Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs W from NHants

"The first of 4 camps visited in our 10 night trip to Botswana. Kwara camp had a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere with very hospitable staff who always had a friendly and welcoming smile. Attentive at all times. The camp has a pleasant location looking across to the lagoon.

Game drives were always interesting with lots of lions, as well as healthy showings of general game and birdlife. The visit to the heronry late afternoon was a highlight, as well as the exciting boat ride back ( tip - wear sunglasses and a necktie that you can put across your mouth as the flies in the fast return wind can be a nuisance). Whilst Kwara had mokoros for guests the mokoro trip at Kanana camp was a lot more interesting and rewarding.

From a constructive point of view

a) the Toyota safari vehicles seemed to be under-powered compared to other camps.

b) more proactive vehicle and boat maintenance is required. The equipment gets a lot of heavy usage on sandy and water clogged tracks. One of the vehicles broke down on a morning drive; 2 of the 3 boats were out of action. The first boat trip to the heronry was cancelled because of engine problems, ok for us as we went the next night but disappointing for one couple who left the camp the next morning.

c) the camp was looking a bit 'tired' compared to other camps. Again proactive rather than reactive maintenance would help.

d) the family of baboons were a bit too intrusive at times. A swimming pool should be a swimming pool - not a drinking pool for baboons. Close the pool or keep the animals out. ( I appreciate its the bush but seeing young children swim in a pool where animals have drank isnt my idea of great hygiene)

All in all a very pleasant 3 days. No hesitation in going back again to Kwara."

"Our second camp for 3 nights. A wonderful location, with our tented lodge verandah right next to the Kwando river. Very pleasant sitting watching the hippos,or the great bird life. Sharing our garden'with our elephant friend' was no hardship! Slightly more spacious rooms and shower area than Kwara. All of the staff were very pleasant happy smiling attentive people who entertained the guests with their traditional dance and singing on our last night. Good food. Friendly relaxed atmosphere.

Guides worked tirelessly to satisfy guest 'wish lists' on animals and birds. Hunting with a large pack of wild dogs one late afternoon, and following 3 cheetahs, were very special moments for us. Lagoon had 'a more maintained and fresher feel' than its sister camp at Kwara. From the furnishing to the books left for guest reference reading.

Only downside was that the river excursions were not possible as the boat was away being repaired ( for more than a month??). This was the only negative in an otherwise great 3 night stay."

"For our third camp in Botswana ( 2 nights) we wanted the 'bush experience' with hurricane lamps, no electricity ( solar generator for battery re-charging), drop toliets and bag showers. As well as the opportunity just to walk from the camp and see nature from a metre rather than the back of a safari vehicle. We were not disappointed with the experience.

Finding the full skeleton of an elephant on the morning bush walk was an education. Seeing hundreds of carmine bee eaters leaving their ground nests, following a 2.5 metre python ( what a beautiful creature) into the base of an old tree were also very memorable. Going the opposite way to a black mamba was sensible! Seeing the male and female leopard on our return to the air strip was also very special.

We were amazed by the quaility and variety of the food on offer at the meal times, especially given the bush kitchen location. We needed the walks to lose the calories the camp was piling on us ! Home made bread and cakes, freshly made mushroom soup, quail casserole, chicken madras ,etc etc. Hot water delivered to your tent side bowl morning and evening. Hot water for the bucket shower on demand.

Sitting by the bush fire with a cold drink ( and yes they could even produce ice cubes) listening to the night sounds. Terrific !
Travel light as possible - like most camps there is a daily laundry service.
Highly recommended as a contrast to the ' more pampered bush experiences'

Walking is by far the best activity at the camp. Game drives were good and educational. Not the best location we had seen for mokoro."

"Our 4th and final camp in our 10 night Botswana trip ( 2 nights, would have preferred 3). We had the very good fortune to be the only guests on our first night attended to by a staff of 23 - superb! Very very comfortable spacious rooms and main lodge. Very well appointed and maintained.

The only camp with mosquito nets. Regardless of the fact that we didnt see or hear any mosquitoes in the 10 days we think it is 'comforting' to sleep under a net, for any types of bugs. The net windows act as a 'hide' which is great fun when you have a full adult male elephant standing at the tent side munching on the nearby tree at lunch time or at midnight. 'Denise wake up...there's an elephant at the window...'

Probably the best food on our trip ( and the other 3 camps were very good), great variety and amount...another 5 kgs added to the body mass from the experience! The staff were all very attentive, incredbly happy and caring. Starting the day at 6am with tea or coffee delivered to your room ( complete with warthog tea cosy) and finishing the day with a night cap at the camp fire - just magic!

A great location and area especially for water based activities. The early morning boat riide through the delta channels together with an 1.5-2 hour mokoro 'safari ( ride, short island walks, ride) was probably the best moment of a great 10 day trip. The scale and life of the nearby Heronry was also a very special sight.The game drives were educational.

A wonderful experience to round off our final few days in Botswana."