Beautiful country and very bad people
This is a formal complaint concerning the service provided by Waterlime Mobile Safaris during my trip "6 Days of Moremi Game Reserve" which took place between 29.August - 3 September (programme provided by the organiser of the safari).
The service performed by Waterlime Mobile Safaris employees selected by Ms Mosa: Frank and Katee was below proper standards and did not meet my expectations at all.
The most serious was that they: Katee and Frank lied to us telling that we cannot reach Xakanaka because the road was flooded by the Okavango, and without our consent they changed the programme of the 4th day of the trip and drove us to the south end of Moremi, 1.5 h from Maun.
Other offences in service include:
I. Waterlime Mobile Safaris guide/driver Frank:
1. Offered me to spend nights with me in my tent (“either me or Katee can sleep with you”) which I consider as personal offence. He never apologized for this.
2. As our guide, he never informed us about daily plans and never gave us any information about the area or animals we saw on the way and -in fact- was very bad at tracking them. I personally learnt more during 1 hour mokoro safari from a contracted guide than during the whole trip from our guide Frank
3. Instead of driving along the paths for vehicles in the National Park, Frank drove across the bush chasing animals, including a female elephant with a baby causing stress to me and the animals
4. Repeatedly refused me to use his telephone to call either Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris or my Botswanan friend from Maun when I needed contact, consultation and support (I offered to pay for the calls). Since our mobiles did not work at all we were totally dependent on their good will and cooperation. It did not take place.
5. Was arrogant and aggressive towards us. For example:
-When I asked if we were going to the camp because it was getting late, his reaction was: “who do you think you are to tell me what to do”
-Almost always he did not answer any questions and did what he wanted to do. Even in situations when me and my companions were asking him eg. to stop the car.
II. Waterlime Mobile Safaris guide/cook Katee:
6. During two last days of the trip, he did not provide us with proper food. On day 5 of the trip, for breakfast we got rice and a slice of beef, no lunch at all, and in the evening spaghetti with potatoes, onion and carrots. On the last day of the trip we only got black coffee for breakfast.
7. He refused to give us fresh water and insisted that we drink the plastic smelling water which was bought 6 days ago. He also refused to make fire on the last night saying that he had no more money left for buying wood. I had to give them some money to buy us water and/or wood.
When communicating with Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris they never spoke English so we did not know what they were telling to Ms Mosa and could not react.
My request sent to Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris to compensate financially such bad service was never answered.
Sincerely yours, Danuta
Email Louise | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fabulous!
What a beautiful, friendly, extraordinary place. We had very cold mornings but hot days. Xakanaxa Tented Camp was beautiful and very friendly with a lovely deck overlooking the river and a fire pit for evening get together to chat over the days sightings.TS was a fabulous guide - very knowledgable and keen to show us all the wildlife from elephant to beautiful birds. Having a sundowner whilst elephant were wandering past at the end of a hot dusty game drive is something very special. Khwai Tented Camp was small and intimate and as it was in the concession we were able to have night game drives and a wonderful Mokoro trip. We saw 2 leopards on the hunt and were able to follow them off-road. Chobe lodge is more like an hotel so much bigger and less intimate. The food was amazing. The wildlife is concentrated around the river and there were amazing sightings of elephant, beautiful sunsets and we had a brief sight of a pack of wild dogs. We asked to do full morning game drivers rather that split the morning into game and river safaris which gave us more time out though by about 11 am most of the game is seeking shade from the heat. So many fabulous memories of a beautiful country.
IT
Email Fabio Vegetti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana with Gifts of The Kalahari
A trip to the heart of the bush, made unforgettable by our guide Lucky who, tireless and very expert of places, has accompanied us in this exciting adventure. Thanks also to the Master chef Smooth, to Sugar and Jacob and to the whole team Gifts of the Kalahari. A perfect organization. Colors, scents, and sounds of Botswana will remain in our memories.
Gifts of The Kalahari is super!!!
