Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism
Early Kingfisher Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- BOGA & Botswana Tourism
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Kathy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The only way to see Africa's wildlife and enjoy its friendly culture!
As I was excitedly telling a friend I was going on an African Safari in January, a woman overheard me and told me she goes to Africa yearly. She warned me I was making a mistake by going during the rainy season and said I wouldn’t see any wildlife. Her advice couldn’t have been more wrong!
Visiting Botswana Central Kalahari Reserve and the Magkadigkadi Salt Flats with David Shaw (Lead Photographer) and Sam Mopalo (Owner of Early Kingfisher Safari) was filled with incredible wildlife experiences! Sam, an accomplished naturalist who grew up and lives in Botswana, knows the wildlife in this area like the back of his hand. He can spot a lion, leopard, or any African beast from afar with his naked eye. It took the rest of us binoculars and the directions given by Sam and David to find it. The magic was getting close to this wildlife, close enough to photograph it. Sam’s tracking skills are beyond comparable. We were almost the only vehicle following the wildlife for days and never shared a viewing opportunity with anyone else.
David and Sam made a great “tag team.” What one missed or didn’t know, the other did. David, the avid and excellent photographer, ensured we had the best angle for the best shot, although Sam often nailed it before he said a word. And I came away with some remarkable photos, my favorites being those of the lions interacting with one another. I never guessed they could be as affectionate as a house cat!
Sleeping in tents with our every whim taken care of by Sam’s crew kept us close to the action. It was easy to be up early to photograph wildlife while it was still actively enjoying the cool morning light. While we rested in the shade of the sun during the middle of the day, we were back at it until sundown.
It was the best mobile safari camp experience possible. Sleeping in the bush, with everything we needed brought in—lights, food, warm and cold water, and shelter—the night rewarded us with a dark sky filled with stars that looked close enough to touch. The sounds of wildlife rocked us to sleep and gently woke us in the morning.
During the trip, we also spent a few nights in comfortable lodges with excellent food and hospitality. Still, the best food was cooked over an open flame or baked buried with coals underground. Sam’s cooks were the best; their tasty flavors for various grains and vegetables heightened the rest of the meal.
David and Sam’s cheerful, friendly personalities brought the rest of us into the fold, and we all became friends with stories to tell for the rest of our lives.
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Email Andy Brown | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best guides in the most comfortable camps with unparalleled service
I went on a photography safari with Sam and his team back in 2023 and was in absolute awe over his and Paul's ability to spot animals before anyone else, the level of service that their mobile camps provide, and the kindness and friendliness that each member of his staff brought to the experience. Somehow, and I don't know how, they exceeded that experience on my most recent trip with Early Kingfisher through the Central Kalahari up to Makgadikgadi.
Once again, the tents and beds were comfortable and clean, with camp chairs always set up on our porches during the day, and our bathrooms ready to use with hot water whenever we returned from a game drive. The food was excellent again - somehow the meals and desserts and teatime were even better this time. Sam has made small improvement here and there along the way, most you wouldn't notice. But one big one was electric lights in each tent and each bathroom, making getting ready for bed at night and prepping for the day so much easier than relying on the lanterns that were present on the previous trip.
The staff was both invisible and accessible. Always there when you needed them, but all but disappearing when you didn't. That said, they are so kind and friendly, you were always happy when they were there.
Sam was our sole guide this trip, and he provided the expertise and passion I came to expect after the first safari. That, combined with the guidance of David W. Shaw (our photo guide), made for sitings you wouldn't believe. Some highlights included an adventure when Sam spotted a leopard our last night in the Kalahari and we followed the big cat at a distance, observing it getting ready for an evening hunt. The next morning, Dave spotted another leopard on our way to a lodge, this time a smaller female in a tree. We stated with her for several hours as, like the male the night before, she showed no fear and plenty of curiosity. And so, so, so many lions. Sam is so passionate about the wildlife, he is happy to stay with them as long as you want.
I cannot recommend Early Kingfisher highly enough and I look forward to sharing the experience with friends and family next time!
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Email Chris Amenson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best of my 8 trips to Africa
I talked to Sam by WhatsApp and planned a 7 day tented safari tailored to my family of 5. The accommodations 9x12 main tent with a real bed and sheets, 9x6 covered porch and 9x6 private bush bathroom and service were of luxury quality at a budget price. Sam owns this small company so all of your money goes to your experience, not to a distant owner or travel agency. 6 staff took care of our every need and treated us like family. 3 meals and 2 tea breaks a day were delicious. Did our laundry and changed linens daily.
Most importantly Sam is the guide that all the other guides go to for advice. We were usually the first at important sightings. Sam went to where the animals were going to be, so we saw herds of wildebeest and prides of lions approach the water hole. We often stopped in the middle of a herd or pride to observe exciting behavior: courting, mating, nursing, young playing, fighting for dominance, stealing kill. As one of many examples, we heard lions in the night. In the morning Sam said that the lions had killed an elephant, pointed in the direction and said it was 5km. away. we drove their found the tracks and watched the Marsh Pride of 20 lions: adults feeding or resting, cubs playing, attempting to eat and nursing.
You are in the wild. The difficulty of dirt roads seldom getting out of second gear was offset by elephants and giraffes browsing in the trees 20 ft from our tents
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Email Sharon A | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary experience
In approaching a vist to the Okavango, choosing the right operator can seem overwhelming. From my first attempt to make contact, Sam was very responsive. No matter how much background reading you do, nothing can prepare you for the reality of the bush. As others have indicated, Sam and his team at Early KingFisher do everything possible to make guests comfortable. We were one of two USA-based couples on our mid August trip and with each drive, we'd say 'the bar just got higher'. And with every subsequent drive, the bar did get higher. Thanks to Sam's finely honed tracking skills, we witnessed lions mating, lion cubs suckling, lionesses ripping apart a Cape buffalo carcass, a lone leopard and hyenas feeding on an elephant leg. This is not a zoo and each drive takes time. Yet these moments will remain with us forever.
The support team includes a driver, a cook, a housekeeper and a generalist. Each one is devoted to his job and committed to offering excellent service. Those chilled gin and tonics at the end of the day always hit the spot as did the fresh bread and boiled eggs each morning, bobotie and cottage pie.
Sleeping in a tent, showering outdoors, even using the pit toilet begin to seem normal. It is a shock coming back to four walls and wifi.
I am so glad we selected Sam and Early KingFisher.
Email Chevaan Seresinhe | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly amazing safari from start to finish with amazing value for money.
We finished our safari yesterday, and the overall service we received from Early Kingfisher Safari from day one has been simply outstanding.
I spent a lot of time researching safaris and considered a number of different providers. Most of the safari companies in Botswana do provide a decent service and generally have good reviews. But what made Early Kingfisher standout from the onset was a question my wife asked: can she use a hairdryer while camping! Most safari companies politely said no, but Sam at Early Kingfisher said he would somehow find a solution to this tricky conundrum! That approach of finding solutions to tricky challenges set the tone for our safari and impressed us from the get-go. We booked a 6 night mobile safari starting from Maun, with a mokoro excursion, a Chobe river excursion and a taxi transfer to Livingston.
Jameson was our guide and he met us at the airport. He was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. At camp we discovered that our tent had an inverter for my wife’s hairdryer. The tent was clean, with a light, proper beds and bedding. The toilet was well equipped for mobile safari standards with a sandflush toilet. What’s more, there is daily laundry service like at a lodge - which makes life easy when it comes to planning and packing safari clothes! The meals at the camp were freshly prepared and importantly, was nutrionally well-balanced - and of course tasty!
The bush tea/coffee breaks during game-drives included a fantastic selection of biscuits and their renowned rusks!
What makes Early Kingfisher stand out even more is this - we were due to spend one night by Chobe riverfront, however we heard that poachers had robbed some tourists in the area who were camping. Sam and Jameson decided that it would be safer to put us up in a lodge - at no extra cost to us. They clearly put customer safety and well-being before profits - and that’s something large organizations could learn!
Thanks to Kingfisher, this was truly an unforgettable holiday. We got to see plenty of lions, (elusive) leopards, buffalos, hippos and last but not least the country’s hoards of elephants, plus more! Jameson did a fantastic job of finding the animals, and getting the right lighting conditions for photos. Despite Botswana’s fantastic animals, what REALLY made this holiday truly special are the country’s friendly people and the Eary Kingfisher team at our camps. There were six members of staff, including Jameson and every single one of them went out of their way, over and above, to ensure that we had a lovely time at camp. From fresh, fragrant and cooling welcome towels, tasty treats for high tea to a ready source of warm water for showers at literally any time of the day. We would like to thank: Bara, Metsi, Cam, Big Sam and Mmapolas from the bottom of our hearts for everything. And last but not least we are so grateful to Jameson and Sam for bringing our dream holiday to life and for the amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Botswana lived up to, and exceeded our expectations thanks to Early Kingfisher.
Email Eoin Murray | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Sam is held in the highest esteem by his guiding competitors for a reason - he is simply among best
Sam is widely respected in the industry with very good reason - he is an excellent guide and tracker, and courteous and knowledgable with his clients. He runs an excellent efficient company and his crews are all top class
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Email Sumana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome
I did an okavango delta trip with my friends and relatives from 23 May to 29 with Sam, the owner of Early kingfisher safari. He was very accommodating and responsive from the beginning I contacted him for safaris. I and my companions had a memorable trip with his company. Our guide cum driver Paul was icing on the cake, a very jovial, cooperative, knowledgeable and above all always ready to be at your help kind of man . Sam and his staff had taken every bit of care to keep us satisfied whether it was food, accommodation, boat ride etc. I enjoyed this trip more than my Serengeti trip in Tanzania. His rate was also the most reasonable of all I had contacted. So no thinking at all when you book with this tour company.
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Email David Shaw | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extraordinary guides in an extraordinary place.
I've worked with Early Kingfisher for several years, and been on 8 different safaris with this operation. They are hands down, the best in Botswana. Sam Mopalo and his team are exceptional. The camps are comfortable and well-equipped, the staff is friendly and accommodating, the food is excellent, but above all, Sam and his guides are amazing. The guides all have an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge, an almost magical ability to find and spot wildlife, and years of local experience.
If you book with Early Kingfisher, you won't be sorry. After my many journeys to Botswana with Early Kingfisher, I keep coming back for more.
Email Rhonda Glenn | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Spectacular Adventure with Extraordinary Guides and Safari Team - An OUTSTANDING Experience.
This was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Our group got to see so much wildlife thanks to Sam and Paul’s tracking diligence and expertise. They positioned their vehicles perfectly every time which in turn has now given our whole photography workshop group the most incredible photos and memories with which to cherish. Their knowledge was profound, any question was answered with depth and passion for the animals/birds and their beautiful Botswana and their storytelling was entertaining and hilarious. I have been on safari more than 5 times across Africa but had never camped; this adventure was transformational for me, to be fully immersed in the bush and to hear all of the sounds of the night was just incredible.
The chef was exceptional, there was a great mix of delicious food and freshly baked bread and treats for morning and afternoon tea every day and the housekeeping staff made our “tent” homes perfect (which included a turn down service each night!). Washing was done (even when you didn't expect it) and the full team were so warm, kind and joyous. I am so grateful for this experience and I couldn’t recommend the amazing Sam and Early Kingfisher team more highly. This trip was truly unforgettable to me.
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Email Carmon Koenigsknecht | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Look no further
My experience echos those of previous reviewers. Sam and his safari group provided exceptional service during our photography tour with professionals David Shaw and Jennifer Hadley. I felt entirely safe in their care. I have special diet needs and the chef was extremely accommodating. I loved every meal. Sam & Paul were very knowledgeable and have an uncanny ability to spot the elusive wild animals that seem to hide in plain sight. The staff were friendly and have attention to many details at the campsite, particularly cleanliness. I highly recommend Early Kingfisher Safaris.