Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"Awesome trip, ready to go back.

Everyone was friendly. Seen lots of animals.

And Victoria Falls are beautiful." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"We had 7 amazing days at 3 camps in an around the delta in August (Gomoti, Machaba and Lebala). Compared to places like the Mara/Kruger/Serengeti, I'd say there was less volume of game (or the plains are less open, so it's harder to see) - sometimes you'd go a couple of days without seeing a lion - so you had to work a bit harder for the sightings. However, the fact that they're all private reserves (or private-ish) means that when you're driving around you are in total isolation, and your sightings can mostly be enjoyed without other vehicles for as long as you like.

Even though there are several reserves and concessions, nothing is fenced - that's great as it makes it truly wild, the downside being that animals can cross the dividing lines but people can't, so you need to go to a few different camps to minimize the probability that the animal you wanted to see crossed the border yesterday and so isn't accessible (this happens quite a bit).

We had great sightings of leopard and wild dogs, saw the big 5 in a single day, had some truly amazing night drives - lion hunts, wildcat, serval, civet, owls galore - and picked up over 100 species of birds in the week. We went on a motor boat trip once, which was very beautiful, really relaxing. We also tried the mokoro, which didn't do much for us (felt quite rickety, and didn't see anything).

In August, the temperature goes from 5 degrees in the morning to close to 30 in the afternoon - that contrast really enhanced the experience as it felt like you were moving from one place to another every day.

All in all, it was by far the most thrilling safari experience I've been on - the tranquility makes it seem so much more wild/natural - and so in future I think I'll be coming back to Botswana rather than Kenya or Tanzania.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - Megan was fantastic as always" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Trip entirely met expectations and organisation was faultless with good steers on content

The excellent detail on website helped choose with Tracy the best options" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Overall this was a very enjoyable safari which blended northern Botswana with the Okavango Delta. We enjoyed many memorable times with the 'cats' - Cheetah, Leopard and Lion, as well as a 'first-time' with a family of Wild Dog (6 adults and 4 pups) and some special times with our all-time favourites - Elephants.
We were a little 'shocked' by the low temperature overnight at the start of our safari (end of July). We normally visit Botswana at the end of September but thought we should experience a different time of year.
Perhaps due to the low temperatures at the start of our safari (it warmed up during our stay) we felt that, perhaps, 11 days was slightly too long and 9 days would have been better.
Throughout our visit we were impressed by the friendliness and cheerfulness of the Botswanian people." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Provided a very well researched and considered experience for the four of us. Good variety of activities and accommodation. All transport and connections worked well. Maruska went to a lot of trouble to design a good trip for us at short notice. Would certainly recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was excellent and our expectations were not only met but exceeded. We enjoyed the varying landscapes, the animals and the people.

The trip, which we requested at the very last minute, was superbly organised. From the time of my initial contact, all requests/queries were handled in a timely helpful manner. All the components (fly, drive, transfers) fitted together well and all connections/transfers went smoothly.

The only changes we would have made are those that could only have been made with hindsight!

So again, thank you very much Maruska and Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: These are very minor suggestions and comments and are made purely to try and be helpful.

(1) An explanation off what one can expect in relation to meals when your accommodation is on a full board basis and you arrive around lunchtime. Our first full board accommodation was at Canyon Lodge and we arrived at lunch time. We were greeted with some information about the facilities and times for dinner and breakfast, but no indication of whether there was any lunch available or whether we were entitled to lunch. Subsequent enquires resulted in us being directed to the dining room.

At a later lodge, we realised that we could have had lunch even though we arrived early in the afternoon but had already had lunch just in case.

(2) If people are doing an overnighter at Cheetah View Lodge it would be good to know that the cheetah feeding is at 2 o'clock, which is the only time that this is held, is also included in the cost of the accommodation i.e. so that if possible you would make sure you got there in time for that. The other paid activities did not seem to be good value. I did note that on EA's notes of this lodge, that it EA thought that there needed to be a better integration of activities with the overnight experience, and we agree.

(3) I think that Hyena Pan did include laundry facilities.

I apologise if I should have known some of these things. I did look up all the accommodations on your website (which I thought was most extensive and the reason I choose the company initially), and make notes before our trip, but possibly I missed bits.

We wish that the tipping thing could be made easier. Australia does not have a tipping culture and so it always comes as a surprise and what seems like a lot of extra money on top of what are not insubstantial costs, at least in some places. While were tried to follow the guidelines, sometimes we were caught out when guides changed or we had an extra guide.

It is impossible to single out 'other' people, other than guides and polers for example, as there are always people behind the that contribute to your enjoyment and comfort on a trip." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"This was our 5th and best trip." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"We arrange many of our own trips as well as using travel services. We feel we got high value from the service provided by Megan at Expert Africa. She took loads of time to listen, consider our requirements and preferences. She made the suggestion that boosted our trip from good to great, hiring a private mobile guide service. Especially well done that it was Andrew. Top notch guiding was our priority. He met that and then some. He also makes a super camp, it truly defined "glamping"! We are going camping this weekend and we will laugh to think of no longer having a staff to wait on us and make camp!

The back and forth of the entire itinerary was time consuming, paring down stopovers, arranging guest houses. Megan was up to it and then some. She never failed to respond with timely, logical ideas. If we end up in London soon enough we'd love to stop at the office and shake her hand in thanks for her very professional, expedient work.

It was a trip of a lifetime, though we travel a lot. It bears now only great memories and nothing we would change. We have hundreds of fine photos that we are thoroughly enjoying. Carolyn's journal is loaded with entries describing our encounters, and sketches and paintings of the abundant beauty we shared.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Megan deserves a large Christmas bonus. At least a larger portion of plum pudding! We will refer our friends to you and use you again when Africa hits the travel calendar. Perhaps Tanzania or Madagascar. We do a different continent most every year." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first ever trip to Africa and it certainly won't be the last.

Botswana and our trip really exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Unbelievable - just loved it. So glad I went through Expert Africa.

Megan was just wonderful from the very start. Nothing seemed too much trouble for her. Huge thank you to you Megan - all your suggestions and recommendations were just spot on. So glad we did both mobile and lodge, but I think mobile is the overall winner!


Will definitely be recommending Expert Africa to friends and colleagues." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari