Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

A magical experience that showcases a fantastic country, its people and its animals

I have just come back from trip and must say it was one of most enjoyable experiences of my life. On the way back home, I reflected that there were 9 absolutely awe inspiring moments on the trip: - watching two cheetahs hunt and kill an impala - our guide Kenny finding leopards on 3 different occasions and watching these beautiful creatures wandering about - elephants everywhere - watching a pride of lions on several occasions which included cubs - the fantastic night sky especially on the salt plains - rafting the Victoria falls - being punted along on the oakavango delta - the boat trip in the chobe National Park - the guides and people who supported us in the delta Our guide Kenny was absolutely first rate and guided us both to animals but also around the towns and villages of Botswana. He showed great patience with a group of novice safari holiday makers and displayed incredible knowledge on the flora and fauna of the area. Melo our cook was equally as good. How he managed to cook lasagne, fish and chips and bread on an open fire is beyond me. We had a great group and the camaraderie around the open fire and in the truck will remain with me for a long time. Derek and Deniro supported our group brilliantly and made sure our campsite was set up before our arrival every day. If you are thinking of going on this trip, I would advise: - read itinerary in detail as it will help outline your expectations re food, distance to travel and accommodation - prepare for some tough travel and properly wild camping. When wild camping, we had animals around and through the camp every night after we had gone to bed. We had 4 nights in a row with no running water, wi fi or electricity. Toilets when wild camping are long drop bush toilets. You will need to take power packs and battery back ups. - the roads in the national parks and remote areas are not surfaced and progress is slow and can be uncomfortable - only two nights are spent in lodges and this was a lower quality lodge in Zimbabwe. This is a camping trip. Having said that if you love animals and the outdoor life, this is a holiday I would recommend highly.

I have been on several Exodus trips but this adventure took it to a new level. The benefit of camping is that like-minded people tend to be attracted to this kind of trip, and on my trip, the group made it. I really feel like I have made 11 new friends and just two weeks after returning, we have plans for a Christmas meet-up. There wasn't one person who complained about the early mornings, or the bush toilet, or the 39 degree heat. Our guide Brian was fantastic and the mokoro trips in the Okavango was a definite highlight of mine, as well as camp singing and dancing around the fire. In terms of animals seen, we were extremely lucky to see a leopard with her cub, a leopard with a kill, a pack of wild dogs stalking a wildebeest herd, countless elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lions, impala, kudu, vultures, baboons and 138 species of bird. We were also extremely lucky to have two avid birders in our group who were only too happy to explain each bird to us! Camp-life was brilliant and our support crew was excellent. Chef James managed to cook some beautiful campsite meals - much better than I'd eat at home! Curries, stir-fries, whole chickens, oxtail all loaded with roasted or braised veg. A must for anyone with a sense of adventure willing to rough-it for two weeks in return for going for a wee in the middle of the night under the Milky Way, hearing the lions roar from inside your tent and making new pals.

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.

Wilderness and wildlife at it's best without too much of the other stuff thrown in. A fantastic trip with lots of opportunity for wildlife sitings and being at one with nature.

A fantastic way of seeing a brilliant country. You get close to nature and there are plenty of opportunities to take some great photos. Excellent support from the staff.

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.

Fantastic trip, camping most of the time allowed us to be on the heart of the wilderness. The tents are put up for you and have a camp bed and mattress . When we were at wild camps with no bathroom, a long drop was dug and a shower hung over a branch where possible. The camp food was simply excellent and the whole team looked after the group well!

This trip certainly delivered with regard to the quantity and quality of wildlife viewing with the help of the knowledgeable guides.

This tour is a great way to discover the wildlife of Botswana.  There is loads to see and the setting is stunning, only enhanced by the opportunity to visit Victoria falls.