Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1004 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Margo
California
"fabulous trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 17 Jun 2012 and 5 Jul 2012
"My trip to Africa exceeded my dreams and expectations. Everything ran so smoothly, the hospitality and game viewing at the camps was fantastic, and the camps Maruska put us in were gorgeous and fit into our budget. There's only one problem--now I've been bitten by the safari bug and can't wait to go back!
Many thanks for all you did to make my dream trip to Africa a reality.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None--service was outstanding." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Many thanks for all you did to make my dream trip to Africa a reality.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None--service was outstanding." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs P
Netherlands
"North East Botswana trip June 2012"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 11 Jun 2012 and 26 Jun 2012
"It was all I expected (hoped) it would be!!
Excellent place to see doggies (my main reason for coming here), high standard of camps/lodges.
Surprisingly pretty landscape outside of the delta. this of course has for an important part to do with all the water returning to the area.
Excellent, really excellent guides without exception.
By the way, Bradt's Botswana guide was a great help in planning the trip.
Everything was taken care of in an excellent manner, so no worries - only pleasure and excitement- at all!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Excellent place to see doggies (my main reason for coming here), high standard of camps/lodges.
Surprisingly pretty landscape outside of the delta. this of course has for an important part to do with all the water returning to the area.
Excellent, really excellent guides without exception.
By the way, Bradt's Botswana guide was a great help in planning the trip.
Everything was taken care of in an excellent manner, so no worries - only pleasure and excitement- at all!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Family M
Phoenix
"Could not have been better"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 10 Jun 2012 and 25 Jun 2012
"Maruska listened to our preferences and designed our perfect trip. Every camp offered something unique. We honestly would not have changed anything -- okay, other than a desire to "magically" transport from the U.S. to Maun and back. ;-)
The camps were a perfect succession from semi-rustic to start and finishing with pure pure luxury." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
The camps were a perfect succession from semi-rustic to start and finishing with pure pure luxury." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr T
Los Angeles
"Trip of a lifetime!!"
I visited Botswana between 10 Jun 2012 and 21 Jun 2012
"This was the trip of a life time... but I am looking forward to returning in a few years!!"
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Billericay
"My May 2012 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 29 May 2012 and 10 Jun 2012
"This was a truly wonderful holiday"
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms S & Mr W
Dyfed
"My May 2012 trip"
I visited Botswana between 28 May 2012 and 7 Jun 2012
"The more we reflect on it, the better it was. We cannot speak highly enough of the trip and are busy saving for a return. Expert Africa has been great all through the process. Nick Hobbs has been patient and informative, and recommended an excellent first trip to us. We'll probably get better cameras for the next trip, and perhaps consider some different experiences - specific fishing or bird watching elements, and perhaps a trip to Livingstone. Obviously a very good model of trip has been developed, with early starts, some quite time in the afternoon, regular food and drink etc.
We enjoyed the people we met - both guests and Botswana people. A fantastic country.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
If it was not so expensive, we would be going back sooner rather than later - but we appreciate the need for the costs to be as they are. Perhaps there is a loyalty scheme for returning customers?" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
We enjoyed the people we met - both guests and Botswana people. A fantastic country.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
If it was not so expensive, we would be going back sooner rather than later - but we appreciate the need for the costs to be as they are. Perhaps there is a loyalty scheme for returning customers?" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Dorset
"Botswana & Vic Falls - A Wonderful Trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 25 May 2012 and 7 Jun 2012
"Our trip to Botswana and the Victoria Falls has been fantastic. We have looked to travel to Botswana for a long time - and we were not disappointed. The standard of the camps was very good; the wildlife was fabulous; and the Falls are stunning in full flood.
We (like everyone) have our favourite camps, and the places that we would love to go back to one day - and the help and advice that we received from Megan and Nick at Expert Africa has been excellent.
To anyone who is thinking about whether or not to go to Botswana, we would highly recommend it. This was our 11th Wildlife Watching holiday (our 7th trip into Africa), and we have had wildlife encounters here that we have not experienced anywhere else, and at very close quarters.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It might be worth adding in a suggested tip allowance for the Trackers in Botswana. We had a tracker on every Game Drive in addition to our Driver/Guide - and they are not included in the general staff tips.
It would perhaps be helpful to include a suggestion within the notes that travellers make sure they pack their bags prior to going out for the morning game drive on the day they are departing the camp, as flight times change - often without much warning!
In Zimbabwe, the additional taxes are currently all included in the International Ticket Price, so we did not need to pay anything extra when we departed." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
We (like everyone) have our favourite camps, and the places that we would love to go back to one day - and the help and advice that we received from Megan and Nick at Expert Africa has been excellent.
To anyone who is thinking about whether or not to go to Botswana, we would highly recommend it. This was our 11th Wildlife Watching holiday (our 7th trip into Africa), and we have had wildlife encounters here that we have not experienced anywhere else, and at very close quarters.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It might be worth adding in a suggested tip allowance for the Trackers in Botswana. We had a tracker on every Game Drive in addition to our Driver/Guide - and they are not included in the general staff tips.
It would perhaps be helpful to include a suggestion within the notes that travellers make sure they pack their bags prior to going out for the morning game drive on the day they are departing the camp, as flight times change - often without much warning!
