Ulinda Safari Trails
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- HATAB & BOGA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $1,360 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Cicely Havely | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Best.
We thought Botswana would be out of our budget, then a friend with whom we'd travelled in Namibia pointed us to Jane and her company. From the first email contact, we knew we were on the right track. Four of us (two pensioners) booked a ten-day safari that took us from Kasane to Maun, staying in five different locations.
I'm not a natural camper, but the magic of sunrise in the bush and evenings around the camp-fire and under the stars more than made up for quite basic but perfectly adequate sleeping quarters. The tents aren't huge, but they're not cramped either; the bedding is ample and very cosy (starry nights in May are chilly - but no insects) and our en-suite pit toilet (you shovel in a layer of the sandy soil that's been dug out) was really no hardship. We quickly decided that glamping was for softies and would artificially cut you off from the authentic experience that we were enjoying.
And we enjoyed every minute. Because we were four, we had a vehicle to ourselves and could stop and start at the pace that the two avid photographers wanted. Our guide, Spokes Ntshwabi, was superb: quiet, very knowledgeable and charming with it. We had lots of marvellous sightings, many of them all to ourselves as a distinctive part of the Ulinda offering is to get away from the most beaten tracks. (Not that there were ever many other vehicles; these National Parks are huge.)
Back in camp for lunch, a snooze and a shower, then off again. The afternoon game drive always ended with a hefty G'n'T at some scenic spot to watch the sun go down. Then back in the gloaming for a superb dinner, ample (free) wine and yarns round the campfire. The food was always superb. Remember that for the whole 10 days there was nowhere to take on supplies, but we always had fresh vegetables, salads and (for the carnivores) world-class local meats: the beef fillet was the best ever. All that and beautiful fresh bread.
Jane herself is a tireless host. The whole trip was impeccably organised but the effort didn't show. Her team (who cook and manage the assembly and dismantling at every camp site) are charming as well as very hard-working. The three boat trips that were part of the package were all different and unforgettably lovely. Now we have thousands of photos to edit down and thousands of memories to match.
We are all seasoned travellers of many years, but - back in civilisation (which seemed dull in comparison) - we agreed that this was the best.
Thanks, Jane - and everyone
SE
Email Tomas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding mobile safari in Chobe River, Savuti, Khawi and Moremi national parks Botzwana.
This was my second safari. The first was a lodge safari in South Africa in 2017. The mobile safari with Ulinda Safari Trials exceeded my expectations by far. Comparing with my lodge safari, which was very good, the mobile safari with Jane and her team gave me however a much more genuine feeling of the stunning nature and wildlife in Botzwana. Photography was an very essential factor why I decided for Ulinda and since Jane is a photographer she knows what is needed to place the car right to get the right light etc.
Everything worked perfect from the first contact and on. I can really recommend Ulinda Safari Trials especially if photography is essential.
Email Carolyn Field | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing 16 Night private family mobile camping safari
Having used Ulinda Safari Trails in 1995 we had no hesitation booking our safari with Ulinda again this time (with 3 kids in tow this time, aged 16, 18 and 20). Jane runs a very professional business and her 33 years guiding experience is second to none. Her communications were always prompt and she answered all of our questions before the trip. We left the itinerary up to her and were not disappointed. Jane is very patient with early morning sluggishness, she drives with skill and care, she is respectful of the environment and will even stop to pick up other peoples discarded rubbish, she always positions the truck for the best photo opportunity and her staff are amazing. They kept us comfortable and so well fed it was unbelievable what Gase, Victor and Manga could cook up on an open fire place! We saw so much wildlife including 40+ lion, 5 leopard, 4 cheetah, 4 honeybadgers, 1 African wildcat, 7 African Wild dogs as well as 100's of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, impala, lechwe, steenbok and many kudu, giraffe, waterbuck, tsessebe, baboons, jackal and an amazing array of birds. It was hot in the CKGR to start but as we moved north toward the parks with water it cooled off and the landscapes became greener and more lush. It was still a very comfortable time of year to go, not much rain this year compared to last years floods which just shows no weather patterns (or animal movements) are predictable anymore.
CA
Email Rob Graham | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An incredible, fullfilling experience.
I went for a 10 night safari with Ulinda in July of 2017, and it was an experience I won't forget for a very long time. The wildlife was incredible, the food and accommodations were spectacular, and the chance to get away from it all and spend 11 days was exactly what my body and mind needed.
The trip was not without a bit of drama, but Jane acted promptly and made the best of a bad situation, and it all worked out for the best in the end.
Driving around it seemed like most of the tour companies in Botswana use the large, open walled vehicles. And as someone who has been on 5 safaris before, I highly recommend against those types of vehicles. They have no protection from the elements so you freeze in the morning and roast in the afternoon, you get to spend 10+ days crammed in with 11 people you just met, and most importantly, there's nowhere to rest your camera for taking pictures.
Truth be told the vehicle type was the reason I chose Ulinda in the first place, but their accommodations and food totally blew my expectations away. A special shout out to Jane's staff who work really hard all day long to try and make the experience as amazing as possible for the guests.
Pictures from my safari posted on my Instagram: @robnoxious_travels
Exceptional experience in the beautiful Okavango Delta
Beautiful weather, unbelievable wildlife exposure, great photography opportunities, wonderful camp staff and food, comfortable tenting, very good safari companions, and Jane kept the whole thing rolling along with minimal problems. Even when unforseen mechanical problems arose the group as a whole pulled together and we got to were we needed to be. I would rate this as an excellent safari option for a new traveler to Africa or a seasoned safari goer. All good. Thanks Jane and crew!!!
