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 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!
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.
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.
Email David Dugan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fortnight of sensational wildlife encounters, exquisite food and well organised mobile safaris
Rob at Golden Africa safaris selected a brilliant combination of permanent camps and mobile safari camps our trip (for six people). These included Linyanti Bush Camp, Gomito Plains and Meno a Kwena. Each had their own unique charm and habitat. For the mobile safari Rob took us to Khwai and Moremi. The whole journey was superbly organised with small aircraft taking us from one airstrip to the next. The standard of service on the mobile safari was exceptional. Rob's crew were attentive, good fun and eager to help in any way. The food and wine were excellent, the cook performed miracles in the camp kitchen. The camp included a chill-out area with canopy and sofas, a bar tent and a dining area with linen table cloths. Each of the tents had en-suite showers and flush toilets, really comfortable beds (with hot water bottles magically inserted while we sat round the camp fire before retiring.) This was unlike any camping experience I'd had before. Rob's newly re-furbished safari Land-Cruiser was very comfortable - there were no middle seats - lots of places to store water bottles, binoculars and cameras - and recharging points... Everything was well thought through - right down to the furry-lined ponchos for the chilly early mornings. But what made the safari truly outstanding was Rob's stories and deep knowledge of the wildlife. Every day was memorable - an unforgettable experience - that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone considering going on safari in Botswana.
BE
Email Isabelle and Eddy Geenen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari was fab! Rob and Frank were like old friends, how lucky can you be with 2! wonderful guides!
We booked our Botswana-trip through a Belgian travel agent, that works together with Rob Barber and his Golden Africa Safaris. From the moment we had expressed our wishes and vision, we immediately felt that our journey was planned just accordingly. With very fluent conversation through almost amicable e-mails, we were fully confident when we arrived in Kasane, that it was going to be a wonderful holiday. Yet, we were still overwhelmed, as everything ran so smoothly: flights, transfers, accomodations with always a hearty welcome, serving and quality of food. Moreover really everbody was so kind ! Nothing, really nothing to grumble about, we felt spoilt as we have never been before.
After Chobe and Okavango River, we arrived at the mobile Khwai camp (set up only the day before!) We were welcomed by Rob and Frank (the other guide) and a staff of 9, who were all friendly and caring. Chef D.H. worked magic in his field kitchen, not just cooking, but also baking cookies, scones and cakes – even a birthday cake for my wife :-) :-):-) .No wonder we were totally at ease in the silence of the evenings, soon talking and joking like old friends. In the mean time the frogs in the river next to us were making a racket…
The 4WD – drives were at the same time exciting, interesting ánd great fun; a leopard, a family of 5 lions with 3 cubs devouring a lechwe – catch, a giant herd of 400 buffalo trekking, 30 something elephants passing by our tents to cross the river, but also a hamerkop swallowing a frog after picking it to death. And birds, birds, birds of course ! Frank started every morning saying: “ Let’s see what nature has got to offer us today ! “ which translated his ánd our spirit perfectly. He’s a master in finding wildlife, mostly driving with one hand, while giving interesting and funny details of all this beauty, his love for baboons, the odd Green Elephant Syndrome, and his unknown knowledge of Spanish….;-). Rob was a relaxed and considerate observer, cracking a joke now and then, and clearly enjoying just being amid the wildlife with some nature buffs. All this topped off with a daily sundowner (or 2), admiring the unforgettable African sunset.
Thank you Rob, and everybody at Golden Africa, for taking such good care of us. Thanks to you lot, our safari was like a wonderful dream, better than a second honeymoon. Any marks to be given, we’ll go for 6 stars on all items. We’ll be back !!