Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1011 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Mr & Mrs B
PA
"Botswana Magic 5/24"
I visited Botswana between 15 May 2024 and 26 May 2024
"Although we ended up staying at camps we had been before - one by choice, Chitabe Lebida - and the other because Sabe closed down and we ended up a Duma Tau, it was a perfect plant\ in terms of changes in habitat followed by a complete change at San Camp.
Our entire experience including transitions was seamless. The trip was magical and a great family experience.
Maruska did a great job.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can't think of a thing." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Our entire experience including transitions was seamless. The trip was magical and a great family experience.
Maruska did a great job.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can't think of a thing." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
NickG
London
"My May 2024 trip"
I visited Botswana between 11 May 2024 and 26 May 2024
"I have provided a lot of feedback on the individual camps, covering the amazing wildlife, the superb lodges and camps, and the brilliant staff in each location.
Expert Africa, Tracy, were very helpful. The advice we received on the different options that were possible in Botswana, fitting our budget and timelines, was excellent, and proved to be spot on!
We were heading onwards to Victoria Falls and Malawi under our own steam, and Tracy was able to provide excellent advice on best route, and we took the opportunity to ask Tracy to book us the land transfer from Kasane to Livingstone.
The whole trip worked like clockwork, so efficient! The locations were exceptional. I would highly recommend!
Cannot suggest any improvements. That says it all!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Expert Africa, Tracy, were very helpful. The advice we received on the different options that were possible in Botswana, fitting our budget and timelines, was excellent, and proved to be spot on!
We were heading onwards to Victoria Falls and Malawi under our own steam, and Tracy was able to provide excellent advice on best route, and we took the opportunity to ask Tracy to book us the land transfer from Kasane to Livingstone.
The whole trip worked like clockwork, so efficient! The locations were exceptional. I would highly recommend!
Cannot suggest any improvements. That says it all!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
cyk
London
"May 2024 trip to Botswana and South Africa"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 11 May 2024 and 3 Jun 2024
"This was the BEST trip of our lives.
It was everything we had hoped for and more. So many memories and new experiences.
Maruska met and exceeded our brief, and we can't thank her enough for her time, suggestions and recommendations." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
It was everything we had hoped for and more. So many memories and new experiences.
Maruska met and exceeded our brief, and we can't thank her enough for her time, suggestions and recommendations." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Lauren&Mike
Texas
"My May 2024 trip"
I visited Botswana between 3 May 2024 and 12 May 2024
"It was great!"
Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs H
London
"My May 2024 trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 3 May 2024 and 18 May 2024
"We had a great time. The Botswana leg and the Falls were both pretty much perfect. As per above comments Little Kulala could perhaps sharpen its act up a bit (by contrast, Sandibe sent us off with a farewell package and left us feeling they really cared).
We would say that had we not booked our own dunes trip in Swakop, that would have felt like a wasted stop - driving 6 hours to get there and 5 hours the day we left, we would not have wanted a long drive on the Swakop day to see eg seals but Swakop itself really doesn't have much to last over an hour. So we would strongly recommend being clear with people that they ought to book an activity for the day. We went with Amazing 5 Tours and they were excellent (EA weren't able to book with Turnstone as we only decided late and we felt we were almost warned off going with anyone else).
In Vic Falls, worth knowing that the back gate to the Falls is permanently shut so it would be a long walk. We could have done it all alone but found a friend of a friend who was able to take us down to and across the border. For non "Africa hands" I think there is a risk that EA underestimates how wearing it could be crossing and recrossing the border without someone on hand to help.
I also have a bit of an issue with the wildlife survey - I think that, like the reviews, they take into account everything since 2007. So for Sandibe there are 4 poor reviews, all 2012 or earlier. More importantly there are reasonably high % sightings eg for Rhino when Sandibe now has none and Nxabega has a solitary male. If someone has their heart set on a rhino this is actively misleading.
Not an EA point but maybe one for next edition of the Namibia guide. We wanted somewhere to stop on the way back to Windhoek and the book implied Gross Barmen was a decent idea. It is abysmal. Absolutely no positives and a 30 minute drive each way to find this out."
