The Mzansi Experience Staff is ready to assist!
The Mzansi Experience
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- SATSA & SAYTC
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $135 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
PL
Email Monika Kowalik | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Could be better...
The contact during the booking was OK - they were quick and detailed in their responses. We exchanged many emails, but none of them mentioned that the Boteti River has been completely dry for several years. However, about two weeks before our arrival (when everything was confirmed and fully paid) we received an email informing us about the change of plan due to drought. The Boteti River does not exist, the Okavango Delta in the part we visited is completely dry!!! If we had been informed about the lack of water in the Delta, we would not have come and spent such a huge amount of money! It was supposed to be an experience of a lifetime, but it was a huge disappointment :(
Reply from The Mzansi Experience
Posted on Nov 15, 2024Hi Monika,
Thank you for taking the time to write this review.
I do apologise for the oversight for my bookings agent who was supposed to attach the letter as published at that time with your initial enquiry.
As with any avid traveller, I am sure you have done research about these areas you wanted to visit before enquiring. There are plenty of updates for many months now regarding the situation in southern Africa (including Namibia which you also visited).
When receiving our updated report on the water situation on 27 Sept 2024 (your arrival date being 11 Oct 2024), you replied to our email with no objection or sign of unhappiness from your side. Your answer on our email was friendly and understanding.
Importantly, in your email reply there was an acknowledgement that you have "heard" about the drought in Botswana and Namibia - so you were aware of the drought situation already.
You had the right to object or even ask to cancel, and we would have understood and respond accordingly. Since your response was friendly and acknowledging that you already knew about it, we took it that all was in order.
I want to rectify that there was not a total change of plan to your itinerary, it only affected the first day with an alternative activity in place other than a complimentary mokoro ride on the river in front of the camp (of course not possible without any water in the river during your visit). The rest of your program remained the same.
I want to rectify your statement that the Boteti River has been dry for "several years". The Boteti River has not run dry for "several years" - where our camp is located. It starting running very low from Jan 2024 with the last water drying up in March 2024. That is 8 months now, not years.
I want to rectify that you did indeed go on a Mokoro safari on the Okavango Delta (from where it departs normally for the full day activity) during your visit. So the Delta is not completely dry where you visited, otherwise that would not have been possible to do a mokoro safari.
I do therefore feel many of the things stated in your review are not factually correct.
It is sad to read that it was such a disappointment to you, and we sincerely hope there was some pleasant experiences along the way.
LU
Email Pamela Helmeid-Cabello Lopez | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seamless Safari Adventure with Mzansi Experience: Big Five, Great Guides, and Perfect Planning!
The booking process was quick and easy; I got answers to all my questions in under 12 hours. Everything ran like clockwork—the airport shuttle, safari pickups, and activities were all right on time. The guides were friendly and really knew their stuff, and we were lucky enough to spot all the Big Five! The lodge room was spacious and had everything we needed. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious with lots of options. I’d definitely recommend Mzansi Experience!
Email Ulanda Neveling | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experiemce
Well organised. Lovely accomdation with friendly staff that went the extra mile to make our stay memorable. The guide was excellent. His knowledge was superb. The expereince was well worth the money we paid and we can hihgly recommend it.
AE
Email Vivek | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Budget Accommodation
Booked for a 3 night stay. The Lodge was comfortable but the room I was assigned was very jaded and dark with strange lighting and fixtures. The food was decent though the menu could have been altered more frequently. Staff efficient and pleasant. Its the old room that was an annoyance and seriously needs an upgrade. The photos on the tour operator's site does not give a true picture. Otherwise the tours were decent though the tour to the sights within the park was underwhelming and this can be substituted for something else.
US
Email DFWGloria | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Delivered on the experience and made it memorable!
The Mzansi Experience was just that...an experience to enjoy. It included a 4-Day Okavango Delta & Boteti River Tented Safari package. On Day 1, arrival, we were to embark on a 2-hour sunset Mokoro canoe safari, but dry weather conditions have the Boteti river dry. Instead, they arranged for us to visit a nearby local village and become familiar with local villagers and customs, etc. However, upon arriving at the village, gates were closed and most had gone into a nearby town. Our driver/guide (Kay) was most resourceful as he located an elder lady who was happy to talk to us. Chairs were set out in a circle on village grounds, as she began to talk, other male elders joined, as did some children who sat on the sandy ground. Great afternoon. Day 2 involved a ride on a Makoro canoe up the Okavango river, which allowed us to glide through the river, seeing hippos, elephants and more. Day 3 was a Game Drive on a 4x4 open air vehicle to Moremi/Khwai Reserve, which is in the northern fringe of Okavango Delta. Saw a multitude of animals, including lions, leopard, elephants, zebras, etc. Day 4 was relaxation and headed out. Boteti Tented chalets were comfortable, food in small restaurant was always served to us at 7pm, firepit was nearby. Staff at Boteti Tented Chalets were all very polite and accommodating. We met 2 other couples from Australia that joined us on this 3-4 Day adventure, which made the experience even more memorable.
US
Email Trevor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good value safari
The Kruger Safari with Panorama Drive was an enjoyable experience. The lodge was nice, and the cost of the trip was a good value for the experience.
US
Email Berkley Garrett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This is an amazing life changing experience!
This is a definite must on your bucket list. If you want to get up close and personal with the animals of southern Africa this is the way to do it. The staff are wonderful people with amazing personalities and make you feel like family. I could definitely do this again and again. Hopefully I have the opportunity to come back. If you have the chance to come and experience this I highly recommend that you do, it will change your life.
US
Email Josh Hyde | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!
I am fortunate enough to work for a company that provided this experience as part of a leadership conference. Guides and staff were awesome and accommodated our large group requirements. I was blown away by the amount and variety of animals we saw. The whole experience far exceeded my expectations.
Email Patrick Bouic | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful, stress-free experience!!
We flew in with friends from France from Cape Town and from the moment we were picked up, it was one superbe experience!!
Superbly organized, beautiful accommodation and the staff went out of their way to please us!!
Excellent meals!!
It was a dry season but we managed to see most of the animals during our game drives. Stunning mokoro sunset canoeing with incredibly pleasant polers.
From start to finish, we felt really special with the staff taking so much care!
Well done to everyone!!!
IT
Email Mario | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything perfect
We came to SA in June 2024, we went to Kruger Park from Johannesburg.
The trip was nice, perfect driver. The lodge (Kruger Adventure Lodge) was nice, great safari on the afternoon and incredible the day after.
Nice dinners at the lodge, unfortunately it was too cold to have a bath in the swimming pool.
Top experience anyway, also for our kids (6 and 3 years old), they enjoyed it so much.