In Zimbabwe, the additional taxes are currently all included in the International Ticket Price, so we did not need to pay anything extra when we departed." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Effingham
"Our May 2012 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 25 May 2012 and 10 Jun 2012
"Oh dear - I've written all this once. Just went back on feedback to form to untick the 'happy to share with other travellers' and have lost what I originally wrote! Here goes again..
This was an amazing experience for both of us. We were particularly pleased with the small number of people at each camp which gave a feeling of private game viewing and we particularly enjoyed the walking safaris at Linyanti. I was concerned that 2 weeks might be too long but, with the variety of camps chosen (with Megan's help and the Bradt Guide) we never tired.
We think that 3 nights in one place is beter than 2 nights. Without exception all camps were excellent. Staff attentive, food plentiful (too plentiful!); guides good. Comfortable beds and linen - with award for best hot water bottle going to Camp Kalahari. Food was very western (delicious soups) and some people commented that they would like to try local cuisine - that said, we understand the reason why camps stick to western food.
We would suggest that clear guidelines be given on tipping. The Bradt Guide seems a little out of date with what others were paying. Not knowing what staff and guides earn as basic wage, it's difficult, but can't help thinking that $20 pp/per day for guide and same amount for staff is a lot when you consider how many guests pass through a camp in a week. Some nationalities are more accustomed to tipping than others so clear (lower) guidelines would be good so that we know in advance how much to take and there is no awkwardness. Baines was the only camp to provide guidance on tipping in their in-room brochure but even that wasn't clear as to if it was pp or per member of staff.
We mistakenly left our Bradt Guide at Little Kwara. If you could send another, that would be very much appreciated Megan.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and were pleased to meet other Expert Africa travellers on the same trip - both of who had booked through NZ I believe due to time difference. Have already passed on your details to others so that's the best compliment. Thank you Megan. I know Nick (husband) enjoyed poring over the Bradt Guide and discussing various options with you. Can't think of any other suggestions but will let you know if we do!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
This was an amazing experience for both of us. We were particularly pleased with the small number of people at each camp which gave a feeling of private game viewing and we particularly enjoyed the walking safaris at Linyanti. I was concerned that 2 weeks might be too long but, with the variety of camps chosen (with Megan's help and the Bradt Guide) we never tired.
We think that 3 nights in one place is beter than 2 nights. Without exception all camps were excellent. Staff attentive, food plentiful (too plentiful!); guides good. Comfortable beds and linen - with award for best hot water bottle going to Camp Kalahari. Food was very western (delicious soups) and some people commented that they would like to try local cuisine - that said, we understand the reason why camps stick to western food.
We would suggest that clear guidelines be given on tipping. The Bradt Guide seems a little out of date with what others were paying. Not knowing what staff and guides earn as basic wage, it's difficult, but can't help thinking that $20 pp/per day for guide and same amount for staff is a lot when you consider how many guests pass through a camp in a week. Some nationalities are more accustomed to tipping than others so clear (lower) guidelines would be good so that we know in advance how much to take and there is no awkwardness. Baines was the only camp to provide guidance on tipping in their in-room brochure but even that wasn't clear as to if it was pp or per member of staff.
We mistakenly left our Bradt Guide at Little Kwara. If you could send another, that would be very much appreciated Megan.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and were pleased to meet other Expert Africa travellers on the same trip - both of who had booked through NZ I believe due to time difference. Have already passed on your details to others so that's the best compliment. Thank you Megan. I know Nick (husband) enjoyed poring over the Bradt Guide and discussing various options with you. Can't think of any other suggestions but will let you know if we do!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms B & Mr D
Colorado
"My May 2012 trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 25 May 2012 and 8 Jun 2012
"The best trip of our life.
Maruska listened to what we thought we wanted and she delivered. Every detail was covered, we had no worries or gaps. It was a memorable trip and we hope to be back, with Expert Africa, (and Maruska) of course!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Maruska listened to what we thought we wanted and she delivered. Every detail was covered, we had no worries or gaps. It was a memorable trip and we hope to be back, with Expert Africa, (and Maruska) of course!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs PF
NW London
"Botswana May 2012"
I visited Botswana between 21 May 2012 and 1 Jun 2012
"Thank you for organising a great holiday which all four of us enjoyed.
Suggestion - We would have liked to stay overnight in Maun to have a little experience of a Botswana town. May I also suggest a little phonetic crib sheet for speaking a little Setswana. It may be me but I found they usually did not understand my effotrts
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I think I would have liked a little more direction about camps. It was our first time in Botswana and I did not realise that I chose three camps very close in area. If /when we go again I would chose camps in more different areas. I certainly would have liked say 2 nights on the Chobe waterfront and perhaps 2 nights to have a chance to see Rhinos. However these are quibbles becasue we saw a vast range of animals in their natural habitats including good viewing of leopard, cheetahs and wild dogs. Thank you for all the work your team did" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Suggestion - We would have liked to stay overnight in Maun to have a little experience of a Botswana town. May I also suggest a little phonetic crib sheet for speaking a little Setswana. It may be me but I found they usually did not understand my effotrts
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I think I would have liked a little more direction about camps. It was our first time in Botswana and I did not realise that I chose three camps very close in area. If /when we go again I would chose camps in more different areas. I certainly would have liked say 2 nights on the Chobe waterfront and perhaps 2 nights to have a chance to see Rhinos. However these are quibbles becasue we saw a vast range of animals in their natural habitats including good viewing of leopard, cheetahs and wild dogs. Thank you for all the work your team did" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
1004
reviews of Okavango Delta by travellers since August 2007
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