ES
Email Teresa de la Vega | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip of a lifetime
Tony and Vincent are incredible and very knowledgeable guides who went out of their way to ensure that we enjoyed every minute of our safari
Email Phill | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime experience of game drives and camping in the bush
As someone who had never been on a safari before, I wasn't really too sure what to expect when I booked this safari in Chobe national park so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be an experience that will stay with me forever. The safari guests consisted of myself and just one other tourist where we were treated to our own campsite with private tents. The team consisted of three staff who managed the campsite, cooked and one of which also provided an extra pair of eyes on the game drives. The staff prepared 3-meals a day of excellent food, usually including some kind of exotic meat in the evenings. The game drives also consisted of the main tour guide (Jane) and her daughter who also came along on the tour (as a one-off). The abundance of wildlife in Chobe was one thing that really amazed me and on game drives there was rarely a 5-minute window where no wildlife was seen at all and over the course of the entire tour we saw just about every animal I could have asked to see there (elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, zebras...only excluding the elusive Hyena's). The tour guide had around 30 years of experience and so her and her daughter offered a wealth of knowledge and were able to answer any questions we had. Chobe national park itself was an incredible place with the backdrop of the Chobe river offering some of the most incredible sunrises/sunsets I have ever seen and is not too busy like I have heard other national parks in Africa can get (e.g. Kruger) so when we were observing wildlife we were, more often that not, the only vehicle around. To summarise, anyone looking for a safari tour that is small, with private camping and abundant wildlife then this will be ideal for you.
Email Elloura Rissel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime camping experience
Super safe place to travel to and totally worth it for how up close and personal you can get with the animals and out in the bush
BR
Email Diogo Alves Portilho | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari was perfect.
The safari in chobe national park was awesome. The wildlife was quite perfect. We didnt see leopard, but the rest we saw everything. The guide was extremelly kind and wise in the explanations about wildlife. Everything was good and i have nothing to complain about.
Experience of a life time!
We recently returned from our first ever safari trip. The whole experience was fantastic. We were very impressed and never a dull moment.
We had the best experience under the care of Walking Stick Safari.
The tent was very comfortable and met all our requirements. The food was excellent and exceeded all our expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The staff was very courteous friendly and accommodating.
We felt that each day was very well planned out in order to maximise the experience. We felt very safe and well taken care of at all times. Phillimon is a very knowledgeable guide and gave us a lot of insight about the animals and birds.
Phillimon made sure we got to take some amazing photos and videos of many wild animals and birds. It was nice to see everything in its own natural habitat without the animals feeling threatened. We managed to see 4 of the BIG 5. No Rhinos unfortunately but in view of how protected they are nowadays its no wonder.
We highly recommend Walking Stick to anyone looking to do a safari. We deliberately chose a small local independent company so we could contribute back to the community. More than glad that we did as the service was excellent and the experience second to none. You will not be disappointed.
US
Email Michael Smith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime.
It was a trip that I thought was unattainable. I could not have been more wrong. After doing some research I found a wonderful safari company. I did a mobile camping safari. Incredible game drives during the day , bush walks and dinner under the South African night sky. Imagine falling asleep to the sound of a male lion roaring in the distance or hippos snorting in the river nearby. I fell so in love with Botswana on that trip that I was booked on another safari two months after returning home. Best vacation ever!!!
US
Email Salamandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Authentic, yet organized and safe
Wildlife was maybe a bit too used to humans to feel "natural" but the benefit is that you can see lots of animals from very close. We often had elephants or even lions surround our car! Our safari guide, found on Safaribookings was really a small business owner working really hard to make it, and in addition to being a great tracker was also able to share with us over the dinner table a lot of his knowledge of the Bushmen tribe and other elements of history and of the local culture. My advice is to take a chance by going for a safari in a small group and with a small operator, even if they have few reviews. You may be in for a unique experience and meet extraordinary local guides.
