Travel reviews by U family from Saltash

"Wonderful welcome by staff singing a Setswana song. Small, intimate, natural camp which allows you to experience bucket showers and campfire chats (meeting people from all over Europe and USA). Beauty is a lovely manager and Esse is an excellent guide.

At this camp, we probably had our best experience of close encounters with mainly sightings of individual animals: elephant, giraffe, kudu, lion, waterbuck, warthog, fish eagle and crocodile (on other side of water!). We had a very enjoyable 1/2 hour with a mother hyena and her cubs; literally 2m away. Good groups of red lechwe, impala and zebra; also dwarf mongoose, plus various large wading birds like Marabou, saddle-billed and gap-billed stork.

In June, the camp has enough water bordering it to support views of Hippos from your lodge veranda. We had an excellent sundowner, again with Hippos, allowing numerous photos to be taken at leisure, in stunning lighting."

"On our way from light aircraft to camp, our guide (Tabo) asked us what hadn't we seen yet. We said wildebeest; he said give me 5 seconds and we turned a corner to see a herd by a waterhole. Warm greeting by manager. Beautiful arrangement of towels on our bed. All staff seem keen to have the opportunity to interact with guests here, culminating in a wonderful half-hour impromptu performance of Setswana singing and dancing before our evening meal. A truly uplifting experience.

This was our second camp and gave us the opportunity to see larger herds of animals. The highlight was seeing a group of wild dogs, near to their den. They had just eaten and the blood on their coats was very evident. Tabo and his tracker (Bomen) gave us ample time to observe and take photos from within 3 to 10 metres. Our first observation of lilac breasted roller, in my view the most beautiful bird in Botswana. When close to a large group of elephants, Tabo explained that what might seem threatening to us, was just posturing (eg mock charges).

On the evening drive, we had close viewing of two male lions (brothers). The setting sun coloured their manes as they relaxed, seemingly unperturbed in front of us. We finished the day being joined by a group of elephants around a water hole for sundowners. Early on the second morning, we were just about to board our vehicle, when the camp manager, spotted a lion moving through the grass, away from the camp. (Later there was amusing banter between her and the guides.) We quickly went in pursuit and caught up with the same pair of lions. This time we were able to observe them moving through long grass and between stubby trees, again from a short distance away.

Saw our first herd of buffalo, for me the most challenging group to get a well composed photo of. A group of 5 Marabou stork around a small water hole. These birds have real character. Each in turn glided from one side to the other which enabled the chance for photos in flight. Great "photo shoot" with a pair of wildebeest. Like two fashion models, striking poses, giving artistic shots. Small group of impala attached to a female kudu, using her as a lookout for danger. Later, same morning a group of 5 lions. Two adult females and 3 six month old youngsters. They were hunting. We waited with them, in case a potential meal came by. After a while a small group of warthog did come close, but the lions did not pursue. Our guide said the warthogs had seen them. The lions then relaxed and we got great close-up images of group resting on a termite mound. Hippo in water hole and giraffe and wildebeest close by while we had morning coffee. Back to camp then off to plane to transfer to next camp."

"We chose Shinde (our 3rd camp) to give us the chance to experience mokoro and motorboat rides, together with a shortish walk (about 1 hour). A couple of game drives were also provided. The mokoro ride was a lot more comfortable than I had anticipated, as the craft have been adapted for tourists. I got an excellent close-up shot of a painted reed frog, after my guide Patoki had very patiently pointed it out with his pole. My wife and daughter were in a separate mokoro with a guide called Colin. Both guides manoeuvred and glided so that we could take photos of each other. This experience is so peaceful and relaxing.

The previous evening we had a motorboat ride and on our way back, news came over the radio of a sighting of lions. We were asked if we wanted to try and see the lions. When we agreed we made a bee-line for the water's edge, landed and quickly transferred to a waiting vehicle. We then sped off in pursuit. This was a true James Bond-like experience. It also showed what lengths this camp will go to make your stay fulfilling, of which more below. We found the lions just before dark and were able to use an infra-red lamp to light them up. They were unbothered by this and we had another great experience.

On our walk, our main guide Aubrey explained the nutritional significance of the different grasses and trees. And the effects of elephants on various types of tree. We also learnt about the relative efficiency of the digestion systems of elephants, zebra and giraffe. Later we were instructed in how lions digest and excrete the remains of a meal; this after we came across a pile of fur which had once been a red lechwe.

A special mention to Jono and Justine, the camp managers. They are excellent. Nothing is too much trouble for them; they treat everyone individually and their attention to detail is a lesson for many hotels. One example is the provision of a decanter of sherry and glasses in your lodge prior to evening meal!"

"I know you come to see the flora and fauna, but the layout and design of this camp can't go without mention. Lagoon lies by the side of the Kwando river with views towards Namibia. There are a couple of shaded, decked areas with seating to look out over the river. The lodges, restaurant and bar area are all reed thatched buildings and have real character. As this was our 4th camp, we thought it would be a challenge for our guides to find something new. But we weren't to be disappointed.

First sighting of a Martial eagle, then introduced to a grey lori (also called the go-away bird) after its cry and apparent ability to warn animals of approaching humans. Our guides Carlos and Ishmael said in the past that hunters would shoot the bird then the game!! Another first, a gorgeous solitary Steenbok. Yellow-billed hornbills (knickname the flying banana) as well as the more usual red-billed variety provided our escort. Best group of giraffes so far, an imposing pair of tawny eagles and a lion with two cubs, these just 4 months old. So over 4 camps we have seen cubs at 3 different stages of development. At this camp in June, we did a lot of driving/tracking on the morning drive, with a more leisurely drive in the evening.

At breakfast, on a chilly morning, an elephant was wading half deep in the river by the camp. An experienced traveller (pilot and tour guide from Namibia said the elephant was crazy!!) Again, the changing light and various shades of grasses provided an artistic backdrop for a shot of a reedbuck. Also a beautiful small group of young, female waterbuck. Taken to the site of an elephants grave with numerous bones and a complete skull. Saw ostriches for the first time, then a great coffee break watching a group of some 20 elephants having a drinks break too. This group included a very cute baby, so young it could not yet use its trunk.

Woodpecker and black collared barbet on view in tree overlooking river in our camp, in early afternoon. Then later were pointed out an eagle owl, which to my mind was well covered by leaves/ branches. Again, our ever willing guides, positioned us so that we were able to get very clear shots for photos. Enormous monitor lizard lounging on a log, then giant and also pied kingfisher. As our final evening drew to a close, word came over the radio that a leopard was on the edge of our camp. Some exhilarating driving brought us back, then a quick glimpse of a leopard moving through the bushes near the camp entrance. We took up position, and using the headlights in the failing light, saw it emerge into full view.

It calmly strolled away from us and disappeared into the night. As we set out on our last morning, a couple of teenage elephants trumpeting at us as we passed between them. Our bags were brought straight to the airstrip with a packed lunch for a return flight to Maun, so that we made the best use of time. The final bit of excitement was driving fast alongside the runway to chase off a trio of wildebeest so that the plane could land safely."