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
D&L
New Zealand
"Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana Adventure"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 29 Apr 2024 and 24 May 2024
"This was an amazing trip and we are so grateful to Maruska for planning this in such an excellent way. We really liked the order of the journey, it felt like we were progressing through an African adventure, gaining experience and knowledge with each new location. The driving part of the trip was well planned and we were glad that we didn't try to go too far on any one day. There were a few spots where the roads really need grading, so our driving times were a bit longer (especially to Malansrus), but we really appreciated all the detail on how to get to each place. The lodges selected were outstanding. The Botswana portion of the trip was excellent and we were again happy with the order of where we stayed, saving Rra Dinare for last. With morning and afternoon game activities we got to see so many animals, enjoy sundowner drinks in locations we only dreamed of, and return with memories and photos that were beyond our expectations.
Overall, this trip was amazing and the experience and knowledge of Expert Africa (and Maruska) to arrange this made it so! We would recommend Expert Africa to to everyone we know that want a genuine trip to Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Some of the times were a bit tight and travelling over lunchtime was a bit awkward to coordinate eating and newly arriving at a lodge with their planned itinerary." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall, this trip was amazing and the experience and knowledge of Expert Africa (and Maruska) to arrange this made it so! We would recommend Expert Africa to to everyone we know that want a genuine trip to Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Some of the times were a bit tight and travelling over lunchtime was a bit awkward to coordinate eating and newly arriving at a lodge with their planned itinerary." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Ms B
Florida, US
"Our seventh trip to Africa"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 27 Apr 2024 and 25 May 2024
"This was our seventh trip to Africa since 2016, which we decided to split between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Some of our friends have asked us whether we haven’t seen enough of Africa by now. I’m fully aware of the fact that there are countries in Africa that aren’t safe and better avoided, but our answer would be: no, we haven’t. As strange as it may sound, visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya has always felt to us like coming home. And this is due not just to the charismatic megafauna that can be experienced here, but to the people living here. In our seven trips we have spent more than half a year in Africa, and we have only experienced a healthy curiosity, kindness and open-mindedness.
That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.
Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.
Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.
Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).
When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.
Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.
Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.
Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).
When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M and D
France
"Our '24 trip to Vic Falls, Botswana, Namibia"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 27 Apr 2024 and 11 May 2024
"We had a magical trip to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side), Okavango delta in Botswana and self-drive in Namibia.
We usually self-organise our trips around the globe, but having Expert Africa extensive, efficient and reliable support was a massive plus for our multi-country trip. It was extremely pleasant to feel really on holiday, with almost everything taken care of.
Locations and all accomodations but one were magical: beautifully set, very kind and helpful staff very often going an extra mile, extremely comfortable, quiet and relaxing, with amazing landscapes and/or wildlife to discover and admire.
A massive thank you to ExpertAfrica team and all partners involved!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip
We usually self-organise our trips around the globe, but having Expert Africa extensive, efficient and reliable support was a massive plus for our multi-country trip. It was extremely pleasant to feel really on holiday, with almost everything taken care of.
Locations and all accomodations but one were magical: beautifully set, very kind and helpful staff very often going an extra mile, extremely comfortable, quiet and relaxing, with amazing landscapes and/or wildlife to discover and admire.
A massive thank you to ExpertAfrica team and all partners involved!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Laura
from SF
"My Apr 2024 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 12 Apr 2024 and 19 Apr 2024
"Thank you for making a fantastic once in a lifetime experience.
It was amazing and you chose perfect places for me." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
It was amazing and you chose perfect places for me." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs W
UK
"My Apr 2024 trip"
I visited Botswana between 9 Apr 2024 and 24 Apr 2024
"We would not travel with another company - Expert Africa are excellent and Lucy organised yet another fantastic trip for us.
Thank you so much and hopefully we will ge back !" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Thank you so much and hopefully we will ge back !" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
1011
reviews of Okavango Delta by travellers since August 2007
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