Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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77 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
David Jackson
Reviewed August 2016
Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana (WZT)
This trip delivered everything it promised,helped by unbroken clear skys. As with all Exodus trips the notes were accurate and should not be left unread, a wildcamping safari is just what it says! So lucky to join a group of mature travelers to whom laughing was second nature, it really does help!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to list, unique animal behavior, glorious bread made fresh in an iron pot over embers, the night sky, the optional activities.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam and Vasco were absolutely on top of their job nothing was too much trouble or left to chance. Vasco's skill produced some outstanding wildlife encounters.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do take note of the trip notes, if it says cool nights thats what it means. A real treasure of a trip if you love African wilderness. Do save some extra cash for the optional extras which were so worth doing.
Louise Dunn
Reviewed June 2016
Beautiful Botswana!
This is an excellent trip that I’d highly recommend. The pristine wilderness of Botswana, the plentiful wildlife and the variety of activities on this trip made it a holiday to remember forever.
Most Inspirational Moment
Pretty much everything we did was amazing on this trip. We were very lucky to see two male leopards in the Khwai reserve next to Moremi, endangered African wild dogs (one pair with 10 pups and a the next day a group of 5 dogs hunting), male lions (three times in Moremi) and a pride of lions in Savuti including about 6 cubs and 3 lionesses feasting on a wildebeest. Of course, there were many elephants too who will visit your camps in Savuti and Moremi and also zebra, impala, kudo, buffalo, wildebeest and beautiful birdlife too. The Okavango delta is really beautiful and I really enjoyed the Mokoro rides and the game walks. Also, it is really worth doing some of the optional extras at Victoria Falls - I did the white water rafting, 15 minute helicopter flight and the sunset dinner cruise. I would recommend all of these without hesitation.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was great and very friendly. Kenny was a man on a mission when it came to tracking down the animals and as I mentioned we were lucky to find leopards and wild dogs and this was definitely down to his efforts. The guys who cooked for us at camp were also amazing and I don't know how they consistently served up such great food on the camp fire (including freshly baked bread!).
Advice for Potential Travellers
I went in June which is a really great time to visit. It's their winter but this means it's clear blue sunny skies and about 28 degrees every day which was perfect. The sun goes down at 6pm and then it turns cold which makes it more comfortable for sleeping but ensure you have some warmer clothes for the evenings. For the long drives the truck is open sided so take a lightweight scarf to protect your face from sand and wind and a warm jacket like a fleece and maybe some gloves and warm hat. There are some mosquitoes in Victoria Falls so take a mosi net for your tent as these are not provided. I used Incognito products instead of Deet and got no bites all trip. The optional Chobe sunset cruise is a must and as I said before it's definitely worth paying for the optional activities in Victoria Falls. Be aware that there are 4 staff that you will need to tip at the end rather than the normal one leader you have on most trips so factor this into your budget. The tips came to about $160 in the end although it's up to you what you give. Be aware that if there are more than 8 of you booked on a tour then the vehicle will be cramped. We had 7 which was just right as no one had to sit wedged in a middle seat with a worse view.
Vanessa Moss
Reviewed May 2016
Wildlife and Wilderness of Botswana
Day 1
Landed at one of the smallest airports I have ever seen in Maun on a a two propped plane.
Temperature 31 degrees, holiday has begun.
I meet the group there are 5 of us.
Our guide Sam (Samason Chihohwa) explains we need to change 100 dollars to local currency for tips and meals this side of the border.
So with 4 different currencies in my wallet……
To Audi camp via the Choppie Store to purchase water and snacks.
Warm showers great us and the first sight of our tented homes.
Day 2 – Okavango Delta
Today we headed into the delta as we drove we saw zebra, an elephant and even a giraffe.
What a start to the day.
At the poling station we were met by 5 members of a local tribe who took us by canoe to set up camp in the wilderness.
Toilet built and camp shower all set up in minutes.
We had a rest whilst the hottest part of the day passed. Baboons in the tree tops.
At 4.30pm we took our first walking safari, very strange experience no safety of a jeep and no rifles to be seen. Just us, our guides and their experience. Concerned that the safety briefing (orientation) may be remembered wrongly. Run from a buffalo not a lion. Yep that’s right.
We were met by a loan Impala, a wart hog family and hippos, what a noise they make letting us know we were in their space. They blow water from their snouts so far it’s like a fountain.
Baboons again greeted us as we arrived back at our camp just before dark.
Camp fire dinner of rice and spiced stew.
The stars are amazing and the forest noises sometimes worrying.
Tomorrow we get up at 6am and walk again I wonder what we will see.
Day 3
Coffee and rusks at 6am and off for our second walking safari.
Today the first thing moving other than the various birds flying was birds of a very different kind ostriches running away from us. There were 5 in all the female is a slightly different colour to aid incubation apparently.
The male is black as takes his turn on the nest at night and the female lighter brown.
Lots of animal prints. Ostrich, aardvark, elephant, hippo. Interestingly hippo and rhino prints are similar except that hippo has 4 toes and rhino effectively the middle two are joined making one larger pad.
As we walked we saw buffalo and used a termite mound to approach closer without disturbing them. Yes because it’s run from a buffalo.
Impala were seen near a water hole, we sat a while watching them before zebra joined us to.
Before walking back towards camp.
On route and as if to add icing to the cake a loan elephant walked past. I wonder if that elephant thinks we are the mad ones walking in the sun.
In the heat of the day brunch and bush shower before our canoe cruise at 5pm.
Just before our sunset canoe ride sitting in the shade I hear an excuse me from one of the tribe. Elephant he says.
Not just one several make the crossing right in front of our camp. Biggest leading, smallest at the rear. Then minutes later another herd.
5pm sunset ride a giraffe is spotted in the distance we quickly reverse and land the canoe. We are facing the sun so we try to creep around on land to get the sun behind us.
Back in the canoe we continue to a spot to watch the sunset. Whilst waiting the hippos grunt and let us know they are there, there is also a fish eagle in the distance perched on a tree.
Tonight’s dinner chicken stew with mashed potatoes.
Tomorrow we leave this part of the delta.
Day 4
This morning our last game walk.
We came across house sparrow weaver birds protecting their nests from a little owl of all things in broad daylight. The owl attacked at least one nest while we were there and looked like it would be hanging around a while yet.
We stopped at the hippo pool they were shier today. A bird was having its own safari on the back of one, the hippo didn’t manage to dislodge it even though he went under water.
On the way back we saw the giraffe we had seen against the sun the night before a large male.
Before we reloaded the canoes and headed back towards Maun for supplies and a shower before our afternoon flight.
4pm Delta flight (Optional)
You get some kind of scale from above. The delta is a huge area. Lots of elephant herds below and hippos from above look even more comical. We had we are told a rare sighting of 5 rhinos. Not something the pilots see every day. Ours was keen to make sure he looked out for them on his next fight.
Our main guide Sam explains that some areas that are badly poached for rhino are sending rhinos to Botswana for their protection as poaching is not a problem here. For the 2 million population of the whole country there is plenty of work.
Day 5 – Makgadikgadi
Long drive to the salt pan.
All our shoes have to be brought out at the veterinary station to treat to prevent foot and mouth.
We stop for a picnic on route and to purchase firewood for cooking tonight.
A walk on the pan before watching sunset by the fire.
We are told it will be cold tonight and in the morning may be 5 or 7 degrees so got the coat out handy.
We saw 2 southern ground hornbills, some zebra and a stein bok on route.
Day 6
5.30am wake up to be packed and driving by 7.30am.
Very cold, but the quietest night we have had no wild noises out here.
The drive is long passing through national reserves. Elephant, giraffe and other smaller animals occasionally line the route.
Border controls and visa obtained and onwards to Victoria Falls.
Tonight’s dinner at a traditional African restaurant. Chicken Piri Piri I had with popcorn and small peanuts as a snack with drinks. Very nice.
Day 7 – Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls National Park.
Prepared to get wet with camera in a dry bag we headed into the park. 16 view points the first 3 not too wet however we were then in for a soaking.
Lots of rainbows absolutely drenched and dressed as if walking in the Cotswolds.
Actually it’s quite nice being wet in the heat of the day.
Having dried off a little we headed to The Victoria Falls hotel as recommended by a family member before travelling. However the path we had taken earlier now has 5 elephants on it having a late breakfast so we thought better of it and took the road.
At the hotel we headed straight out onto the veranda and ordered coffee and cheese cake. The nicest cheese cake I have had for sometime.
There were wart hogs patrolling the immaculate lawns.
It’s a great view. One of the guards asked if we had been bungee jumping. I think I’ll pass.
Dinner Cruise tonight (Optional)
On the dinner cruise we saw more hippos these ones were in much deeper water than we had seen before.
We also witnessed the engagement of a German Couple.
Most people were dressed for dinner and then there was our table. The safari campers.
We watched sunset before dinner of butternut squash soup, bream and more cheese cake I can definitely recommend this cruise. Choice of food and drink.
Day 8 – Chobe
We leave Victoria Falls and head to Thebe River Camp.
This afternoon we take a cruise on the Chobe.
