Golden Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, HATAB, BOGA & House of Beyond
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $690 to $2,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Lucy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable fortnight in a remarkable country
A trip of a lifetime is an overused expression but this absolutely was. Having thought this would be my one experience of an African safari, the problem now is I want to come back!
Our trip was for two weeks . Rob and Charlotte arranged the perfect mix of lodges and two three days mobile safari. The advance information was brilliant, just enough to raise the excitement levels and anticipation and we were not disappointed with the reality. The lodges were lovely and the mobile safari was definitely the highlight.
Every day for the whole fortnight saw us seeing something new. An animal round every corner ( some more difficult to access than others) with the occasional elephant providing siesta entertainment by wondering past the camp as we lounged on the extra "chill out" area tent. Besides the animals there was the most incredible number of birds all reliable identified making our wildlife books almost redundant for everything except reliving the days exploits!
The safari team were remarkable, the tents put up and set out so that we had all the pluses of camping but none of the discomforts. Miles from nowhere, really in the middle of the bush but with all the home comforts. En suite showers and loos were great but above all the food and wine was absolutely superb and would compete with any static restaurant or hotel. What's more the team were lovely and couldn't have been more welcoming.
I really hope I will be back.
US
Email Marilynn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Pleasant Surprise
I use the word "surprise" in the heading because our group of nine were originally scheduled to stay in a permanent tent camp, but due to unforeseen circumstances we were switched to a mobile tent camp at the last minute. As details emerged as to what that entailed, our group was not sure if the last three days of our time in Botswana would result in a positive experience. As soon as we entered the camp site for the first time any fears we had were dispelled by the lovely setting of the camp and the gracious greeting we received from Rob, the owner of Golden Africa, and his staff. Over the next three days we grew to love the experience of being closer to nature--hearing the hippos at night, laughing at the monkeys in the trees, and waking up to the sweet tweeting of the large variety of birds.
We were absolutely amazed at the delicious food that was prepared from a simple kitchen and open fire pit. We lacked for only a few comforts of home and actually enjoyed being disconnected from the world via social media, etc. Experiencing the animals of Botswana was all the entertainment we needed.
Rob and his staff, whom have been with him for many years, have perfected the mobile camping experience. An experience we will cherish forever.
US
Email AJ and Albert Bunuan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WOW.....
Our original camp lost it's concession and we were informed from our Travel Agent a few weeks prior to arrival in Botswana that we would now be in a mobile camp. Not sure what this exactly meant, our group had a bit of trepidation as we made our way to our "mobile camp" on the 1st of 3 days. I'm sure Rob, our host and owner of Golden Africa could see the uncertainty in our faces as we sat down for a cool drink and our orientation. He kindly explained the camp rules and guidelines and after our 1st night we were in LOVE with our all of the staff, accommodations, surroundings and the beauty of being on the land with no electricity, wifi or other modern day trappings.
Early in the morning hours, before the sun has even given rise, the smell of camp fire starts the day and you know water is being heated for showers and breakfast is being readied. Quietly the camp staff makes their way to each tent, filling outside basins with fresh warm water and saying "Good Morning, your shower is ready".....Slowly the day begins.
The heart of Africa is not only in the vast open land, the free roaming animals that we all come to see, but deep in the grooves of it's people's kind and generous souls.
We miss our time with Rob and his staff, incredible and unexpectedly prepared gourmet meals, laying in our cozy tent at night hugging our hot water bottle, listening to the sounds of animals nearby and awaking to that wonderful smell of camp fire and the warm "Good Morning"......
Thank you Rob and all of your staff for the memorable 3 days of living in the quietness of Botswana.
Email John Woodhouse | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best holiday ever!
It was a lifetime ambition to visit Okavango and we had a bewildering choice to make. In the end we went for Rob as we had known him years before and I know his father-in-law. From the start Rob arranged everything so well including the best time to visit. The combination of dry 3 nights at Xini in Moremi, 2 at Motsiri for makoro and boat and then back to Khwai with the team was perfect. On arrival Killor our guide said we would not be joined by others! The tent and bed were very comfortable and the dawn and evening and some night drives worked well with a rest after lunch and then a shower. The food thanks to Bishop excellent and Joseph looked after us so well. We were incredibly lucky to see leopards including a mother with her cub chasing off an eagle (wow! David Attenborough eat your heart out), 15 lions, wild dogs, roan, bush pig, jackals, serval, etc. Wonderful birds and trees and everything was explained so well. Understanding our tiny place in the whole of creation and how it all works together was truly uplifting. At Motsiri I went against my resolution not to walk in the bush (I grew up in Joburg) and so glad I did as we saw elephants across the river in complete safety. On arrival at the Khwai camp we watched elephants from our tent as they crossed the river so close by - amazing! Killor was expert in finding wildlife and the 2 lionesses eating a zebra foal and the 4 lionesses with a playful cub on the main road will always stay with us. But it is not all about big cats. You cannot have elephants without plants and frogs! I did slip getting off the vehicle and grazed my leg but Killor had cream for that and it was dressed at the clinic at the Victoria Falls Avani hotel. We had 2 nights there and were able to go on the train, helicopter (awesome) and river cruise. I cannot stop raving about this trip - we have been all over the world but this was just fantastic. We will definitely return - start saving now!
Email Douglas Clarke | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Botswana through the eyes of a Golden Africa team will never be forgotten both personalised or group
My wife and I visited Botswana for the first time for two weeks on a private safari, through Golden Africa, with Rob Barber, the owner of the business, who has in excess of 10 years experience, and Charlotte (his now wife). Our remit was to see the best of Botswana with maximum privacy, and exposure to the birds and animals in contrasting environments, with an equestrian element. This remit was more than met by Golden Safari themselves, primarily on a superbly organized mobile camp, and through their association with third party lodges.
Their communications were excellent both by phone and email. To ensure your safari can be as agreed, book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The itinerary can be personal or group. We stayed in three different lodges, including Motswiri Ride and Walk which provided an excellent horseback experience - providing mounts suited to personal expertise, as well as driven safaris.
The mobile safari was a unique experience offering two prisitine sites away from all others. A moveable tented camp with long drop loos and bucket showers. Logistics and excellent food were handled by Annalies. Two hyenas came through the camp the first evening, and we were also visited by an elephant and a honey badger.
Rob showed his excellent bush craft when we followed a pack of wild dogs on the hunt and he was able to anticipate their movements and drive in advance thereof. Wild game safaris are subject to the luck of the draw and we were very lucky in that which we saw- both birdlife and animals. Only Savute, in the Chobe National Park, was somewhat limited by drought and the drying up of the river past the lodge - but this in itself provided different experiences.
All transfers between main sites, other than between bush camp sites, is by small chartered light aircraft. This is due to the nature of the Okavango delta.
An excellent detailed itinerary with illustrated details of the accommodation and areas was provided.
Complaints - had we none! and I was happy to provide positive repors on Trip Advisor.
In conclusion just arrange a safari and go. (He also organized an excellent safari for us in Nambia through an associated company).
DE
Email Karl | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Spectacular Safari with Rob!
My family and I have traveled to Namibia and South Africa for many years so we finally decided to go to Botswana for my mothers birthday trip. Golden Africa was recommended to us by our dear South African friends who have been on safaris all over Africa and we could not have been more lucky with our choice. Right from the beginning we felt very comfortable with Rob and were very impressed by how smooth and professional he put together a trip according to our preferences. The in-country services were equally as impressive! Robs knowledge of the region really allowed us to find stunning wildlife scenarios including a wild dog kill right in front of us. Rob had been the only guide who was able to properly track them down so we had the scene to ourselves. There were many situations where it was very clear to us that we picked the right company for our trip, we wish we could make it down there every year and go on another adventure with Golden Africa!
We highly recommend their services! 5 Stars easily!
Email Sally Martin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari as it should be - great location, excellent food, comfortable bed & knowledgeable guiding!
I had been on safari before, but this was a very different experience! A tailor-made itinerary including two different camps, and a 2 day break in the middle at Machaba Camp. It's been sensational! Everything's been
organised to perfection - tents, meals, game-drives, weather (!) - we couldn't have asked for more. Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge, both of the area and of the wildlife, is exceptional, and added insight & colour to an already excellent experience. Sadly the lovely Charlotte, Rob's wife, was unable to join us, but the camp team did a brilliant job and made us feel totally at home.
Sincere thanks to them all for looking after us so well.
Email Frank Willsdon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Botswana safari with a touch of adventure together with expert guiding and information.
I have been on 4 previous safaris in Africa and this one has been by some
way the best in all areas. In particular, Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge and experience of
Botswana and specifically the parks we visited, is second to none and
enabled Sally and myself to have a wonderful, memorable holiday. I will be
unhesitatingly recommending Golden Africa and his team to all those who are
interested in a safari of excellence!! Thank you Golden Africa!!
Email Mylo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The experience of a lifetime - a honeymoon organised and delivered with sublime service, thank you!
I wanted to show my wife my favourite places on Earth for our honeymoon, so I chose Botswana and Zambia through Golden Africa. As an independent operator with the best contacts in the industry, GA excelled at offering a tailor made trip of a lifetime and took incredible care of the smallest details making this a truly unforgettable journey. We spent nights out under the stars in the wilderness and saw the moon rise, watched in awe as thousands of zebra came down to water, picnicked exclusively as wild dog trotted by, saw a vast range of animals and learnt a great deal about the habitats and people that make up the bush in a such an easy going way, and of course, relaxed and were spoilt rotten where ever we went! A magical safari and one we shall never forget!
Email Anne and John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We didn't want to go with a group, we didn't want to do the tourist trail, we were NOT disappointed.
"I suppose upon reflection we initially took a bit of a gamble with Golden Okavango (now Golden Africa): we hadn't heard of them before, we just liked the look of their web site and the fact that they mentioned private guides and mobile camping which we wanted; then we liked the sound of Rob Barber's reply to our original enquiry, and it went from there. Rob so obviously listened to what we wanted, took on board what we had experienced before in East Africa, suggested a package that we liked the sound of, and we decided to trust him with our safari. We are very glad we did; he and his team did an excellent job with efficient organization for everything to flow smoothly: flights, transport, accommodation and being totally looked after. This was exclusively for us. Our open camp was set up in beautiful, wild places in Nxai Pan, Moremi, Khwai and Savuti. Breakfast was held up one morning as two lionesses strolled through our camp! We also had 'little surprises' which Rob organised because of what he had learnt about our interests. That initiative particularly impressed us, and the wild dogs and meeting Tico was very special, as was looking at the amazing African Sky at night through a powerful telescope, and our first helicopter flight over the delta when we spotted a leopard hunting a warthog! We felt our money was managed wisely and that we also had value for money. We had just the best time ever in Botswana with Safari guide James Haskins and Annelies, owner of Drumbeat who organised our camp with efficiency and amazing food.
We could not recommend Golden Africa more highly. Go with them and enjoy!