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
CA
Email Anne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful vacation and perfectly planned
We had great communication with Mark Hathaway from the very start. Mark was very patient with us, changing our itinerary to suit us and our price point and timeline. He was very knowledgeable about all of the lodges and camps that we planned to stay at and gave us pros and cons for each. Everything was planned to the tiniest detail. Our vacation was outstanding and we can't wait to go back. When we do we'll be using Gondwana again.
PT
Email Jan & Dick Purssell | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zimbabwe Adventure
The organisation, transfers, flights etc were excellent Victoria Falls hotel for the first 2 nights lived up to all expectations and of course the Falls were truly magnificent. Everything about Verneys Camp was superb - the staff, the accommodation, the food and good wildlife spotting there - including 2 male and 3 female lions and the 2 painted dogs in the Conservation Roan and Sable antelope and elephants at the water hole, with hyena etc. Rhino Camp at Matusadona was a bit disappointing. The Camp was run very well but there was no wildlife to see except elephants and impala. Zambezi Expeditions Camp was again the accommodation, guides and staff were everything you could wish for. We even saw 3 painted female dogs, 2 male cheetah and loads of elephants, impala, zebra etc.
All in all a good holiday but not the best safari we have been on in other African counties regarding wildlife.
US
Email Alex | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mark Hathaway of Gondwana planned an excellent and seamless Botswana tour for us
Mark’s progression of our trip from Victoria Falls to Kasane to the Okavango Delta was well planned.
To some extent our venues were dictated by availability, and maybe we would have enjoyed alternate venues as much, but it worked out marvelously well. In retrospect, I would not want to have visited Victoria Falls without staying at the Victoria Falls Hotel. I enjoyed staying in that Edwardian colonial hotel almost as much as the Falls. Likewise, in Kasane, one day in the Garden Lodge, and two days at Pangolin was perfect, but I would not have wanted the full three days at either. And then to be at Rra Dinare with only a few other guests (between 2 and 4 depending), basically alone in the concession, was wonderful, especially following the busier Chobe National Park.
The arrangements were virtually seamless. Flame of Africa was always prompt. All the transfers worked without a hitch or worry on our part and we were able to participate in both morning and afternoon events at each venue. We appreciated Rodney of Gondwana meeting us at Maun on our return. Our private (there were three of us) helicopter flight over Victoria Falls was great, as were our private game drives in the Okavango Delta, and our bush plane flight out of hte Delta.
Mark’s advance information was complete and very helpful. Even though the Visa process at the Victoria Falls airport is very poorly organized, the Flame of Africa driver waited for us without complaint. The Pangolin Lodge was a photographic safari for everybody. I wasn’t sure it would be my cup of tea, but it was great and improved the rest of the Botswana game experience. Despite all of the above, Gondwana's price was very reasonable in comparison to others.
US
Email Yasmin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service, superb game viewing and seamless transition from Safari to Gorillas
This was my second Safari thru Gondwana Tours and once again it was fantastic. Communication with Mark is very easy, he listens to your requirements and offers suggestions and then puts together an itinerary for you. This adventure was a little different since we were doing a safari in Kenya and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Everything went off without a hitch and the local partners in Kenya and Uganda were excellent. Game viewing at Porini Lion Camp was amazing, a pride of 20 lions, cheetahs and leopards amongst the cats.
Gorillas viewing was the highlight of our trip and the service and care we got, when my friend broke her ankle was outstanding.
Have been recommending Mark to a lot of friends now.
Email Sue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rock solid organisation and knowledge of the destinations.
I don't normally write reviews but Steffi from Gondwana Tours & Safaris recently arranged a trip for me to Botswana, Reunion Island and Cape Town. She listened to my ideas, told me about other things I would not have known about, then carefully crafted a tailored itinerary for me. She kept in touch throughout the process and it all went smoothly even though the logistics around some of my ideas were a bit challenging to begin with. I highly recommend their service and can't say enough about their practical knowledge and expertise. Thank you so much for organising a trip I'll never forget !
US
Email Cal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana last minute
I came to Mark with just a couple of days to plan ahead of leaving for this trip and he put together an amazing itinerary, and gave seriously good advice for making choices. I could not have found anyone better to help me last minute - a true professional, I would trust for any of your trips.
Stayed Lebala, Rra Dinare, and Tau Pan for three nights each. December a touch hot but I knew that going in, and the viewing was spectacular. A superb trip.
US
Email Abu Mohamed | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a great experience..
It was a great experience dealing with Jan from Gondwana who took care about our concerns and expectations. Anyway it was my 50th birthday celebration we had a wonderful time. Thanks a lot for Jan who is helped us to have this great trip.
MY
Email Dr Yiadvinder | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The itinerary was perfectly planned and the service provided was excellent.
Ms Steffi Presske from Gondwana Tours and Safaris did an excellent job in planning the itinerary for the 4 of us in the group. She provided us with all the information required and answered all our questions promptly via email. From the moment we landed in Botswana to the time we left, everything was well taken care off. Our charter flights from one lodge to the other , our accommodation at the lodges and our transfers were all well planned. Personally by far this was the most adventurous and most outstanding trip I have participated in. The staff at the lodges we stayed in , Khwai River lodge at Okavango Delta and Savute Elephant Camp at Chobe were friendly and very attentive to our every need. Our Safari guides at both camps, Ms L.G and Mr J.R were so accommodating and knowledgeable about the wildlife. A big thank you to Ms Presske and her team at Gondwana Tours and Safaris for coming up with the itinerary which went above and beyond anything we have experienced.
US
Email Casey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience!
I went on a two week photo safari to Zimbabwe that was arranged by GTS ( (Gondwana Tours & Safaris). My trip was originally planned for 4/20 but was put on hold due to the pandemic. Nothing to fear, GTS kept in close contact with me throughout and helped to transition everything to allow for the trip to be completed this year. It involved making some changes and additions to the itinerary, not the least of which was arranging for COVID testing to be completed upon my return to the US. Everything went very smoothly and great communication with GTS staff (Jonathan) was maintained from start to finish. I cannot speak highly enough of how well everything was organized and I would very highly recommend GTS to anyone planning an African safari. 10/5 stars
DE
Email Christina Eckmann | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you Gondwana for the journey of a lifetime !!! - 100% recommendable
Gondwana Tours & Safaris organized us the trip of a lifetime. We were allowed to fulfill our dream and make a round trip through Tanzania including safari and Zanzibar. The organization of Gondwana, especially by dear Mrs. Steffi Presske, made our trip something very special. Steffi responded to every small adjustment request and always had a suitable solution ready. She always took time for us and was available to us 24/7 during the trip. The choice of accommodations and the on-site safari company in Tanzania were without exception excellent. Our expectations were not only 100% met but exceeded several times. Thank you Gondwana for these great experiences. If we come back it will be with Gondwana Tours & Safari.
(automatic translation from German)