Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Like others have said, you get inspiring moments daily. Difficult to choose just one but helicopter flight over Victoria Falls was a tick off my bucket list, boat safari in Chobe National Park, elephants & zebra at a waterhole on the road between Kasane & Maun, camping in Okavango Delta with walking safaris, elephants at Elephant Sands Lodge, Nata, walking with rhino in Matobo National Park, family of lions at a kill in Hwange National Park- to name just a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Siziba (Ceasar) was fantastic from the moment we met until we left. Humourous, intelligent, knowledgeable, well organised, likeable. He gelled the group together as a 'family', joined us at meals and varied who he sat with/spoke to, knew how to keep us in order with a few kind words if we got too excited, had menus in hand for any stop-offs so we could order in advance, organised any optional trips we wanted to go on, cooked great meals in the Okavango Delta. I also have to mention Trimo, our driver. Also humourous, intelligent, knowledgeable, organised, mixed with us well, always smiling & laughing, and very good at reading the road ahead to ensure we were comfortable when we encountered potholes on the long drives. Ceasar and Trimo made a great team and it showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open-minded, you may not see everything you want but you will still see and learn a lot. Take as many small US dollars as you can-- change is scarce. A bank card is very handy and usually accepted. Pack footwear in a separate bag in your suitcase. You need to take them out at Victoria Falls Airport when you meet the Exodus team. Suitcases go in a trailer, footwear in the bus as they need to be dipped in disinfectant on crossing into Botswana. The bus is a 23 seater inc driver and guide, so plenty of room. The plug type here is wrong- type D in trip notes which I took but didn't fit. The first lodge (Kwalape Lodge) hired them for a fully refundable deposit and a few of us bought the correct one at the shopping stop off in Maun for 35pulas- approx £2. This stop-off was also where we obtained Botswanian pulas, either from a machine or exchange. Don't underestimate the cold in June, July, Aug- their winter. Pre-sunrise drives in an open vehicle are freezing! Layer up as it does warm up later though that can vary- lots of cloud = cool, no cloud = hot. Some of the drives are on long straight roads- mostly good but short stretches with potholes. Have something to do/read if needed. 'Bushy Bushy' will soon be part of your vocabulary i.e. behind the bushes. Ladies and Gents are sent to separate sides of the road/bus. Take a large towel if you want a shower whilst wild camping. Pillows for the tents are small, hard & uncomfortable- use an alternative e.g. your large towel! A head torch or torch is a must- it's very dark both inside and outside the tent. The bags you are given are ample for 2 for a few days and you can take separate backpacks or camera bags too- mine had a large camera, 4 lenses, travel tripod etc. Be aware of security checks on transfers at Addis Ababa- one on way there, 2 on way back. On way back maybe just time for a quick drink between the two but no liquid allowed through the check and nowhere to drink after it. Enjoy yourselves!

Most Inspirational Moment

My main reason for travelling to Africa is always viewing wildlife and therefore for me walking to see rhinos in Maputo NP and the full day in Hwange were the best. The scenery in the Bulawayo area was also completely different and interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cesar (Ceasar?)was an excellent leader, always on top of everything and always kept us informed. He is also an excellent cook and his meals in the Okavango Delta were the best we had during the trip. The driver Sofiso was also good and sociable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Depending on the time of year bring warm clothing for early mornings but also sunblock as during our trip the day's temperature ranged from 9C to 29C and add wind factor in when in open safari vehicles and you can see you go from cold to hot easily. We all did the night safari and like someone mentioned in a previous review we didn't see much - we saw a couple of male lions which was good but that was more or less it and we were all really cold on our return.

Most Inspirational Moment

Up (very) close and personal with two wild rhino/ peace in the Okavango Delta

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good always available and worked hard to look after us. Our Driver was also great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Zambia and see the Victoria Falls from that side.

