Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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70 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Tim Fowler

Reviewed July 2024

The Best Way to See Wildlife in Botswana

This trip isn’t for everyone. You have to be prepared for camping in the wild: sleeping in a tent to the sounds of lions, hyenas and hippos; rising with the sun in the early morning; and the joys of “bushy bushy” (if you know, you know). But with this trip comes some of the most exceptional wildlife viewing experiences I’ve had. And the unique experience of being among the wilderness made this feel like one of the most authentic safari holidays out there.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many to choose from! If I had to focus on one, it would be encountering a leopard lounging on the branch of a dead tree as the sun descended behind the horizon. She provided some of the most photogenic of the trip wildlife photography of the trip, yet seemed so casually oblivious to our presence.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny was a wonderful leader, as was the entirety of the support staff. Kenny was full of knowledge about the local wildlife and culture, and passionate about sharing this with the group. He was always quick to laughter and helpful and considerate whenever anyone needed his support. A big shout out to John too, our camps resident cook. His food was always delicious and catered for all our dietary requirements.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure to pack sufficient layers for night time - especially in the winter. Temperatures can get very cold at night - a sharp contrast to the high temperatures during the day when the sun is out. Also, make sure to pack a buff, scarf or face mask for the bus drives. Roads are very dusty, and you will appreciate the scarf as something to breathe through on these parts of the journey.

Tim Jukes

Reviewed July 2024

Incredible Adventure!

This is my 9th Exodus tour and can honestly say it was one of the best. Wild camping in Africa is such an awesome experience – night skies, dawn and dusk safaris, animals everywhere, plus a visit to Victoria Falls. This is an incredible trip to an incredible country – you won’t be disappointed! It is well-named: if “Wildlife and Wilderness” appeals, this is a trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some awesome wildlife moments - Wild Dogs with pups, Hippos whilst poling, Lions mating only a metre from the truck, Lions on a Buffalo kill with another Buffalo trying to resurrect its unfortunate companion, Pel’s Fishing-Owl in the campsite plus a Leopard at sunset in a tree. Just to name a few… Also the scale of the place is mind-blowing, particularly wild camping at the Salt Pans where we watched moonset then sunrise in quick succession. Botswana also appears very friendly, relaxed and safe. Great people and great country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny and his team were incredible throughout. Very organised crew, making and breaking camp very efficiently and cooking the most wonderful meals (fresh bread rolls plus breakfast porridge was very welcome). You are well looked after on the trip, so don’t worry if you’re not the most seasoned camper.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our visit was late June and it was pretty cold on the truck, especially during early morning game drives and the travel days. Bring warm clothes/scarf/snood (very dusty also). Blankets are provided. The Okavango Delta helicopter ride was awesome - much longer (45 mins), cheaper and much more wildlife than at Vic Falls. Would highly recommend this followed by the short flight option at the falls, if your budget allows. I took a trail camera with me, based on another review on here. This was a great extra as was able to get footage of Hyenas, Honey Badger, Jackal, Springhare and several deer all visiting us during the night. Added an extra dimension to the trip.

Jacqueline Lesley Ruth Hayward

Reviewed March 2024

Botswana safari

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!

Most Inspirational Moment

Wild camp Makgadikgadi pans

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was a font of knowledge about everything! Made the trip special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes, it is hot, you are wild camping with elephants and lions keeping there distance. The journeys are long and windy!

Louisa Green

Reviewed October 2023

Absolutely Fantastic

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

My absolute favourite moment in Botswana was when we finally saw our first leopard. We had been driving most of the day in 39 degrees, still a few hours away from our next wild camp where there would be no shower, a bush toilet and the calls of lions and hippos in the distance to fall asleep to. Suddenly a leopard ran across our track. We followed her, keeping our distance so as not to frighten her, for around 300m when she found a large bush and slumped in a heap, finally in the shade and panting as though she had run a marathon. We were all so fixated on watching her in that moment, and after about 5 seconds she was joined by her two-month old cub, who she had left safely in the middle of the bush whilst she went hunting. The two of them nuzzled together before she started washing him, only too happy to pose for our cameras. Time stood still whilst we silently watched her and in that moment there was nowhere else on the planet I'd rather be. I've seen this on the telly hundreds of times - mother's returning to cubs after hunting. But it's something else entirely to see it 10m away in real life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big Friendly Brian, as he called himself, was a brilliant guide. Extremely patient when we wanted to stop and see the 100th elephant that day and answered all of our questions. His driving was extraordinary - occasionally we went off-piste to follow a particular animal across rugged terrain, and some days we spent a lot of it driving on thick sand, but we never once felt unsafe or not in capable hands!

Advice for Potential Travellers

A sense of adventure and willingness to be uncomfortable is essential. Some days in the truck are long and on bumpy tracks which can take a toll on your bum if sitting at the back..! Towards the end of the trip there are four days in a row in wild camps with one shower every 48 hours and 25 litres of heated water between three people. Scratch your skin and black gunk will come off under your nails so if you enjoy home comforts with constant internet access to the rest of the world then this is most definitely not the trip for you.

Karen Forshaw

Reviewed September 2023

Brilliant holiday

Saw so much wildlife, elephants, lions, hyena, hippo, crocodiles and much much more. We got very close to a lot of the wildlife and had some amazing experiences. Variety of habitats, some beautiful and anazing sunsets. Boat trip enabled us to get close to animals such as hippo and buffalo. Helpful and efficient camp crew and food was good. Mixture of drives, walks and boat trips, all very rewarding.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants whilst on a walk. Although we couldn't obviously get very close it was wonderful to be on the same ground with no fences or barriers. Second boat trip wass exceptional in terms of beauty and wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was excellent. Always smiling, helpful, organised, very very knowledgeable, cares about everyone having a wonderful holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some very early starts. Take a face covering to avoid dust getting into your nose and mouth on the drives. Don't forget a torch.

Lel Blake

Reviewed June 2023

Safari and Victoria Falls

An excellent trip, Brian and Mello were a fantastic team making this a brilliant experience for us all. The wildlife turned up in abundance, the accommodation was great, elephants outside the toilet tent notwithstanding and the food in camp was delicious, varied and plentiful including catering for us vegetarians Victoria Falls did not disappoint and the early start meant we had the park almost to ourselves. Extra activities were very exciting, although quite expensive

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day there were at least 2 things that made us wonder how this trip could be any better. Baby lions, giraffes and elephants, fabulous birds and close encounters with many different animals kept us rapt from sunrise to sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was amazing, well informed, funny, caring and made everyone feel so welcome

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that in Zimbabwe some credit and debit cards do not work so travel with US$ Baggage handling in Johannesburg is a rather imprecise science

Linda Kamal

Reviewed August 2022

Trip to Eden

This is the second time I have been on this particular trip. As before it didn’t disappoint. The mokoro trip to the delta was magic. We were provided with copious wildlife sightings during our walks with a local guide. The camp was in a great location where a friendly elephant repeatedly wandered by during the day and also in the night. On the way to the Makadikadi pan we saw a large group of vultures on the roadside feasting on a cow carcass. It was like watching wildlife on one in the flesh. The pan when we reached it shimmered in the sun looking very unreal. The big skies gave us a breathtaking sunset. At Victoria Falls we had a restful day. We enjoyed visiting the Falls which were at their best “wet but still visible “ . We went on the zipwire across the gorge which was relaxing and scenic and allowed a good view of the Zambian falls. The evening meal at the Lookout cafe was delicious and the cafe very stylish. Returning to Botswana next day the optional cruise is recommended. The highlight of this was the sunset in an area rich in hippos and watching to birds fly to their roosts for the night. Next day after a long drive to Savuti we were rewarded with the sight of Painted Wolf puppies playing outside their den. I felt very privileged to see them. Next day they had left the den so we were lucky. A full day in Savuti allowed a sighting of wild dogs after a kill and lions contemplating a pursuit. Sadly this didn’t happen while we were there. Another drive to Moremi with a sighting of a secretary bird in the distance. We were fortunate to view crocodiles devouring a rotting carcass and performing classic rolls in the water to release the flesh. Our pre supper treat was another sighting of lions in the reserve. Next day we continued our game viewing but the major highlight came in the evening during supper. We had heard hyena’s in the night but this night a plucky hyena wandered into camp looking for scraps. During all this the food prepared by Abis and the rest of the crew exceeded in quality every restaurant we visited. The T bone was especially delicious.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last night in camp when a hyena wandered in. Brian our guide encouraged me to take photos as he shone his torch in the direction of the animal while ensuring that we didn’t get too close . It was one of the great things about camping that you might see or hear things in the night. You really felt you were there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was extremely friendly and made great efforts to show us interesting things.He had a very good knowledge of the wildlife and animal behaviour. He worked extremely hard and was always available to answer questions. The whole crew were very enthusiastic and nothing was too much trouble including driving to the nearest park gate to charge a camera battery (Didn’t realise they were going so far or wouldn’t have asked ).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you bring lots of khaki/ sand coloured clothes. Neutral really means these colours. Also wrap up well for the morning drive to the salt pans. It’s cold and windy on the way. Definitely have a bush shower. It’s so refreshing and great to air dry.

Jane Beal

Reviewed June 2022

Amazing trip

What an amazing experience this trip was. We saw so much it os difficult to know where to start. Brian our guide was so knoledgable about all of the animals, plants and insects we saw. He could spot a bird and tell you what it was when just a speck in the sky or perched on a distant tree. He also knew where most of the animals hang out, so we saw plenty of wildlife incuding elephants, lions, impala, giraffe, hippos, zebra and kudu among other things. We even saw a couple of cheetah and a pack of wild dogs.
There ar a lot of different experiences on this trip, from the mokoro canoes on the delta to Victoria falls. This inevibably led to some long drives. The wild camps were good fun and it was amazing what our cook Abi could produce on a camp fire and a gas ring. Although I personally don’t like it apparently the porridge was to die for!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Where to start, every day had at least one highlight. However, seeing two elephants playing in the river at Chobe was a rare experience that we felt priviledged to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was brilliant, he was good fun and his knowledge of his country and all of the wildlife was exemplary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a light for your tent it gets dark early and early morning game drives mean getting up and dressed in the dark. We went in May/June and it was very cold at night and in an open sided vehicle on early morning drives it was cold and draughty - warm hat and gloves would have been welcome. Make sure you do the Chobe river trip

Darren Huston

Reviewed April 2020

Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana Trip

Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana trip is great. No matter where you go, Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana trip is the coolest, most happening thing around!”

Most Inspirational Moment

Safari

valerie crompton

Reviewed October 2019

Where the wild Things are.

I have just returned from this trip which was very good indeed. We were a very diverse group and I don’t think we were very easy for our leader Anthony but he coped very well with a difficult person and a demanding situation. H was helped by the crew Melo an excellent cook and Ronald and KT who worked so hard and were always kind and helpful.
We were all struggling with the tremendous heat and I would not recommend october as the best month. it was exceptionally hot, drinking hpt water was something we had to get used to, to keep from dehydration, very diddifcult indeed,
We had elephants in camp which was a treat and at night could hear the lions and hyeanas outside the tents. We saw numerous birds and wonderful lions also saw a cervil a real treat.
Dont expect it all to be easy but it is worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mokoros, the elephants and the surroundings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anthony was very capable in sometimes difficult circunstances.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please take wet wipes because you cant always get the chance to wash, sunhats and scarves which can be soaked and wound round the neck in extreme heat. rehydration powders were very useful too. You dont need many clothes but as it is hot and sandy everything gets covered a few pairs of socks are good as they get very dirty. Just read the trip notes on clothing and that should be enough.

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