Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1006 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Texas Don & Cindy
USA
"My Jun 2019 trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 28 Jun 2019 and 16 Jul 2019
"Our intention was to make this a one time bucket list trip, but now we are talking about going back! It was truly a wonderful experience.
Maruska did a fabulous job of arranging this and was so patient in answering all of our questions." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Maruska did a fabulous job of arranging this and was so patient in answering all of our questions." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Weymouth
"Trip of a lifetime"
I visited Kenya and 4 other countries between 24 Jun 2019 and 7 Aug 2019
"We have been to Africa before with Expert Africa and we knew what we wanted to see this time.
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs TM
Utah, USA
"Botswana/Zambia 2019"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 19 Jun 2019 and 4 Jul 2019
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr K
Florida
"Overall pretty good experience"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 18 Jun 2019 and 6 Jul 2019
"In planning this big trip for five people, I enjoyed working with Maruska, who was patient, responsive and knowledgeable over the course of a year. The time zone difference was a minor inconvenience for communication.
We loved Anabezi, really enjoyed Somalisa Acacia, were disappointed by Lion Camp, and appalled by Splash Camp. We paid a lot of money for four nights at Splash and felt it was largely a waste of money, except for seeing painted dog pups.
While much information was supplied, some of it was unclear or inaccurate and I found myself doing research instead of asking Expert Africa again (i.e. WiFi at each camp; what kind of plugs were needed; what are the current baggage requirements). I would have liked more precision about logistics (i.e. there are multiple vehicles involved in some transfers). I also made myself a map of camps and airstrips that would be a nice touch from you.
The little gift of luggage tag and passport holder was thoughtful but not very well designed!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
We loved Anabezi, really enjoyed Somalisa Acacia, were disappointed by Lion Camp, and appalled by Splash Camp. We paid a lot of money for four nights at Splash and felt it was largely a waste of money, except for seeing painted dog pups.
While much information was supplied, some of it was unclear or inaccurate and I found myself doing research instead of asking Expert Africa again (i.e. WiFi at each camp; what kind of plugs were needed; what are the current baggage requirements). I would have liked more precision about logistics (i.e. there are multiple vehicles involved in some transfers). I also made myself a map of camps and airstrips that would be a nice touch from you.
The little gift of luggage tag and passport holder was thoughtful but not very well designed!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Mrs & Mr B
Canada
"My Jun 2019 trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 13 Jun 2019 and 16 Jul 2019
"We had a wonderful trip, stayed in lovely places, saw many animals and met lots of friendly people.
The arrangements made by Maruska, for the trip, were excellent. Lots of thought went into the itinerary, and everything worked well. All the transfers, all the lodges were super. We are so impressed by Maruska and will use her again in a heartbeat!!
The highlight must be the eles at Stanleys, just wonderful being so close to them.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Oops, never been to your website. Your name given to us by a friend who used you, and had an excellent trip. Will use you again, when the bank balance has recovered!!!
Many thanks, and especially to Maruska." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
The arrangements made by Maruska, for the trip, were excellent. Lots of thought went into the itinerary, and everything worked well. All the transfers, all the lodges were super. We are so impressed by Maruska and will use her again in a heartbeat!!
The highlight must be the eles at Stanleys, just wonderful being so close to them.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Oops, never been to your website. Your name given to us by a friend who used you, and had an excellent trip. Will use you again, when the bank balance has recovered!!!
Many thanks, and especially to Maruska." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
PancDoc
Swansea
"Amazing first safari experience"
I visited Botswana between 7 Jun 2019 and 21 Jun 2019
"This was our first real experience of a safari and it was outstanding, we both enjoyed it immensely.
The opportunity to see many animals in their natural setting, and having knowledgeable guides and trackers helping us to enjoy the experience, made for a great trip.
The accommodation and food exceeded our expectations. We expected to get great animal sightings, but did not expect such outstanding food and accommodation.
We would have enjoyed some experience of local food, as we were in Botswana." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
The opportunity to see many animals in their natural setting, and having knowledgeable guides and trackers helping us to enjoy the experience, made for a great trip.
The accommodation and food exceeded our expectations. We expected to get great animal sightings, but did not expect such outstanding food and accommodation.
We would have enjoyed some experience of local food, as we were in Botswana." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
NZ
"Botswana travels"
I visited Botswana between 6 Jun 2019 and 18 Jun 2019
"We had a fabulous trip to Botswana. It mostly lived up to expectations, in that we felt that we got a "Real Africa" experience, while staying in some spectacular lodges. All our thanks to Maruska for the arrangements. There were absolutely no hick-ups, all travel arrangements fell into place like clockwork"
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr and Mrs R.
