Travel reviews by Mr S & Miss McD from UK

"We had a delightful stay at Savuti and it set the standard for the rest of our trip. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Our guide, Lazi, was first rate and because we had hired a private vehicle we were able to do what we had intended. The highlight was undoubtedly seeing the pack of 19 wild dogs close up. The boat trip on the channel proved to be a wonderful way of viewing the elephants and provided some excellent photo opportunities. All in all we saw the animals we had expected. The dogs were a real bonus.

The management were very helpful indeed and eager to ensure we got the most out of our holiday. I must thank Grant Atkinson for all his tips on photography even though he was not our guide."

"We have had many safaris around the world and I have to say that our four camp trip to Botswana was, from the point of view of variety of animals, locations, hospitality and knowledgeable guides, the best one we have undertaken. This was helped by the fact that we had arranged our own private vehicle.

Our guide in Chitabe, Gordon, was outstanding. If one wishes to see leopards this is a camp to visit. We saw thirteen throughout the trip, seven of which were in Chitabe. The young elephants in and around the camp made for some on-foot, not to be missed encounters, as did the female lion with her two 18 month old cubs.

It was my wife, Caroline's, 60th birthday whilst were in Chitabe Lediba and we must thank Mwalusi and the staff for making it such a wonderful celebratory occasion."

"As part of our 4 camp trip to Botswana this water-based camp was the one that my wife, Caroline, was looking forward to most of all. She was not disappointed. The Mokoro trips were a lot of fun even allowing for the adolescent male elephant who seemed to delight in making our sundowners more adrenelin pumping than usual with fake charges, turning his back on us,walking away only to stop have a quick think and then come back for another round of trumpeting and ears flapping. Fortunately our guide, Bafana, seemed to understand exactly when it was time to leave. and calmly head back to the water. These encounters with young bulls appear quite common in Botswana and the guides are extremely adept at dealing with these situations.

The birdlife at this camp is enchanting and our binoculars were in full use. The hippos and lechwe make for exciting trips on the narrow channels.

Danielle and Peter made our stay really special and we must thank them for all the trouble they went to, particluarly the candle-lit dinner they laid on for us on our last night.

Jacana also offers the opportunity for a spot of tiger fishing and it is a real thrill to land one of these wee beasties. If you go to Tubu Tree after Jacana, do go by water rather than air, There is so much to see."

"There are so many great memories of this camp. The sheer number of elephants that we saw in the actual camp was extraordinary. At one point I counted 35 of them around our room. We also had a visit on our first day from the Botswana Baboon Olympic Trampoline team who had a training session on the roof of our Meru tented room. It was memorable and fun to listen to, for a while. A quick beating of a stick on the verandah, however, ensured that this was not repeated again during our stay, which in some ways was a pity.

Then there was the male lion. I have seen many and been close to many lions but when one walks right alongside, and I mean right alongside, your open-sided vehicle, so close that you can smell his bad breath, looking as though he has just come off the set of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, there is something which makes you hold your own breath, and sit quite still so that he continues to think you are a fixture of the vehicle. Our guide, Kambango, was remarkably diligent staying well after sundown to ensure that we saw the nocturnal animals that we had tasked him to find. The African "kangaroo" is an amusing little hare which hops along on its hind legs.

Eloise and Hien are efficient hosts and the last meal in Botswana that they laid on for us by the pool was quite special. Thanks are due to them for all their kindness."