Travelled: April/May 2022
Destination: Botswana and Zimbabwe
Itinerary: 15 nights itinerary - 10 nights’ private mobile camping safari staying in Khumaga (Makgadikgadi), Third Bridge (Moremi), Khwai (Moremi), Savute and Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park), 2 nights' Lazy River Camp (Okavango Delta) and 3 nights’ Batonka Guest Lodge (Victoria Falls)

Hi Tara

Thanks for your email. 

We had a really exceptional trip. From the moment Leablo from Shangana picked us up in Maun right through to Vic Falls Airport two weeks later we didn’t really have to worry about anything. The itinerary was fantastic and the guys were very happy to make changes and be flexible with everything. Mobile safari was an adventure, but it was also some of the most glamorous comfortable camping we have ever done! And the food was just exceptional, we could have been on some private yacht somewhere, but no we were in the middle of the bush! It was great to be able to try lots of local food, many thanks for organising that! I don’t think we will forget having Lions in the camp at Moremi and seeing them passing the tent before watching them feast on last night’s kill for a long time… and that was just one of many amazing sights. I know that we wouldn’t have had the experience we had without the guys from Shangana - their knowledge, passion and determination to give us the best trip possible shone through, and they are a credit to David and Helena.

The only thing we would say is that the safari vehicle was a tad uncomfortable for the longer trips, the combination of the wind when driving at speed and that our feet did not touch the floor made things a little awkward. We saw some vehicles with different seating arrangements and some screening and things for use on the longer driving parts of the trip. Having said that, it really did not detract significantly from what was a fantastic trip! 

Transfers to Vic falls were smooth and efficient and Batonka was a lovely base for our exploration of the falls. The recommendations from the guys there were first rate and they essentially organised the whole itinerary without us having to lift a finger. The walking tour, helicopter ride were both fantastic. We had some great food at The Boma, Dusty Road and a Dinner Cruise as well. We even managed to fit in a trip to the Stanley Livingstone reserve and were able to see a Mother & Son pair of black rhinos - so we did manage to see the Big 5 on the trip!

All in all an exceptional trip. We are very grateful to you for your exceptional service, your speed of response has been fantastic and you always had the information we needed at hand. Without you I am sure we would not have been connected with such fantastic suppliers, so many thanks for that.

We very much hope to return to Southern Africa one day and if we do I will certainly be in touch!

All the best

Rob & Bethany

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