoon and Lebala camps (all part of the Kwando group).
In fact, it turned out that this was probably the best camp we stayed at - certainly from a value-for-money perspective.
The location was really good, right on the edge of the delta close the the Moremi Reserve, so a great mix of water and land based activities. The camp itself overlooked a large lagoon with elephants wandering about (often into the camp). Also, there was a family of baboons living in the camp itself and a hoard of Impala also wandering about throughout the day, making things always lively and interesting.
Our guide and tracker were particularly excellent and worked really really hard to give us a great experience, tracking down cheetah, loads of lions, wild dogs on the hunt, elephants having a mud bath, etc etc.
The rooms were probably the most basic of the 7 camps we visited, but more than adequate, and the food was a similar standard (good) as all of the other sites.
We would certainly recommend this camp." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
"Wonderful Kwara Camp"
The staff were friendly and helpful but a special mention must be made of our outstanding guide, Dux, and our excellent tracker, AT, who together provided us with some exceptional game drives. It was wonderful to see how they worked together to read the animal tracks, deciding on the animals' movements and deciding where to go next.
Thanks to their skills we were provided with some fantastic sightings including wild dogs on a kill, a pride of two lionesses and four cubs who were extremely hungry one day but the next replete having killed and consumed most of a zebra and a cheetah stalking a reedbuck." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
"In the bush"
After a long day of transport to camp, felt some sort of welcome drink/snack should have been offered...everyone showed up hungry and had to wait two hours before afternoon snacks were offered.
Felt our guide who was friendly and knowledgeable spent much more time in conversation with the tracker than informing us what was taking place. Common complaint in our vehicle." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Kwara Camp review"
The Kwara concession is a large area with mixed sightings for us. We had some drives where we saw good range of animals and others where it was much quieter and not even many impalas. When asked when we arrived we asked to see the large cats. The guide and tracker mostly talked with each other and occasionally we would get explanations from the guide. When we asked question the answers were factual but not elaborate. This meant we were not always sure what they were tracking and sometimes it led to nothing which we understand is the nature of a drive but the guide could have still made the drive more engaging and interesting. During dinner another jeep guests were openly discussing asking for their guide to be changed for the next day.
For a fairly expensive camp the service was average or sometimes below. No one asked us what type of food we like and drinks was self service from a fridge. At other camps, we only had to look and someone would be there to ask what we would like. The tents are on stilts and made of canvas. The facilities are dated. There were holes in the canvas where clearly insects could get in.
After one night, another couple who arrived on the same flight as us were moved to lagoon room as a number of guests had departed. We were not asked if we wished to move.
The makoro (wooden canoe) morning across the lagoon to an island was a lovely experience and this was the only time we felt the guide was engaging and explained many interesting things about plants, animal droppings and termite mounds.
2 days would have been sufficient at this camp." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Kwara Camp is Kwando Safaris oldest camp, and as we say on our website it is simpler than most camps and fairly traditional in style. Being an older camp it does have some more wear and tear, but this does not excuse issues that are easily fixed like holes in the canvas. Kwando has said they are sincerely sorry about this. They do have daily checks on the rooms that should have revealed the holes, and they have done a walk through since to identify and fix them.
Five of the eight rooms at Kwara face the lagoon. The other three tents are a little way from the lagoon, but have elevated views of the floodplain towards the lagoon. The Kwara Camp Manager explained that during your stay, unfortunately there were not two lagoon-view rooms available to be able to move the four of you to.
We passed your comments on to your guide and he does acknowledge that you expressed an interest in cats. However, he also said that the other couple in your vehicle expressed an interest in all aspects of safari since it was their first safari. The guide does try to accommodate all interests and the camp report that you saw lion and cheetah during your stay. Kwando Safaris have an ongoing training programme and a guide trainer, and as a result of your feedback, he has spent some time going over your constructive comments with your guide.
"Kwara Camp review"
Sleeping right beside elephants, hienas, hippos... Watching baby hienas of only few days, a family of cheetahs putting down and eating an impala, a couple of leopards (we saw four leopards in only three days!)...
What an experience!!!!" See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Kwara Camp review"
The staff at the camp are really friendly and do a geat job. The food is also excellent. It may just have been when were there, but this camp had the greatest range of guest ages, with more families than at other camps.
The rooms are very comfortable, and the gas-heated hot water works really well. Some of the furnishings are getting a bit tired (e.g. superficial cracks in the sink) but it did not affect our enjoyment or comfort at all.
We would heartily recommend Kwara!" See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana
"Kwara Camp review"
Extraordinary encounters with 3 cheetahs making a kill, 3 lions crossing a channel whilst on a boat trip, a leopard cub and incredible bird sightings including a spotted eagle owl and a pearl-spotted in camp.
Our guide, Daniel, and our tracker, Gomos, were outstanding and a delight to be with.
The camp is great and the camp staff were also super - the manager, KP was also outstanding and great fun. The food was also the best of the 3 camps." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
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