Reviews of safaris to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
1004 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Okavango Delta.
Mr & Mrs H
Hampshire
"Best Holiday Ever"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 8 May 2008 and 21 May 2008
"Having been on our first safari in Kenya 18 months ago, we had a better idea of what we wanted from this holiday. We had very high expectations of what this holiday should be, everyone of these expectations was exceeded and not just by a small amount.
Our only problem now is how to follow this. It was a holiday of a lifetime and we are already trying to work out how to go back and challenge Expert Africa to find something better but we don't think they will." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Our only problem now is how to follow this. It was a holiday of a lifetime and we are already trying to work out how to go back and challenge Expert Africa to find something better but we don't think they will." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The Meerkats
London
"summary"
I visited Botswana between 5 May 2008 and 18 May 2008
"Whilst we had some wonderful game sightings and stayed in a couple of great camps, I felt that this was the most disappointing trip to Southern Africa (out of 5) that I have had"
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Average
Wild hunting dogs
UK
"A great holiday"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 May 2008 and 18 May 2008
"We had a great holiday and a great experience. The balance of locations was right for us. We chose three Kwando camps to keep the cost down, but have no regrets. We enjoyed them all, and we will remember fondly the breakfasts around the campfires at daybreak.
Jacks Camp was amazing, and we were lucky in that we had a free upgrade to it having originally booked San Camp.
The travel arrangements all went like clockwork. We had no delays, even when the journey had several components, as when travelling from the Victoria Falls to Lebala. We were also extremely grateful to Claire for sorting out an alternative flight when Nationwide went out of business. We met up with people left to flounder by other travel companies.
Thanks for all your help, and apologies for the delay in retuning this feedback.
Suggestions for improvement:
I really can't think of any." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Jacks Camp was amazing, and we were lucky in that we had a free upgrade to it having originally booked San Camp.
The travel arrangements all went like clockwork. We had no delays, even when the journey had several components, as when travelling from the Victoria Falls to Lebala. We were also extremely grateful to Claire for sorting out an alternative flight when Nationwide went out of business. We met up with people left to flounder by other travel companies.
Thanks for all your help, and apologies for the delay in retuning this feedback.
Suggestions for improvement:
I really can't think of any." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The Leopards
Jersey
"Trip as a whole"
I visited Mozambique and 1 other country between 1 May 2008 and 18 May 2008
"Many many thanks to Expert Africa, particularly Lucy, for arranging such a fantastic trip for us. This was a 50th birthday special holiday and it was everything and more than we expected. Travelling was extremely painless considering we did 11 flights in 18 days! Everything on time and the quickest immigration and customs we've ever experienced. Camps fantastic, a really good combination of both wet and dry safari and our week in Quilalea was the icing on the cake.
We have recommended Expert Africa to everyone and will certainly get in touch again when we go back to Africa, which will be in the not so distant future. What an amazing country and people.
Please pass on our best wishes and thanks to all the places we visited and tell them we shall return some day.
Thanks again." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday
We have recommended Expert Africa to everyone and will certainly get in touch again when we go back to Africa, which will be in the not so distant future. What an amazing country and people.
Please pass on our best wishes and thanks to all the places we visited and tell them we shall return some day.
Thanks again." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
The rock Pipits
UK
"amazing Africa !"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 25 Apr 2008 and 11 May 2008
"We were 2 to travel and we have both been very impressed with the service we got . Evrything was very well organised . We visited 4 countries , took a lot of flights and there was always someone waiting for us . We never waited.
We had a lot of requirement when we first contacted Expert Africa and it was dealt with very quickly and effectively.
Great job Maruska and to all your contats outhere in Namibia , Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique
we ll definitly use you again for our next time in Africa and will recommand you ( which we have already done )
thanks again for everything and well done :-)" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
We had a lot of requirement when we first contacted Expert Africa and it was dealt with very quickly and effectively.
Great job Maruska and to all your contats outhere in Namibia , Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique
we ll definitly use you again for our next time in Africa and will recommand you ( which we have already done )
thanks again for everything and well done :-)" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The Louries
London
"Bravo Zulu -Naval signal code for Well Done"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 22 Apr 2008 and 30 Apr 2008
"All admin arrngements worked extremely well and we were met and warmly greeted at every stage.