CA
Email Ray | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Authentic, well organized and well delivered safari
From first communications through committing to the safari, to the actual game drives themselves, food, camping and camp life, this proved a very positive experience. We wanted a safari that was genuine and allowed us to experience as much of the Okavango as possible by camping over a ten night period rather than staying in a lodge and Ulinda Safari Trails delivered in spades. Food was excellent, the camp crew who looked after camp set up, shifting to new locations and of course cooking was wonderful, camp equipment was fine and our guide (owner/operator Jane Bettenay) exceptional. Jane has a wealth of safari experience in at least the 4 areas we visited/camped at (Chobe, Savuti, Khwai, Nxai Pan) found pretty much all animals we could ever have expected, placed us perfectly in locations for best viewing and photographing, drove endless kilometres in all these locations oftentimes in challenging road conditions and also ensured we enjoyed ourselves while in camp and sitting around the camp fire. One couldn't ask for more and we would highly recommend Ulinda Safari Trails and Jane Bettenay to anyone seeking a genuine, guided camping experience.
Email Helen Blackmore | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience which totally exceeded our expectations!
This was our first safari, and it exceeded our expectations both as to the wildlife sighted and the total experience camping out in the wild. My husband and I are 74 and 68. Jane responds quickly to emails, and answered all our queries prior to the safari. She is a very good and knowledgeable guide, and as a photographer herself, knows how to position the vehicle for the best light conditions. We enjoyed the closed vehicle on the cold mornings, and one wet day, when some people in open vehicles looked rather miserable. It was also good on the long drives between sites. As a woman just over five foot tall, I could see well, and take good photos when the top was open, by standing on the seats. The crew are all friendly and effective and so we thoroughly enjoyed the camping. The food was wonderful, and plentiful, causing some expansion of waistlines! Jane has an excellent reference library of books about the flora and fauna of Botswana - these are always to hand in the vehicle which really enhanced the sightings. We enjoyed the convivial evenings around the campfire and Jane's skills as a raconteur. We would thoroughly recommend a safari with Ulinda.
Email Jack Tennant | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awsome Experince
We booked a 9 night safari in April 2017 with Ulinda because of the owners vast experience. Jane has been around this industry for 30 + years so her knowledge of the areas and game is invaluable. She was always able to answer any questions we had and if not she had a virtule libary of reference books on board. Our very first night in Naxi Pan we had lion camp within 30m of our tents, this happened a few times on our trip as well elephant into camp at Kwhai. My youngest son Tom was so hell bent on seeing Cheetha in the wild and he wasnt dissapointed not only did we see 7 Cheetha but witnessed a kill in the Kalahari all thanks to Janes persistence.The wildlife we saw was well above our expectaion. The camp food was to die for, we never had the same meal twice in 9 nights and what Hasi was able to produce with such limited equipment was nothing short of amazing. Jane has had the same 3 crew with her now for 10 + years which says it all. They all worked hard to ensure our short stay was the most enjoyable time ever. I would not hestite to recommend this operation to anyone wanting the ultimate African experience
Visited April 2017
Email Weronika | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!
I was on a 12 night safari with Ulinda Safari Trails in September 2016. The adventure started in Kasane, from where we drove to the Chobe Riverfront (3 nights camping), Savuti (3 nights), Khwai (4 nights) and Moremi (2 nights). On the last day I was dropped off at my hotel in Maun.
This was my first safari and camping is not something I do often either, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. And surely enough the trip exceeded my expectations in all aspects! The wildlife was amazing – so many elephants!, lions with cubs and hunting buffalo, zebras, and eventually feeding on an elephant, wild dogs, leopards feeding on impala, hippos, crocodiles and so much more! Nature at its best! In total I had 8 leopard sightings which is something exceptional! The sunsets and sunrises in Botswana are breath-taking and you never miss one as the days start early, with 5:15am wakeup. We also had a boat trip on a Chobe river and mokoro trip in Khwai. Both very relaxing.
The camping was comfortable, and camp moves very efficient. Food was delicious thanks to Gassie – a great vegetarian choice. We had various visitors in our camping sites, including honey badger, elephants, leopard and a civet, and in the evenings sitting by the fire place you could hear lions roaring and leopards grunting. Unforgettable experience!
And something to highlight – the closed vehicle (with opening roof) – is really the way to go. I was protected from the morning cold, and the wind and dust, yet had no issues taking great pictures through the open roof. I didn’t see many vehicles of this type around, and I really felt bad for people in the open cars at times!
Jane, Gassie and Alex were super friendly and professional. They made the trip an unforgettable experience for me, and I can wholeheartedly recommend safaris with Ulinda Safari Trails!
Totallt wonderful!
Everything was wonderful on our 22 night safari. Jane is a wonderful and tireless guide, always stretching to maximize what we could see, and on the rare occasions when she wasn't sure of an answer to a question, looking it up for us. Her staff is extremely helpful and friendly, and the food was fantastic. Ulinda was one of very few companies to use vehicles with enclosed sides, so that it was never too cold in the morning, or too hot mid-day. The evening campfires were really a lot of fun, and the tents were quite comfortable. In the service of a balanced review, I've tried thinking of anything at all negative, and all I can possibly come up with - which would relate to very few other people - is that Jane's soft voice can be difficult for someone who doesn't hear well, like myself. In the vehicle and at the campfire I often needed my wife to amplify what Jane said (and her stories are great!!); this would have been a problem were I a single traveler. But that didn't in the least dent our experience of this out-of-the-world safari.