Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Botswana which is a wonderful country.

We would recommend it to others." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Efficient and knowledgeable." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, we had an extremely enjoyable holiday. The variety of wildlife experiences exceeded our expectations. Accommodation was all very good or excellent. All the arrangements within the control of Expert Africa, whether for accommodation or transfers, worked out fine, without any problems.

The holiday wasn't one of Expert Africa's standard holidays. We spent some time working out the itinerary with them. That was time well spent and their expert advice was invaluable. Thanks very much to Gwynneth and also Nick for his advice on Botswana early on.


A couple of specific comments which don't fit in elsewhere:

1. We had two flights with Mack Air and had a good experience with them both times: friendly pilots and good flights. In addition, we had arranged for suitcases to be flown on separately from Maun to Kasane. This was handled efficiently and there was no difficulty retreiving the suitcases at Kasane airport.

2. We had a transfer with Wilderness Safaris from Kasane airport to Victorial Falls. This was handled efficiently so that we were able to complete the border formalities on entering Zimbabwe without a hitch.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - well organised holiday, plenty of helpful information." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Very enjoyable, as always.

Yet another marvellous holiday planned by Expert Africa!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We had a good mix with first the Ichobezi House Boat to unwind after the flight out and in a brilliant area on the Chobe River and then three nights in two different camps, Saile and Kwara, with early morning game drives and early evening drives or boat trips.

To end up with three nights on the Islands of Siankaba was a great idea to relax in comfort to end the holiday.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As I have said above I think alternatives to flying to Johannesburg and then one and a half hours back to Botswana/Caprivi Strip/Zambia shouid be considered such as Lusaka.

Overall it was well organised and everything happend as planned.

A great holiday and thanks." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"Kwando Lagoon spoilt it. Please see separate email and attachment." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We had the most wonderful trip - all the camps far exceeded our expectations - the staff were lovely, and couldn't be more helpful - the guides were knowledgeible, expecially at Kwara - and we enjoyed every minure of the trip, even being chased by an elephant which was a bit scary!!!

Thank you for being able to assess the sort of thing we wanted, making a trip which suited us and giving us a trip of a lifetime. All three of us had the best holiday we have ever had.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just need to add that the booklet you sent us with tips for the trips was extremely helpful, but we took your advice about only taking low denominations in dollars literally, and then had to spend ages dolling out one dollars for our visas. Maybe a slightly wider mix of bills might have been helpful. However, that is the only suggestion - everything else were great, even though I couldn't believe that we might need gloves - next time I'll take them!!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Our best ever trip to Namibia and we were very impressed with what we saw and did in Botswana, especially the school trip from Muchenje.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The Red Zone is what the people at Muchenje Lodge call the very deep sandy part of their approach road where, almost certainly, a 2-wheel drive car will get stuck! JJ tells us that he is having this bit 'fixed' even as I write, but it might be worth checking. The local workmen who dragged us out in their Landrover said it was always happening with 2-wheel drive cars. Great fun all the same!!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Am aware that have not been able to offer any constructive criticism! It was beyond our expectattions and would offer the following.
Your advice regarding the itinery was spot on:
A break in Livingstone set us up after the long journey
Leballa - a really great introduction to Africa, the attitude of the staff was tangibly happy
Kwara - enabled full activities and so was a good mid point
NAxi Pan - peaceful and laid back, a great place to finish our trip.

Most impressed by all the transfers which all went off without a hitch, the drivers/pilots/airport staff all very keen to help, however a pocketful of $1 bills probab ly heped!!. Perhaps in you notes you could list a rough exchange rate for Rands, Kwacha and Pula as we got a bit confused at times esp in the airport souvenir shops! At one point were intriged to have a bill for 1.3 milliod kwacha for out Zambezi Sun extras ( about £170!). Perhaps beware of the prices in the Camp souvenier shops, pricey but there again reasonable when you consider having to transport it all there.

Really had a fabulous time and have started saving up for a repeat trip, perhaps in the rainy season next time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Soory to not have any suggestions, really impressed by your service - better than your rivals!!

The animal book you sent us was great, just enough to whet the appetite, they guides all carried very detailed books in the jeeps for really detailed identification. The availability of laundry facilities allowed us to cut down on our packing, we both managed on 10kgs total and so had no probs with getting our cases on the small planes. Your notes for travellers were very detailed and helpful" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Fantastic. Lived up to expectations and would go again and recommend to anyone" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari