Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were just too many incredible moments to single out one. Two stand-out moments for me include being within a few metres of five white Rhino and coming across a male and female lion by the side of the road. The absolute highlight of the trip though was our time in the Delta. I was apprehensive before going (camping/toilets/showers) but was blown away by the whole experience and wish we had stayed longer. Being able to hear lions roaring in the distance, having around 15 elephants wading through the water within metres of our camp both during the day and at night, coming across painted dogs running around and playing on one of our walks, learning to pole a mokoro and meeting the lovely people from a local village who looked after us so well. I especially loved visiting their village afterwards and they were so grateful for the stationary and toys that we took for the children.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The whole trip was flawlessly executed and that was down to Rowan (our leader) and Sifiso (our driver). Rowan was very well organised and always helped us to get the most out of our experience . He kept us well entertained on the long drives with quiz games and spotting wildlife, had excellent knowledge of all the birds and animals we came across and if there was anything he didn’t know he had many reference books to look up information. He also cooked up some delicious food when we camped in the Delta (my favorites being the “Delta” cake). Sifiso drove superbly the entire trip over what were sometimes very rough roads. We all really enjoyed Rowan and Sifisos company and can’t thank them enough for making such an unforgettable trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more money for tipping. There are so many lovely people who can’t do enough for you and we got slightly caught out by not having enough cash and it wasn’t easy to get hold of more. If you decide to do the night safari in Hwange, invest in a really good torch.

Most Inspirational Moment

The two nights wild camping was, for me, the most daunting part of the trip and ended up being my absolute highlight – elephants water-crossing near camp, wild dogs playing and of course the smooth relaxing, mokoro trips. However, wild camping in the Okavango Delta is only one of a multitude of highlights that this trip has to offer -every day offers something amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

While I’m sure any trip in Africa could be amazing, it was the Exodus team members that made our extraordinary trip what it was – unforgettable! Rowan (our leader) and Sifiso (our driver) went above and beyond to ensure that this once in a lifetime experience was beyond all expectations. Their wealth of experience was demonstrated through their expansive local knowledge, smooth organisation and the ease with which everything was accomplished. Rowan’s energy, generosity and wide array of interests meant that many experiences had a personal touch – just one of many examples being the drone footage he generously took and gave to our group, recorded memories of something so special I cannot thank him enough. Sifiso’s calm, friendly nature and superior driving skills made comfortable and safe driving days and provided the relaxed atmosphere a trip like this deserves. Rowan and Sifiso, I cannot thank either of you enough!

Most Inspirational Moment

Two nights camping at the Okavango Delta which we reached by mokoro (dug out canoes) being poled by local villagers. This was experiencing real Africa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan was knowledgeable and helpful as well as an excellent cook during the camping.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your camera protected by waterproof bags to Victoria Falls you will get some amazing pictures.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two nights camping at the Okavango Delta which we reached by mokoro (dug out canoes) being poled by local villagers. This was experiencing real Africa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan was knowledgeable and helpful as well as an excellent cook during the camping.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your camera protected by waterproof bags to Victoria Falls you will get some amazing pictures.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were two wonderful experiences. Firstly getting soaked to the skin walking through the mist and spray by the Victoria Falls. And secondly, seeing at least five rhinos snoozing under the shade of a mopane tree with gentle puffs of dust arising as they snorted and slept in the heat of the afternoon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan Moon was just what I expected. A very sociable young chap with an Afrikaan accent who looked after our small group very well. He makes exceptional cakes by a camp fire and an excellent vegetarian stew which he seemed to conjure up from nowhere. He even flew his drone and shared some fascinating aerial shots of us canoeing in mokoros in the Delta.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready for long road trips and try to go to Vic Falls twice. Once to get thoroughly soaked and second to take your cameras avoiding the wettest spots to record the atmosphere and thunder!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a great many. But the moment that will live with me was on a walking safari in the Delta. Somebody yelled "Kudu", I looked through my binoculars and shimmering in the early morning sunlight I could just see a pair of twisted horns emerging from the long grass. The horns morphed into a beautifully marked male Kudu who, having emerged from the grass like a Gladiator in a Ridley Scott movie just stood there staring at us. He was joined by a couple of others. His long piercing stare said it all. He was a king in his own realm. We were just there to watch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan is quite a character. Good with people. Excellent at animals and he had the ability to keep everyone happy at the same time - no mean feat. I particularly appreciated his pointing out a small scopes owl one night; he knew I was interested in birds and on another occasion he showed me a fearsome video from his phone of hundreds of may-flies perishing on the lawns at Victoria Falls oddly enough something I found curiously fascinating. I think his inspired use of the Millionaire Game on the longer journeys is something other tour guides should think about doing. The number of long journeys I have been on where the leader simply goes to sleep is legion. I did not meet anyone on the trip who had a bad word to say about Rowan. I think he is a real star and somebody who actively contributed towards the success of this brilliant trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Take warm clothes as it gets cold in the mornings; 2. Take a spare torch; 3. Don`t just take photo`s - feel and hear the animals and birds. Don`t just get caught up in the technicalities of photography - appreciate your experience. 4. Take something for the locals. I took some pens and was so very touched by the warmth of the thanks of the locals. These are people who really appreciate your kindness. 5. Don`t drink too much late at night - wandering to the "bushy-Bushy" in the middle of the night is an adventure but best avoided!!

