Reviews of safaris to Caprivi Strip
Caprivi Strip verified traveller reviews of the camps and lodges we've hand picked in the Caprivi.
T Family
Auckland
""
I visited Namibia and 4 other countries between 11 Jun 2011 and 27 Jul 2011
"It was amazing !!! 6 weeks travelling through Africa with a 6 year old child is not everyone's ideal holiday but due to the perfect recommendations given by Maruska and the closeness with which she worked with my husband ensured we had a relatively hassle free, stress free, safe journey.
The travel book was also a great guide as it was up to date and relevant
We would (and have ) fully recommended your company and specifically Maruska to everyone we met !
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that we can think of" Read full review: 46 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
The travel book was also a great guide as it was up to date and relevant
We would (and have ) fully recommended your company and specifically Maruska to everyone we met !
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that we can think of" Read full review: 46 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr H & Ms E
London
"4 rivers and a few assorted islands"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 26 May 2011 and 8 Jun 2011
"A great trip! We were on 4 rivers: the Kavango, the Okovango, the Kwando and the Zambezi and stayed in a number of island lodges (as well as Okonjima and Windhoek). The variety was remarkable. Some of the road journeys were long but by and large the travel was good and we'd recommend self-drive because you have so much more contact with people. The border posts were a world unto themselves - lovely but leave plenty of time.
Given that we were passing through three countries, and had quite precise pickup times, it would have been helpful to have been told about the time changes. We worked out the ones between countries but were caught out by the fact that the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip is not on Namibian time!
The pick up at Kasane (n Botwswana) was not straightforward. We'd been told we would be picked up by our last lodge, Islands of Siankaba. But they don't pick up outside Zambia. A firm called Bushtracks does all the pick ups (and does not have a board with your name on it). It was quite by chance that we managed to find them. That said, the water crossing (at the crossroads of Zimbabwe/Botwswana/Zambia/Nambiia) was wild!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Another great trip with Expert Africa. So thank you once again!
It would have been good to know about 'Caprivi time' and to have been given the name of the company doing the pick up at Kasane.
Thank you very much!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Given that we were passing through three countries, and had quite precise pickup times, it would have been helpful to have been told about the time changes. We worked out the ones between countries but were caught out by the fact that the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip is not on Namibian time!
The pick up at Kasane (n Botwswana) was not straightforward. We'd been told we would be picked up by our last lodge, Islands of Siankaba. But they don't pick up outside Zambia. A firm called Bushtracks does all the pick ups (and does not have a board with your name on it). It was quite by chance that we managed to find them. That said, the water crossing (at the crossroads of Zimbabwe/Botwswana/Zambia/Nambiia) was wild!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Another great trip with Expert Africa. So thank you once again!
It would have been good to know about 'Caprivi time' and to have been given the name of the company doing the pick up at Kasane.
Thank you very much!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs T Mrs N
UK
"Amazing experience"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 29 Apr 2011 and 19 May 2011
"One of the best holidays we have ever had. What an adventure. The organisation was second to none. We could do it all over again. Indeed we didn't want to come home!!
Recommend you change the Mazambala though - unless there is a change of management!
You will undoubtedly be hearing from us again" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Recommend you change the Mazambala though - unless there is a change of management!
You will undoubtedly be hearing from us again" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr G
Leics
"A great adventure"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 10 Apr 2011 and 18 Apr 2011
"This was a fairly last minute trip that I decided upon between leaving one job and starting the next and was designed to draw a line under the former and refresh me in preparation for the latter. It worked a treat.
The arrangements through Expert Africa were simple despite a change of schedule due to availability, communications were easy - mostly email with the occasional phone call, and everything went to plan whilst I was there, with all transfers working perfectly.
I normally plan and book my own holidays directly but as this was my first time in Africa, I wanted some local knowledge and expertise, and Expert Africa provided this to make it all painless. I don't hesitate to recommend them." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
The arrangements through Expert Africa were simple despite a change of schedule due to availability, communications were easy - mostly email with the occasional phone call, and everything went to plan whilst I was there, with all transfers working perfectly.
I normally plan and book my own holidays directly but as this was my first time in Africa, I wanted some local knowledge and expertise, and Expert Africa provided this to make it all painless. I don't hesitate to recommend them." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
6
Whangarei
"Amazing itinerary, brilliant organisation"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 1 Apr 2011 and 4 May 2011
"We had an amazing adventure through SA, Namibia and Botswana. Being independent Kiwis, we were keen on arranging our own itinerary and travelling under our own steam, preferably off the beaten tourist track. Namibia appealed, and once I found your amazing website I was hooked. In a former life I was a travel agent here in NZ, but most trips were packaged and rigid, and that was not what we wanted. Having worked out roughly where we wanted to go, I emailed your office, who then referred me to your Namibian expert who (unbelievably!) actually lived in NZ.
Maruska's in depth knowledge of Namibia and her recommendations really made the trip work. Travelling distances were good, and although we travelled over 7,500 km in 5 weeks, it was very do-able. Maruska listened to our preferences and we were delighted with her choice of accom. We enjoyed having the freedom of travelling in the 4WDs to suit ourselves. I fully expected the odd hiccup when we finished with the vehicles and then were reliant on a complicated series of transfers, boats, small planes with no set schedule, more transfers etc, but it all went according to plan and worked like clockwork.
Full marks to Maruska and your agents in Namibia and Botswana for attention to detail and for putting it all together.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just keep doing what you do so well. Your website is just fantastic, great to read other peoples reviews, which is why I've spent all day putting up all this feedback (Sorry it took so long!).
The Brandt guides to Namibia and Botswana are actually in our local library, and it was from there I picked up the website in the first place. Our copies are well worn from the trip, and there was a bit of a bun fight over who kept them. Maybe one per couple would be good, or at least one per vehicle? The Namibia maps were great and Maruska had highlighted each of our stops which was also great attention to detail. We were very happy with the service we received from Maruska - she's a gem - look after her!" Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Maruska's in depth knowledge of Namibia and her recommendations really made the trip work. Travelling distances were good, and although we travelled over 7,500 km in 5 weeks, it was very do-able. Maruska listened to our preferences and we were delighted with her choice of accom. We enjoyed having the freedom of travelling in the 4WDs to suit ourselves. I fully expected the odd hiccup when we finished with the vehicles and then were reliant on a complicated series of transfers, boats, small planes with no set schedule, more transfers etc, but it all went according to plan and worked like clockwork.
Full marks to Maruska and your agents in Namibia and Botswana for attention to detail and for putting it all together.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just keep doing what you do so well. Your website is just fantastic, great to read other peoples reviews, which is why I've spent all day putting up all this feedback (Sorry it took so long!).
The Brandt guides to Namibia and Botswana are actually in our local library, and it was from there I picked up the website in the first place. Our copies are well worn from the trip, and there was a bit of a bun fight over who kept them. Maybe one per couple would be good, or at least one per vehicle? The Namibia maps were great and Maruska had highlighted each of our stops which was also great attention to detail. We were very happy with the service we received from Maruska - she's a gem - look after her!" Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mrs K
UK
"Namibia - Botswana trip summary"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 23 Jan 2011 and 10 Feb 2011
"As a whole the trip was excellent. We had the most wonderful and at times exciting trip. The trip was in many ways better than we had expected.
Our main intent for taking the trip at that time was for birds with any animal sightings (which we had been advised could be difficult due to high grass and many water holes away from the lodges) being regarded as bonus. In the event we saw most of the possible animals and in close proximity. We missed cats and rhino. Getting around in our not 4X4 was mostly possible though not without some mud and water problems. These could mostly be overcome with a litle thought and careful manoevering of the car.
The lodgings were all great and all very different. People in the lodges and outside were all very friendly and helpful. Grateful too when we gave them lifts.
As is indicated below we were very pleased with the way Sabina dealt with all aspect of setting up the trip for us and especially the way the problem of the delayed outward flight was overcome.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I'm mostly using this box to feed back other findings from the trip for information which may be useful to others. In our information we were told that we needed documentation and to take the car into Botswana that this would be taken from us at the border and that we'd have to purchase another to take the car back into Namibia. None of this happened. Other than the driver filling in details of the car in a book at each of the four posts (out and into Namibia, into and out of Botswana) they weren't particularly interested in the car as such. However, we did have to purchase documents to enter Botswana. These were - 1 year's road tax and 1 month entry permission (for the car) costing together 160 Rand (we had no Pula). I think our information only mentioned the entry permission. The tax thing may be new.
We were able to use debit and credit cards in petrol (Shell) stations in Bowsana though one insisted (at the junction onto the Trans-Kalahari Highway) in taking an amount from the card before pumping gas.
