Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1006 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Mr H
Richmond
"Superb journey with adult family "
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 27 Jul 2018 and 12 Aug 2018
"Trip entirely met expectations and organisation was faultless with good steers on content
The excellent detail on website helped choose with Tracy the best options" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
The excellent detail on website helped choose with Tracy the best options" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
B & H
Uckfield
"Mission accomplished"
I visited Botswana between 26 Jul 2018 and 6 Aug 2018
"Overall this was a very enjoyable safari which blended northern Botswana with the Okavango Delta. We enjoyed many memorable times with the 'cats' - Cheetah, Leopard and Lion, as well as a 'first-time' with a family of Wild Dog (6 adults and 4 pups) and some special times with our all-time favourites - Elephants.
We were a little 'shocked' by the low temperature overnight at the start of our safari (end of July). We normally visit Botswana at the end of September but thought we should experience a different time of year.
Perhaps due to the low temperatures at the start of our safari (it warmed up during our stay) we felt that, perhaps, 11 days was slightly too long and 9 days would have been better.
Throughout our visit we were impressed by the friendliness and cheerfulness of the Botswanian people." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
We were a little 'shocked' by the low temperature overnight at the start of our safari (end of July). We normally visit Botswana at the end of September but thought we should experience a different time of year.
Perhaps due to the low temperatures at the start of our safari (it warmed up during our stay) we felt that, perhaps, 11 days was slightly too long and 9 days would have been better.
Throughout our visit we were impressed by the friendliness and cheerfulness of the Botswanian people." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr R
Australia
"A most memorable trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 15 Jul 2018 and 11 Aug 2018
"Our trip was excellent and our expectations were not only met but exceeded. We enjoyed the varying landscapes, the animals and the people.
The trip, which we requested at the very last minute, was superbly organised. From the time of my initial contact, all requests/queries were handled in a timely helpful manner. All the components (fly, drive, transfers) fitted together well and all connections/transfers went smoothly.
The only changes we would have made are those that could only have been made with hindsight!
So again, thank you very much Maruska and Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: These are very minor suggestions and comments and are made purely to try and be helpful.
(1) An explanation off what one can expect in relation to meals when your accommodation is on a full board basis and you arrive around lunchtime. Our first full board accommodation was at Canyon Lodge and we arrived at lunch time. We were greeted with some information about the facilities and times for dinner and breakfast, but no indication of whether there was any lunch available or whether we were entitled to lunch. Subsequent enquires resulted in us being directed to the dining room.
At a later lodge, we realised that we could have had lunch even though we arrived early in the afternoon but had already had lunch just in case.
(2) If people are doing an overnighter at Cheetah View Lodge it would be good to know that the cheetah feeding is at 2 o'clock, which is the only time that this is held, is also included in the cost of the accommodation i.e. so that if possible you would make sure you got there in time for that. The other paid activities did not seem to be good value. I did note that on EA's notes of this lodge, that it EA thought that there needed to be a better integration of activities with the overnight experience, and we agree.
(3) I think that Hyena Pan did include laundry facilities.
I apologise if I should have known some of these things. I did look up all the accommodations on your website (which I thought was most extensive and the reason I choose the company initially), and make notes before our trip, but possibly I missed bits.
We wish that the tipping thing could be made easier. Australia does not have a tipping culture and so it always comes as a surprise and what seems like a lot of extra money on top of what are not insubstantial costs, at least in some places. While were tried to follow the guidelines, sometimes we were caught out when guides changed or we had an extra guide.
It is impossible to single out 'other' people, other than guides and polers for example, as there are always people behind the that contribute to your enjoyment and comfort on a trip." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
The trip, which we requested at the very last minute, was superbly organised. From the time of my initial contact, all requests/queries were handled in a timely helpful manner. All the components (fly, drive, transfers) fitted together well and all connections/transfers went smoothly.
The only changes we would have made are those that could only have been made with hindsight!
So again, thank you very much Maruska and Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: These are very minor suggestions and comments and are made purely to try and be helpful.
(1) An explanation off what one can expect in relation to meals when your accommodation is on a full board basis and you arrive around lunchtime. Our first full board accommodation was at Canyon Lodge and we arrived at lunch time. We were greeted with some information about the facilities and times for dinner and breakfast, but no indication of whether there was any lunch available or whether we were entitled to lunch. Subsequent enquires resulted in us being directed to the dining room.
At a later lodge, we realised that we could have had lunch even though we arrived early in the afternoon but had already had lunch just in case.
(2) If people are doing an overnighter at Cheetah View Lodge it would be good to know that the cheetah feeding is at 2 o'clock, which is the only time that this is held, is also included in the cost of the accommodation i.e. so that if possible you would make sure you got there in time for that. The other paid activities did not seem to be good value. I did note that on EA's notes of this lodge, that it EA thought that there needed to be a better integration of activities with the overnight experience, and we agree.
(3) I think that Hyena Pan did include laundry facilities.
I apologise if I should have known some of these things. I did look up all the accommodations on your website (which I thought was most extensive and the reason I choose the company initially), and make notes before our trip, but possibly I missed bits.
We wish that the tipping thing could be made easier. Australia does not have a tipping culture and so it always comes as a surprise and what seems like a lot of extra money on top of what are not insubstantial costs, at least in some places. While were tried to follow the guidelines, sometimes we were caught out when guides changed or we had an extra guide.
It is impossible to single out 'other' people, other than guides and polers for example, as there are always people behind the that contribute to your enjoyment and comfort on a trip." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr G
Alstonville
"Namibia-Botswana-Falls July-August 2018"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 15 Jul 2018 and 11 Aug 2018
"Provided a very well researched and considered experience for the four of us. Good variety of activities and accommodation. All transport and connections worked well. Maruska went to a lot of trouble to design a good trip for us at short notice. Would certainly recommend Expert Africa."
Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Circusgirl
Blackpool
"Trip of a Lifetime"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 Jun 2018 and 3 Jul 2018
"This was our first ever trip to Africa and it certainly won't be the last.
Botswana and our trip really exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Botswana and our trip really exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms B
Australia
"My June 2018 Trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 9 Jun 2018 and 25 Jun 2018
"Unbelievable - just loved it. So glad I went through Expert Africa.
Megan was just wonderful from the very start. Nothing seemed too much trouble for her. Huge thank you to you Megan - all your suggestions and recommendations were just spot on. So glad we did both mobile and lodge, but I think mobile is the overall winner!
Will definitely be recommending Expert Africa to friends and colleagues." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Megan was just wonderful from the very start. Nothing seemed too much trouble for her. Huge thank you to you Megan - all your suggestions and recommendations were just spot on. So glad we did both mobile and lodge, but I think mobile is the overall winner!
Will definitely be recommending Expert Africa to friends and colleagues." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs R
Daventry
"My Jun 2018 trip"
I visited Botswana between 7 Jun 2018 and 19 Jun 2018
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr J
Ealing
"My Jun 2018 trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 6 Jun 2018 and 17 Jun 2018
"Absolutely fantastic and has got me addicted to safaris
As Botswana is the "best" safari destination I knew it was the right choice for my first time, and I'm glad I set a high budget as that ensured I saw remarkable wildlife on a regular basis. Next time Mombo!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
As Botswana is the "best" safari destination I knew it was the right choice for my first time, and I'm glad I set a high budget as that ensured I saw remarkable wildlife on a regular basis. Next time Mombo!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Maidstone
"My Jun 2018 trip"
I visited Botswana between 5 Jun 2018 and 15 Jun 2018
"It was superb.... totally exceeded our expectations and we found all the camps perfect. When we contacted EA (we've used them before several times) we started with some limits on our budgets but Maruska came back with a fabulous itinerary that met and exceeded all our needs.
In advance of the trip all questions were quickly and fully answered and we headed off with full confidence for the holiday. We have lots more feedback on the camps themselves but in summary this part of Botswana is beautiful and (especially) the Kwando camps are superb with all the staff a great highlight. What also impressed us was how the choices of camp reflected our priorities around viewing, the guides and being more open and in amongst it all.
This was our 3rd Expert Africa trip (Namibia and Botswana twice before) and ideally we'd always look to EA first before booking anything again - Maruska was excellent throughout.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None at all!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
In advance of the trip all questions were quickly and fully answered and we headed off with full confidence for the holiday. We have lots more feedback on the camps themselves but in summary this part of Botswana is beautiful and (especially) the Kwando camps are superb with all the staff a great highlight. What also impressed us was how the choices of camp reflected our priorities around viewing, the guides and being more open and in amongst it all.
This was our 3rd Expert Africa trip (Namibia and Botswana twice before) and ideally we'd always look to EA first before booking anything again - Maruska was excellent throughout.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None at all!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms M & Ms SP
Canada
"My June 2018 trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 4 Jun 2018 and 2 Jul 2018
"A trip of a lifetime. We had a tremendous time from the moment we landed in Johannesburg till the moment we left Cape Town. We do encourage people to visit Johannesburg and we stayed at the Monarch Hotel which was very conveniently located close to the train to the airport, close to the mall and also to restaurants. The people we met were nearly all helpful and kind and we felt that our trip added rather than took from the places we visited. Everything was taken care of other than a couple of things.
All the connections worked out but I would strongly recommend you including in the itineary the addresses of locations after a flight. The flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town did not include Jeanne's bag. We spent quite a lot of time waiting and then talking to the lost baggage people about this. They found the bag in Johannesburg and wanted an address to deliver it to us when it arrived. We didn't have the Acorn House address and they didn't have access to the internet or a phone and nor did I. All I could think of was to go to the driver and find out from him. I made the fatal error of leaving the arrivals area to talk to him and then trying to go back to tell the baggage people what the address was. That caused a real problem and I had go through a ridiculous process to get back to Jeanne even though five people watched me walk out of the arrivals area and refused to let me back without special authorization and being escorted through security.. Please include the address in your documentation.
Under the category of things I wished I'd known was the fact that both lodges in the Delta were open to the elements and quite cold at night. We had been warned by our friends it would be cold in the Etosha area, but didn't think there would be the same issue in Botswana. We adapted, by showering when it was warm out and wearing our warmest clothes to bed but it was a surprise." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
All the connections worked out but I would strongly recommend you including in the itineary the addresses of locations after a flight. The flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town did not include Jeanne's bag. We spent quite a lot of time waiting and then talking to the lost baggage people about this. They found the bag in Johannesburg and wanted an address to deliver it to us when it arrived. We didn't have the Acorn House address and they didn't have access to the internet or a phone and nor did I. All I could think of was to go to the driver and find out from him. I made the fatal error of leaving the arrivals area to talk to him and then trying to go back to tell the baggage people what the address was. That caused a real problem and I had go through a ridiculous process to get back to Jeanne even though five people watched me walk out of the arrivals area and refused to let me back without special authorization and being escorted through security.. Please include the address in your documentation.
Under the category of things I wished I'd known was the fact that both lodges in the Delta were open to the elements and quite cold at night. We had been warned by our friends it would be cold in the Etosha area, but didn't think there would be the same issue in Botswana. We adapted, by showering when it was warm out and wearing our warmest clothes to bed but it was a surprise." Read full review: 28 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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