Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"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

"DIfficult to know where to begin: it was such a wonderful experience: our first time on safari - total beginners: we didn't know what to expect.

The planning and organisation by Expert Africa was excellent: we felt that the EA team in London really gave us personal treatment. The mixture of different styles of camp and environments in Zambia and Botswana which Expert Africa suggested gave us a great perspective.

Overall, our preference was for the more remote camps with the close-to-nature feel. The combination of water and grass and woodlands was particularly interesting not only for their beauty but also for the variety of animals and birds to be seen. The Luangwa and the Zambezi rivers are stamped forever on our memories.

There seemed to be a very good team spirit particularly in the small, locally run camps. All 8 camps were impeccable, well run and there was always a warm welcome. We were amazed at the wonderful homemade food in such remote places. We only took 10kgs each of baggage (plus cameras) but could have managed with less as the same-day laundry facilities were very good and there was no time to "dress-up" in the evenings. We were impressed by the policy of training local staff from humble jobs right up to management: they all seemed very proud of their jobs and their country.

We had first-class guides everywhere - very skilled and well informed and good company.

We were amazed at how many guests had been on safari numerous times before, often to the same camps. We met some really nice people both local and guests from all over the world - which is important as you are all thrown together both in the jeeps and round the campfires. We were also amazed at how close one comes to the animals in the bush - even lions and leopard. We were not previously bird-watchers - but the variety of beautiful birds and the dawn chorus was so different to what we know in Europe.

Would we go back? We are starting a bit late in life but we have wonderful memories of this experience and hope we will be able to go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the non-English-speaking guests could have been helped if the camps/guides had some field guides in other languages e.g. French. A couple of our guides (Dukes in Selinda, Bibi in Chitabe Lediba) were interested to learn French or Italian which could be a way of attracting more guests from other parts of Europe. The majority of guests were either from UK or USA.

A couple of ideas for the gift-shops: post-cards of the camps and of local scenery (+ stamps). If postcards were available they were mostly of animals. Small gifts such as letter openers, hair clips and hair accessories made of wood or bone. CD's of local music.

In two camps in Zambia (Tena Tena & Chiawa) we were given aluminium water bottles to use during our stay and keep as souvenirs. This was an excellent idea. Also the local filtered water was excellent and gave us no tummy problems. Only in Chitabe did the water have a strange smell and taste." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"A superb experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Very satisfactory.

The number of animals and birds we saw was amazing. Guides and trackers very knowledgeable and considerate. My only complaint is that I now have 1,500 photos to sort out!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Megan was extremely helpful with organising our travel arrangements and the camps we stayed - it would have been difficult to choose the camps from your brochure without her help. Nxabega camp had an incorrect date for our departure but this was efficiently corrected" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Overall the trip was incredible!! We will definitely be back. T

he only thing we will change next time is to do private vehicles. It is more expensive, but it gives you much more freedom to stay and watch more animal behavior. The other thing I noticed, which could just be variation, is that there appeared to be more game in Oct than August. This may be because it was drier and hotter in Oct. However, we actually saw many more cats the August trip, than the previous trip in October.

Maruska with Expert Africa was excellent in communicating with us about a flight cancellation at the end of our trip. She was able to change our reservation and cover the cost until we arrived home." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Overall it was very good: the variety of locations and wild life mix, top guides, generally very good catering and personal attention. Good advice from Expert Africa. The basic itineray was discussed and fixed with Lucy Copson. Nick Hobbs and Megan Ingoldby helped very active and constructively fixing issues and final arrangements. I cannot select one team member (see below), so I indicated Chris McIntyre. You should change the question to the team members (multiple) who assisted." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"xx" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Top class experience - thank you very much for a great organisation - it worked really well. As with our trip to Namibia two years before the only things that went wrong were entirely our fault!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Can you expand to the rest of the world?

The only serious question is about mobile safaris - both times you have arranged trips for us, the options have been 99% fixed camps (the only exception I can really think of is the Skeleton Coast fly-in safari). Yet on both occasions, when on the ground, I have realised that there are mobile safaris that sound quite interesting (this year we heard about a 3 day mobile safari arranged out of Jack's Camp to Kubu Island in the Makgadikgadi Pan). We would be very interested in top quality mobile safaris but wonder if your lack of coverage indicates that you think there is a lack of quality generally, or that they are too ad hoc for you to cover them (but you would arrange if people were interested)? I know you have a sister organisation that is more mobile oriented, but my impression has been that this is not really targeted at the high-end/time constrained traveller - am I wrong?" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari

"I really enjoyed my safari trip and was very pleased with all the camps.

I was very happy with the help planning that was provided by Expert Africa. I was very pleased with the honest reviews of camps that were given and if I am ever planning another safari, I will definitely make use of Expert Africa's services. Thanks very much to Elie and Nick.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was thoroughly impressed by the services provided by Expert Africa and have no suggestions. I began planning my trip very late and was impressed by how helpful everyone was even though I was so late booking." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Since many years it was a dream for me to visit Botswana and the Okavango delta.
I've read many travel guides (also the very recommendable one of Chris McIntyre!) and had contact to many travel agencies.
Although living in Germany I've chosen Expert Africa to help me and organize this trip for us.

From the first contacts I knew that it was the right decision - it couldn't have been better somewhere else:
Lucy and Megan were always helpful, patient and with great knowledge about the different locations and accommodations.

The organisation of the trip was excellent - we've had no problems, everything worked perfectly and in conclusion the trip was the one we've hoped to have. All the places we've visited had their own and special atmosphere and showing something different.

Thanks again to the people of Expert Africa who made an excellent job!
I can recommend Expert Africa not highly enough and whenever I/we will return to Africa I will ask them to manage it for me." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari