Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- HATAB, BOGA & BTO
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Out of Botswana with incredible memories that we will cherish forever!!
We (my partner and i) went on a 6 day private safari, with an excellent team of guys, which covered Moremi, Savuti and Chobe National Park. In the initial stages the communications with Monametsi were excellent and quite clear. So it did not take us much time to finally customize our safari the way we wanted as we were dealing with an excellent communicator who not only provided answers to our myriad questions but also actually paid attention to what we were saying before offering us suggestions and advice. The guide, always playing and making jokes, was the best we could have ever asked for. He was very skilful when it came to maneuvering the vehicle along the dirt roads in the parks but at the same keeping an eagle’s eye on everything that was going on in his paradise (the bush), from tracks on the ground to subtle movements in the tree branches. It was amazing at what he could spot while driving on these winding dirt roads! The food prepared on the fire was simply incredible. The entire staff was friendly and very helpful.
The end result was a trip that left us feeling pleased and very thankful to the organizers.
Email Gaety | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
outstanding personal service that put all of us at ease
On July 2017 i and a couple of friends just wanted to experience what a safari is like during the public holidays. Since this was going to be our first safari my friends who have opted to join me in Maun asked at the lodge where they were staying if they could recommend someone who could take us on a 1 night safari. The lady at the reception contacted Moonstroll on our behalf and within a few minutes Namz from Moonstroll came to see us. We asked a few questions and Namz answered all of these honestly and also assured us that as long as we followed exactly what the guide says in relation to safety measures, everything should be fine. We finally reached an agreement on the amount that each one of us should pay for a fully serviced 1 night trip. Our guide was well organized and exuded a wealth of knowledge. He was also the friendliest person who was willing to accommodate all of our interests. The chef, oh my god! , produced some amazing dishes during our stay in Khwai. Interestingly these dishes were prepared on an open fire. All in all everyone in our short-lived trip was quite amazing and we thank all of them for giving us this unique opportunity to experience the other side of Africa that we in Africa normally take for granted.
DE
Email Helmer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
5days/4 night camping safari from Maun to Kasane
View months ago I did a 5 days/4 nights camping safari with Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions. The tour started in Maun and ended in Kasane. The main destinations of interests have been beside the famous Okavango Delta the Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai and Mababwe. I discussed my plans with the tour operator and got some great advices so I was able to modify and adjust my travel plannings. Finally I got a great safari trip. The safari itself was well organized and the camping equipment was also very acceptable. I had beside an excellent driver who managed almost everything and gave well founded explanations to the wildlife also a perfect chef with me who prepared all the meals and food who have been very tasty. Although I am quite experienced in safaris in different African countries it was my first time I really did a camping safari and it was really one of the best safaris I ever did. To be so very closed in the wilderness is something amazing and unforgettable. I had a great safari with Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions and its staff.
Email Kirsteen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memories that will last a lifetime
Brilliant from start to finish. I was nervous before we arrived as although I have visited Botswana before and done a few game drives I didn't know what to expect with an over night safari. All questions I had were expertly answered by Monametsi via email and he was also able to give good advice given on what to bring with us. Once we meet the team at Maun airport any worries were dispelled as we could not have asked for a nicer bunch of guys who made us all feel relaxed, safe and very well looked after. The depth of knowledge and respect our guide had for the Delta and the animals & birds was brilliant.
Our tents & beds were perfect, the food was really good my only complain was we didn't have more time to spend on our adventure just the one night and two days.
Our group was a family of five with three teenagers in the party all of us had a ball and loved every amazing minute we spent from slipping along the small delta tributes in a canoe, to spotting the lions, or adding to our Elephant count, to watching the stars at night the whole adventure was fantastic. Next time we come I definitely want to to do a longer trip.
CH
Email Andrea | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mobile Safari 5 Day (mokoro and moremi)
We, a family of 4 (kids age 10 and 11), were looking for a trip to Botswana/the Delta to finish a long journey through Namibia and Botswana. We choose to do a mobile Safari - which was a absolutely perfect decision. It is an unbelivebal experience to sleep right next to all the wildlife.
Monametsi, our contact at Moonstroll, is a 10 out of 10. He answered questions always immediately, gave us all needed information, took away our concerns about the mokoro (yes, the mokoro really was the best Part of the Trip), welcomed us at the beginning and helped us to get the PCR Tests done to fly home. Also my first thought about transfering money somewhere you don‘t know - I would not hesitate doing it with Moonstoll.
As I mentioned, the Mokoro was the best part of this trip. We got poled by local people to the „Island“ where we spent 2 nights. There we were doing walking safaris, seeing the „usual“ game as well as elephants, buffalo and even 6 lions - on a walking safari! Unbelievable, such an experience! Also the local guides doctor and gottfried were doing an awesome job, my son still talks about gottfried - he was just outstanding, even if he couldn’t speak that much English (that was doctors part), but he was the one spotting everything and making jokes all the time. Both of them were even playing cards with us as we‘ve been in the camp for a break during the day and were telling stories at the camp fire at night. On the Island also the Chef and camp assistant joined and did a good job. The tents were very comfortable and the meals cooked over the fire were good.
The 2 nights after the mokoro were supposed to be in Moremi. As the Guide we had for the next days, forgot his license, we were not able to stay in Moremi over night. Monametsi and the Team tried to find a solution, so we ended up at another place about 45 minutes away from the gate where they organized a night and a morning safari besides a full day in Moremi. Because of what happened and communication or the not existing communication at first point from the guide, this part was a bit disappointing compared to the first 2 nights.
I would definitely go again to Botswana and if I would have the choice of a mobile Safari or a fly-in with lodge, I would go for the mobile one.
RU
Email Viktoria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mobile safari 10 days
We took a safari in July 2021, 2 cars, 4 people each.
Overall, I liked the organization of the camp and the service.
Monametsi quickly solved all the problems that arose during the pandemic. And despite the general lockdown (it was announced 3 days before the arrival of my group), we were able to visit all the parks that were indicated in our tour. These are Savuti, Kwai, Okavango Delta, Kalahari and the island of Cubu.
I'm going to do at least one more tour with this company.
AT
Email Bert | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 7 day safari in Botswana
We did the 7-Day Moremi & Chobe Wilderness Trail 2 Pax. I can definitely recommend this tour. A mobile safari is a unique experience, and we enjoyed it a lot.
Our team (guide Teenage and chef GeBe) was fantastic. Monametsi, the facilitator of the company, worked very hard to solve the issues that came up at the beginning of the tour.
US
Email Roxann | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not truthful about the length of time from one camp to another. No sanitary hand washing facilities
The description of the length of time from one camp to another was totally inaccurate. Instead of the 3-31/2 hours it advertised, it was more like 8-10 because we were hauling a trailer with all our camping gear. We got stuck and no adequate rescue equipment had been packed. Not had any sanitary handwashing facilities been packed, resulting in 2 of us contracting norovirus and being very sick for half of the safari. Stay away from this company.
Reply from Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions
Posted on Oct 24, 2024Ordinarily we will have no problem with this review if it was given in good faith and if it reflected the true nature of events as they unfolded during our 7-Day safari with Roxann and friends in September 2024.
Norovirus
Our guests for the September 2024, 7-Day safari are three (3) elderly ladies who are retired nurses. Apparently, each one of them has a pre-existing health problem which they conveniently did not mention at the time of their quote request and consequently booking confirmation. The office came to know about these medical health problems on the first day of their safari when they were leaving for Moremi Game Reserve.
When our guide went to pick up our 3 guests from Maun Lodge in the morning on the day the safari started, the ladies told him that one of their friends was not well. She was having some stomach problems and as a result was experiencing some episodes of diarrhea. Upon learning this our guide informed the ladies that he will make strategic stops along the way to Moremi. He also told her that she is free to stop him at any time if she feels like she needs to use the "bathroom".
The first strategic stop that our guide made was at the Kaziikini Concession to allow our guest to use the bathroom facilities found in this private concession. Thereafter, they proceeded to Moremi whereupon he stopped again to allow the guest to use the bathroom facilities located at Moremi's South Gate before going all the way to their wilderness camp in the Xakanaxa area inside Moremi Game Reserve.
It is worth noting that our guest was having this stomach problem before arriving in Maun to spend the night at Maun Lodge, before we picked them up in the morning to start their safari, before reaching Moremi Game Reserve to spend the first night of their safari vacation, before reaching the Khwai Concession and before moving into Savuti. We would also like to point out that one of the ladies did not experience any stomach problems at all from the moment they were picked up from Maun Lodge to go on a wilderness camping experience in Moremi, Khwai & Savuti. Interestingly, she was eating the same meals prepared on the same pots, using the same ingredients and by the same safari chef-a chef known for her strict hygiene standards during our mobile safaris.
Can anyone therefore, without doubt, accuse Moonstroll Safaris of preparing food that was not hygienic during this 7-Day safari? Lest we forget, our entire staff did not experience diarrhea throughout the entire duration of the safari. These included the safari chef, the guide & 2 camp assistants. By the way, they were eating the same food the guests were having during the safari, prepared by the same safari chef!
Hand Sanitizers
We are also being accused of not providing hand sanitizers and as a result our guests ended up contracting the norovirus! We want to believe that our guests, BEING RETIRED NURSES, know that hand-washing is the best method to prevent norovirus. That one should use hand sanitizers in addition to washing their hands! It is in this regard therefore, that we want to point out that there is always more than enough LIQUID SOAP in all of our safaris which can be used precisely for washing your hands!
Vehicle getting stuck in thick Sands
Every mobile safari operator (luxury, mid-range or budget) knows that every safari carries the risk of tire punctures, getting stuck, mechanical breakdowns, etc. This is why we make sure that every safari vehicle is equipped with spare tyres, high-lift jacks, tow ropes, spades, etc. So, getting stuck in the thick sands and spending some time freeing the vehicle from these thick sands, is not unique to Moonstroll Safaris. It happens, although unpleasant!, to even the best of us.
Time spent moving between wilderness camps
Our itineraries give approximate driving times (i.e., if you are to drive straight from one camp to the next without stopping) between wilderness camps used during our safaris. It is very IMPORTANT to remember that you are on a safari! Therefore, the time you spend watching game, the time you spend photographing the African landscapes, marveling at the African sunrises and sunsets, enjoying your breakfast in the bush or having a picnic lunch in the bush, and stopping to stretch your legs, all add to the time you are going to take to reach your next camp during a moving day.
Thank you