Reviews

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

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77 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

ELIZABETH STEVENS

Reviewed October 2024

Living the African bush rather than just seeing it

This was a very immersive experience and we loved every minute.

Most Inspirational Moment

The buffalo stampede to the waterhole at dusk; elephants 'visiting' the carcass of an elephant killed the night before by a pride of lions; hyena suckling her young; pack of wild dogs;

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny was our group leader, ably assisted by Mello, Timoth and Yetu. Kenny could be a bit abrupt at times but was extremely knowledgeable and very organised. Superb cooking by Mello and vegetarians weren't an after thought as is often the case; Timoth and Yetu were quiet but very hard working and very appreciative of assistance with packing up the tents and washing up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to be comfortable with being dirty and as a previous traveller said, putting on clean clothes is just not worth it so you'll probably not need as many clothes as you take. We were able to do some laundry in Victoria Falls. We were advised to take USD but in Botswana, it is better to have Pula. We were taken straight from the airport to a foreign exchange bureau and then had to change the USD that we'd brought with us, into Pula. For Zimbabwe, you can do everything in USD. For optional extras, we did the helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta (USD 280), the night time safari with dinner in the Zambezi national park ($140 in total) and the late afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River from Kasane (roughly $45 but payable in Pula). We would recommend all 3. The one thing that we all didn't like, was the tipping. If we had followed our interpretation of the guidelines in the Exodus notes (does per person mean per traveller or per member of crew?), we (a couple) would have ended up paying over$550 in tips which we feel is excessive. Other travellers in our group had different ideas and there were a number of discussions about how much we should tip which made us all feel uncomfortable. If such a large tip is expected, then I would argue that the staff are not paid enough. For the mokoro polers, give all tips to your group leader for distribution.

Harry Perren

Reviewed October 2024

A truly mind blowing experience!

We went on this tour in September 2024, and really did have the most unbelievable time.
Each day brought something new and exciting, from hearing Hyenas while trying to sleep, to having Elephants walk just past camp.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset on the salt pan was amazing! The chef, Mike, put on a bbq of Steaks and Boerewors for us, which we enjoyed just as the sun disappeared, and the stars started showing. Brian then spent time teaching us about the stars (using the worlds brightest laser pen) which was so informative!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 4 guys who looked after us on this tour - Brian, Mike, Timoth and Moeti. They were all amazing, and so helpful throughout the two weeks. Brian himself basically becomes everyone’s favourite person, he’s so well informed on just about everything, and does his best to make sure you get to experience Botswana in the best way possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be uncomfortable, some drives are very long (although broken up the frequent wildlife spotting). When at the wild campsites there is quite a long break between the morning drive finishing and the afternoon drive starting. We found this to be quite tough, as it can get very hot! So make sure when Brian says to buy supplies, get some soft drinks alongside the beers, to make the day a bit easier! Having read a previous review I decided to take a trail cam along with me, and after a few nights of not getting too much action, I managed to capture a Hyena sniffing around the camp fire! So definitely worthwhile bringing one along if you’re interested!

C Ly

Reviewed October 2024

Once in a lifetime experience

This is the most incredible experience, we travelled in September 2024 and the more we look back and remember it, the more unbelievable it feels. We wild camped in tents in the African savanna!
This isn’t a holiday. It’s an adventure.
I can’t imagine a better way to travel on safari. We saw everything we wanted to, and learnt a lot about the animals, birds, and environment. Highlights included the mokoro through the delta, a large pack of painted dogs in Savuti, and leopards in Savuti and Moremi. When you are wild camping you are in the middle of the parks and reserves so you are the first group in the action. This safari trip will be very hard to beat as one of our best ever travel experiences.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's so hard to pick one. Everyday had a new and different experience. The thrill of morning game drive in Savuti will be hard to beat. Driving with determination and excitement to the next sighting had us holding on to the vehicle in anticipation!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big Friendly Brian made this trip for us. His enthusiasm and experience makes for the best wildlife experience. Safari is about being in the right place, at the right time. And Brian puts you right there. He also made us feel very safe during the wild camps with clear instruction and daily briefings. We were also supported by the excellent Mike, Timoth, and Moreti who drove the support vehicle, set up camp, and cooked amazing food. The full service camping, having tents set up and ready for us in camp, was great. And we always had a friendly wave and warm welcome into camp each day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long bumpy drives, permanently dirty dusty feet, warm drinking water, and early mornings. But it's all completely worth it! We used our binoculars everyday. Bring a day pack that can fit under a car seat in front of you otherwise it can be cramped. You have the chance to buy beers along the way for evening in camp, but would also recommend some soft drinks and snacks to help the drives go past. Bring podcasts and headphones, or a book, for the long drives. Be sure to try the bush shower, cooling and amazing views at the same time. Tips in the Okavango are 30 USD per person. There's opportunity to change USD to Pula which can be useful for tips or crafts. Most places accept credit card. We travelled in September and it was warm. We had our sleeping bags with us, but most nights just used a thinner liner. It's hard to know how many clothes to pack but we only wore about half what we took. So really think about what you will feasibly wear. Best kit was a thin, quick drying shirt you could rinse out in camp.

M B

Reviewed October 2024

Amazing amount of wildlife

Excellent trip with so much wildlife . Elephants , lions , leopard, african wild dogs , hippos, crocs ….the list goes on. Thats without listing all the birds.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a lions up a tree stealing a leopard kill ( impala)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny and his crew were outstanding . Kenny happy to provide lots of information and explanations , very patient .

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is proper wild camping , some camp sites are unfenced so animals, large and small, will wander through at times. You will get very dusty and putting clean clothes on is pointless. The bush shower is fun but the water needs to be heated first so use it sparingly ( therefore the shower is not available every day ) . Personally found a "dry shower" can ( no water needed) adequate for a day or two - check cyclist shops i.e. muc off dry shower - . Take a Buff/Neck gaiter as you will get dusty when travelling in the truck . Stick to neutral colours when on bush walks , any colour not brown/ green/sand/dark will really stand out and therefore disturb the animals ( or possibly attract them which might be worse ! ) . That includes your day pack but as you will be wearing it and not facing the wildlife it might be OK, the guide and crew will advise. Lying in bed listening to the wildlife was a different experience , the bush can be quite noisy . Definitely carry a head torch plus possibly a spare as you need to scan area - at night - before leaving your tent. Opportunities to charge batteries are limited , basically a twin USB charger on the truck , so you will have to take turns at whose eqpt can be charged while truck engine running . (Note when viewing wildlife the truck engine is turned off ) . Overall an amazing trip .

Michelle Stone

Reviewed July 2024

Wilder than expected

We have done trips with wild camping before but this trip took things to the next level. On this trip you really do get away from it all and get very close to the wildlife. You really will be amongst the animals you’ve come to see. Early morning starts (be ready for 05:30 alarm calls) are worth it for seeing the animals still active before the heat of the day. ‘Assisted camping’ makes the whole experience more relaxing, with a great support crew to take care of putting up/taking down tents and preparing great meals. (You won’t go hungry.)

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a leopard was a highlight for us, especially as we were able to follow him for at least half an hour. We also spent some time watching a pack of African Wild Dogs and their pups playing in the morning sun outside their den. Elephants are always a joy to watch, especially family groups by the water.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny was a great group leader providing guidance and information and answering all our questions with great patience. His crew (John the chef, Casey and Yetu) kept the campsites feeling like home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are comfortable with the idea of wild camping: you are camping in sites with no fences or facilities. You will get dirt under your fingernails and you will hear animals around the campsite at night, (maybe even get a nudge from a honey badger through the tent canvas) but you will see lots of animals up close and in their natural environment. (This can be unnerving, especially seeing a hippo at close quarters from a mokoro.) The vehicle does not have doors and this makes getting in / out a bit like rock climbing. On the bright side you will get a full body workout each time you get in/out of the vehicle. This trip would not be suitable for anyone with any mobility issues. In winter you will experience two seasons: hot during the day and very cold at night. Do not underestimate how cold it can get in winter at night at the campsites and on those early morning game drives and pack an extra layer and a woolly hat. As noted, dust can be an issue. A scarf or 'buff' to cover your nose and mouth for long dusty driving days may help you inhale less dust. Relax and enjoy your wildlife experience in this beautiful country.

Marion Hughes

Reviewed July 2024

Amazing Botswana

A great trip for seeing wildlife. We saw so much and pretty well everything except a cheetah.
Full of amazing moments and experiences from start to finish. The Chobe River cruise is a must as is the walk in the Victoria Falls Park.
Our group of 10 got on very well and made sure we moved around the ‘truck’ to share the bumps and reduced leg room seats.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many amazing memories but mine is realising how beautiful a leopard is as I stared at it’s face through binoculars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big friendly Brian is exactly what it says on the tin. He loves his job and has a great team looking after you. He will ensure you are safe and see as much as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a full on trip and not for everyone. Wild camping is tough and it can be cold at night and on the early morning drives in July. Take some gloves and a warm hat. A thin insulated jacket/ gilet would be useful as would a top with a hood. It’s really dusty terrain so a buff is useful too. Music for the longer journeys. Keep notes of what you see as you will forget otherwise. Binoculars are a must.

Aqua-Abasi Akpabio

Reviewed July 2024

A fantastic trip

I’ve now done this trip two times and both experiences were fantastic. The wildlife is exceptional – an incredible number of elephants, lions, leopards (the first time we saw 12, this time we saw three mating), wild dogs, hyenas, masses of antelope, even a serval. The list could go on. Botswana’s low density tourism means that even in the major reserves you never feel surrounded by other people and most of the time the group is on its own.

Both times I did the camping departure which has the inevitable discomforts of camping but repays with the extraordinary experience of being out in the bush. The camping team were fantastic and couldn’t have done more to make sure we had a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Actually so many but Victoria Falls at sunrise (definitely worth the 5.30am wake up to have the place to yourself), seeing leopards mating and the elemental feel of being out in the bush were all incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was outstanding. Hugely experienced, he was a bottomless mine of information and also very funny and adept at managing the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Especially in July it gets really cold during the night and in the morning. Be prepared to wrap up warm. Credit cards were more widely welcomed than we expected.

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!

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