Most Inspirational Moment

Certainly the wildlife. We were able to see so much and get so very close to some animals because of the expertise and knowledge of the guides. They knew the animals and their behaviour patterns so well. I always felt very safe.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Onary was excellent. Occasionally I didn’t quite catch his accent (I’m partly deaf) but he was happy to repeat things. He was very knowledgeable and showed great care of us all, nothing was too much trouble. He was very concerned that we were always safe and enjoying ourselves. He quickly became very much a part of our African family on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was an exhausting trip because we did so many varied things but that is what we signed up for. The list of animals and birds we saw became very long and the encounter with white rhino was exhilarating. Moving from lodge to lodge can be tiresome but it meant we did so much and saw so many different areas. It was worth it. We didn’t bother with Zimbabwean dollars, US$ were all that was needed there. We did exchange a few dollars for Botswanan Pula. It was much hotter than I had expected for November, high 30s/low40s and I was pretty useless in the middle of the day but the main activities were early morning or evening and that was very pleasant.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to pick. Staying at the Delta and the optional helicopter ride, were memorable, but all the major visits in their own right had much to offer. Being so close to the wildlife at the camp, hearing lions, hippos and elephants during the night and seeing the night sky, was truly memorable. Walking close to rhinos in Motopo was amazing. Seeing the stunning Victoria Falls was a great conclusion to a trip that kept on giving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Onary, our guide, was professional, well organised, hard working, knowledgeable and enthusiastic; an all round pleasant guy. We can not speak highly enough of him and his efforts were a significant factor in making this trip such a memorable experience. He is also a great cook! Indeed, some of the best food was cooked on the camp fire! Such sentiments also go out to the group who contributed to making the two weeks together a real pleasure. Staff in the hotels, various guides, the polers and others we had contact with during the two weeks were all invariably pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We used our bank cards sparingly, taking with us US$ in mostly small denominations, which worked for us especially in Zimbabwe. Others within the group seemed to use their cards with no problem. We would advise against $100 dollar notes as change is not plentiful and people were pleased to receive small denomination notes. One piece of advice is to have all footwear readily available on arrival (perhaps pack a spare carrier bag) as there are three foot and mouth stations in which you need to dip all your shoes in Botswana, the first being soon after arrival. Also take at least one Botswana plug adapter. If travelling as a couple, it would be advisable to split your clothes across baggage as luggage can/ did go astray (something we’d never thought of before!). Optional visits, such as the helicopter ride over the Delta, the meal at the local produce restaurant at Victoria Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi, are well worth it. The optional night safari in Hwange was perhaps a bit expensive for what it delivered, but who knows on a different occasion?

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots of inspirational moments!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Onary was a fantastic leader, nothing was too much trouble and he thought of everything

Advice for Potential Travellers

Head torch, safari hat, don’t forget your double entry visa for Zimbabwe, mosquito repellent

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn’t just one moment but SOOO many unbelievable moments. -Day one watching a pride of lions try and take down buffalo -Spotting the elusive leopard on a nighttime game drive -Watching a cheetah take down an impala and feed it to her cubs -Camping in the Okavango delta, what an experience this was! one of the last remaining wildernesses left on the planet! it was epic!! The helicopter ride over the delta was amazing!! Dancing around the camp fire listening to the local music. - Rhino spotting on food in Matopo NP. -Bumping into a grumpy elephant at night trumpeting at us! -Spotting a group of African wild dogs on the hunt -I must add dancing with the local tribes, this was brilliant!! -Whitewater rafting in the Zambezi!! This was epic! Honestly the list goes on.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant!! Adonia was superb, he was so knowledgably about the local areas and wildlife. He always told us in so much detail what to expect in the coming days. He was so enthusiastic his passion really shined through. He was a genuinely lovely guy and nothing was too much trouble! Couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Sifiso the driver was also amazing, brilliant driving on such bumpy road. His knowledge of wildlife and the local areas was spot on too! Thanks guy without you this trip wouldn’t have been as good!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

JUST BOOK IT! BOOK IT NOW! Must pack your torch, pack loo roll for the delta, pack snacks for long drives and books. Must book the helicopter over the delta!! river cruise on the final night in the Zambezi with your new travel friends. White water rafting, if you are up for an adventure. Take a good camera, because wow you will take some epic pics!! and binoculars!

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the Delta gave us a first hand insight into the lives of the Polers, as well as bring us face to face with nature. We were able to witness lions and elephants in action, not just standing, but the highlight of the Safari was having the opportunity to watch a Cheetah hunt an Impala through to capture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader Adonia, was fantastic. He was very approachable, extremely knowledgeable and nothing was too much for him to do to make our Group’s holiday unforgettable.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was climbing the rocks to world's end ...the view is spectacular and I can see why Cecil Rhodes wanted to be laid to rest there. Also walking through long grass in our hunt for rhinos, just magical

Thoughts on Group Leader

ONARY ...what a wonderful man. He was professional , friendly and kind, he made each of us feel special and included.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Oh yes...... Make sure you take : South African and English adapter plugs Power Bank Head torch I am the type of person that normally goes to 5 star resorts, so if I can do this trip and love it so will you! If you fancy a bit of adventure just go for it

Most Inspirational Moment

Chobe, seeing lions eating a kill in the early morning game drive. Elephants crossing the river again in Chobe. Getting up close to severla rhinos in Mtobo on foot and Victoria Falls.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide seemed a bit distant at times and was not too concerned about the well being of the group. The safari trip in Mtobo is quite long and hot. Despite taking our own water it soon ran out and the local guide had only a small supply. The Exodus guide had been on this trip before an knew the situation but failed to brief us to take more or ensure enough water was available.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suitable convertor for South Africa plug sockets required. The general populace are nice and friendly, but very poor, so tip heavy! Take the flight over Victoria Falls. Take more water at Mtobo! Consider just a safari in Botswana as that seemed to have the best wildlife as this trip falls short.