This was a fantastic trip and if you are a photographer keen amateur or otherwise you may use a whole card just on this, you get very close to a nest colony of bee eaters.
We were very lucky and saw a pride of lions hunting a water buffalo although the buffalo was giving as good as it got.
Bee Eaters were brilliantly colourful and elephants in the water.
It was a brilliant cruise lots of photos taken to remember it by.
Day 9 – Savuti
Early start getting up at 5.30am before packing up camp and taking a morning game drive along by the river we cruised in last night.
Lots of buffalo and giraffe.
The beautifully coloured lilac breasted rollers and lots of hornbills and fish eagles line the route.
On leaving the park we hit the main road momentarily before back on the massaging sandy and bumpy surface on the way to the marsh where there are lots of elephants. A lot of them are missing parts of their tails because in this part of Botswana the lions have learnt to hunt elephants.
In the middle of nowhere is our camp site and you won’t believe what we have for dinner. Fish and chips, honestly who’d have thought that possible!
It was really nice.
We are really wild camping. I am desperately hoping I don’t have to get up in the night.
Day 10
6am our breakfast is coffee and rusks so we can head out straight away for our first game drive of the day.
We are looking for lions and we are not disappointed our wildlife guide (Kenny) tells us to get out video ready because we are going to see some loving.
A large male and a female lie in the grass and we now realise Kenny isn’t joking. Twice we see the male mount the female and strut his stuff.
Kenny explains this goes on all day for a week and neither eat anything in that time ‘whatever happened to wine and dine’.
We had an incredible view, but all decided a female lions life isn’t one we fancy.
In 3 months she should have some cubs.
There is a lot of wildlife out this morning and the tinniest elephant crosses our path before another trumpets at us.
Brunch and a bush shower meet us when we return to camp.
4.30pm afternoon game drive to the water holes to see the elephant herds come together for bath time at sunset.
Day 11 – Moremi
We get up early to break camp and head out of this reserve onto the next and last wild camping experience of this trip.
Although we were told by having bush showers yesterday we would wash away our luck. Within 5 minutes of driving we have 5 wild dogs running in front of us. This is a special and rare sighting and we are told to take as many pictures as possible. Leaning out of the vehicle and on a bumpy road not quite as easy as it sounds.
The lions are still within 100 metres of where we saw them yesterday and yes they are still mating!
A black backed jackal and bat eared foxes are also about today.
Giraffe seem to be everywhere they have no where to hide.
Arrived at our second wild camp site. This one initially felt less in the wilderness than the first it was nearer the park gate. However I was wrong…..
Lions had walked past us very close by when we set up camp. The paw prints in the sand gave them away.
Kenny follows them on our afternoon game drive and we came across two females and a male. The females were looking to hunt as the light faded. The male it seems again had other things on its mind.
What is it with these lions!
We watched them setting up for a hunt until the light began to go and we headed back to camp.
T Bone steak for dinner.
Day 12
Our last full day of game drives and wild camping before returning to Maun tomorrow.
We have been lucky with what we have seen so far.
Again 6am wake up and Coffee and rusks before we first headed in search of a leopard. Our guides had heard one in the night.
We headed past the hippos the river appearing to steam in the cold of the morning. Most were already under water keeping warm.
Our guides were convinced we were on the trail of a leopard and after some severe off road driving we spotted it tiny and camouflaged in the grass.
She was hunting.
We followed her for a while before leaving her in peace to look for lunch.
So of the big 5 we have all of them under our belts and wild dogs as a bonus.
If the holiday finished now it wouldn’t be disappointing. As we have been very lucky and it was a fantastic morning.
One last bush shower this afternoon and an evening game drive before our last night in the wild.
On our afternoon game drive we watch the hippos at sunset and on the way back to camp I spotted a short eared eagle owl.
Day 13
One last 5.30am start we pack up camp and head for one last game drive. Everything is quiet a hippo moving slowly to bathe for the day.
Then we hit the bumpy road over 100km, our last Botswana massage on route to Maun for our last night here.
Most Inspirational Moment
All the wildlife and the fact that this is one of the friendliest countries I have ever visited, the guides the locals, even all the other tourists it must be the atmosphere. Being in the wild compared to being permanently on front of technology is clearly good for the sole.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam is really good as a leader pretty laid back, clearly enjoys life and nothing was too much.
All of the staff be it the camp assistant and chef were amazing and the food they came up with on an open fire was incredible fresh bread, fish and chips etc.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's colder than you might think so take lots of warmer clothes for the evenings but especially the mornings, the vehicle used is open sided and you don't want to miss the wildlife by having the canvas flaps down.