Information on the difficulties relation to the electrical sockets and lack of adapters may be useful." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Our main intent for taking the trip at that time was for birds with any animal sightings (which we had been advised could be difficult due to high grass and many water holes away from the lodges) being regarded as bonus. In the event we saw most of the possible animals and in close proximity. We missed cats and rhino. Getting around in our not 4X4 was mostly possible though not without some mud and water problems. These could mostly be overcome with a litle thought and careful manoevering of the car.
The lodgings were all great and all very different. People in the lodges and outside were all very friendly and helpful. Grateful too when we gave them lifts.
As is indicated below we were very pleased with the way Sabina dealt with all aspect of setting up the trip for us and especially the way the problem of the delayed outward flight was overcome.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I'm mostly using this box to feed back other findings from the trip for information which may be useful to others. In our information we were told that we needed documentation and to take the car into Botswana that this would be taken from us at the border and that we'd have to purchase another to take the car back into Namibia. None of this happened. Other than the driver filling in details of the car in a book at each of the four posts (out and into Namibia, into and out of Botswana) they weren't particularly interested in the car as such. However, we did have to purchase documents to enter Botswana. These were - 1 year's road tax and 1 month entry permission (for the car) costing together 160 Rand (we had no Pula). I think our information only mentioned the entry permission. The tax thing may be new.
We were able to use debit and credit cards in petrol (Shell) stations in Bowsana though one insisted (at the junction onto the Trans-Kalahari Highway) in taking an amount from the card before pumping gas.
Information on the difficulties relation to the electrical sockets and lack of adapters may be useful." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr J & Mrs S
Steyning
""
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 2 Nov 2010 and 20 Nov 2010
"The trip was well planned, and delivered what we expected. We had a lovely time.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
One comment. Your warning about forged 200 rand notes came too late as we had already changed our money and we did have some trouble in getting them accepted.
In addition one petrol station would not take 100 rand notes." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
One comment. Your warning about forged 200 rand notes came too late as we had already changed our money and we did have some trouble in getting them accepted.
In addition one petrol station would not take 100 rand notes." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr & Mrs L
Lyndhurst
"A wonderful trip"
I visited Botswana and 2 other countries between 1 Nov 2010 and 13 Nov 2010
"We had fantastic safaris and a great trip to Victoria Falls where we would recommend the helicopter ride.
All the arrangements went like clockwork and the transfers were all on time and the staff excellent.
Thank you Expert Africa for making it so enjoyable and trouble free we will certainly recommend you to our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We were happy with your service and have no specific comments." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
All the arrangements went like clockwork and the transfers were all on time and the staff excellent.
Thank you Expert Africa for making it so enjoyable and trouble free we will certainly recommend you to our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We were happy with your service and have no specific comments." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs JC
Stroud
""
I visited Namibia between 22 Oct 2010 and 13 Nov 2010
"The main purpose of our trip was to help PAWS with the cheetah and leopard rehabilitation project at Okonjima. We feel privileged to have been part of the team and would certainly consider repeating it at some stage in the future.
As for our 3rd week, I have mixed feelings. I would certainly not advise anyone to travel to Caprivi unless they had more time than we allowed.
I greatly underestimated the time needed to get there and we spent the best part of 5 days in the car for just 2 days in Caprivi. No night game drives were on offer at any of the lodges and we were not allowed out of the vehicle in the Bush. So after the excitement of the first 2 weeks, it was rather tame and somewhat of an anticlimax.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Although my comments relating to our 3rd week are clearly rather negative, they are brought about by our own bad planning and in no way do they reflect on Expert Africa. Tracy was very helpful from the outset and we cannot fault her organizational skills.....we would not hesitate to ask her to help with our next wildlife trip." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
As for our 3rd week, I have mixed feelings. I would certainly not advise anyone to travel to Caprivi unless they had more time than we allowed.
I greatly underestimated the time needed to get there and we spent the best part of 5 days in the car for just 2 days in Caprivi. No night game drives were on offer at any of the lodges and we were not allowed out of the vehicle in the Bush. So after the excitement of the first 2 weeks, it was rather tame and somewhat of an anticlimax.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Although my comments relating to our 3rd week are clearly rather negative, they are brought about by our own bad planning and in no way do they reflect on Expert Africa. Tracy was very helpful from the outset and we cannot fault her organizational skills.....we would not hesitate to ask her to help with our next wildlife trip." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Stroud
"Namibia 2010"
I visited Namibia between 22 Oct 2010 and 13 Nov 2010
"With hindsight, we should have allowed more time for our trip to Caprivi as it was a lot of driving.
