Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1011 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Sheffs
USA
"Our May 2015 trip/Beautiful Africa"
I visited Botswana between 17 May 2015 and 26 May 2015
"The trip was wonderful. We clocked over 100 new bird species and all the animals we could imagine except rhino. Loved the night sounds--hippo and lions plus others!
We liked all 4 lodges very much. Best were Xigera and Vumbra Plain. Little Vumbra needs a bit of spiffing up. Sandibe was amazing...a bit wierd, but VERY comfy and attractive. Beds everywhere were wonderful.
The staff and the guides were terrific....always knowledgable and very pleasant. Food was excellent -- as was the wine. Perhaps too much food, too often.
Just for you to know, wifi at both Sandibe and Vumbra Plain...and hair dryers. Also outlets for re-charging at every single place.
There were too many high points to mention!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. You are doing a great job, and we've recommended you (Tracy) and Expert Africa to several friends...even some who were with other safari groups.
Special thanks to Tracy for suggesting to the various camps that we have accomodation close to the center. My knees were very appreciative.
Wilderness planes were not as comfortable or clean as MacAir planes.
Can you send email of general manager of Vumbra Plains or Chris the food/beverage manager?" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
We liked all 4 lodges very much. Best were Xigera and Vumbra Plain. Little Vumbra needs a bit of spiffing up. Sandibe was amazing...a bit wierd, but VERY comfy and attractive. Beds everywhere were wonderful.
The staff and the guides were terrific....always knowledgable and very pleasant. Food was excellent -- as was the wine. Perhaps too much food, too often.
Just for you to know, wifi at both Sandibe and Vumbra Plain...and hair dryers. Also outlets for re-charging at every single place.
There were too many high points to mention!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. You are doing a great job, and we've recommended you (Tracy) and Expert Africa to several friends...even some who were with other safari groups.
Special thanks to Tracy for suggesting to the various camps that we have accomodation close to the center. My knees were very appreciative.
Wilderness planes were not as comfortable or clean as MacAir planes.
Can you send email of general manager of Vumbra Plains or Chris the food/beverage manager?" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms K
Alberta
"My May 2015 trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 15 May 2015 and 15 Jun 2015
"This was really the trip of a lifetime! We saw and did so much. For people who like to watch birds and animals, this provided opportunities galore!
It was also a very nice itinerary, suited to our particular interests and preferences. We would have liked to be more active since we aren't used to spending so much time in vehicles, but recognize that the nature of the trip made this very difficult. Game drives made it possible to see much more, from a closer distance, with less hazard.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Overall, the trip was very well organized. We stayed in some spectacular places.
Having the customized map and letter really helped in terms of self-drive navigation. (Two small points: The location for Okonjima was too far north for the actual turn off. Also, there were a couple of inconsistencies between the letter and the actual itinerary that looked like they were 'left overs' from a previous version of the letter.)
In terms of the overall itinerary, the trip was very well organized. If we were to do it again, we would make very few changes. We might skip BullsPort (but then wouldn't have walked at all!). We could also have skipped Mushara Bush Camp, except that we did need somewhere to overnight in about that location. Maybe we could have stayed inside the park? We loved having a waterhole chalet in Etosha and that was really a highlight. Footsteps was an interesting experience and might have been more important to us if we hadn't spent the previous 4 days kayaking and walking in the delta with a different outfitter." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
It was also a very nice itinerary, suited to our particular interests and preferences. We would have liked to be more active since we aren't used to spending so much time in vehicles, but recognize that the nature of the trip made this very difficult. Game drives made it possible to see much more, from a closer distance, with less hazard.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Overall, the trip was very well organized. We stayed in some spectacular places.
Having the customized map and letter really helped in terms of self-drive navigation. (Two small points: The location for Okonjima was too far north for the actual turn off. Also, there were a couple of inconsistencies between the letter and the actual itinerary that looked like they were 'left overs' from a previous version of the letter.)
