Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Shipungo Safari & Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $360 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Diane Rainsford | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing safari with some wonderful people
There were only 2 of us on this 9-day camping safari in the Okavango Delta. The arrangements were easy and they were very clear about what to expect. Mark worked with me to design the itinerary we wanted. The price was good for what was basically a private safari. We had a cook, a driver/guide and a general helper. They were all good at what they did but also fun and flexible. They took very good care of us. We really enjoyed our time with them.
Camping was comfy: a stand-up tent, cots with clean, newish bedding, more blankets than we needed (it was pretty hot until the rain started). The bathroom was rustic but functional. We camped in 4 different locations so as to see more different habitats. Every time we changed sites, the guys would break down, pack up and set up at the new one, all while we were out on safari or sitting in our chairs watching (honestly, we sometimes felt guilty). The food was plentiful and very delicious, especially because Shine was cooking over a campfire.
The wildlife and the birds were everything we hoped for. Kem asked us at the beginning what we wanted to see and tried to give us the experience we were looking for. He knew where to find water which seemed to be the best places to see wildlife, and 3 of our camps were very close to water. Many nights we heard the hippos walking past our tent. And one day a pack of wild dogs ran through our campsite chasing impala. We were able to watch them hunt and even catch prey.
Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend this company. Thanks to you all!
PL
Email Maciej | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, punctual, helpful.
Absolutely fantastic experience - the staff was very helpful and I felt that they really care to make my experience as great as possible. I had a great time seeing all different species of wild animals - it was one of the best experiences in my life! I can definitely recommend this company :)
DE
Email Afrika Girls | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would recommend it at any time
The trip was beautiful. Our tour guide CAM was great. He showed us so many animals. Aron and Shine were Great.
Good Time.
Food was great.
Email Carolyn Scotton | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Game / guide great, food did not meet quoted standard
We undertook a 6-day five-night Safari for three adults and three children opting for package B out of three choices. The difference between A and B was the provision of toilet/shower enclosure behind the tents and an enhanced meal package. Although the food provided was good, it fell well short of that outlined in the itinerary. Cereal and scrambled egg for breakfast, no brunch, a cooked lunch, no afternoon tea and only a one course evening meal not the three advertised i.e soup, main and sweet . Only on one evening we did had a sweet.
Particularly disappointing was the absence from the package of the night drive.
When I raised this with Mark on our return, he " express(ed) our sincere apologies for the mix-up- it was our mistake and we are completely responsible for it" .
He stated that our guide Voice, who was absolutely great, had said we were not keen to do the night drive. In fact I had asked about it and was told it had not been arranged.
"For meals we will refund you $350."
I pointed out that the difference between the two packages amounted to around $1,600 and that in fact our meal package did not even meet the standard set out in package A, but did include the toilet/shower enclosure which surely didn't amount to $1,600?
Mark's final response was " the camping standard was the one you booked and you were not happy about the standard of the food which was breakfast" despite his earlier acknowledgement and apology.
The game drives themselves were excellent but that would have been the case whoever we had booked as the area itself was fantastic.
Reply from Shipungo Safari & Tours
Posted on Dec 3, 2024Dear Carolyn
Thanks, for the review first of all we are sorry for not meeting your requirements, the issue regarding the food everything was communicated with our professional chef, and the level of camping accommodation was provided as per your request. From now on, we will work hand in hand with the chef to make everything go well.
Thanks
Mark
ES
Email Alberto Jiménez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simple to book, attentive to our needs, and high-quality service.
We were a couple on a private safari, and from the very first moment, they were very attentive to us and our needs. For example, we are vegans, and they went out of their way to prepare us an elaborate daily menu with alternatives to meat, like vegan sausages.
The location of the camp was unbeatable, right in front of an open plain where lots of animals would gather, and you could watch them while having breakfast or lunch.
Our guide, Kem, was both the guide and driver for our safari. It was clear that he loved what he was doing, and he made sure we could fully enjoy the experience, not only by seeing as many animals as possible but also by teaching us many fascinating facts about the park and its wildlife.
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Email Rebecca Wu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, knowledgeable, and friendly
The 3 day and 2 night tour was the perfect amount of time for seeing the Moremi Game Reserve. We spent one day near the camp and one day near the delta -- there was a ton of wildlife everywhere at all times. The guides knew where to look and provided interesting facts along the way. The tents were set up for us at night, and some of the guides made our cots / folded our clothes / provided fresh towels. The tents were huge - you could stand up in them and put a suitcase at the end of each cot. It was a very comfortable setup - pillows and linens included. Overall would highly recommend to others.
Email Dave Sansom | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent.Fantastic experience. The staff and guide were very good
So we did 4 nights 5 days. The whole experience was excellent. Our guide Voice was friendly, very knowledgeable. We saw lots of Animals and got some great pics. The back up team who looked after us, setting up the tents and cooking/ serving our meals were really friendly and made the safari easy.
I would highly recommend these guys to anyone
It was also great value for money
NZ
Email Bryce Williamson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shipungo gave me one of the most amazing experienced of my life
This was a brilliant trip, a seven-day safari that gave my two colleagues and I (three Kiwis) a wonderful taste of the Okavango and Northern Botswana. An excellent variety of amazing experiences of flora, fauna and landscape in the presence of amiable and knowledgeable Shipungo staff -- Voice, Kev and Arvalino (not sure of spelling there). We saw all manner of animals, including countless lions and five leopards. I'm particularly keen on birds and, with help from Voice especially, I managed to photograph 138 identifiable species. That number will increase once I have time to consult web resources. And then there was a handful of identifiable birds that I wasn't able to photograph. Tent accommodation and, especially, the food (thanks Arvalino), were unbelievable. Amazing value for money too -- I don't see how the company can charge so little. Any downsides of the trip? As a New Zealander, northern Botswana is hot and dusty; and the roads are very rough, to the point where the "African massage" was generating calloses on my buttocks. But those things are not under the company's control and easy to bear in comparison with being able to see this amazing part of the world. I would rate this as one of the best experiences of my (six-and a-half decade) life. Thank you so much.
IE
Email Daragh Fogarty | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great value, flexible and easy to deal with online, even more friendly in person.
Great safari experience, for a rate that was very competitive compared to other online prices for Maun (you can find cheaper prices for everywhere if you're in person, but then you run the risk of not having things available on your dates). We felt very happy with the experience we got, which was tailored to our specific needs in having a flight we needed to get back for. Like all safari companies in the area, they subcontract with local guides, and LK was fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable. Had a fun mokoro experience and a wonderful game drive with two comfortable nights camping as well. Overall highly recommended, and easy to deal with when organizing everything online.
MX
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding experience
Overview
My family and I (3 people) completed a 7 day mobile safari that included the Moremi Game Reserve, Kwai Concession, the Savuti Marsh and Chobi National Park/river front. We had a fabulous experience. Our team of Kem, KG and Shine took exceptional care of us. The game drives were amazing, the food was plentiful and excellent and the camping (dome tents with en-suite camping facility that consists private shower and toilet) was very comfortable.
Game drives
Kem was our driver and game guide. He really knew his task and seemed to always put us in a position to see many and varied animals. While there is no guarantee of what you will see, we were fortunate to see many harder to find animals such as painted dogs, leopards (3), hyena and sable antelope as well as a multitude of elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, hippopotamus among others. Khem was very knowledgeable providing information on the animals, habits etc. He was very patient answering our multitude of questions, and even taught us some Setswana.
Food
The food was amazing. I didn’t think I could gain weight on safari, but I assure you it’s possible. Shine turned out the most delicious food cooking over a campfire, including freshly made bread. We had a variety of meals including steak, pasta, lamb chops and chicken. Every dinner included fresh vegetables. I recall one meal while we were eating delicious lamb and hearing lions in the bush. It was unbelievable. KG also made meals feel special by announcing dinner and presenting the food.
Camp
KG made sure we had everything we needed. The camp was well thought out and very comfortable. I was a bit unsure how I would fare sleeping on cots for a week, but the cots were sturdy, the mattresses comfortable and the blankets cozy to keep us warm on cold nights.
Each morning we woke up to a basin of warm water to clean up before breakfast. The shower and toilet are attached to the tent, so you have direct access by the back zipper. The showers were fine for camping, hot water with a hanging shower head. The toilet was better than I expected. It was normal height and easy to manage.
KG and Shine were experts at setting up and breaking down camp as we moved sites.
Final thoughts
This was my first safari so I can’t compare Shipungo to other companies. I can say that there was not a single aspect that left me wanting more. Our entire family was highly satisfied and if we have the good fortune to return to Botswana for a safari I would use Shipongo and request Kem and his team again. I recommend them without hesitation.