Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1011 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Mr O & Ms L
Singapore
"Southern Africa Trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 30 Oct 2011 and 20 Nov 2011
"The somewhat complex 3 week itinerary worked very well, and surprisingly, we experienced no delays. The combination of 1 week in Namibia and 2 weeks in Botswana, worked, as expected, very well, and Expert Africa did a very good job with all the arrangements.
The transfer from Lebala to Livingstone by plane, bus, speedboat, bus in around 3 hours was truly impressive. Botswana is not a cheap destination, and more suitable for the seasoned Africa travelers who have already experienced South Africa and East Africa, and who can also appreciate the smaller creatures on safari, as the big game density can be low at times.
But overall our trip exceeded our expectations with Lagoon camp and Sossus Dune Camp being some of the high lights. The private guide we had in Namibia was exceptionally good, his name was Sebastiaan." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
The transfer from Lebala to Livingstone by plane, bus, speedboat, bus in around 3 hours was truly impressive. Botswana is not a cheap destination, and more suitable for the seasoned Africa travelers who have already experienced South Africa and East Africa, and who can also appreciate the smaller creatures on safari, as the big game density can be low at times.
But overall our trip exceeded our expectations with Lagoon camp and Sossus Dune Camp being some of the high lights. The private guide we had in Namibia was exceptionally good, his name was Sebastiaan." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr J of WC2
UK
"BOTSWANA & MOZAMBIQUE"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 22 Oct 2011 and 2 Nov 2011
"As ever a wonderfull trip, would like to explore more of Mozambique on the mainland next time! Good hosts and excellent accomodation and game viewing."
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C. W.
London, UK
"Excellent game viewing"
I visited Botswana between 19 Oct 2011 and 29 Oct 2011
"It was difficult for us , having been to Botswana many years before and many times to come to grip with the new order...ie Camps run by big Organizations and with a clear division between camp management and game viewing.
We were used to Lloyd Wilmot at Savuti , Gavin Blair , Randall at Abus , Michael Lorentz,Phil OShaugnessy at Chobe Chilwero , Tim Braybrooke etc etc.These were owner run camps with a love of the bush and their camps.All with a sense of adventure and discovery . This is no longer the case.
Camps are now run by the camp staff and the game drives ( your real pleasure zone ) run by independent guides ( sometimes free lance guides )
I think this is a real shame but I understand that the market is possibly looking for this experience and we are the odd ones out.I cannot help feeling that camps like Abus will not survive . In 1994 it was smaller , simpler , more beautifull and offered an extraorindary elephant experience. This is not the case now at all.
CL and LK were very good given this new order and we really had excellent viewing. I think the guides should be aware that these are phtographic safaris and so positioning is a good idea. All guides should have a basic training in this . The upside on client satisfaction is bound to be huge at very little expense.
The food was good and well managed . The wine was dreadfull. I think a little effort on this would not go amiss especially as it is currently out of sink with all the rest of the camp.
The staff at the camps were generally excellent ( 9/10 )" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
We were used to Lloyd Wilmot at Savuti , Gavin Blair , Randall at Abus , Michael Lorentz,Phil OShaugnessy at Chobe Chilwero , Tim Braybrooke etc etc.These were owner run camps with a love of the bush and their camps.All with a sense of adventure and discovery . This is no longer the case.
Camps are now run by the camp staff and the game drives ( your real pleasure zone ) run by independent guides ( sometimes free lance guides )
I think this is a real shame but I understand that the market is possibly looking for this experience and we are the odd ones out.I cannot help feeling that camps like Abus will not survive . In 1994 it was smaller , simpler , more beautifull and offered an extraorindary elephant experience. This is not the case now at all.
CL and LK were very good given this new order and we really had excellent viewing. I think the guides should be aware that these are phtographic safaris and so positioning is a good idea. All guides should have a basic training in this . The upside on client satisfaction is bound to be huge at very little expense.
The food was good and well managed . The wine was dreadfull. I think a little effort on this would not go amiss especially as it is currently out of sink with all the rest of the camp.
The staff at the camps were generally excellent ( 9/10 )" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs S
Nevada
"Botswana safari"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 13 Oct 2011 and 27 Oct 2011
"Excellent. We plan on returning as soon as possible.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
none at this time." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
none at this time." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Guildford
"This trip was up there with the best !"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 7 Oct 2011 and 27 Oct 2011
"We were impressed that arrangements worked well, especially in the way we were met and greeted. Wilderness Safari flights and pilots were all of a high standard and on time. The lodges mostly exceeded our expectations; we enjoyed excellent game viewing and met some fun people.
