Reviews
Email Debbie Stanford | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Every aspect was amazing - yoga, setting, stars & company.
Prior to the retreat I had never done Yoga, had not slept under the stars on the Pans and had not managed to be quiet for so long. After the retreat, I have never looked at the stars in the same way. Debbie was amazing and I would recommend this to everyone whether you have done Yoga or not.
CA
Email Nicolaas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent professional yet personal service
I can only give a positive response to all my encounters with Yoga safaris and they exceeded my expectations.
A magical safari experience
Finally found the time to sit down and right a review of the Safari camps that we visited in September 2015.
The whole experience was wonderful, well planned by Yoga Safari and the trip was flawless. If I ever have a chance to recommend Yoga Safari to friends or acquaintances, I will give it an outstanding recommendation and recommend that they get in touch with you.
Now with regard to the Safari sites, they were all five-star out of five-star as for as we were concerned.
Seba camp was nicely situated looking over water, had lovely accommodation and the food was outstanding. The host-managers were very social as all of the staff. Our guide was excellent in finding game and pointing out various plant features. One of the highlights of the stay was the guide finding a leopard that was tracking a hyena that was dragging the remains of the leopard's kill. We spent probably an hour following the hyenas and the leopard and took all kinds of pictures. A large bull elephant did come into the camp and just outside our cabin started to shake a palm tree for the fruit. We had the impression that the area felt a bit like a park and did not have an overwhelming number of animals.
Selinda camp was outstanding and had the most variety of animals and didn't seem that you were in a park, a true wilderness. It was a long distance from the airstrip but this is a minor drawback. The camp was fantastic, and we especially liked the accommodation of tents with no running water and bucket showers. The number of animals was outstanding: herds of elephants, male and female lions, lion cubs, wild dogs, leopard, and various antelopes as well as hippopotami and birds. It is a Safari camp that no one should miss if they are going to Botswana. The food was excellent; the staff was friendly and helpful. Our guide was terrific and had to be one of the best trackers as he used his skill to find lions on 3 separate occasions. If you want elephants, this is the place. There is a river at the front of the camp, and on one occasion a group of elephants took a refreshing bath in the river, elephants also entered the camp, also an injured hippopotomus spent time on the bank of the river. The manager was a young woman who was friendly and pleasant. But we had one of the weirdness experiences in that for whatever reason when we were together with a young Australia couple, she completely ignored us and talked only to them. It was as though we didn’t exist. This was off putting and someone needs to instruct her on how to be a proper hostess.
Shinde camp was very upscale. It had a lovely dining and meeting area, excellent food and personable staff. The accommodation was first-class. It accommodated the most guests and there were about 18 visitors at the time of our visit. Our guide was once more excellent. Ecosystem is interesting in that it has many types of antelopes in fairly large groups that are quite approachable. Again we were lucky in finding a leopard in a tree and a small group of lions. There were other small animals such as Jackels. On one of our half days we did a boat trip, which was enjoyable and a change from the Toyoto Land Cruisers.
Jacks Camp was the most magical and had a unique ambiance. The tents with the Indian decor gave an impression of being in India. After 5pm at night the lanterns provided light for the tents and dining area and gave a warm transformational aura. This was a completely different ecosystem that should be experienced by anyone going to Botswana. We were there at the end of the dry season so we saw large herds of Zebra and Wildebeest coming to the water holes every morning and afternoon in front of our tent. This was the only place where we saw large herds. Also surprising we saw many birds (ostrich, eagles and vultures) that we had not seen previously. As well we saw a different species of hyena with young at the lair. The salt flats were amazing. Once again the food was outstanding, the staff warm and friendly, and our guide worked hard to find animals and birds to see. This is a camp that should be on everyone's itinerary if they are doing safari in Botswana. However, it is clearly important to time the visit as I am sure weather conditions can have a great influence on what is seen. It was very hot but dry so it was tolerable and in an absurd way fun (40 c). Meerkats are found here, and you get to interact, and they are well worth the visit. Only saw one bull elephant on one occasion, so if you want to see elephants this is not the place.
One other point of interest is all the flights into and out of the different Safari camps were always precisely on time. And Yoga Safari has to be commended on organizing the different companies and flights that worked so perfectly.
I hope this review will help you direct your future customers and once again we thank you for setting up such a fabulous experience.
Happy New Year
CA
Email Deb Cooke | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nepal Yoga and Stargazing Safari was AMAZING!!!!
This tour had something for everyone. We learned about the culture and history of Nepal at Boudinath and Bakhtapur in Kathmandu. Trekked up to Basanta Lodge and Australia Camp. Visited many villages to see how the Nepalese people live. White water rafted down the Seti River. Saw Mount Everest on an optional flight. We saw all kinds of birdlife like the colourful White-throated Kingfisher and the Crimson Sunbird, many raptors like the Crested Serpent Eagle and the xxx duck that flies over the Himalayan Mountains to breed. For wildlife enthusiasts, we saw the xxx monkey, the endangered one-horned Indian Rhino and the endangered Gharil crocodile. There were many beautiful butterflies visiting the gorgeous flowering plants.
The accommodations were varied and unique. The historic Yak and Yeti hotel in Kathmandu. Stunning views of the Annapoura Mountains at Basanta Lodge. Drifting off to sleep listening to the rushing water in a tent at Seti River Camp. The Temple tree Resort was like being on a tropical island in the middle of Pokhara. Greeting the resident frog in my room at the spa-like Kasari resort in Chitwan.
Our guides and porters were first class. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
Our hosts, Deborah Carter and Steve O’Meara were fantastic. Steve gave us an astronomy lesson each night at Basanta lodge and Seti river camp when we were away from the city lights. Deborah led us in a yoga session each day to stretch out all our muscles that we used in that day’s activities. The whole tour was well organized and ran smoothly. They made sure we were all very well taken care of and that we all had an opportunity to experience our various interests. We were all able to relax and enjoy ourselves without any worries.
I will definitely travel with Yoga Safari again. If Nepal is not on your bucket list, it should be. Contact Deborah at Yoga Safari and go!
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Email Maureen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic!!
Yoga safari created the most amazing safari for me, based off of one email where I stated my needs/hopes. Everyone of my hopes were achieved, and I had a spectacular week out in the delta (this being my third safari I have some experience!)
It was truly amazing...
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Email Rick Kostelnik | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I would go anywhere in the world with Debs knowing that she will have planned a memorable adventure
We travelled to Uganda in November of 2022 with two other couples. 4 of the 6 of us had previously been to Namibia with Debs Carter. My wife and I have known Debs for over a decade. We had no worries that everything would be well thought out and executed perfectly. Prior to our trip, email communication about the trip was easy, timely and detail oriented. We also knew Debs' standards and that the lodges that were booked would be fantastic.
First stop - Entebbe - Boma Lodge
We stayed the first two nights at the Boma getting adjusted to the time zone and relaxing in a comfortable garden environment. We had a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria for all of us to relax and get to know each other and our drivers from Classic African Safari - Milton and Male.
Second stop - Murchison Falls National Park - Paara Lodge
We had a long drive to this national park, but it was so wonderful to see how the Ugandans live both in cities and in rural towns. The lodge was very nice and located along the Nile. An elephant even visited us while we were in the pool. The next two days were spent on boat rides on the Nile and game drives. The group was flexible and made sure that we got to see the top of Murchison Falls. Just fantastic days in Uganda seeing amazing animals and birds.
Third stop - Kibale National Park-- Ndali Lodge
Another fun drive through small towns to the area near Fort Portal and the Kibale National Park. The Ndali Lodge was nestled by a crater lake and had amazing views from both sides. The lodge was exquisite and the food and drinks were top notch. We absolutely loved this place. We had two days with the Chimps in the park and were amazed at how close we were able to get to these primates.
Fourth Stop - Queen Elizabeth National Park - Twin Lakes Lodge
Our drive from Ndali Lodge to our next stop was highlighted with more game drives and a wonderful lunch at Mweya Lodge on the Kazinga Channel and another boat ride with wonderful bird life. More wonderful game drives for the next two days and some unexpected happenings with local children and angry elephants! Twin Lakes was a lodge that was added to our trip when the first lodge that was booked burned down just a few months before our trip. Debs was able to effortlessly pivot and book a very comfortable alternative.
Fifth Stop - Bwindi National Park - Mahogany Springs Lodge
Our final destination was our absolute favorite lodge. So welcoming with views of the mountains and the impenetrable forrest. The service was the absolute best and we felt personal connections with each person of the service staff. This was coupled with two days of Gorilla trekking that is an experience that you feel blessed to be able to do once it has happened. We also were ale to be involved with a wild pangolin release because we were in the right place at the right time. These days were some of the best on our trip.
We had a small plane ride back to Entebbe and one final night at the Boma.
Traveling with Debs and her husband Steve is like traveling with friends - because they are friends. But, these friends have done all the leg work for your trip and Debs' standards are top-notch. Although things are very well orchestrated and managed behind the scenes, it all seems seamless as your day unfolds in front of you. Debs truly is an expert at what she does. From the review of "Logistics" at dinner for the day ahead of us, to the wonderful sights and camaraderie during the day, it is easy to say that our trips with Debs have been some of the best of our lives. We are looking forward to more adventures with Yoga Safari.
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Email The Larsons from Maine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I wish I could rate this trip TEN stars
We traveled to Uganda with two other couples (one of whom has already submitted a detail review to this site) with the express purpose of trekking with gorillas. It turned out to be SO much more than that. I am a planner by nature and arrive at every vacation with a detailed itinerary in hand, so leaving all of the logistics up to someone I had never met pushed me a little outside of my comfort zone. But....from our first email contact with Debs to our last, I knew we were in good hands. Debs provided an extensive schedule ahead of time so we knew what to expect and even gave us a spot-on packing list so we were well-prepared. Our group was lucky enough to have Debs and Steve along with us, and after two weeks filled with their engaging, amazing stories and guidance, I consider them life-long friends. I am not being dramatic when I say that every moment of this trip was sheer perfection. The local guides, the spectacular locations, the beautiful lodges with personal service that was BEYOND....I'm not sure I can ever go on safari again because it couldn't possibly live up to this experience. If you are lucky enough to trek with gorillas in Uganda (a life-changing experience), do NOT miss the chance to stay at the Mahogany Springs Lodge. It was our final stop and our favorite. From halfway across the world, I still dream of the views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and of the lodge kitties curled up on my lap. Before we said goodbye to Debs and Steve, we were already planning where our next excursion with them would be. 100 stars; no notes; an absolutely PERFECT experience.
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Email Christiaan Boll | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was just the trip I needed. local knowledge of the land will give you the best experience.
just the trip I needed to relax and recharge. there's nothing quite like going out to the middle of untamed land. I like to go back every 5 or 6 years. Botswana is truly beautiful. Yoga safaris with local knowledge will get you in the right camp for your best safari experience.
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Email Ali | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing value for a luxury safari planned last-minute
We contacted Debbie to plan a super last- minute budget safari for my partner and I in the Okavango Delta. With a low budget and less than two weeks out, Debbie negotiated a phenomenal deal for us at Nokanyana. The lodge was beautiful and far beyond our expectations given the tight timeline and budget. Debbie arranged a 3 night stay and a private dinner for us to celebrate Valentines. She shared detailed documents with us listing everything we could expect. She was invaluable in the planning of the safari. Our transfers to and from the lodge were friendly and smooth. The guides were excellent. She even offered to store our luggage for us in Maun. We were thrilled with the lodge she chose and it was a luxury experience all around. Overall we had a wonderful time and are very happy we worked with Debbie to plan this. We highly recommend Yoga Safari and plan to use them again for our future safari dreams. Thank you!
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Email Peter and Joanne Black | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime amazing!!
The perfect blend of value, comfort, education, adventure and planning. We saw everything you can imagine (lions, leopards, elephants, hippos) and some we didn’t think possible (up close encounter with very rare pangolin). We learned so much from our wonderful guides. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime Yoga Safari!