London
"My Jun 2019 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 1 Jun 2019 and 17 Jun 2019
"All the travel worked very smoothly. Thank you.
We were able to book our bags back all the way from Livingstone airport to Heathrow on our return flight even though we had two separate bookings for the two flights. So didn't have to touch them in Johannesburg which made life a lot easier.
We were not able to book through to Maun on our flight out from Heathrow, but maybe we should have pushed harder and we were flying BA. However in Johannesburg airport on the way out we went straight through the international terminal, talked to the ground staff at the international desk and they arranged for our bags to be collected form the baggage carrousel from our BA flight and transferred to our Maun flight so that, again, we did not have to touch them until we got to Maun.
We had had the bags wrapped at Heathrow and that simplified the procedures at Maun and we were not required to open our bags before we got on the MaunAir flight.
I have no idea if we were simply lucky or whether what we did can be repeated." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
We were able to book our bags back all the way from Livingstone airport to Heathrow on our return flight even though we had two separate bookings for the two flights. So didn't have to touch them in Johannesburg which made life a lot easier.
We were not able to book through to Maun on our flight out from Heathrow, but maybe we should have pushed harder and we were flying BA. However in Johannesburg airport on the way out we went straight through the international terminal, talked to the ground staff at the international desk and they arranged for our bags to be collected form the baggage carrousel from our BA flight and transferred to our Maun flight so that, again, we did not have to touch them until we got to Maun.
We had had the bags wrapped at Heathrow and that simplified the procedures at Maun and we were not required to open our bags before we got on the MaunAir flight.
I have no idea if we were simply lucky or whether what we did can be repeated." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Picton, NZ
"Welcome to Africa Trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 1 Jun 2019 and 28 Jun 2019
"A-MA-ZING absolutely amazing. It was way better than I expected and a great experience.
I was surprised by the beauty of the landscape in Namibia despite its dryness. It was easy to travel around, the people were so helpful at our accommodation places and the camping was a great experience. It worked well interspersing a couple of days camping between the lodges and everything that your company organised went to plan.
The planning was meticulous with lots of essential and background information provided to ensure we had a successful trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Adding the timing of the afternoon game drives/activities at the various lodges may be helpful as we missed some." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
I was surprised by the beauty of the landscape in Namibia despite its dryness. It was easy to travel around, the people were so helpful at our accommodation places and the camping was a great experience. It worked well interspersing a couple of days camping between the lodges and everything that your company organised went to plan.
The planning was meticulous with lots of essential and background information provided to ensure we had a successful trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Adding the timing of the afternoon game drives/activities at the various lodges may be helpful as we missed some." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
AS.
Northwood
"Botswana safari"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 27 May 2019 and 6 Jun 2019
"We had a most enjoyable trip. Eight nights in the safari camps was sufficient. We could have enjoyed a third night at Shinde, with perhaps only two at Gomoti, where the activities were limited by lack of water. We were mostly lucky with our fellow travellers, who can make such a difference to the trip.
It was much colder at night (between about 5.30 pm and 9.00 am) than we had expected. We just about had enough warm clothing, and the hot-water bottles were very welcome on both morning drives and for the night.
At Gomoti and Splash, we found the timing of evening drives, from 4.00 to 7.30, and dinner at 8.00 more difficult than at Shinde, where dinner was at 7.30. With the former, the wake--up call at 6.00 am seemed to come round too quickly.
Tipping: Your guidelines were clear and we followed them. But we were concerned that we did not see anyone else tipping their guides when they said their goodbyes. Perhaps they were very discreet, although we think not. Do some companies include the tipping in their prices, or are the guides not getting the tips which are an important part of their income?
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Megan was very helpful, including about aspects of our longer trip which were not her responsibility. We felt reassured that she was available to help as and when needed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
It was much colder at night (between about 5.30 pm and 9.00 am) than we had expected. We just about had enough warm clothing, and the hot-water bottles were very welcome on both morning drives and for the night.
At Gomoti and Splash, we found the timing of evening drives, from 4.00 to 7.30, and dinner at 8.00 more difficult than at Shinde, where dinner was at 7.30. With the former, the wake--up call at 6.00 am seemed to come round too quickly.
Tipping: Your guidelines were clear and we followed them. But we were concerned that we did not see anyone else tipping their guides when they said their goodbyes. Perhaps they were very discreet, although we think not. Do some companies include the tipping in their prices, or are the guides not getting the tips which are an important part of their income?
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Megan was very helpful, including about aspects of our longer trip which were not her responsibility. We felt reassured that she was available to help as and when needed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
1006
reviews of Okavango Delta by travellers since August 2007
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