The management and the staff whom we met were all very welcoming, friendly, enthusiastic and efficient.
In short, we had an awesome trip ! Thank you." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
The management and the staff whom we met were all very welcoming, friendly, enthusiastic and efficient.
In short, we had an awesome trip ! Thank you." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Hampshire
"An unforgettable and great experience"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 Oct 2011 and 20 Oct 2011
"We highly recommend a trip with Expert Africa to Botswana.
The whole experience was fantastic and we have no negative comments to make on anything we did. The planning and arrangements for the trip went smoothly and we were very happy with the mix of camps we visited and the varied scenary.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was our second trip with Expert Africa and we can't wait to go again. Both the trip organisation/execution and the service was exemplary." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
The whole experience was fantastic and we have no negative comments to make on anything we did. The planning and arrangements for the trip went smoothly and we were very happy with the mix of camps we visited and the varied scenary.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was our second trip with Expert Africa and we can't wait to go again. Both the trip organisation/execution and the service was exemplary." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr D
Witney
"Overall Satisfaction"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 2 Oct 2011 and 20 Oct 2011
"The only reason for the rating of Fairly Satisfactory is the flights on SAA and the problem with Mack Air aircraft, otherwise everything was very satisfactory indeed.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really; we will be happy to use the Company again when the time comes." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really; we will be happy to use the Company again when the time comes." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr C & Ms H
Ealing
"Agent Error"
I visited Botswana between 29 Sep 2011 and 10 Oct 2011
"This was the most expensive holiday that myself and my friends had ever undertaken. Therefore, it was very annoying the the first day (of what was a short holiday) was ruined for all of us by a simple ticketing error.
This got the experience off to a very bad start. Once we were all in Botswana, everthing (apart from Grey Matters) met or exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
This got the experience off to a very bad start. Once we were all in Botswana, everthing (apart from Grey Matters) met or exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Poor
Mr & Mrs P
Harrow
"Fantastic Holiday"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 21 Sep 2011 and 12 Oct 2011
"Everything we had hoped for!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
All was perfect." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
All was perfect." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr F & Ms F
London
"Namibia + Botswana"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 13 Sep 2011 and 30 Sep 2011
"5*.
A few special mentions for individual excursions:
Turnstone tours - did a trip down to Sandwich Bay with Wayne. This was excellent.
Francois - we had booked the kayaking trip to see the seals. Rather than the lady who normally does it (she was on holiday) we were taken out by Francois, who runs a competing tour (though they seem to share bookings). He was excellent and gave us an incredible day's kayaking. Highly recommended.
Georg Erb (Swakop Tour Company) - recommended by our guest house, this was the best tour we did all trip. Georg is superb and knows everything. He has an excellent afternoon tour itinerary and is absolutely essential if you're in Swakopmund. Please promote him - such an interesting afternoon.
Ballooning - Can't remember the name of the company but we did a balloon trip from Kulala Desert Lodge with John. He was outstanding. Definitely worth the money...loved every minute of it and an excellent breakfast too.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Push people to book things to do in Swakopmund up front. It's a dull place just to hang around...but there are excellent excursions around the town. We met some people who hated the place...but they didn't do anything. Don't let people stay there for 3 nights without booking some things to do..." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
A few special mentions for individual excursions:
Turnstone tours - did a trip down to Sandwich Bay with Wayne. This was excellent.
Francois - we had booked the kayaking trip to see the seals. Rather than the lady who normally does it (she was on holiday) we were taken out by Francois, who runs a competing tour (though they seem to share bookings). He was excellent and gave us an incredible day's kayaking. Highly recommended.
Georg Erb (Swakop Tour Company) - recommended by our guest house, this was the best tour we did all trip. Georg is superb and knows everything. He has an excellent afternoon tour itinerary and is absolutely essential if you're in Swakopmund. Please promote him - such an interesting afternoon.
Ballooning - Can't remember the name of the company but we did a balloon trip from Kulala Desert Lodge with John. He was outstanding. Definitely worth the money...loved every minute of it and an excellent breakfast too.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Push people to book things to do in Swakopmund up front. It's a dull place just to hang around...but there are excellent excursions around the town. We met some people who hated the place...but they didn't do anything. Don't let people stay there for 3 nights without booking some things to do..." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
1011
reviews of Okavango Delta by travellers since August 2007
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