Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"Our first trip to Africa was everything we had hoped and planned for. We had heard a lot about Botswana and its pristine wilderness and wildlife and it certainly lived up to expectations.

At Dinaka in the Central Kalahari we found the landscape, environment and wildlife was quite different to Little Kwara in the Okavango Delta and Lebala further north. This difference is what we had hoped to experience - we didn't want everywhere to be the same and I think we achieved this.

The camps had excellent facilities, the tents were all large and extremely well equipped and the lodges very comfortable. The food was exceptionally good wherever we went and always plentiful. We particularly enjoyed the campfire breakfasts and coffee and sundowners out on the game drives. Good drinking water was always available and we did not encounter one mosquito even in the Delta area!!

We enjoyed the varied activities on offer at each camp as well as the usual day and night game drives. At Dinaka we had the bushwalk and the two visits to the hides overlooking the waterholes - we even enjoyed brunch at the hides. Little Kwara
have the double decker boats and it was a fantastic experience going out into the Delta. Lebala did not offer us any extra activities apart from a bird hide on site, but their unique location and being surrounded by Hippos and Elephants is a bonus!
We would like to return to Botswana after the rainy season to see the tranformation from desert to the lush green landscapes we have heard about. Maybe one day!

We did not have any problems, all flights were on time and we were picked up and taken through the border at Zimbabwe without any hassle. The only thing which annoyed us slightly was that the driver for Wilderness Safaris did not take us straight to Ilala Lodge but made a detour to pick up two staff members who wanted to sell us 'activities' while staying in Vic Falls despite us twice previously saying to the driver we didn't want to arrange anything. It was only after we arrived at the Lodge and explained we were meeting a relative at Vic Falls that they left.

Our two night stay in Zimbabwe was not long enough to do everything we wanted, there seems to be a lot on offer and our impression is that the community there are trying very hard to re-establish the tourism industry. It was certainly busy in Victoria Falls and we saw many different nationalities. We would maybe like to return there one day for a longer holiday if things improve.

The people and all the staff were great wherever we went, always had a smile for us and were helpful friendly and professional.

Overall our trip was an exceptional experience!! Thanks to Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Everything worked out perfectly for our trip so I can't think of any suggestions for improvement- thanks very much to Megan for all her planning, expertise and advice. We would certainly recommend her and Expert Africa to our friends if they are planning a trip to Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We had a dream to go to Africa and it was all an amazing dream when we were there. Expert Africa had organized every detail extremely well with all our connections and trips. Words cannot describe it all. Nick was patient and kind with all my questions and concerns Thank you.

Hopefully one day we can return to Africa." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"magical experience, thanks to Saskia for all of her sound advice and help with planning our trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

keep doing what you are doing, great trip. next time we are Africa bound we will definitely be in touch. Thanks a million" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"With hindsight we would have skipped Kasane. If we had known what the "game drive" from Savute airstrip to Linyanti was actually like we probably would have cancelled this camp but glad we didn't as the game viewing there, not to mention the elephants all round our tent was wonderful. Kanana was fantastic.

Botswana was even more astonishing than I had anticipated and I would love to go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Thank you Nick for all your advice and help and for your unfailing good humour. Next time I will have a clearer idea of exactly what suits us - just have to put the pennies on one side!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Overall, I am quite satisfied with my trip. I found that all details were perfectly organized. We had no problems at all with reservations of airlines and hotels. All previous information before the trip was very helpful, as well as the books that we received." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Dear Sabina,

Thanks very much for organising such a great holiday again!! Totally different from the dry part of Namibia (Kalahari desert, Namib desert, Damara land, Etosha). This time river deltas, water, green, and also many many animals, and again very nice people. Anybody asking us about our two holidays, we suggest to contact Expert Africa and you. Again, unforgettable.

One topic for your consideration: leaving to our lodge near Rundu, we were stopped at a check point just south of Rundu close to an army base. I stopped the front of my car 1 meter past the stop sign. Anyway, the guy made a big point out of it, a second policeman joined him and I had to come with them to a tent next to the road. Supposedly I would get a fine of NAM $ 1500 for "ignoring the stop sign".

I stayed courteous, said that any fine I'd pay at the police station. Anyway, it was an attempt to get a bribe, but in the end I did not have to pay anything. At another lodge, I heard that a few other tourists had exactly the same experience, at exactly the same check point. Not a big deal, but just that you know this happened.

Again Sabina, thanks very much for your help. It was an unforgettable holiday, again!

Kind regards, Elly and Paul Veth." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"We are fortunate to have travelled to a number of countries in Africa, including several safari destinations, and can honestly say that our recent trip to the Okavango Delta tops them all! Varied and scenic environments, fabulous wildlife sightings (often only possible because off-road driving is permitted), enthusiastic and knowledgable guiding, and the fact there are so few visitors that it sometimes feels like you have the place to yourself - all combine to make this a really wonderful destination.

We wouldn't have changed anything about our trip, so thank you Expert Africa - we're already planning when we might return!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We honestly can't think of any improvements!

The service and information provided was excellent throughout. Nick was not only really knowledgeable and personable, he made our trip possible by making lots of great recommendations based on our interests and preferences and, despite how late we were in organising our trip (c.3 months before we travelled), managed to find dates and secure bookings at two of the most popular camps in the Delta.

We thought the arrangements were really well organised and the trip was good value for money. We wouldn't hesitate to use Expert Africa again or to recommend you to others." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"This was a truly memorable trip.

It was our third trip to Africa, and the best in terms of wildlife viewing. The whole safari experience was wonderful from start to end." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first visit to Botswana and we were impressed with the smoothness of all stages of our trip." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Our transfer from the Westcliff for a 10.20 flight was arranged for 06.30 which the hotel agreed was too early. They phoned our contact for the transfer to move it to 7.30 giving us time to have breakfast. This request was refused, so I phoned them. They flatly refused to move it saying we needed a 3 hour check in for Air Botswana. The other argument was that we would want a good seat.

As a result I had to incur the cost of a room service breakfast at 6am. We arrived at the airport at 07.05 only to find the check in desk didn't open until 08.00! When they did open they said it was a one and a half hour check in not 3 as we had been told.
When we got on the plane it was free seating! Why did the transfer company lie to us?" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari