Gondwana Tours & Safaris on safari in the Okavango
Gondwana Tours & Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United Kingdom
Portugal
Germany
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Lisa C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding safari agent
I contacted multiple agents via Safari Bookings to request proposed itineraries for our family’s first ever trip to Africa and Mark of Gondwana Tours took the time to ask us questions and really understand our needs before putting together an amazing itinerary for us, really just head & shoulders above what other agents had given us.
Throughout the process he was beyond patient and super responsive with regards to my many (many) questions & requests. The trip itself was more than we had ever hoped for and outstanding in every respect - I would say it was the trip of a lifetime, but we are already planning to return in 2019 and will be using Gondwana Tours & Safari again.
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Email Mike Nissen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mark at Gondwana set up a safari tour that was all I was hoping for and more!
From our initial email to being met by Gondwana rep when I arrived in Botswana, Gondwana made me feel extremely comfortable about my trip. I had informed Mark that my main goal of this trip was to view as many animals as possible, with a emphasis on elephants. He did not disappoint. From the first morning at the Nxai Pans camp when I walked out of my cabin to see a group of elephants drinking at the waterhole about 150 yards from me, to the last game drive of my trip, I saw elephants every game drive for the entire 10 day trip.
All 4 camps were staffed with very knowledgeable guides who made each drive a unique and memorable experience. This safari tour more than lived up to my expectations and I would recommend Gondwana to family and friends in a heartbeat. I will use Gondwana for my next safari without a doubt.
DE
Email Lisa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Individually tailored safaris, awesome expertise and a wonderful trip - highly recommended!
After having travelled to Botswana with Gondwana Tours & Safaris in May 2015 and falling in love with the bush, we decided to return to Botswana in green season this February and experience the country in a different season. As we were more than happy with our first trip, it was absolutely clear that we will book our travels again with Mark Hathaway from Gondwana Tours. His expertise of the lodges and parks is outstanding and you notice constantly that he has been living in Botswana (Africa) for considerable time. It is remarkable, you always get a quick, friendly and competent answer no matter at what day or time you contact him and for longer planning sessions it is easy to arrange skype calls. We were welcomed met by the airport again flying in and out of Maun and the travel and transfers between the lodges were smoothly and accurately organized. Experiencing Botswana in the rainy season and seeing the country so green was definitely a very interesting and different experience. I can only recommend you to book with Gondwana Tours & Safaris! Thank you again, Mark for planning such an unforgettable journey for us.
NZ
Email Sarah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Honeymoon in the Delta
We were initially mind boggled with options on how to best spend time in Southern Africa, and definitely wanted to go to the Delta. We didn't have a huge budget and were starting to think it wouldn't be possible, but then came across this company: Gondwana Tours & Safaris. Mark Hathaway was superb in his dealings with us: all the advice, knowledge, patience and expertise he had was fantastic. The itinerary we chose suited us perfectly for the land and water options we were keen on, and the locations and prices. We had an amazing 4 nights at Guns & Pompoms. We were surprised with a candle lit dinner by the water as a honeymoon surprise, had some memorable wildlife encounters , and everything met our expectations.Thanks Mark for all your help !
DE
Email Miriam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable and stunning experience in Okawango Delta
I wanted to go to the Delta already for years and never had the time to organize it and on top I knew that my budget would be very tide. Finally I got in touch with Steffi from Gondwana tours and Safari. She gave me her ideas and actually she had to convince me into some things. And lucky enough - she did. Everything surpassed my expectations. Every pick up, every appoinment was on time. The communication went very good. The camps where great, the experience and the game drives excellent, the service incredable nice and good food. Steffi was even able to organize the super moon on top of the stars during my stay. So I can highly recommand Gondwana tours and Safari - also for single travelers like me.
Link to this review
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Email Lewis | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gondwana Tours and Safaris understood our passions and developed a perfect custom itinerary for us!
This trip, put together by Steffi, who immediately understood our passions and expectations, was absolutely, positively the best travel experience of our life. I’d rate it higher than 5 stars, but I guess there is no such astronomical rating. But the trip and her advice and booking does certainly rate in that category.
Of special notation are several things . . .
1 — All the accommodations recommended were superb! The transports to and from were perfect, flights beautiful and convenient, always taking into account our wishes for as many game drive opportunities as possible, and various transfers and border crossings easy and without incident.
2 — The choice of Kwando for most of our trip was exactly right for us, because of their deep and intense focus on wildlife and all of the resultant knowledge, tracking and photo opportunities then available because of their staff’s expertise.
3 — The pristine wilderness of especially the Tau Pan (CKGR) and Kwara (Okavango Delta) areas was mindblowing! I took night sky photographs from our deck at Tau Pan, leaving the room’s door open for possible escape since there were lions roaring in the background!
4 — We experienced amazing wildlife at all locations, and I’ll take months and months to go through all of the photos. I’m certain I have some great shots, and several are good enough that I’m going to enter the Kwando Safaris photo contest — and, regardless of that result, we are sure to be back!
5 -- Due to the expertise and sensitive quality of the guiding, Cheryl often had the opportunity to sketch from the vehicle the scene in her journal, even those events involving wild painted dogs(!), cheetahs and leopards.
Gondwana provided us with the best holiday in nearly 50 years of traveling.
Our safari in Botswana was spectacular. Mark Hathaway helped us plan the trip; he was responsive from the first email. Everything we asked for he provided, quickly and pleasantly. Mark met our plane at the Maun airport when we arrived; he met us again the next morning to see us off on the safari. He even sent us a bottle of wine to one of the camps, as well as a birthday card to me. We've never experienced such great service from a tour company before.
The safari itself surpassed our expectations. The accommodations were lovely, the food fabulous and the camp personnel friendly and professional. If (when) we book another safari, it will be through Mark.
Email Christopher mark | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mark was extremely helpful in assisting me in planing a tour to Victoria Falls and a Safari
I wanted to go on a Safari and Visit to Victoria Falls on the same trip. Mark was able to advise me on when was the best time to go as I do not like it too hot and the best price for a single traveller. He also advised on the correct clothing to take for the Surprising chilly weather first thing in the morning and evening. I changed plans a couple of times and he accommodated these with great patience. I would strongly recommend Gondwana Tours to anyone especially if it your first Safari.
IE
Email Iva & Lucas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect personalized wildlife experience offering by Mark & Gondwana Tours
Absolutely! Here’s a review for your safari tour agency based on your bullet points:
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We just wrapped up an incredible 7-day safari organized by Mark, and it was hands down the best trip of our lives! We started with two nights at Phezulu Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and then spent four nights in Botswana's Okavango Delta, staying at Splash and Mma Dinare lodges with Kwando Safaris.
Even though we visited in mid-season at the end of April, the wildlife sightings were out of this world. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, wild dogs, hippos, and hundreds of birds, plus many more amazing animals. The motorboat excursion and mokoro experience were absolute highlights.
Mark, our Gondwana tour consultant, was fantastic from start to finish. He was super helpful, always available, and gave us detailed instructions, visa information and packing lists that made everything so much easier. He set the right expectations and kept everything realistic, which we really appreciated. He was also able to provide great value for money given how expensive Botswana is and has provided the most competitive offer. :-)
This was by far our favorite and most memorable trip ever, and we can't thank Mark and the team enough for making it so special. If you're thinking about a safari, go with these guys – you won't regret it!
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Email Morgan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Operator
This was my first safari, and everything down to the tiniest detail was amazing. Christelle and Gondwana Tours did the best job at creating a unique and personalized trip for us. There was no need to worry about anything - they were attentive and exceeded at fulfilling our wants. It was a vacation of a lifetime. Our 6 night safari started in Victoria Falls, passed through Chobe, and ended in the Okavango Delta. I'm not used to having so much help with planning and coordinating a trip, and it was such a treat to have everything taken cared of. We were afraid that it could be touristy or cookie cutter, and it ended up being the most thoughtful trip we've ever taken. I cannot recommend Christelle and Gondwana Tours enough.