The speedy trip across the Zambezi was much appreciated as the delay for the lorries wating for the one serviceable routine ferry was more than 1 week!
Many thanks to Lucy for valuable suggestions and recommendations.
Suggestions for improvement:
I beleive that Expert Africa has thought of everything necessary and any comment from me is superfluous!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari
The speedy trip across the Zambezi was much appreciated as the delay for the lorries wating for the one serviceable routine ferry was more than 1 week!
Many thanks to Lucy for valuable suggestions and recommendations.
Suggestions for improvement:
I beleive that Expert Africa has thought of everything necessary and any comment from me is superfluous!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Somerset
"Orwins Okavango 2008"
I visited Botswana between 2 Apr 2008 and 15 Apr 2008
"Another triumph for Expert Afica and Wilderness Safaris. Oh for the dream team of this duo and Virgin Atlantic!!"
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
South Bank
"A truly wonderful holiday !"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 17 Feb 2008 and 2 Mar 2008
"This was our first visit to Victoria Falls and our first safari holiday in Africa and we enjoyed every moment ! A truly amazing holiday !
We were very happy with the whole experience and would certainly use Expert Africa again for future trips." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
We were very happy with the whole experience and would certainly use Expert Africa again for future trips." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Lion
Maine
"A travel agency for the independent traveler"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 15 Feb 2008 and 16 Mar 2008
"Our trip was extraordinary. Before the trip, friends asked us why we weren't content to visit zoos or somewhere like Animal Kingdom. Now I know it's worth the effort to visit Africa: the animals behave more normally in their wild native habitats than they do in captivity.
There were almost no glitches; it was difficult to come up with the extremely minor faults I've mentioned in the previous pages--I was trying not to be glib. [Ed: click onthe links below to access those 'previous pages']
We will return to Africa.
Here's an odd thing: everyone told us to visit Namibia for the scenery, not the wildlife-viewing. But we saw more wildlife in Etosha the 4 days we were there than we did the 8 days we spent in Botswana. The 2WD may have slowed us down enough to notice the animals; also we weren't rushing around trying to find lions, and were content to see whatever appeared.
For us, the more remote the better: I found myself being annoyed at Chitabe when I heard planes or helicopters.
We had thought someone was going to drive us from Muchenje in Botswana all the way to the Livingstone Airport. We were not looking forward to waiting in line for the ferry to cross the Zambezi. But as you know, there were a number of agents involved in getting us from the one place to the other. The transition progressed remarkably smoothly, and we enjoyed seeing a little of the everyday Africa one doesn't observe at safari camps.
That being said, the agent at Kazangula, Zambia was very kiind but he didn't seem to know that everyone has to pay a visa fee now. He behaved in a rushed manner, without explaining his intentions to us. I was locked in the van with our luggage then the agent took my husband to the customs office. Unfortunately, I hadn't told my husband about making sure our passports were stamped with the appropriate number of days, so they were stamped 7 rather than 8. When we left Lusaka to fly to London, we were scolded about this.
We couldn't cash travelers' checks at Livingstone Airport; we didn't have enough time to try at Lusaka; and at Mfuwe, the clerk wanted $20 to exchange $50. We had no luck at Kapani either.
FYI, Mr. Grellman at Etango Game Ranch mentioned that Windhoek plans to expand the airport across the road, more or less adjacent to his ranch.
I'm rambling.
I don't know what additional information would be helpful. We're used to setting our own schedules when we travel, and for that reason, we enjoyed having our own car and doing what we pleased when in Etosha. For 2 active people, it's difficult to spend 6+ hours in a jeep each day; and of course, during siesta, one usually can't walk around on one's own other than from the tent, to the dining hall, to the vehicle, back to the dining hall..... I suspect a walking safari is in our future. Also, we'd like to have our own vehicle, or have our own guide who wouldn't be bored sitting watching baboons or elephants for an hour. You can arrange all of this, can't you?
We had never used a travel agency before--for one thing, one of us is detail-oriented and enjoys the researching and planning of trips. But with the complexity of this trip and my slow-as-molasses dial-up laptop, I decided to try an agency. Chris McIntyre's guide books had impressed us not only because of all the truly helpful information, but also because of the lack of platitudes. To make a long story short, Expert Africa's services have been superb. The following remarks are nitpicking and I don't know if they'll be helpful or not.
I mentioned under the "Flights" section about the Zambian Airways vouchers. The Taj clerk also seemed confused about the voucher: she thought I was staying alone and she asked me how I was planning to pay for my night.
There are a few discrepancies between Mr. McIntyre's guidebooks and the Expert Africa website. For example, the books might state that a camp is only open seasonally, but the web site states otherwise.
Perhaps when an agent is going to be out of the office for an extended period, she might notify her current clients to contact so-and-so during her absence if they have questions.
Your turn -- rate us as clients.
Thanks for everything!" Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
There were almost no glitches; it was difficult to come up with the extremely minor faults I've mentioned in the previous pages--I was trying not to be glib. [Ed: click onthe links below to access those 'previous pages']
We will return to Africa.
Here's an odd thing: everyone told us to visit Namibia for the scenery, not the wildlife-viewing. But we saw more wildlife in Etosha the 4 days we were there than we did the 8 days we spent in Botswana. The 2WD may have slowed us down enough to notice the animals; also we weren't rushing around trying to find lions, and were content to see whatever appeared.
For us, the more remote the better: I found myself being annoyed at Chitabe when I heard planes or helicopters.
We had thought someone was going to drive us from Muchenje in Botswana all the way to the Livingstone Airport. We were not looking forward to waiting in line for the ferry to cross the Zambezi. But as you know, there were a number of agents involved in getting us from the one place to the other. The transition progressed remarkably smoothly, and we enjoyed seeing a little of the everyday Africa one doesn't observe at safari camps.
That being said, the agent at Kazangula, Zambia was very kiind but he didn't seem to know that everyone has to pay a visa fee now. He behaved in a rushed manner, without explaining his intentions to us. I was locked in the van with our luggage then the agent took my husband to the customs office. Unfortunately, I hadn't told my husband about making sure our passports were stamped with the appropriate number of days, so they were stamped 7 rather than 8. When we left Lusaka to fly to London, we were scolded about this.
We couldn't cash travelers' checks at Livingstone Airport; we didn't have enough time to try at Lusaka; and at Mfuwe, the clerk wanted $20 to exchange $50. We had no luck at Kapani either.
FYI, Mr. Grellman at Etango Game Ranch mentioned that Windhoek plans to expand the airport across the road, more or less adjacent to his ranch.
I'm rambling.
I don't know what additional information would be helpful. We're used to setting our own schedules when we travel, and for that reason, we enjoyed having our own car and doing what we pleased when in Etosha. For 2 active people, it's difficult to spend 6+ hours in a jeep each day; and of course, during siesta, one usually can't walk around on one's own other than from the tent, to the dining hall, to the vehicle, back to the dining hall..... I suspect a walking safari is in our future. Also, we'd like to have our own vehicle, or have our own guide who wouldn't be bored sitting watching baboons or elephants for an hour. You can arrange all of this, can't you?
We had never used a travel agency before--for one thing, one of us is detail-oriented and enjoys the researching and planning of trips. But with the complexity of this trip and my slow-as-molasses dial-up laptop, I decided to try an agency. Chris McIntyre's guide books had impressed us not only because of all the truly helpful information, but also because of the lack of platitudes. To make a long story short, Expert Africa's services have been superb. The following remarks are nitpicking and I don't know if they'll be helpful or not.
I mentioned under the "Flights" section about the Zambian Airways vouchers. The Taj clerk also seemed confused about the voucher: she thought I was staying alone and she asked me how I was planning to pay for my night.
There are a few discrepancies between Mr. McIntyre's guidebooks and the Expert Africa website. For example, the books might state that a camp is only open seasonally, but the web site states otherwise.
Perhaps when an agent is going to be out of the office for an extended period, she might notify her current clients to contact so-and-so during her absence if they have questions.
Your turn -- rate us as clients.
Thanks for everything!" Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Highgate
""
I visited Botswana between 22 Dec 2007 and 2 Jan 2008
"Excellent. A really wonderful trip"
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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