Travel reviews by Ms B & Mr S from Aberdeen

"Incredibly welcoming lodge with lovely caring and interested staff. It set the tone for the high standards for all the camps. We arrived at late lunchtime, long after the Brunch had been served, yet were thoughtfully provided with a light meal. We can single out Tiny as a wonderful ambassadress for both Botswana and the Camp.

Our guide Newman obviously loves his job and he gave us great insights into the area and his special passion: the Wild Dogs. ( We had a thrilliing time following a pack. For the first 20 minutes I couldn't focus my camera or binoculars: my eyes were filled with tears!) We never felt that any of the species we viewed were 'pushed' or hassled in any way by the drivers.

One thing that might have been helpful in the public area is a prominent large scale map of the area showing the camp's location in the region and then an even larger one where we could plot where we had been on each drive. This would be true for all the camps we visited. Some did have maps but they were faded or too small for elderly eyes!"

"The flight in from Chitabe flew over the delta proper and it was such a privelege to fly over this untouched and spectacular wildernes; Ireland does not have the monopoly on '40 shades of green' ! Each flight was far more than a taxi link - it was an expeience to rival the land-based drives!

The decor in this camp was beautiful. I was torn between trying to photograph the animals and capture the interiors of our room! All the staff were friendly and very helpful; it was like a houseparty with friends instead of visiting a 'hotel'. As a typically reserved Brit I was initially sceptical of this arrangement but thanks to the lovely staff (Uno and Karen in particular) it was home from home.

Highlight had to be the mokorro ride where we felt we were truly 'in the Delta'. (But watch out for sunburn from the reflections from the water.) Sharp-eyed guides found us Cape Clawless Otters and were patient as we tried to photograph the jewel-like frogs whilst not upsetting the dugout.

We might have appreciated a little more local knowledge/opportunity to seek out more of the Delta's endemic species of birds - as at all camps the emphasis was on the mammals and as birders we sometimes felt that we would have liked support from a local fellow birder eg no-one semed to know if the Pels Fishing Owl was around. (We did find a pair!).

The drives were through lots of high water but Lazarus our guide was an expert off-roader!"

"Another awe-inspiring flight from Little Vumbura to this camp. Beware the thermals can make for a bumpy ride and I lost my lunch! Next time I'd take a travel pill. Diana kindly took me straight to my room and provided pills and fresh ginger to settle my stomach. She was a thoughtful and very professional hostess.

The beautiful room looked right out onto the channel and had elephant crashing by at night and wading out midstream in the moonlight - not captured on film but indelibly printed in the memory bank!

Another friendly and highly professional team made our last few days in Botswana a real pleasure. Each drive was a treat : Ant took as much delight in showing us the 'small things' as he did in pointing out the big game and gentle Goodman showed a heartwarming love and respect for the animals.

As with each camp, we noticed the general lack of interest in birds, although Goodman and Ant were quick to stop for us when we asked, but they did have to consider the interests of the others in the vehicle. Perhaps it could be possble to ask each new arrival what their wishes are and match up teams in the vehicles a little better?

Our last morning was the best bit because Ant kindly took the two of us out for a birding walk. it was good to feel the ground beneath our feet and experience Botswana from a lion's eye perspective: he is great company and although the lions were roaring in the distance we had every faith in his considerable expertise. He helped us to run some of the LBJs to ground at long last. Thanks for that, Ant, hope it didn't spoil your morning off!"

"A fantastic setting and welcoming, caring staff. Friendly Brian, our guide for the boatride and next day's visit to the Falls, made us at home. Big airy rooms with river views. Note that I said rooms. Here I felt that it was run as a hotel despite the tents.

Brian was very interested in birds and was happy to 'put in' at any spot on the river where we caught up some species. We loved the small boatride and looked down our noses a bit at the booze cruisers; we could sip gin and sit alongside the Carmine Bee-eaters.

We enjoyed the food and again ate en-famille. It might have been nice to introduce everyone first though. But with us all having had such wonderful experiences, conversation soon flowed as quickly as the wine.

The visit to the Falls was breath-taking and Brian knew all the good sites for the photos."