Botswana customer reviews

Cape Town – Apartment was in a great location if a bit tricky for taxis to find. Also, in the notes it said we were having a cooking lesson, but it turned out to be a (very delicious) meal in this lady’s house. To be honest, we were so tired from our flight cancellation shenanigans and only getting in late the night before that this wasn’t a problem at all, more a blessing.

Botswana – Everything was amazing! It was good to do the guesthouse first and then the camp as whilst the guesthouse was totally lovely, the camp was on another level. The teams on the ground were brilliant, especially in Chobe when we asked if they could (at the 11th hour) change our transfer times to Vic Falls so we could have one final game drive. They did this without any hesitation and it was hugely appreciated.

Victoria Falls – The hotel was lovely. The rooms felt a little dated and only one bathroom to share between all four of us (we had been spoiled up until then) but otherwise no issues at all. Lovely gardens and very helpful staff. We hadn’t booked any activities in advance, which meant we didn’t always get the days we wanted as it was peak season. Didn’t really matter though as we had enough days there, but others might want to book ahead. The sunset cruise that you had booked was lovely.

Transfers – Everyone was always so lovely, smiley, and shared lots of local info with us.

Shout out to the SA team who were brilliant at responding to our WhatsApp messages when we needed to change things due to all the flight issues, and their suggestion of booking two day rooms at J’burg airport for our long stop over was genius. Thanks for organising us another unforgettable family holiday, it really was amazing and beyond our expectations of what a safari would be like.

Being new to a Stubborn Mule trip J’s brother and kids just were just blown away with the quality of everything from the meet and greet, the transport, the lodges, the drives and the service – as we were of course!

Not sure I can pin down a highlight but the villa in Vic Falls was particularly special – private, exquisitely set out and with a housekeeper, chef and butler and unparalleled experience. A perfect end to a brilliant trip. The only downside is I am not sure I can figure a way to top it! I suspect we will need your help on that one.

The Falls themselves were spectacular, and the Zambezi cruise was serene and a good start to African wildlife with crocodiles and hippos. Our day white water rafting was adrenaline fuelled fun, particularly since our boat shot up vertically at the Grade 5 rapid called The Mother, tipping us all out! We however survived both the water and the steep climb up the gorge to the BBQ lunch area!

Our treehouse rooms were amazing, food and staff were great and there were some very nice touches like fleecy ponchos for the morning game drive, warm face flannels when we arrived back and your drink of choice pre ordered for the sundowners on the afternoon drives.

The tented safari was everyone’s highlight of the trip. It was so special being in the middle of the game reserve, hearing the noise of hippos and other wildlife just behind our tents at night and elephants walking through the camp during the day! The staff were all brilliant, the food was superb and our guide, Kabelo, was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He really strived to ensure that we had the best experience and his rally driving on and off road was a lot of fun (our jeep got stuck in an elephant hole while tracking a lion just ahead!). We saw some amazing wildlife including the critically endangered African dogs. Although the mobile safari option was pricey it was worth the memorable experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat!

Our last two nights at the water based camp were good. The location was idyllic and it was lovely to cruise through the papyrus lined waterways. The mokoro canoe boat trip was a very relaxing meditative experience.

Overall a truly amazing and memorable holiday. Thank you!

Bakwena – Easy transfer over to Botswana and Chobe. Again, with a driver keen to share info on the region (and stop to save a tortoise…). The family chalet at Bakwena worked really well for us, and a pool for a mid-afternoon refresh again was much appreciated! The location at times feels a little unusual in that it’s a closed space in the middle of a village that isn’t really explorable, but it’s also a 20/25min drive from the entrance to the park. Not that far, but there and back twice a day each day adds up.

Others might want somewhere closer to the park and/or somewhere that’s more part of its locale. The food was aimed at “fine dining,” which didn’t always work and probably isn’t necessary. I’d give them feedback to switch to simpler/more local.

Alec was our safari guide for the stay and was incredible. Very experienced, very open to tailoring the trips (although we didn’t need to ask for anything specific). The game drives and boat trips were all excellent. And then the small bonus of the extra boat trip along the river to the 4 borders meeting point for some added interest.

Okavango lodge – Pretty much the best place of its type we’ve ever stayed. A wonderful family lodge for us and super friendly, helpful staff throughout. Unbelievable location overlooking one of the channels of the Delta – even for a camp in a private concession, it’s a stunning site and set up with the layout into the dining/meeting areas.

Alex, our guide here, was similarly brilliant and which made all the game drives and boat trip all the more enjoyable. Some other guides joined us for the walking safari and the mokoro trip, and they were also brilliant, especially Same, who joined us for both. We skipped the night drive on the last night because of the weather (more dramatic lightning storms!), but otherwise the range and quality of activities were perfect.

Ethiopia Airlines – Good to keep the cost down. Wouldn’t take that option for any other reason though! So served its purpose at least.

Overall, an incredible trip. The children loved it and will never forget their trip to Victoria Falls and the safari highlights.

We did the zip lining and white water rafting at Victoria Falls and can recommend both of these (although my thighs have only just recovered from the trek back up from the raft over what seemed like miles of vertical climbing! ) We capsized the raft on a category 5 rapid, having chosen the more difficult route, and have many stories to tell.

The game drives were amazing at the first two locations with the eagle-eyed guides spotting an animal family and following them, getting up close and personal with a short glimpse of their everyday lives.

Plenty of baby animals to “ooh” over. Prides of lions passing next to the vehicle, we could have leaned down and touched as they went past, an elephant investigating some pistachio shells in the vehicle, a juvenile male elephant chasing all the vehicles with trumpeting and head shaking, a pair of ostriches with their 25 babies, running across the savannah, a grumpy hippo in a small pool, as well as one defecating with a tail spraying it everywhere! A hyena, going back to a pool where he had hidden his kill, and dragging it into the bush, many funny little wart hogs trotting off with tails aloft, giraffe, wildebeest, Kudu, antelope, tortoise, monitor lizard, and a couple of leopard sightings as well as birds, sausage trees and fantastic sunsets. A truly magical place.

We decided to treat Victoria Falls as a chill-out location so did not do any game drives there. I have a giraffe and bongo that I bought in the small market (not considering how I would get them home!) but it was pretty plain sailing and they got home safely and are a constant reminder of our happy times in Africa.

Needless to say, the Stubborn Mule Magic was evident in the seamless transition from one place to another and with all the room and dietary requirements completely catered for and known upfront. The service you provide is truly spectacular and we look forward to next year with you. T is already talking about wintering in Botswana and buying some land. I have never seen him so relaxed.

We wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2024.