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
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana adventure
My 16 year old daughter and I joined Jane for a great time. It was my third time in Africa, but it was the time I learned the most about the true Africa. The staff was wonderful and we felt spoiled at all times. We felt safe and had lots of fun. The food was amazing, it was way more than I expected. I chose Ulinda's Safari because I got the feeling that it would be real and I would be given a one on one experience and we did. Im very glad that I chose them to expose my daughter to her first African adventure. I would recommended them to anybody who wants the real African experience. Thanks Jane!
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience
My wife and I had 2 weeks safari tour with Jane and it was really good. The staff were lovely, the food was excellent but most importantly Jane's knowledge and guiding ability is exceptional. After being in Botswana we went to Tanzania and did another safari with a very adequate guide who did nothing wrong but it was clear to us then that Jane more than just knows what she is doing. If you are a photographer look no further, Jane is an expert, with a camera that looks like it could launch a rocket and she knows how to get in position for the best shots. We are not really photo people but by the time we had finished we had a wonderful collection of a quality that still surprises us.
I liked the fact that in planning the trip I was communicating with the owner rather than someone wanting to do a deal and move on. I was impressed at the range of meals and the consistent quality and I had to ask for a repeat of one meal that I very much enjoyed. Ulinda Tours is more than just a commercial safari and really worth doing.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wealth of experience and excellent service
We did a quicky with Ulinda and it was perfectly organized.
Moremi Game Reserve – in ONE day. Yes it can be done with Jane and Sarah and crew.
- “This is not a zoo” – Once in a lifetime experience to sleep within 30 meters to a herd of Hippo’s – they are quite communicative
- Sometimes the road is the goal – being in Moremi
- Thanks to the great service of Jane and her team this will be forever in our mind
- Gin and Tonic as sun-downer
- Many stories by the fire
- Excellent chicken with Mango sauce
Jane was the first female tour operator in Zimbabwe before moving to Botswana. Jane and her daughter Sarah plus crew make a clockwork organized safari with attention to detail.
I would go again with Ulinda - next a bit longer.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
9 day multiple site safari with family
Last December I contacted Jane about a safari for my family in August. I told her we were adventurous and that we liked camping. I explained that I had read about many of the options in Botswana for safari but was not sure what would be the best places to go, mentioning that we wanted to end in Victoria Falls. From the first response Jane was encouraging and helpful. She came up with an agenda that looked like it would meet our needs. Every question I asked was answered and I felt, even before I met her, that I was in very capable hands.
Jane met us at the airport and off we went. This trip was truly an adventure. We started in the Delta and then to Savuti and ended at Chobi. In each location Jane and her amazing staff set up a comfortable camp where each time we returned it felt like home. The meals were simple and delicious. The time around the campfire each evening was relaxing. Jane has so many wonderful and interesting stories. The animals and the birds were amazing but what made this trip so special was Jane's unvoiced commitment to make sure we saw as much as we could and her determination to make each game drive special and interesting. Jane's knowledge of the plants, animals and birds made each sighting even more interesting.The mokoro canoe trip she planned for us was great as was the boat ride down the Chobi river. When we got to the Zimbabwe border Jane was so helpful in guiding us through the procedure and helped us find the driver we had arranged. I cannot say enough about Jane and her staff and the wonderful adventure. I would say it was a trip of a lifetime but we plan to return soon
US
Email colin beard | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
25 day mobile safari in seven camps; an amazing, intimate experience of nature and wildlife
Jane and her two assistants (Victor & Gase) exceeded all our expectations of service, knowledge and diligence. She tirelessly drove ~7 hours each day and presented us with many memorable sights / photo opportunities. She freely shares her profound knowledge of animal and bird habits and sounds, providing an outstanding intimate experience of nature, night and day. She was most attentive to my desires as a photographer, knowing, from being one herself, where to place the vehicle for the best viewpoint: stopping for as long as I wished and alerting me to actual or expected opportunities. The food was varied, excellent and plentiful and the camp experience an unanticipated bonus, particularly the nighttime noises, usually identified by species. I recommend camping with Jane (very comfortable, even for octogenarians) as the ideal way to experience wildlife in Botswana and I would love to return.
Was a great way to truly experience the Okavango.
Our guide Benjamin was awesome. Lovely personality, always answered our questions and tried hard to make the experience all we wished for. For me, there was a bit too much driving. I would have liked to have spent more time at a water stop and waited for stuff to happen there. There were not many animals around, I am not blaming anyone, and the endless driving looking for something was a bit too much. But we are birders, so I guess this would not be every ones choice. Otherwise the service by staff was excellent in every way. The food was really good and we enjoyed ourselves.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a down to earth experience. Very well organized, good food, no nonsense
We went do Maun not sure what to expect.
We had 8 nights in the North of Botswana: for a Westerner used to comfort and not knowing what the bush looks like and sounds this was the perfect trip.
A no nonsense atmosphere, good accommodation and very good food. Unbelievable what the cook could make on a would bush fire.
A guide who knew about everything that moved and flew.
We went home very tired but completely satisfied.
Looking at our pictures I realized that we had seen nearly everything one could think of !
In terms of price quality I don't think this can be improved.
NZ
Email Gloria Bentley-Reaney | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fun filled,lots of wild life,very experienced operator .highly recommend this company.
Great communication with all aspects before and after trip,plus extremely well priced for the high quality
of this safari.
Loved the closed pop up top comfortable vehicle,great viewing,plus plus for all seasons.Did feel for the folk who paid a small fortune at the lodges to view wild life in freezing open safari vehicles,they looked miserable .
Everything ran like clock work,nice tents with toilet attached,great food and wine,sundowners always in a great spot .
We were a group of four fit seniors,one a birder like Jane,so we got to learn more about local species,we were very lucky to see a lot,thanks to Jane and Glo.
Could not fault anything,Janes driving skills are a legend,and so are some of her experiences in Australia and Africa.
Great team,will try to go again.
NZ
Email Gloria Shrubsall | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Authentic, well planned, efficiently organised and warmly welcoming with amazing meals!
After many birding and wildlife safaris throughout Africa I recently spent 23 days with three friends on Ulinda Safari Trails 23 day Botswana Safari. This was, without doubt, the most exciting, comfortable, well planned and efficiently run safari and I cannot recommend Jane Bettenay and her team highly enough to those travellers who want to experience a real wildlife adventure visiting Botswana's great national parks. A special feature is Jane's specially designed four wheel drive Toyota Landcruisers with "pop tops" that allow passengers to keep warm in the morning/evening when it can be extremely cold in "open" vehicles and still have unobstructed views when game viewing/photographing. Anyone wanting a taste of the real Africa camping safari should definitely get in touch with Ulinda Safari Trails!!
Email John Whitehurst | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond expectations - a first safari experience with a real taste of the bush...
Informative and helpful pre-booking support from Jane Bettenay helped the decision and a first safari started with excitement and hopes. First day in at Khwai Jane found leopard with cub and kill - magical - and an early start the next day was rewarded with two hours or more exclusively watching and photographing the mother and cub at close range from the thoughtfully adapted vehicle. Stunning! None of the 10 days disappointed with many more sightings and special memories of the wildlife and northern Botswana. Kwhai and Chobe river trips were brilliant with more close encounters and wildlife thrills including baby elephants swimming and lions in the sunset.
The 'bush' safari style suited well with evening camp fires, relaxed times and a good level of camp style comforts. Jane, and particularly her staff, were amazing and provided lovely food and much hard work with their individual skills, abilities and friendliness making the experience so rewarding. An great taste of Africa and a hunger for more!