Early Kingfisher Safari

5.0/5 – 33 Reviews

$4,730 pp (USD)

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Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism

Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism

Early Kingfisher Safari

5.0/5  
(33 Reviews)
Office In:
Botswana Botswana
Size:
1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
Member Of:
BOGA & Botswana Tourism
Tour Types:
Custom budget tours that can start every day
Destinations:
Botswana BW
Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism

Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism

Situated in Maun, Botswana, Our company takes pride in understanding the tourism clientele and taste of varous persona. performing iteneraries to fully meet customers expectation is our pride, ensuring that Botswana is well represted in the tourism industry is our priority. Our staff are well trained and had previous experiences that are second to none. Come to Botswana, experince this LOVE and let Botswana be incredible

Reviews33

Brilliantly organised, Sam is often first at viewings due to his extensive tracking skills.
5/5

Husband & I only decided at New Year 2025 to do a tour, and March seemed to work for us; went to Botswana Tourism site and found rave reviews about Early Kingfisher Safaris; contacted Sam and received speedy reply and literally a breeze getting a route, price, and time to suit us sorted, so we were all ready to go in three weeks, and flew out of Australia for 7 nights Touch of Okavango camping safari, commenced Maun 11 March. Stunning weather. Experienced travellers for almost 50 years, Sam's Early Kingfisher adventure would rate as one of the very top trips we've ever done around the world. Amazingly, we were the only guests on the tour, but that's Sam's point of difference (that he will go with just 2 guests if necessary!) He's a very safe driver. His Jeeps are maintained very well and are comfortable, with blankets provided for the early morning safari every dawn. We didn't know if the campsites would be within compounds or would be fenced, but they weren't and we had nothing to fear (even when a pride of lions passed behind our tents at Savuti at 3a.m. one night: 8 of them decided our campfire embers provided a bit of warmth and were still there, sleeping, when we got up!). I had mentioned I would prefer a gluten-free meal/bread plan: Chef cooked my own buns/bread for every meal, and his range of menus was always delightful. We had beautifully set tables every night, G & T while we waited for dinner, and housekeeping was immaculate with clothes washed when we went out each morning, then placed, ironed, on our big bed each afternoon. Nothing was too much trouble for Sam and his staff, and we left as friends. Sam pointed out many birds in Moremi and Savuti and everywhere in between, wildflowers in profusion, and of course the only one of the BIG 5 we didn't see was the relocated rhinos. Amazingly we viewed copulating leopards (3 in total) from a very close vantage point, and wild dogs! Not to mention the afternoon when Sam heard a commotion during our rest time, and quickly sang out to us to hop in the jeep because he could hear a pursuit - we arrived in time to just see a zebra being taken down, and sat mesmerised for another 2 hours - again we were the first vehicle on the scene. It was magical.

Suberb!
5/5

We spent five days with Sam and were blown away by the depth and breadth of his knowledge of all sorts African wildlife, from termites to lions. His passion for all life and the ecology of (in our case) the Okavango Delta shone through every day. He's a terrific birder as well, and we joked with him about remembering what page in the bird guide each bird appeared. :-) The camp was quite comfortable and we were well looked after. Thanks so much, Sam - all our best to you and your lovely team!

The only way to see Africa's wildlife and enjoy its friendly culture!
5/5

As I was excitedly telling a friend I was going on an African Safari in January, a woman overheard me and told me she goes to Africa yearly. She warned me I was making a mistake by going during the rainy season and said I wouldn’t see any wildlife. Her advice couldn’t have been more wrong!

Visiting Botswana Central Kalahari Reserve and the Magkadigkadi Salt Flats with David Shaw (Lead Photographer) and Sam Mopalo (Owner of Early Kingfisher Safari) was filled with incredible wildlife experiences! Sam, an accomplished naturalist who grew up and lives in Botswana, knows the wildlife in this area like the back of his hand. He can spot a lion, leopard, or any African beast from afar with his naked eye. It took the rest of us binoculars and the directions given by Sam and David to find it. The magic was getting close to this wildlife, close enough to photograph it. Sam’s tracking skills are beyond comparable. We were almost the only vehicle following the wildlife for days and never shared a viewing opportunity with anyone else.

