Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs M from Queensland

"Game viewing was generally good , and the level of guiding and tracking was satisfactory but I was disappointed that my request for room 1 was ignored, as was the case last year. In both years that room was allocated to 1st time visitors. My wife and I have now spent a total of 60 nights in Kwando camps, but our loyalty is not reciprocated. In this case I believe that the problem lies at camp manager level"

"Outstanding guiding and tracking by Spencer and Aaron who were far in front of others I had for sheer professionalism Excellent wild dog sighting. A happy camp well managed by Duff. A staff concert one evening was a highlight"

"Once again my modest requests for a particular tent and guide were not met, but Charles did come up with an explanation regarding the tent mix up which was acceptable. Moeti was present and available, but apparently my request for his services did not reach the camp.If we revisit Botswana it will probably not be with Kwando as I have found W/S to be much more responsive to the requests of return guests

Some excellent lion and wild dog sightings"

"Game viewing was very patchy as the rains had only arrived at the time I did. I took a gamble and it misfired. Nevertheless an interesting and enjoyable change of environment. A well appointed and well run camp with very attentive staff under the management of Bonnie and Clyde !!!!!"

"Friendly and hospitable staff provided a very good service.

Two very minor issues

1.We arrived after 4pm (courtesy of Air Botswana) and our tent was sealed up and stiflingly hot. I would have thought there would be no problem in airing the tent on the departure of the pick up transport.to the airport.

2. We had to pay our bar bill in U.S.dollars as they were unable to process a credit card, I did'nt ask what happens if you do not carry dollars."

"We generally had a good time here with good game sightings and service. Our guide was due for leave and it showed, but as I have provided Kwando with feedback will not pursue that issue here

. All radio conversations between the 2 Kwara camps guides were in Setswana, which I understand is contrary to company policy, and some guides speed unnecessarily ( e.g to view resting cheetahs and for lunch} to the extent that one of our car companions complained.. Hobbs and probably other guides were not involved in this, but some guide retraining/supervision is needed at the Kwara camps. In hindsight I should have raised this issue with Lizzie but did not.

Lizzie and her staff ( particularly Cassie) provided a welcoming and happy camp environment, and we had an excellent tracker in Kenny

This was the only camp which did nor provide the specific tent which we had requested, but tent 4 was perfectly satisfactory so we did not raise the issue. You should be interested, however, in the fact that our vehicle companions, a couple from the U.S who had been married for 30 odd years, and had only booked in August, were allocated the honeymoon tent."

"We arrived a few hours before the first summer storm, and lost a few hours game viewing but we had expected that. Game viewiing slightly disappointing, but that's the luck of the draw.

This must now be the Kwando flagship with outstanding accommodation and an extremely high level of hospitality under the highly effecient and personable Thuso'

Sugar was a cheerful and competent guide, and P.D an excellent tracker"

"We were the only guests for the first 2 nights, so could arrange the timetable to suit ourselves in consultation with a/manager Mapilo. Had some amazing sightings. including four female lions , after unsuccessfully hunting warthog, ambushing and starting to suffocate a baby hippo, but thwarted by the arrival of 2 adult hippos who chased off the lions and nudged the very sick baby into the lagoon.

We also tracked a large male leopard to where he was resting with a freshly killed warthog and saw the amazing strength of him in carrying his kill up a tree. We returned the next day to find six lions on the scent of the kill, but it was well out of reach.

Our good game viewing was almost entirely due to the excellent tracking skills of Moeti (Mr Mo) who was truly outstanding"

"A nice and relaxing change of pace with comfortable accommodation and excellent hosting. Was so nice to tie up at night at a remote spot and watch elephant, kudu, impala, etc. come down to drink a few yards away. For the last night we had the boat to ourselves. The manager, Given, and our guide Raymond were very good but the star of the show was the chef Eustace who produced beautifully presented and prepared meals.

The only area in need of improvement is the provision of some form of insect screening in the dining area in the evening. There are a number of inexpensive options on the market"

"We arrived as the summer storms set in, and witnessed some spectacular sound and light shows. Saw a solitary collared wild dog contact calling, and also a pack of 8 near the camp. Also saw a previously unsighted group of 1 sub-adult and 2 female lions near Pukwe Pan. Excellent tracking by Voter

Onty (plus OB) and the tireless Ras. worked hard under dIffiicult weather conditions to keep guests happy. Beautiful staff singing before dinner enhanced the experience."

"Safari camp accommodation without the associated high costs. Is in a fenced game farm with non threatening species such as eland, giraffe, zebra, impala , roaming freely. Can walk with safety and get the kinks out of the system.

For us it was an ideal spot to rest up and prepare for the real safaris"

"Accommodation, hospitality, service and friendliness of all staff was excellent. We had a very good guide in Dutch and enjoyed all the activities.

There had recently been rain, and the area was relatively lush with knee high grass. Sightings included oryx, springbok. honey badger, giraffe, bat eared fox and other more common species. Other guests sighted 4 lions on Tau Pan , but we were some distance away and it was too dark by the time we got back"

"Excellent accommodation, service and hospitality. Initially we and our car mates were unhappy with our guide who appeared uncommunicative and opinionated. After a word with Warren, the manager, the situation improved significantly.

This guide is highly regarded by management and by previous guests judging by comments in the visitors book, so we obviously struck him on an off day.

Game viewing was excellent, and included wild dog, cheetah, leopard and a small herd of sable"

"Large areas of Hundu island were inundated by the flood and this impacted on our game viewing. Nevertheless we enjoyed our stay here. Kambango was an excellent guide, and managers Justin and Jackie and all camp staff were very welcoming and hospitable.

Saw a good selection of plains game and a nice sighting of 2 male bushbuck.

Wake up time here was 6am, which seemed to be more sensible that the 5.30 time at the other 2 WS camps, where game drives commenced well before sunrise. Not a complaint, merely an observation."

"All round excellence. Cannot see how things could be realistically improved. Great accommodation, pro active management and staff and great guiding by Anthony

Significant sightings included lions on a warthog kill, a very photogenic leopard, a large pack of wild dogs, and hyena pups playing outside their den"