Most Inspirational Moment

In Hwange Park on the sunset safari, a herd of elephants of all ages crossed in front of us on their way to a waterhole. The closer they got to the water, the faster they ran and they put on a spectacular water show for us. They drank and splashed in the water and showered water in the air, they then rolled in the mud and the babies seemed to show such joy at rolling and splashing around. Next they threw dust over themselves which looked like they were finishing off their bathing session with powder. It really made me smile. Then at the next watering hole, the hippos finally showed themselves and opened their massive mouths - truly awesome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan was good fun, a great cook with limited facilities and amazing at spotting birds and animals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The camping in the Okavango Delta is basic. I'm not a natural camper but just embrace it because the proximity to animals, the noises, the visibility of the Milky Way is awesome. I never thought I would use the bush shower but I did and I enjoyed it, so be open minded! Take a sleeping bag liner with you, wet wipes, torches and as little else as possible because you will probably just end up wearing the same clothes for the 3 days/2 nights you are there as everything gets covered in dust. Take something to do (e.g. book, puzzle book, magazine) during the heat of the day during siesta time as it is too hot to go out then and you couldn't wander off by yourself.

Most Inspirational Moment

The delta: the organisation of the villagers, their knowledge and skills awesome

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great guy Rowan along with Susifso who had guided and driven us so well on an earlier trip to South Africa and the drakonsburgs 9 years ago We didn’t forget him and it was great to see him again Rowan was all that you could have wished for and humorous with it They made the dream team

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

There were just so many highlights that choosing just one is impossible! The visit to the Okavango Delta via mokoros, camping and the game walks were inspirational. Whilst here, we watched an elephant approach our camp and then wander over to a palm tree where it proceeded to shake the tree trunk vigorously, causing the palm nuts to rain down. We watched it eat the nuts and then repeat the performance - magic. Watching a huge flock of vibrant lesser flamingos flying in the evening light at the Makgadikgadi Salt pans. In Chobe, seeing a leopard resting up a tree twitching its tail, guarding its impala prey. At Matobo, standing within a few metres from a mother white rhino and her baby (and her teenage calf) and then going to visit centuries old cave paintings which captured the wildlife so accurately (including rhino!). In Hwange, looking into the faces of lion cubs who were resting in the shade after a big meal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rowan was very knowledgable, friendly, fun and enthusiastic and helped us to get the full benefit from all our trips. He quickly made sure that the group was a cohesive unit in which we were all equal. He was extremely well organised throughout the trip and at border crossings gave us all very clear guidance as to what we needed to do, making these parts of the trip go as smoothly as possible, too. Rowan prepared and served us some great meals after long days on excursions. We often enjoyed these sitting round the camp fire at night and he still had the energy to entertain us into the evening! Couldn't have asked for more!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were surprised just how cold the early morning game drives were in open vehicles (we were there in July/ August; winter). The blankets provided certainly helped, but we probably should have taken light windproof jackets as well as fleeces. We had hats and gloves and also neck buffs - the latter very useful to protect against the dust as well as to keep warm/ stop any biting insects/ protect from the sun! We weren't troubled by insects, as it happened! We took US dollars which were fine for Zimbabwe, but local shops & traders in Botswana preferred pula. There were plenty of opportunities to stop at ATMs for these so this was not a problem.

Most Inspirational Moment

The three amazing and very special animal sightings: leopard with kill, wild dogs and caracal. Last experience probably never to be repeated in a lifetime and special to me as my Abyssinian breed cat is descended ultimately from the African caracal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hi is ace!!!!!!! His organisational skills and enthusiastic love of Africa shine through. A really god shopper and cook too over very many meals. An Exodus tour marches on its tummy we know and we marched well and on time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not hesitate if you love the African experience: this is a very special tour.