HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

16 days from GBP2,999 to GBP3,149 including flights
Tripcode: AZT

Countries Visited: Botswana, Zambia

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 12 reviews.

Jane Moir

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written October 2011
From the moment we arrived in Maun, every day brought another highlight - it will be hard to find another holiday which tops this one. Just outstanding from start to finish
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Where do I start?Here are just a few of the many moments - In the delta, sitting round the campfire enjoying the polers singing and dancing whilst a meteorite with a spectacular tail flew overhead. -Flying over the Delta. - Walking with lions in Livingstone, the helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and going into Zimbabwe to view them. - The vastness and isolation of the Salt Pans. - Watching leopards at close range in the Moremi Reserve. The sunset cruise (thank goodness for digital cameras...) Watching and listening to the nearby hippos splashing in the moonlight.
The friendship of my fellow travellers (none of whom I knew beforehand) contributed greatly to the holiday, we all wanted to do the same activities, had the same interests and shared many laughs
What did you think of your group leader?
From the moment we met Sam at the airport, he was absolutely brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble, he was well organised and unflappable and somehow produced really tasty food all cooked on the campfire. He made sure that we could all do our chosen activities including taking us across the border to Zimbabwe when he should have had a relaxing afternoon. Jamie our driver and guide was also excellent - we had some long distances to cover but he stopped when we saw game on the way, and in the reserves, he could spot animals without having to reach for binoculars like the rest of us! Bruce and James were a competent support team
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some swimming things to the Delta, we had an opportunity to go for a dip and there was some very hastily improvised swim wear on show. Baby wipes are always useful because it is very dusty (dust coloured clothing helps too. It is possible to do several activities in one day at Livingstone so enjoy!! Binoculars come in handy. There is an inverter in the truck so lot of battery charging was done on route (take a South African adapter). No need to take masses of clothes as there is plenty of opportunity to wash clothes at the camp sites in Maun, Livingstone, Kisane and Savuti. Sturdy sandals and walking shoes are all you need for footwear. You will take a lot more photos than you might think so take high capacity memory cards for the cameras. Most importantly - just relax, let it all happen and enjoy every moment!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Having travelled quite a lot,I can honestly say that this is the best holiday I have ever had, made possible by the surroundings, the range of experiences on offer, our tour leader and my fellow travellers. Don't expect to see too much game in the Delta but the surroundings are intoxicating. Viewing the Falls from the Zimbabwe side was well worth the effort of crossing yet another border for the afternoon. Be prepared for some long journeys, but strangely they seem to pass very quickly. There are some early starts, but some beautiful sunrises to accompany them. I took a journal to write up my experiences on the day, what we did and what we saw - its nice to read again when you get home.
Heather Collins
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written October 2011
This was a superb holiday in every sense of the word. Stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, some great campsite locations and the usual well-organised and friendly local team catering to our every need. If you are thinking of doing this holiday then stop thinking and start doing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Impossible to pick just one. A few specific moments stand out
Walking with lions on the activity day in Zambia
Standing in front of the Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side
Elephants at sunset on the Chobe river cruise
Seeing a leopard on a fresh kill
Wild camping in Moremi (with hippos in the pool behind the tents!) and in the salt pans (truly the most surreal camping location I have ever been to)
What did you think of your group leader?
Sam is an excellent Group Leader. Nothing was too much trouble and he also took the time to take a group of us over into Zimbabwe on his day off, which I highly recommend doing at low water time as you see the falls much better than from the Zambia side. He is also an excellent cook, even complying with our requests for weird food like eggy bread.!
Jame was our wildlife guide and driver and made a huge difference to the experience on this holiday with the quality and quantity of wildlife spotting. Even on the day when he'd driven all day with no break due to a problem with one of the vehicles he still insisted on taking us for a sunset drive so we didn't miss the hippo pools.
Bruce and James made up the team and both worked tirelessly and cheerfully in the background to ensure that we got the full relaxing experience of "full service camping" which is after all why many people pick this trip!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Stick with the Exodus kit list and you can't go far wrong. We were there during the hot dry season but even so I was glad of a three sesaon sleeping bag on the salt pans. The zip-off style of trousers and the lightweight safari shirts are great and you have chances to rinse out clothes on most days so don't overpack! Take plenty of wet wipes and insect repellant. You do get the chance to shower most days and in some places (Audi camp for example) the facilities are excellent. I took walking boots and wished I hadn't as they weren't really necessary, trainers would have been fine. Sandals are a must. You may get the chance to swim while in the Delta so at the very least take shorts and a t-shirt that you can swim in when you pack your "smaller bag" for the Delta.
You get the chance to buy souvenirs on the last day at a shop which is literally right outside the airport so no need to do it early and lug stuff around with you unless you see something really unusual.
Take plenty of US Dollars for Zambia. No-one uses any other currency and if you have enough to pay for your trips in cash then you don't get the 5% credit card surcharge. ATMs out on the road in Botswana are a bit hit and miss so do take advantage of the ones in Maun before you leave!
If you have a DSLR take a decent zoom lens if you can. Mine was 55-250 and I think 300 would have been better though I was quite pleased with some of the photos. Charging is no problem as the vehicle has an inverter and an adaptor box with half a dozen outlets. If you still have the two pin mains lead with the narrow plug shape that comes with most cameras these days then take it as it will fit directly into the adaptor box. Otherwise you need a round pin South African adaptor.
Travelling in the vehicle in the early morning is cold - make sure you have a fleece top and long trousers. Some of the travelling from place to place was hot and dusty so buy sweets and drinks before you set out. Jelly babies don't survive several days of 40 degree heat though!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only even slightly negative point on the trip was the age and condition of some of the equipment used, namely the camp beds (which need chucking out!) and the matresses (which would be better if they were replaced with slightly thicker ones and used on their own without the beds). We did also suffer three punctures and two vehicle breakdowns. However despite this the local team worked very hard to make sure that the slight delays suffered did not adversely affect our enjoyment and it's all credit to them that it did not.
There were 11 of us in our group and I thought this was a good number. I'm not sure if it's just something about anyone who'd be mad enough to pick a camping safari in Africa but we all got on well and the overall group dynamic greatly added to the enjoyment of the holiday for me. I'm not sure it would have had the same atmosphere with a small group.
Overall an excellent holiday. My third with Exodus and it certainly won't be my last!
Ruth Richardson

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written October 2011
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.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This was a question we kept asking ourselves as the trip went on and we never managed to pin point one moment. Some of the moments for me were:
1. watching a young leopard lounge around in a tree - it felt as if he was looking straight at me!
2. watching three lionesses interact with two cubs as the sun started to drop
3. an elephant almost taking a swim - he just about got his shoulders in!
4. spectacular sunsets and a spectacular electric storm!
5. watching the pied kingfisher from a swimming hole in the delta
What did you think of your group leader?
Sam, Jame and Bruce made a good team. Sam wasn't well for the first few days of our trip but he struggled on and came into his own after starting some antibiotics. Sam clearly knows his stuff and the trip ran smoothly from start to finish. Jame is the gentle giant of the three and a true wildlife enthusiast. Even after hours of driving on challenging roads Jame would always stop if an animal was spotted and position the truck to ensure we got the best viewing and pictures possible. Jame never rested unless everything was in order. Bruce always had a smile on his face and was happy to put the kettle on for us at all times (even in the heat of the day!)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
A Zambian visa was extremely easy to purchase at the border so don't worry about getting one before.
When heading into Savuti and Moremi ensure you have enough cold drinks (as well as water) to last as there are no shops in between. If you get fed up of drinking water then get some drink powder from Shop Rite (supermarket). This is easy to carry and a little like squash when added to water. The mixed berry flavour is particularly pleasant.
Take your swim kit into the delta as the swimming hole is a great alternative to no shower!
Although we were advised to keep buying 5 litre water bottles, most of the water in Botswana seemed ok to drink - the guides were actually quite excited about the water in savuti and it did indeed taste good
It was very hot in October, between 38-42 most days and above 30 at night. We discovered that wearing a wet T-shirt or havinga wet scarf / towel around our necks helped prevent us from overheating at the hottest points of the day and dried very quickly.
walking boots weren't needed - trainers were sufficient in the delta and sandals everywhere else
A light sleeping bag was totally sufficient and even that was too much at times. A cotton sheet or sheet liner would have been usueful.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Rain jacket was a waste of space as when it rained it did so fantastically and jacket wouldn't have helped. It was also 'warm rain' so was quite welcome after a hot sticky day!
Visit Vic Falls under your own steam. Get a taxi there - US$10, entry US$20 and then head to the right where you will no doubt bump into a young guide who would like to show you all the best veiweing spots, followed by a safe swimming hole. This will cost you between US$20-35 /person. The guides work as a team so divide up earnings evenly at the end of the day. This option isn't advertised so it's a bit of a gamble but was well worth it.
The 'comfortable' mattresses and camp beds aren't so comfortable, two mattresses on the floor was the better option, but even then it depended which mattresses you got! You also need to ask for this as it means swapping beds for mattresses at HQ in Maun.
If you want a trip T-shirt make sure you buy it in Livingstone as options in Botswana are extremely limited.
Armadillos in Livinsgtone made for a great night out - excellent food and live music
I needed more money than I thought and would have needed even more if doing any of the expensive optional activities in Livingstone. Also remember that tips add up! I proabably spent between £600-700 on food, drinks (alcohol included), visa, extra activities, tips
Chobe River cruise and Zambezi sunset cruise are both worth doing although Zambezi cruise no longer has dinner, but does have free alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages and finger food!
Delta flight was encouraged, but unless you have a burning desire to view the delta from above or particualrly enjoy flights in light aircraft, this was an expensive 45 mins!
If you have any doubts about this trip because of bush toilets, bush showers and remote camping don't -these wern't nearly as bad as you might think and in fact preferable to toilet experiences on other trips!
Lastly - ENJOY!
Rick Turton

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written October 2011
Great trip with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities - and Victoria Falls!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Victoria Falls was amazing - even though it was low water (October). Well worth doing the helicopter trip over the falls. And you do need to do the optional trip to the Zimbabwe side of the falls. (When we visited there was almost no water coming over the Zambian side!) You can book an organised trip to the Zimbabwe side - but our guide was kind enough to take us (onhis day off!) - so all it cost us was the entry fee to the falls and the Zimbabwe visa.
And the Chobe River cruise was also incredible. The word 'cruise' gives the wrong impression - we were in small boat (holds about 16 people), close to the water level - but this makes it far more special because you get so close to the animals. Seeing the elephant family come down to the river to drink was perhaps the highlight.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide (Sam) and driver (Jame) were both very friendly and helpful. Couldn't have asked for more!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make the most of the optional trips. Chobe River Cruise has to be the best value for money.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Expected to come back covered in insect bites - but we didn't get one! (Maybe we were just lucky - or perhaps October is a good time to avoid the mosquitoes.)
There were 2 very long - and rather boring - days of driving from Maun to Kasane via the salt pans - and the salt pans were not as impressive as I expected. But other than that, the rest of the trip was superb.
Jo Goss

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written July 2011
This holiday is an absolute 'must' for anybody who enjoys plenty of variety. It really does offer something for everyone. I would rank this as one of the best holidays I have had - and that is saying a lot!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sunset cruise on the Chobe River. I have never seen so much wildlife in one place at the same time anywhere.
Bush camping on the Okavango Delta and the mokoro rides to view the sunset.
The various game drives in Moremi and Savuti. Again, wildlife was abundant, and we were lucky enough to have several sightings of leopards and cubs at very close range.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sam was an excellent leader, and also great fun. He was also a very good cook.
Our local guide, Jamie, was also first rate. He was an excellent tracker, and as a result we saw much that was unusual as well as all the more common species. He was extremely knowledgable about wild life and went to a lot of trouble to answer our questions in great detail
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I travelled in July, and the nights were bitterly cold. If you have a metal water bottle I recommend filling it with hot water last thing at night. Not only do you then have a lovely warm hot water bottle (do wrap it in something to avoid burns!), but you have an extra supply of drinking water to use the following day. Bed socks are a great idea too, and I found those supplied by the airline on the flight out to be perfectly adequate.
Dry shampoo is a good idea, although there are plenty of opportunities to wash your hair in most places. I was delighted to discover that it could also be used to great effect to de-pong training shoes!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just go! You won't regret it.
Derek Morgan

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written June 2011
The trip name is certainly appropriate - you definitely get the highlights of Botswana, and it didn't feel rushed at all, as some highlight trips might suggest. The distances travelled were quite long on some days to get between camps, but the scenery and wait was always worth it. Compared to other safaris that I've been on, this one was very difficult to spot animals due to the length of the grass and density of the trees. It might be better later on the dry season (July / August).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side - which is certainly the best side to see it from. It's not mentioned anywhere in the trip notes, so might be subject to your tour leader.
If I'm allowed a second inspirational moment, I'd say the optional river cruise on the Chobe river - don't miss it under any circumstances - we saw more wildlife in those three hours than on any game drive in the parks.
Can I have a third? I'd say the trip into the Okavango Delta - a great introduction to wild camping, with the opportunity to do a bush walk - it might sound dangerous, but I felt safe with the very experienced guide.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader Sam, was very knowledgable, organised, and had good cooking skills. He was always helpful, and was flexible enough to amend the itinerary in places where the group wanted to see something or take a detour. Communication could have been a little better on occassions where we came across unexpected problems, but overall was very good.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1. Take an iPod or something similar to listen to on the long journey, and a book to read during the afternoons when it's too hot to do anything.
2. Take a South African and European style plug adaptor (covers you for the vehicle and lodges where electricity is available for charging.
3. Take at least one spare battery for your camera.
4. UK travellers - Buy your Visa for Zambia on entry to Zambia (rather than via the consulate in London) -it's very easy indeed, and gives you the option for a single or double-entry visa (useful if you cross from Zambia to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls from the other side)
5. Don't do the 15-minute flight over Victoria Falls, opt for the 30 min flight, or microlight, or give it a miss entirely. Very disappointing.
6. The camp beds were old and uncomfortable - I'd recommend that you ask for two matresses and sleep on the floor if you can't get on with them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think I've been spoiled by my experiences on some other Exodus trips. Had this trip been my first, I might have given a higher rating (probably 4 stars), but when comparing it to similar trips, I was a little disappointed by the lack of animals on a couple of our game drives, and the poor comfort of the camp beds.
If you can't decide between Namibia and Botswana, then opt for Exodus' Namibia trip. If you want to see Victoria Falls, and the Okovango Delta, then this is definitely for you.
It was great to have such a small group (there were only five of us), so no problems when taking pictures of animals from the vehicle - I think if there were many more than 8 then it might be a bit crowded.
Margaret Heath

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Written April 2011
A very well organised, enjoyable holiday. Friendly, helpful staff and good companions. Far less wildlife than anticipated. Double tents very cramped.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sunset Chobe River cruise - wonderful views and a good selection of wildlife.
Very close encounter with wild dogs - brilliant!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very helpful, a super cook and good organiser.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are travelling as a couple, book two tents - single supplement is only 65 GBP and is well worth it for the extra space.
We took but didn't need water purification tablets - bottled drinking water was available to buy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A good value for money holiday, despite lack of numbers of animals on our trip.