They are early starts, but remember most evenings its bedtime at 9pm.
Stephen Cowling
Reviewed November 2015
Wildlife and Wilderness of Botswana
A wonderful journey through Botswana and a chance to experience a safari in an area where tourism is much less developed than in many parts of Africa.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many: Mokoro rides and wild camping in the Okavango Delta; the awesome Victoria Falls; seeing a herd of well over 100 elephants wandering across the plain; at least 12 lions at close quarters sheltering under a tree; numerous other wildlife encounters; the eerie silence and remoteness of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Sam, the driver and wildlife expert Kenny and assistant Johnny were all exceptional and could not do enough for us. The same is true of the "polers" in the Okavango Delta. The overall organisation, the camping and catering were superb. We found the vehicle comfortable and adequately spacious.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There are some long drives on bumpy roads. The wild camping means that wildlife can wander through the camp at any time, especially at night. We had a close encounter with an elephant one night, which some of the party found unnerving, but in fact it left us alone. At the Victoria Falls, unless you are planning activities such as white water rafting, we recommend visiting the falls on the free day rather than waiting until the final morning as the itinerary suggests, to allow time to do it justice. We particularly recommend the Sunset Cruise and Chobe River Cruise.
John MacLean
Reviewed November 2015
wildlife and wilderness Botswana
We were very lucky and wildlife sightings and close encounters exceeded expectations.
Seven of thirteen nights are spent camping wild, a wonderful experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Game drives in Chobe and Moremi.
Thoughts on Group Leader
On the whole very good.
Tony Birch
Reviewed August 2015
Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana
This is an excellent holiday for people who want to get really close to the wildlife of Botswana. Seven of the 13 nights are spent wild camping right in the heart of national parks and wilderness areas. You will not only see, but hear and smell the life around you. It is a very immersive experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's the sights and sounds of this trip that will stay in the memory. Africa has amazing sunsets and, on this trip, a night sky totally unpolluted by man made light. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans have to be experienced for their total absence of sound.
The animal life was amazing and you saw them within their environment. The sounds of hippos, hyenas, elephants and lions just the other side of a piece of canvas are rather exciting!
The people you meet are wonderful.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was very, very good. His job was to give us a great holiday, pure and simple.
His assistants, and the other guides, were first class. The majority of them were born, and has spent their entire lives, in the very areas we were visiting. They had an absorbed knowledge of the region that could not learned from books.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes carefully. When it says there are "some long and bumpy roads" and "staying in some remote locations" that is exactly what you will get. The mornings can be cold, followed by slamming heat a few hours later, so take clothing that can come off in layers. The roads, particularly in the dry season, are very dusty. Glasses or goggles, and a snood to cover your mouth and nose, are essential.
Kenneth Auld
Reviewed August 2015
Wildlife and Wilderness of Botswana
We went on the same trip as Jenny (see her review) and endorse all that she said. This trip delivered everything that we had hoped for. The animal sightings exceeded expectations; the camping was really wild; and the itinerary was well designed. Every day had a WOW in it.
Most Inspirational Moment
On the Chobe river cruise, the entire boat watched as a baby elephant was cajoled by its herd to cross a stream that its parents could stride across, but was too wide for the baby's short legs; the sheer isolation of the wild camping in the salt pans; the big cat sightings that Jenny mentioned; the three families of elephants at the watering hole just yards from our camp in Zwei Zwei Pan; and I especially enjoyed visiting the Bushman paintings from 1500 BC that Stan took us to, to make up for the lost time when the truck broke down.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam attitude was excellent. Everything revolved around ensuring that we enjoyed our time on the trip and got as much out of it as possible. His cooking on a campfire was unbelievable - fish and chips, fresh bread, cabbage quiche - his recommendations on the extra trips were spot on, and his permanent good humour made for a relaxed and enjoyable journey. Even when the truck broke down - the immobilizer incapacitated the truck for a few hours - he kept his cool, updated us on progress, and managed to organize the alternative arrangements without getting flustered.
Our guide, Stan's knowledge and enthusiasm were terrific. His book of pictures was excellent for explaining why the landscape is like it is, his tracking meant that there were more animal sightings than we could have hoped for.
Advice for Potential Travellers
For a couple of over fifties who had not camped in decades, the prospect was daunting. However, the camp-beds are comfortable, the food was delicious and plentiful, and while the tents are small, the guarantee that there will be no rain (in July) and so no wet clothing or leakages if you touch the tent, meant that this was all surprisingly civilized.
However, even if it won't rain, do take waterproofs to combat just how windy an open sided truck can be.
