Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"Overall, this was a great experience, with many memorable sightings and some superb lodges.

Out of the whole trip, there was just one unsatisfactory lodge, which was Little Kwara in Botswana. We travelled in late September-early October, which is a very, very hot time of year, and on some of the afternoon drives the animals were still sheltering from the 38 degree afternoon heat.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

One idea would be to give in your advice, and in your camp descriptions, details of where and when you might see some of the rarer animals.

So, for example, we wanted to see eland, sable and roan, but this was not possible at any of our camps, but we had not thought to ask about it specifically before we went." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Maruska and Expert Africa were terrific. Very knowledgeable and helpful.

After listening to my interests, she recommended camps which we felt covered good variety of environments and experiences. I think starting in Hwange and finishing in the Delta was ideal as our Hwange guide was very educational and the wildlife at Kwara particularly superb. If we ended at Hwange we would have felt 3 nights probably sufficient, though were lucky enough for my son to spot a leopard and see a pride of 14 lions in our last 24 hr.

It was also great to have all the arrangements and transportation taken care of." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Our trip was fantastic. As a our 2nd Botswana safari it outdid our expectations. The camps were great and the food lovely. The wildlife remains superb. It takes a bit longer to find than say the Masai Mara but rewards the effort with really special sightings in a largely pristine natural environment of extreme beauty." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was my second vacation planned with Expert Africa and was, once again, exceptional. The assistance of Richard Trillo and Rich Ball was invaluable. It is very true that you are working with true experts on Africa who listen carefully and plan an exceptional visit accordingly." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"Outstanding in every respect. We wish we could have stayed longer. A beautiful country with an abundance of wildlife.

The extremely hospitable staff at the camps couldn't do enough for you and the guides' ability to find the most elusive animals was uncanny. It was fascinating to learn from them some of the skills they use to track the animals.

Parks at Selinda Explorers could find the proverbial needle. The accommodation was luxurious and at the same time relaxed and informal. So many memories which will stay with us.

In later comms, these travellers expanded on the above a little, saying:

To say it was an outstanding trip would be an understatement of epic proportions. We were privileged to be in a country of great beauty and outstandingly hospitable, kind people. My only mistake was booking six days instead of sixty, though possibly my bank manager might have had something to say about it if I had. I think what made the trip so special was the almost constant sensory stimulation. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the country were a perpetual delight.

To start with the camps, Chitabe and Selinda Explorers. We had no right to expect the standards of accommodation, hospitality, comfort, food and drink that we experienced. Outstanding in every way.

The game drives were great. We saw such an abundance of wildlife we almost didn't know where to look next. We never tired of it - not even the impala which seemed to appear around every corner. Highlights were the wild dogs, which we could have watched all day, the leopards (with cubs), the huge herds of elephant (around fifty at one watering place), lions lying in the shade of the land rover, young male giraffes 'neck-fighting' and the abundant bird life (we liked the Ground Hornbills). The ability of the guides to find the animals was a wonder to behold.

Our main guides were B.B. and Parks. Parks especially - what a lovely bloke - was uncanny. He used a Tawny Eagle to locate a newly established wild dog den and we even saw it swoop down to pick up a piece of meat that the dogs has lost sight of. Just reward. Both guides could find elusive leopards with uncanny precision. We also spent some time with Tank and Oats, who were great as well.

When we got back to camp, every single member of staff was friendly and attentive and not just made our stay memorable, but actually made us feel welcome and at home. Perhaps special mention for Joe and Freman at Selinda. Can I also thank you for arranging the birthday cake for Vonnie - singing 'Happy Birthday' by candlelight in the middle of the bush was a very memorable moment - as well as the kind note you left for us.

I could go on but I think you have probably got the gist by now, so I'll just finish by saying thank you for organising such an unforgettable trip. I would certainly recommend both Expert Africa and yourself should anybody ask me for advice on organising a trip to Africa. In the meantime, keep up the good work and maybe we'll be in touch in the future.

All the best" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We got what we asked for: the 'Out of Africa' experience, with an interesting contrast between private and public reserves, Delta and Chobe River, without a strong emphasis on the big five. The time of year recommended by Expert Africa was exactly right for us.
We loved the whole experience of the camps. Pom Pom is beautifully situated on the edge of a loagoon and we had the campfire, the continuous nighttime sound of the crickets and frogs, baboons and jackals with an occasional lions roar. Then Chobe Under Canvas and the wide open vistas of the Chobe with river, grassland and a multitude of animals.
Botswana lived up to our expectations and the game viewing was excellent. We could not realistically have asked for more from Expert Africa and the local operators, the organisation was faultless and the whole trip was great." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Thank you for organising such a brilliant trip for us.
Every single thing that you arranged ran smoothly - many thanks

We know Africa well, but this was exceptional." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"What made this trip so special was its diverse nature.

Our itinerary was a balance between adventure (self-drive in Botswana and the Caprivi Strip); land- and water-based game and bird viewing; history and culture. All of this using accommodation ranging from the rustic to the luxurious. We always felt comfortable, even in Zimbabwe which was really the wild card.

We would have no hesitation in returning there (though not driving) or recommending it to others. It is a country with great tourism potential which one day will be allowed to flourish." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our journey through northern Namibia and the Caprivi and our two sorties into Botswana.

Our entry to Namibia at Windhoek was very disappointing and time consuming. Immigration there had recently introduced new systems to photograph and fingerprint all arrivals. Perhaps teething problems with the new technology and certainly the small number of officers on duty meant it took us two and a half hours from exiting the plane to enter the country, all while standing in a small hot room.

This delay meant we could not arrive at our next destination in time for it's afternoon game drive. Those that had prepaid would have lost our financially as well as in terms of enjoyment." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Wonderful trip!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip