7 independent reviews for Botswana wildlife safari
Reviews for Botswana wildlife safari
Anthony Woodward review 27 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Too many to choose from. Lion, Leopard, Cheetahs all les than 10 feet away. Giraffes with the funniest expressions and the sad elegance of old elephants. Young elephants playing games in the river and a standoff between elephant and hippo. And then Victoria Falls, the power and the beauty of a natural wonder and the exhilaration of jumping off the cliffs edge. I cant choose.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for a few long days in a moderately comfortable vehicle and a few nights in a fairly basic camping environment but dont let that prospect put you off. You will get wet at Victoria Falls (in May) and you might be a little cold on early morning game drives (or location transfers) so a waterproof is a good idea (although waterproofs are available for USD $3 at Vic Falls) and three layers are good for early mornings (I had a t-shirt, a shirt and a fleece). It sounds slightly counter-intuitive but maybe even light gloves could be an option). Also, you won't have the same experience as other travelers who have done the same trip before but you will almost certainly have a fabulous experience.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The trip provided opportunities to benefit local people and the guide (who was fabulous) was very mindful of environmental issues.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Unbelievable. Fabulous. AwesomeAlison Beech review 24 Jun 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing wild dogs chase a leopard up a tree and then come to lay down next to our vehicle, and the predator sounds at night when bush camping.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take warm clothes for nighttime, definitely a beanie and thermals. It’s cold in the tents in June! Layers, layers, layers for early morning game drives before it warms up.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Some, certainly the parks and lodges benefited, but not sure how much filters through to local projects that benefit the local communities.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great vacation, certainly very full on. Was concerned by the long driving hours our solo guide/driver/tour leader was expected to do. Should be two people in my opinion. Also, and this is a KEY POINT: Explore you need to offer a visa assistance option for getting the Namibian visa. 5/8 of our group had zero success getting a visa beforehand and were initially not allowed to buy a Visa on Arrival due to staffing issues at the border post. This meant we had to hang around for nearly 2 hours until another border force staff member finally appeared. All very stressful for all concerned, there was considerable upset in the group. I know from my experience that the Namibian visa online application system is awful, as it took me 6 days to get through the process, as their confirmation emails never arrived when they said they had and then suddenly would appear days later! I finally got my visa in the end but 5/8 of the others not so lucky and had assumed reading Explore guidance notes that buying a visa on arrival would not be an issue. That could not have been further from the truth, a VERY rude and unhelpful Namibian border control staff member made it a very unpleasant experience for those trying to get a Visa on Arrival. Explore you need to address this! It has lost you a star, and very nearly 2! Include this service in your package costs.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We are sorry to hear that the visa process for Namibia caused frustration during your trip planning. We recognise that the introduction of Namibia’s new visa requirements in 2025 has created challenges and confusion for travelers, particularly when entering the country via land borders, where processes and requirements can sometimes vary.
We are in regular contact with Namibian tourism authorities and local partners to ensure we have the most up-to-date information available, and we continuously update our pre-departure guidance as new advice becomes available.
For travelers requiring visa support, we also actively recommend contacting our preferred visa partner, Travcour, whose details can be found within the Trip Notes and on our website. They specialise in assisting adventure and overland travelers and are often able to provide the latest practical advice for specific routes and border crossings. They can also support the visa application from start to finish, regardless of where you are based or where you are traveling to.
In addition, our Entry Requirements page offers a more detailed overview of the options available to our customers.
We appreciate your comments, as they help us identify areas where we can further improve the guidance and support we provide. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you were still able to enjoy the many highlights that Namibia has to offer.
James Stronach review 18 Oct 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing a leopard sleeping underneath a tree with its kill high up in the branches2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is strenuous but worth it3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Little contact with locals. It would have been good to see a local market4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Th wildlife as xceptional.Jonathan White review 4 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Game viewing, in particular wild dogs and leopards.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is full-on.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very Good.Beverley Mchegh review 13 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting up before dawn and being in the wild with the animals2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
pack a head torch with a red light so as not to scare the animals3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes it did i felt we got to know the locals a little bit as we all tried to work as a team4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a trip of a lifetime and surpassed all my expectationsKay Scoresby review 13 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's really hard to say as every day was brilliant. On safari we saw leopards, a cheetah, elephants, zebras, ostrich family, wart hogs, a hyena, wild dogs, lions, kudos, red antelope, impalas, fish eagles and a range of birds - all close up. We were really fortunate to have Bibi as our guide as he is a brilliant tracker, driver and guide.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take clothes that don't show the dust. Definitely pack a scarf or even a mask to prevent the dust getting in your throat.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I'm not sure about the benefits for local people as we only came in contact with people working in the tourism industry or in shops. It would have been good to have had a short time looking at the market stalls in Maun, to maybe buy goods from local people. Using one jeep, everything about the camp site helped the impact on the environment. The Botswana Government and all the people working in tourism are fully committed to the conservation of the National Parks. It is noticeable in comparison to the neighbouring countries.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would fully recommend this vacation as Botswana is definitely the best place to see wildlife. The balance of safari, staying on the boat and visiting Victoria Falls was just right.Joanna Benn review 5 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Fun and relaxation on boat. Beaches and sea.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Cabin can be hot -Sleeping on deck more pleasant bring ear plugs and travel pillow3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really - perhaps money in restaurants in evening4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