David and Sam made a great “tag team.” What one missed or didn’t know, the other did. David, the avid and excellent photographer, ensured we had the best angle for the best shot, although Sam often nailed it before he said a word. And I came away with some remarkable photos, my favorites being those of the lions interacting with one another. I never guessed they could be as affectionate as a house cat!

Sleeping in tents with our every whim taken care of by Sam’s crew kept us close to the action. It was easy to be up early to photograph wildlife while it was still actively enjoying the cool morning light. While we rested in the shade of the sun during the middle of the day, we were back at it until sundown.

It was the best mobile safari camp experience possible. Sleeping in the bush, with everything we needed brought in—lights, food, warm and cold water, and shelter—the night rewarded us with a dark sky filled with stars that looked close enough to touch. The sounds of wildlife rocked us to sleep and gently woke us in the morning.

During the trip, we also spent a few nights in comfortable lodges with excellent food and hospitality. Still, the best food was cooked over an open flame or baked buried with coals underground. Sam’s cooks were the best; their tasty flavors for various grains and vegetables heightened the rest of the meal.

David and Sam’s cheerful, friendly personalities brought the rest of us into the fold, and we all became friends with stories to tell for the rest of our lives.

The best guides in the most comfortable camps with unparalleled service
5/5

I went on a photography safari with Sam and his team back in 2023 and was in absolute awe over his and Paul's ability to spot animals before anyone else, the level of service that their mobile camps provide, and the kindness and friendliness that each member of his staff brought to the experience. Somehow, and I don't know how, they exceeded that experience on my most recent trip with Early Kingfisher through the Central Kalahari up to Makgadikgadi.

Once again, the tents and beds were comfortable and clean, with camp chairs always set up on our porches during the day, and our bathrooms ready to use with hot water whenever we returned from a game drive. The food was excellent again - somehow the meals and desserts and teatime were even better this time. Sam has made small improvement here and there along the way, most you wouldn't notice. But one big one was electric lights in each tent and each bathroom, making getting ready for bed at night and prepping for the day so much easier than relying on the lanterns that were present on the previous trip.

The staff was both invisible and accessible. Always there when you needed them, but all but disappearing when you didn't. That said, they are so kind and friendly, you were always happy when they were there.

Sam was our sole guide this trip, and he provided the expertise and passion I came to expect after the first safari. That, combined with the guidance of David W. Shaw (our photo guide), made for sitings you wouldn't believe. Some highlights included an adventure when Sam spotted a leopard our last night in the Kalahari and we followed the big cat at a distance, observing it getting ready for an evening hunt. The next morning, Dave spotted another leopard on our way to a lodge, this time a smaller female in a tree. We stated with her for several hours as, like the male the night before, she showed no fear and plenty of curiosity. And so, so, so many lions. Sam is so passionate about the wildlife, he is happy to stay with them as long as you want.

I cannot recommend Early Kingfisher highly enough and I look forward to sharing the experience with friends and family next time!

Best of my 8 trips to Africa
5/5

I talked to Sam by WhatsApp and planned a 7 day tented safari tailored to my family of 5. The accommodations 9x12 main tent with a real bed and sheets, 9x6 covered porch and 9x6 private bush bathroom and service were of luxury quality at a budget price. Sam owns this small company so all of your money goes to your experience, not to a distant owner or travel agency. 6 staff took care of our every need and treated us like family. 3 meals and 2 tea breaks a day were delicious. Did our laundry and changed linens daily.
Most importantly Sam is the guide that all the other guides go to for advice. We were usually the first at important sightings. Sam went to where the animals were going to be, so we saw herds of wildebeest and prides of lions approach the water hole. We often stopped in the middle of a herd or pride to observe exciting behavior: courting, mating, nursing, young playing, fighting for dominance, stealing kill. As one of many examples, we heard lions in the night. In the morning Sam said that the lions had killed an elephant, pointed in the direction and said it was 5km. away. we drove their found the tracks and watched the Marsh Pride of 20 lions: adults feeding or resting, cubs playing, attempting to eat and nursing.
You are in the wild. The difficulty of dirt roads seldom getting out of second gear was offset by elephants and giraffes browsing in the trees 20 ft from our tents

Other Safaris & Tours6  – Offered by Early Kingfisher Safari

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  • This tour is offered by Early Kingfisher Safari, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
  • This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Early Kingfisher Safari.