Travelled: December 2019
Destination: Botswana
Itinerary: Self Drive – 16 nights combination of camping and accommodation - 1 night Kwa Nokeng (Martins Drift Border), 2 nights’ Deception Pan Campsite (Central Kalahari), 3 nights’ Oddballs’ Camp (Okavango Delta), 1 night Maun Rest Camp Campsite (Maun), 2 nights Khwai Public Campsite (Khwai) , 1 night Savuti Public Campsite (Savuti) , 1 night Linyanti Public Campsite (Linyanti), 2 nights Chobe Safari Lodge (Kasane, Chobe Riverfront), 2 nights’ Planet Baobab Campsite (Makgadikgadi), 1 night Baobab Bushveld Retreat (Groblersbrug)

Hi Tara
 
Thank you again for your wishes :).
 
Our trip to Botswana was a trip of a lifetime. You provided an excellent service - answered us promptly and with a lot of care, patience and personality (!). The trip was very tailored to what we cared about - a mixture of camping and lodges and we felt as though we were in safe hands!
 
The recommendations on lodges were great and we absolutely loved Oddballs and flying there by a Delta Air. Such a cool, quirky place but with excellent food and lovely staff. Not to mention the FANTASTIC view of the river and non stop animal viewing. Also helps that this was the site of a very special moment for us, our engagement - nevertheless a lovely place. 
 
Tara is brilliant and we are very glad we chose Eight Points as a travel agent. I’ve since recommended her and the service (as well as Oddballs) to a number of other prospective visitors as I really do feel like the service was outstanding.
 
...finally a thank you for the champagne at Oddballs - very sweet and the photo is us drinking it while watching the sunset!!! :)
 
All the best and thank you again.
 
Tanvi and Jack

Travelled: December 2019 – January 2020
Destination: South Africa
Itinerary: 11 nights Ocean View House, Camps Bay, Cape Town (Visiting Cape Town for the England v Proteas Cricket Test) and 3 nights’ Bateleur Safari Camp (Greater Kruger National Park)

Hi Tara
 
Ocean View House
Excellent location, 15 min walk by the sea to bars and restaurants
Great views of the mountain and sea from our room
Very helpful and friendly staff, owners came out at breakfast to chat to all guests
Peaceful gardens, well looked after and shade there if required
Room was very clean and well laid out
Excellent breakfast with all choices available
Only advice I would give is that the honesty bar is in the wrong place, situated in breakfast area which felt odd if we wanted to have a drink
However, all in all an excellent place and wouldn’t hesitate to use again
 
Bateleur Safari Camp
A truly, truly wonderful experience and difficult to put into words when telling friends, absolutely perfect in every aspect from the meet and greet at start to the goodbye at end – could forget about the outside world
Setting was really special, right in the middle of the bush and got the real feeling of being close to nature with all the sounds of animals/birds
Animals wondering through camp and elephants seen feeding from our room
Tented room was also excellent, clean, great layout and outside shower a great experience !
Very friendly staff and superb food
Even though we had seen animals in SA before we hadn’t seen the leopard so made our day – great game viewing and saw Big 5 in 2 days
Tracker and guide were friendly and their knowledge about all nature was second to none.
The bush walking which at first was a bit daunting but was excellent, walking in the bush was surreal
Even the rain/thunderstorms which hammered down for hours and created the river to fill up was an experience
In summary – PERFECT and want to go back again soon!

Trophy motors transfers – both drivers very friendly, helpful and chatty. Transfers on time so worked well
 
In terms of your service, it was excellent and would not hesitate to use you again and recommend you to other people
I gave you what I wanted to do / Stay and you went away and gave me some great picks/ideas using your experience of SA
Very friendly manner throughout
ALL done in a timely manner as well and never had to chase you up, always on hand for questions
 
All the best
Howard/ Sue

Travelled: September 2019
Destination: South Africa
Itinerary: 3 nights Finchley Guest House (Camps Bay, Cape Town) and 3 nights’ Bateleur Safari Camp (Greater Kruger National Park)

Hi Tara
Had such an amazing holiday. Thank you so much for helping us with everything. I could live in Cape town as I fell in love with the place and even though I was secretly dreading safari with all the bugs I could have happily stayed there longer. The people were so friendly, and we saw so many animals - so exceeded all my expectations
Kelly x

Travelled: September 2019
Destination: Botswana
Itinerary: 3 nights’ at Deception Valley Lodge (Central Kalahari) – Self Drive.

Hello Tara,
We have just come back from a very long road trip in Southern Africa and wanted to say thank you for helping us stay at the Deception Valley Lodge. The place is of an astonishing beauty but, more than that, we found the staff was simply outstanding.
If you can, please convey this note to the Lodge, underlying the super performance of Kitsontle Saqago (aka "Knowledge"). We bought and read the book he contributed to, titled "Men with tales" and found the stories told by the Okavango delta guides truly compelling.
Thank you again, Marco & Marzia

Travelled: July 2019
Destination: Botswana
Itinerary: 2 nights’ Old Bridge Backpackers (Maun), 6 nights’ Oddballs’ Camp Camping Trail (Okavango Delta)

Dear Tara
 
Home since yesterday, I’d like to thank you for your professional, warm-hearted and tailor made planning of our journey. You really understood what we were longing for - everything you proposed was so well adapted to our dreams and needs. Starting from the Old Bridge, where we got the two best huts and I saw for the first time in my life wild animals, such as hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and cattle sharing the same water hole. Odd Balls with 4 nights „out in the bush“ was the perfect choice for us - after this experience, I couldn’t ever go back to a safari in a motor vehicle. I felt so much more in harmony with nature and the animals when walking and being in this bush camp. Yes, we still had a lot of luxury out there of course, and the many planes over our heads at certain hours disturbed the illusion of really being out in the wild a little… I know that we used a plane as well, we are contradictory, as my friend Nkalimeng from Lesotho said. But there were also the quiet times, the sunsets, the elephants visiting the camp during the night, the milky way so clear up there in the sky… the very last day when our guide Molaodi fullfilled the boys dream and tracked down a lioness for us, having her meal in the bush 10 meters away from us and telling us with her roars not to come any closer. And the beautiful smile and joy in the face of Molaodi, happier than ever during these days because he was able to fullfill the dream of these two 7 and 11 year old boys.
 
I have another „adopted“ family with two boys, unfortunately they live in Spain, thus it would be the flights in addition to the safari to pay… but if ever I decide once to take them to a safari in Botswana, this time it would be easy to choose the company, of course it would be yours :-)
 
thanks again and kind regards,
 
Margrit

Travelled: July 2019
Destination: Namibia
Itinerary: 10 nights’ Self Drive through Namibia visiting Swakopmund, Sossusvlei and Etosha

Hi Tara,

We have made it back home, gutted to be home though to be honest!

We just wanted to say the most enormous thank you ever! We had such an amazing and special trip, thanks to your incredible organising.

Everywhere we went and stayed was so different which we absolutely loved, it was like going on many different holidays. All the food was delicious and the staff were lovely. Every bed was super comfy too! And some of the views were stunning! Great choices of places to stay by you, so thank you.

Tiffany who met us at the Europe’s when we arrived was amazing too. So helpful! All of the information and maps etc that we were given were so comprehensive and well organised we knew exactly where to go and when, so a massive thank you! We felt both you and her were there to help if we needed it too.

Lastly, we can’t thank you enough for organising all of the special things and well wishes for our anniversary at the different places we stayed, it was such a surprise, it really made everything so special so thank you! The singing at Etosha Safari Camp was particularly memorable!

We absolutely loved Namibia and we will be back for sure! There are so many places still to go!

When we have had a chance to look through the photos we will send you some and we will get a trip advisor review done too.

Thank you so much again, you are a star!

Jess and Ross

Travelled: June 2019
Destination: Botswana and Zimbabwe
Itinerary: 3 nights’ Oddballs’ Camp (Okavango Delta), 12 nights’ private mobile camping safari staying in Xakanaxa (Moremi) Khwai (Moremi) and Savuti, 3 nights’ Chobe Bakwena (Chobe National Park), 2 nights’ Batonka Guest Lodge (Victoria Falls)

Hi Tara.
Many thanks for your mail. Well what can I say, our holiday was beyond expectations. At Oddballs’ we had a really good personal guide called FNB, he was so informant
about all things and walking in the bush he was so assuring and confident, the staff at the camp were really good and interactive, and the food was excellent.
For the mobile safari we were really spoilt, the company was Tamog Tours and Safaris, for the twelve days we had Namba our guide, Mangi our cook, and three other staff.
We had thought that we would have to share with other tourists, so we were really delighted to have it all to ourselves, I dreaded sitting in a vehicle with ten other people.
Namba was magnificent, his knowledge of all things, from the biggest to the smallest was unbelievable. He would hear a bird’s alarm call and then find the cause of it, usually a Leopard.
With him we saw seven different Leopards in six consecutive days, and so many Lions and cubs, plus Sable, Roan and Tsesebe and all the other game and birds.
Mangi our cook was magnificent, she baked fresh bread every day, in a tin box!!!, and considering she was cooking on an open fire all meals were outstanding.  Before dinner every night Mangi and the three boys would sing at least three songs for us, around the campfire. 
After twelve days Namba drove us to Bakwena , we left at nine in the morning and arrived there at two , and this was the only time we were not so happy , to sit in an open vehicle for 
one hundred and seventy Ks on corrugated roads was very uncomfortable, most of the time you had to cover your eyes from dust and wind.
Bakwena lodge was very good and after our tented safari it was sheer comfort. the cruises on the Chobe were really good, but I found the early morning game drives were a bit rushed, 
we would start at five thirty, drive quite fast for a long distance without taking any time to stop and look around and then it would be a fast drive back to the lodge for eleven am.
The staff at Bakwena were very good and on the last night they put on a show, singing and dancing, with guest participation, and once again the food was excellent.
The drive to Vic Falls was good, going through immigration was not a problem, (from what I was used to ).
Baktonka Lodge was excellent, a big contrast from the start of our holiday, once again the staff and food were excellent.
We booked the sunset cruise and should have shared with seven others but they cancelled at the last minute so we had the boat to ourselves, spoilt again. .
The plane trips in between camps were really good and there were no problems.
Our only regret was that the Delta was not flooded, but apart from that, and the drive to Bakwena, we would highly recommend this holiday,
 
Many thanks for putting everything together, maybe we will return to the Delta when it is flooded.
Will send some pics.
All the best 
Kath and John  

Travelled: April 2019
Destination: Zimbabwe     
Itinerary: 3 nights’ Batonka Guest Lodge (Victoria Falls), 4 nights’ Bomani Tented Camp (Hwange National Park) including transfers on the Elephant Express.

Hi Tara,
We have returned from our wonderful trip to Zimbabwe, you suggested such wonderful places to stay and our trip was very memorable.
Batonka Guest Lodge in Victoria Falls, an ideal easy walk to the town and Falls. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable, and the food was excellent. The breakfasts set us up for the day, with delicious gluten free options. The evening menu choice was limited, though delicious.
The train ride on the Elephant Express in Hwange Nation Park bound for Bomani Tented Camp was a unique way of travelling and we were spoilt by the staff on board with lunch and refreshments. The animal sightings whilst on board were a wonderful introduction to the Park.
From the moment we arrived at Bomani we were looked after royally by our appointed guide and lots of friendly, attentive staff. The tents were luxurious with en-suite full bathrooms, and the beds enormous and very comfortable. The camp was organised so that the tents were well spaced and positioned with views over the open velt. The food was plentiful and a very good quality, with delicious gluten free options always available. We thoroughly enjoyed the morning and evening drives on which the game was plentiful, and the guide very knowledgeable. Guided bush walks were also available.

​Many thanks Tara, for your help and attention. We will definitely book with you again.
Gerry and David

Travelled: December 2018
Destination: Botswana
Itinerary: 3 nights’ Camp Xakanaxa (Moremi Game Reserve), 3 nights’ Delta Camp (Okavango Delta), 4 nights’ Meno a Kwena (Makgadikgadi).
 
Hi Tara,
I must apologize for taking so long to respond. As soon as I returned I had to work on a writing assignment that was due this past Thursday. I made my deadline, and had the wind at my wings having had such a glorious time on my safari!  Thanks for your planning, I'm sure you doing it made all of the difference.
 
The three camps were a great combination, all unique and special in their own ways. Camp Xakanaxa had the warmest staff, so it was a great welcome. All of the staff in all of the camps were lovely, but the women in that camp play a big role, not just serving, but welcoming and helping to run the place (at least for the time I was there.) The camp also put on a lively Christmas performance with singing and dancing from locals at the neighboring village. It was a cultural experience, full of joy and elation.  The camp really celebrated the holidays and it was great being so far from home. There were little presents and a Christmas tree!  I hated to leave...
 
Delta Camp was the most vivid and amazing connection to the natural world.  Walking in the wild uncharted terrain, one-on-one with a guide, as opposed to being driven, I felt closer to nature and animals then I thought possible. It was a thrilling and a unique adventure every day. I loved the close connection to the guides and their knowledge of the land and the animals felt intimate and rare. My guide actually carved his own mokoro, and crossing the waterway was sublime, I wish had been a longer ride, (but the time of year I could travel didn't permit.)  He also shared much about natural medicine, plants and healing, all areas I am interested in.  I appreciated the depth of knowledge of the guides there. And the last night I even got to spend in the tree-house, like something out of a movie, or a dream. I'd recommend this accommodation to everyone!  Delta camp gave me the most authentic safari experience. It felt rare and fleeting.
  
Meno a Kwena was a great place to spend the new year! The atmosphere is so unique with the parachutes draping the dining and public tents, and the lighting with little twinklies made a magical effect. But at the same time the camp feels very luxurious, very "Out Of Africa" British colonial,  with a mix of styles, lots of historic photos, art and unique furniture ( a day bed from India!) I loved watching the food prepared on a fire built in the center of camp, everything here from water conservation, to energy efficiency is remarkable. Very eco-friendly.   And the animals here were plentiful,  I think I saw more here than at the other camps, not that I was counting,  (seeing game is just a small part of the safari experience. ) It was here that I got to visit the San people, who took me on a little walk-about and I learned about the people not just the animals! Also I got drenched every day!  The rainy season for sure! But still, I loved every minute. 
 
I would love to return a different time of year and also to these wonderful camps, but I know there are others that are remarkable as well. Thanks for putting together such a great itinerary.
I truly appreciate the knowledge and care you took in making my holiday trip so fulfilling!
 
All the best,
Kathleen
 

Travelled: November 2018
Destination: Botswana
Itinerary: 2 nights’ at Oddballs’ Enclave (Okavango Delta)
 
Dear Tara, 
We are now in Etosha. We had a wonderful time at Oddballs'Enclave and we are very happy to with our host ( Doc) and of choosing this camp. All the team is fantastic and the food is excellent! 
Thank you very much for your kindness,
Mònica and Benjamin