In terms of the overall itinerary, the trip was very well organized. If we were to do it again, we would make very few changes. We might skip BullsPort (but then wouldn't have walked at all!). We could also have skipped Mushara Bush Camp, except that we did need somewhere to overnight in about that location. Maybe we could have stayed inside the park? We loved having a waterhole chalet in Etosha and that was really a highlight. Footsteps was an interesting experience and might have been more important to us if we hadn't spent the previous 4 days kayaking and walking in the delta with a different outfitter." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
USA
"Africa Is Great"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 2 May 2015 and 9 May 2015
"Loved the trip. Nick put together a great itinerary, and everything was outstanding. One of our top trips ever."
Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs CP
Henley
"Great visit to Botswana"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 2 May 2015 and 17 May 2015
"This was a great trip, with many good points and highlights.
We loved the Kalahari - the size, space, remoteness and sense of peace, and were very impressed at the amount game there - big herds of springbok and oryx. The Delta was special - the sense of peace, and the colours. The game was great - big herds of elephant, plus giraffe, Kudu, Oryx, Impala. We got very lucky and saw 4 adult leopard and 3 cubs over the course of the trip, plus lion hunting buffalo (unsuccessfully!).
The people are delightful - warm, relaxed and friendly, and of course the quality of guiding is very good." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
We loved the Kalahari - the size, space, remoteness and sense of peace, and were very impressed at the amount game there - big herds of springbok and oryx. The Delta was special - the sense of peace, and the colours. The game was great - big herds of elephant, plus giraffe, Kudu, Oryx, Impala. We got very lucky and saw 4 adult leopard and 3 cubs over the course of the trip, plus lion hunting buffalo (unsuccessfully!).
The people are delightful - warm, relaxed and friendly, and of course the quality of guiding is very good." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs DW
N London
"Our May 2015 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 1 May 2015 and 19 May 2015
"The trip exceeded all our expectations, being both memorable and enjoyable.
What was particularly impressive was the seamless way in which the different components of the trip were linked together, whether by light aircraft or ground transfers between and across borders. This clearly reflects the high quality and efficiency of all involved in the administration of our trip.
Particular credit must be given to Tracy, whose personal interest and sound advice added considerably to our holiday experience." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
What was particularly impressive was the seamless way in which the different components of the trip were linked together, whether by light aircraft or ground transfers between and across borders. This clearly reflects the high quality and efficiency of all involved in the administration of our trip.
Particular credit must be given to Tracy, whose personal interest and sound advice added considerably to our holiday experience." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs MS
N London
"A wonderful 5-week adventure"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 1 May 2015 and 5 Jun 2015
"This was a fantastic trip. We spent 25 days doing a full circuit of Namibia - everything we expected and far more.
I expected it to be all desert, but I never knew how many different kinds of desert there are and what amazing landscapes and geology Namibia has. Nor did I realise what a fantastic variety of wildlife and birds there are.
We chose to have a driver/guide and it was well worth every penny - he not only took all the strain of the long drives, he was also an astonishing fund of knowledge and expertise. WIthout him, we would not have seen half the things we did, nor appreciated what we did see half as much.
Then we had 9 days in the Okavango Delta, a truly amazing place where the concentration and variety of wildlife is quite extraordinary. Very good guides provided by the lodges to find all the animals. The days were filled with great experiences.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had a fanatastic time and no complaints at all. However, we did find that quite a few of the lodges etc were really rather over the top in their attempts to emulate 4- or 5-star hotels. It's a matter of personal preference, but we actually felt more comfortable in the places that didn't try quite so hard and were perhaps a little more authentic in their atmosphere - like Etendeka and Kwara.
If I had known better what the range of options was, I could probably have explained this to Tracy at the beginning. So my suggestion would be that your agents could maybe spend a little more time getting to know what the client's expectations are and what kind of experiences they are looking for, and discuss the options, to enable them to make better-informed choices.
My impression is that, because I didn't have a limited budget, the assumption was that we would automatically prefer the most up-market places; that doesn't apply to us and maybe others are the same." Read full review: 35 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip
I expected it to be all desert, but I never knew how many different kinds of desert there are and what amazing landscapes and geology Namibia has. Nor did I realise what a fantastic variety of wildlife and birds there are.
We chose to have a driver/guide and it was well worth every penny - he not only took all the strain of the long drives, he was also an astonishing fund of knowledge and expertise. WIthout him, we would not have seen half the things we did, nor appreciated what we did see half as much.
Then we had 9 days in the Okavango Delta, a truly amazing place where the concentration and variety of wildlife is quite extraordinary. Very good guides provided by the lodges to find all the animals. The days were filled with great experiences.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had a fanatastic time and no complaints at all. However, we did find that quite a few of the lodges etc were really rather over the top in their attempts to emulate 4- or 5-star hotels. It's a matter of personal preference, but we actually felt more comfortable in the places that didn't try quite so hard and were perhaps a little more authentic in their atmosphere - like Etendeka and Kwara.
If I had known better what the range of options was, I could probably have explained this to Tracy at the beginning. So my suggestion would be that your agents could maybe spend a little more time getting to know what the client's expectations are and what kind of experiences they are looking for, and discuss the options, to enable them to make better-informed choices.
My impression is that, because I didn't have a limited budget, the assumption was that we would automatically prefer the most up-market places; that doesn't apply to us and maybe others are the same." Read full review: 35 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Bob & Marsha
Yuma
"Our Great trip to Kwara"
I visited Botswana between 28 Apr 2015 and 2 May 2015
"This was an outstanding trip. There are no negatives.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was a great trip. The schedule was good. Time was flexible enough. Game drives were relaxing." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was a great trip. The schedule was good. Time was flexible enough. Game drives were relaxing." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms A
Brookfield
"My Apr 2015 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 25 Apr 2015 and 2 May 2015
"Everything was perfect. REally. I am amazed that all of our connections worked, on time, no hassle.
The camps were lovely, The people were stellar, WE spent just enough time in each place.
With a lot of travel in few days, it all went smoothly. Best trip ever." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
The camps were lovely, The people were stellar, WE spent just enough time in each place.
With a lot of travel in few days, it all went smoothly. Best trip ever." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr o
N London
"April 2015 honeymoon"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 20 Apr 2015 and 29 Apr 2015
"Great trip and thank you very much for the organization. We had an excellent time and thought that Chitable & Little Vumbura complemented each other very nice as two slightly different camps. All the transfers were very smooth and perfectly organized, including the border crossing Botswana/Zimbabwe. 2x 3 nights in the camps was also a good length of time.
As for Victoria Falls, would suggest recommending Victoria Falls Hotel to people. There was nothing wrong with Ilala Lodge, but Vic Falls Hotel does seem better located and a nicer place to relax given the pool area is so much nicer.
Many thanks again Nick for the great assistance with planning our trip." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
As for Victoria Falls, would suggest recommending Victoria Falls Hotel to people. There was nothing wrong with Ilala Lodge, but Vic Falls Hotel does seem better located and a nicer place to relax given the pool area is so much nicer.
Many thanks again Nick for the great assistance with planning our trip." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
R & M
Sydney
"Our 4 days Okavango Safari"
I visited Botswana between 15 Apr 2015 and 21 Apr 2015
"This was our first Botswana safari experience.
It all went very smoothly and we thoroughly enjoyed both the camp experience and the game viewing. We really can't find anything to fault other than we wished we had been able to stay longer.
We would love to come back again." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari
It all went very smoothly and we thoroughly enjoyed both the camp experience and the game viewing. We really can't find anything to fault other than we wished we had been able to stay longer.
We would love to come back again." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
1011
reviews of Okavango Delta by travellers since August 2007
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