Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Shipungo Safari & Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $360 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Rachel Blackmore | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flexible to our needs with friendly, helpful staff
We had a great time in Botswana, camping and canoeing in the Okavango Delta with Mokoro and walking safaris. Saw lots of wildlife and learnt a lot from our guides.
Mark was very helpful in arranging extra transport and visits for us, thank
you Mark!
DE
Email Daniel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Mobile Safari in the Okavango Delta
We booked a 3 days/2 nights mobile safari in the Moremi Game reserve and Khwai Concession via Shipungo Safari & Tours. The communication and booking process was straight forward and uncomplicated, Mark was quick to reply to inquiries. Our guide was very knowledgable about the area and the wildlife as well as the fauna. Thanks to him we were able to see and learn about a lot of the wildlife animals, including 2 of the big five, which are Lions and Elefants. Also we found a lot of Zebras, multiple (sometimes rare) antilope types as well as Giraffes and Hippos. Even though we visited the delta at the end of the rain season our guide got us through the muddy paths savely and with ease. The chef of the groud provided excellent safari food, cooked over a camping fire. Allergies and diatery restrictions were catered for without any problems or complaints. Additionally two campers accompanied us, who took excellent care of the camp and all necessary amenities. We can only recommend Shipungo Safari & Tours for mobile safari trips in the Delta.
US
Email Diane Rainsford | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing safari with some wonderful people
There were only 2 of us on this 9-day camping safari in the Okavango Delta. The arrangements were easy and they were very clear about what to expect. Mark worked with me to design the itinerary we wanted. The price was good for what was basically a private safari. We had a cook, a driver/guide and a general helper. They were all good at what they did but also fun and flexible. They took very good care of us. We really enjoyed our time with them.
Camping was comfy: a stand-up tent, cots with clean, newish bedding, more blankets than we needed (it was pretty hot until the rain started). The bathroom was rustic but functional. We camped in 4 different locations so as to see more different habitats. Every time we changed sites, the guys would break down, pack up and set up at the new one, all while we were out on safari or sitting in our chairs watching (honestly, we sometimes felt guilty). The food was plentiful and very delicious, especially because Shine was cooking over a campfire.
The wildlife and the birds were everything we hoped for. Kem asked us at the beginning what we wanted to see and tried to give us the experience we were looking for. He knew where to find water which seemed to be the best places to see wildlife, and 3 of our camps were very close to water. Many nights we heard the hippos walking past our tent. And one day a pack of wild dogs ran through our campsite chasing impala. We were able to watch them hunt and even catch prey.
Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend this company. Thanks to you all!
PL
Email Maciej | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, punctual, helpful.
Absolutely fantastic experience - the staff was very helpful and I felt that they really care to make my experience as great as possible. I had a great time seeing all different species of wild animals - it was one of the best experiences in my life! I can definitely recommend this company :)
DE
Email Afrika Girls | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would recommend it at any time
The trip was beautiful. Our tour guide CAM was great. He showed us so many animals. Aron and Shine were Great.
Good Time.
Food was great.
Email Carolyn Scotton | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Game / guide great, food did not meet quoted standard
We undertook a 6-day five-night Safari for three adults and three children opting for package B out of three choices. The difference between A and B was the provision of toilet/shower enclosure behind the tents and an enhanced meal package. Although the food provided was good, it fell well short of that outlined in the itinerary. Cereal and scrambled egg for breakfast, no brunch, a cooked lunch, no afternoon tea and only a one course evening meal not the three advertised i.e soup, main and sweet . Only on one evening we did had a sweet.
Particularly disappointing was the absence from the package of the night drive.
When I raised this with Mark on our return, he " express(ed) our sincere apologies for the mix-up- it was our mistake and we are completely responsible for it" .
He stated that our guide Voice, who was absolutely great, had said we were not keen to do the night drive. In fact I had asked about it and was told it had not been arranged.
"For meals we will refund you $350."
I pointed out that the difference between the two packages amounted to around $1,600 and that in fact our meal package did not even meet the standard set out in package A, but did include the toilet/shower enclosure which surely didn't amount to $1,600?
Mark's final response was " the camping standard was the one you booked and you were not happy about the standard of the food which was breakfast" despite his earlier acknowledgement and apology.
The game drives themselves were excellent but that would have been the case whoever we had booked as the area itself was fantastic.
Reply from Shipungo Safari & Tours
Posted on Dec 3, 2024Dear Carolyn
Thanks, for the review first of all we are sorry for not meeting your requirements, the issue regarding the food everything was communicated with our professional chef, and the level of camping accommodation was provided as per your request. From now on, we will work hand in hand with the chef to make everything go well.
Thanks
Mark
ES
Email Alberto Jiménez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simple to book, attentive to our needs, and high-quality service.
We were a couple on a private safari, and from the very first moment, they were very attentive to us and our needs. For example, we are vegans, and they went out of their way to prepare us an elaborate daily menu with alternatives to meat, like vegan sausages.
The location of the camp was unbeatable, right in front of an open plain where lots of animals would gather, and you could watch them while having breakfast or lunch.
Our guide, Kem, was both the guide and driver for our safari. It was clear that he loved what he was doing, and he made sure we could fully enjoy the experience, not only by seeing as many animals as possible but also by teaching us many fascinating facts about the park and its wildlife.
US
Email Rebecca Wu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, knowledgeable, and friendly
The 3 day and 2 night tour was the perfect amount of time for seeing the Moremi Game Reserve. We spent one day near the camp and one day near the delta -- there was a ton of wildlife everywhere at all times. The guides knew where to look and provided interesting facts along the way. The tents were set up for us at night, and some of the guides made our cots / folded our clothes / provided fresh towels. The tents were huge - you could stand up in them and put a suitcase at the end of each cot. It was a very comfortable setup - pillows and linens included. Overall would highly recommend to others.
Email Dave Sansom | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent.Fantastic experience. The staff and guide were very good
So we did 4 nights 5 days. The whole experience was excellent. Our guide Voice was friendly, very knowledgeable. We saw lots of Animals and got some great pics. The back up team who looked after us, setting up the tents and cooking/ serving our meals were really friendly and made the safari easy.
I would highly recommend these guys to anyone
It was also great value for money
NZ
Email Bryce Williamson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shipungo gave me one of the most amazing experienced of my life
This was a brilliant trip, a seven-day safari that gave my two colleagues and I (three Kiwis) a wonderful taste of the Okavango and Northern Botswana. An excellent variety of amazing experiences of flora, fauna and landscape in the presence of amiable and knowledgeable Shipungo staff -- Voice, Kev and Arvalino (not sure of spelling there). We saw all manner of animals, including countless lions and five leopards. I'm particularly keen on birds and, with help from Voice especially, I managed to photograph 138 identifiable species. That number will increase once I have time to consult web resources. And then there was a handful of identifiable birds that I wasn't able to photograph. Tent accommodation and, especially, the food (thanks Arvalino), were unbelievable. Amazing value for money too -- I don't see how the company can charge so little. Any downsides of the trip? As a New Zealander, northern Botswana is hot and dusty; and the roads are very rough, to the point where the "African massage" was generating calloses on my buttocks. But those things are not under the company's control and easy to bear in comparison with being able to see this amazing part of the world. I would rate this as one of the best experiences of my (six-and a-half decade) life. Thank you so much.