Good washing facilities in Victoria Falls means that we could have reduced our clothing amounts even further - only the Sunset Cruise in Victoria Falls needed anything even remotely smart.
As others have mentioned, head torches and lip balm are good to have.
Also, take wet wipes for the four consecutive night wild camping away from "proper" showers, although the bush shower was very effective and surprisingly good.
Jenny Smith
Reviewed August 2015
Wildlife and Wilderness of Botswana
This trip absolutely delivers – incredible wildlife and an opportunity to appreciate the wilderness of Botswana. The opportunity to get away completely from modern life and appreciate the beauty and scale of Southern Africa is brilliant. The unpredictable nature of the trip adds to the uniqueness and the surprises. We saw many many unexpected sights – a leopard fast asleep on a tree, its kill hanging beside it with the leopard’s cub snuggled up asleep on a lower branch; a lion feasting on a rhino kill; elephants walking into camp… Every day was special. In addition to the wildlife, the landscape was incredible with beautiful sunsets and starry evenings.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me, the experience of being able to do so much wild camping enhanced the experience. Lying in the tent on the first night in the Okavango Delta, listening to the hippos bellow and the lions roar gave me an appreciation of the natural world you could not get anywhere else. The contrast of the beauty of the Okavango Delta with the barren bleakness of the Salt Pans was also awesome - both so different but so memorable. The scale of Victoria Falls was breathtaking, and the sheer amount of wildlife we saw, especially in the second week, was amazing.
Stan kept stating 'High hopes but no guarantees', but in fact every day was unique and special.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was great. Calm, patient and clear, with a great sense of humour. Tents went up and dinner was cooked every night as if by magic. It was very impressive what he could produce on an open fire night after night.
Stan's knowledge and passion for the wildlife and geography of Botswana was unsurpassed.
Despite the fact that both of them must have done this trip many times, they were both excited and enthusiastic every day and that was infectious.
The support team of Timon and John also worked incredibly hard to help the smooth running of the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I think this is an incredible trip, and if you are not phased by camping you will love it. The wild camping gives you an opportunity to experience Botswana which you would not get any other way. The camping was, by my standards, pretty deluxe - camp beds, toilet cubicles (often with impressive views) and great food. It also got you very close to the animals! I was lucky and got a tent to myself, it is snug with two… You also have to be very organised with your packing as you have early starts and you are on the move most days.
Be aware, it gets very cold at this time of year. I wasn't prepared for this - it was 2 degrees on the first night in Maun! For several nights I was wearing 4 layers and a fleece hat - even in my sleeping bag. It was also very cold in the truck in the morning. If you go at this time of year, I would advise some warm layers for the nights. It is warm during the day.
Also you will need a SA charger for Botswana (Zimbabwe uses UK plugs) - you can get them at J-burg airport. I would also recommend a spare camera battery as you will be away from electricity for quite a while.
Dafydd Huw
Reviewed December 2014
Wonderful Wildlife of Botswana
This trip certainly delivered with regard to the quantity and quality of wildlife viewing with the help of the knowledgeable guides.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being almost in touching distance of lions and leopards with their kills while they pretty much ignored us. And this in an open sided vehicle !
Thoughts on Group Leader
The leader was an excellent cook with good organisation. He also turned his hand to bush mechanic when the support truck needed repair.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There are long drives in open vehicles so be prepared for wind. Also there are times it is dangerous to leave the tent at night so be prepared for that too.
Travel light - you can get laundry done at Victoria Falls.
Reviewed November 2014
Brilliant Botswana
We had an amazing trip, Botswana is stunning with friendly people amazing wildlife. wild camping in the Okavango Delta and walking in the bush amongst the wildlife are experiences that I will never forget.
I would have rated the trip as excellent if it were not for the itinerary change mentioned below and the very cramped vehicle.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing two packs of wild dogs was amazing and spotting lions lazing at the side of a main road was very special. Listening to the sounds of the night and trying to pick out the different animal calls was spectacular.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam our group leader was very god well organised and was always there when you need him, Mello,s cooking was outstanding . Sten our Botswana guide tried his best but the lectures on geology and were not the best, it was difficult for him has Moremi was completely devoid of any wild life so he was trying to keep us interested.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The drives are long and uncomfortable, pack light for the truck and take lip balm and a scarf. We went in October it was very hot you wil not need a sleeping bag just a liner wil do.
Go with an open mind and you will love it the people are friendly and the scenery is stunning only surpassed by the amazing wild life in Chobi and savuti.
The Victoria falls were fantastic you will be ther for two night so take the opportunity to explore and try local fare, I recommend Mopani worms at the Boma, check it out it's amazing .