We stayed in some very good lodges - for one or two nights - we should have stayed two instead of one. However, this was our choice, taking into account our budget and the time available.
Overall our trip was very good and we enjoyed a bit of luxury after our two weeks in the bush at Okonjima.
I think we were spoiled on the first two weeks for the amount of game we saw and exciting activities as our final weeks journey to Caprivi did not match that. It was however an interesting contrast to see a different part of the country and game sightings are largely a matter of luck!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We have travelled with Expert Africa before and were happy to do so again.
Tracy was always very helpful and did her best to fit in with our wishes." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
We stayed in some very good lodges - for one or two nights - we should have stayed two instead of one. However, this was our choice, taking into account our budget and the time available.
Overall our trip was very good and we enjoyed a bit of luxury after our two weeks in the bush at Okonjima.
I think we were spoiled on the first two weeks for the amount of game we saw and exciting activities as our final weeks journey to Caprivi did not match that. It was however an interesting contrast to see a different part of the country and game sightings are largely a matter of luck!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We have travelled with Expert Africa before and were happy to do so again.
Tracy was always very helpful and did her best to fit in with our wishes." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
283
reviews of Caprivi Strip by travellers since August 2007
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Where to stay in Caprivi Strip
Our suggestions for safari camps in Caprivi Strip
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
Ndhovu is a simple riverside lodge, with tents that are reminiscent of safaris a decade or two ago.
Hakusembe Lodge
Hakusembe River Lodge is a substantial lodge with a superb location on the Kavango River.
Chobe Princesses
The Chobe Princess houseboats offer a memorable way to explore the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers in Namibia's Caprivi. Perfect for a couple or for a group of family or friends.
Lianshulu Lodge
Beside the Kwando River, within Mudumu National Park, Lianshulu is a small safari lodge offering 4WD safaris and river trips – with particularly good birdlife.
Nkasa Lupala
Peaceful Nkasa Lupala is a comfortable lodge in a remote and little-explored area close to Nkasa Rupara National Park.
Nunda River Lodge
NNunda River Lodge overlooks a pretty part of the Kavango River near Popa Falls and the productive Mahango National Park.
Camp Kwando
Near to Mudumu National Park, Camp Kwando is a comfortable and unfussy option with opportunities for game drives, boat safaris and fishing.
Ichingo Chobe Lodge
Safari holiday in Namibia's Caprivi Strip, staying at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge on Impalila Island.
Nambwa Tented Lodge
A beautiful safari lodge In the remote Bwabwata National Park, Nambwa Tented Lodge brings serious comfort to a relaxing safari.
River Dance
Build on stilts on the banks of the Kavango River, River Dance Lodge has great views, a relaxed ambience and excellent birdlife.
Zambezi Queen
The Zambezi Queen offers luxurious two- and three-night cruises along the game-rich Chobe River, including game viewing by small boat and 4WD as well as catch-and-release fishing.
Taranga Lodge
Situated on the banks of the Kavango, Taranga Safari Lodge works as a convenient stopover before going onto explore the Caprivi.
Divava Lodge & Spa
The substantial Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa offers plenty of pampering opportunities in an unspoilt riverside setting
Cascade Island Lodge
Cascade Island Lodge, near Kasane in the Caprivi Strip is a very luxurious, high end option for those seeking peace and privacy on the Zambezi River.
Shametu Lodge
Shametu River Lodge has the best views of the Popa Rapids of any private lodge in the Divundu area.
Jackalberry Camp
Jackalberry Camp is uniquely situated in the Nkasa Rupara National Park affording unrivalled access to this little-visited corner of Namibia.
Namushasha Lodge
One of the larger lodges in the Bwabwata National Park, Namushasha is an economic option with an attractive river-side location.
Kazile Island Lodge
On an island in the Kwando River within Bwabwata National Park, the remote Kazile lsland Lodge offers games drives, bush walks and boat cruises.
Serondela
Accessible only by river, Serondela combines the remoteness of Namibia’s Caprivi Strip with access to Botswana’s flagship Chobe National Park.
Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe Savanna Lodge stands opposite Chobe National Park, Botswana. Click here to learn more about the area and your options for a safari there.
Chobe Water Villas
Chobe Water Villas is a beautiful and thoughtfully designed lodge, in a great location on the Namibian banks of the Chobe River.
