Sekanka Safaris Team retreat in Makgadikgadi Pans.
Sekanka Travel and Tours Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- Botswana guides association & Botswana Tourism Organisation
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $1,600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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Reviews
4 Day Bush Camping Safari
For my first ever safari, I chose to go with the Sekanka team! Inspired by their lovely website, I was looking for an immersive experience and decided to try the 4 day - 3 nights midrange camping, and boy did I get more than I expected! Into the wild we went, led by our guide, Salani, who's more than 20 years of experience as a tour guide in Botswana came in handy. Driving from Maun, through the Mababe Depression it was elephants galore! The tour guide was gracious to make a few stops along the way, with enough time for pictures but still watching the clock. A lunch stop was included.
Day 1 at the private camp started with an evening drive, a perfect time to spot beautiful wildlife including hippos and zebra. The evening ended with watching a mother hyena feeding her cubs by their den at sunset. Day 2 kickstarted with an early breakfast and game drive, while the animals started their day as well, and already that morning we tracked some naughty lions that had stolen a leopard's meal! That evening we ventured into the waters of the Khwai river on a mokoro, late evening drive including a python sighting too.
The night turned quite bizarre as, around 3am we were awoken by all kinds of roars, howls and hyena laughter - just across our camp was a dead buffalo and the carnivores were feasting! This made for a great morning of Day 3 since we had some visitors who were led by the scent of fresh meat - 3 male lions crossing the river at our campsite! Ofcourse, I didn't expect there to be a live fight for the territory but it is exactly what I got as we witnessed 1 male lion defending himself against 3!! That afternoon, following a day of munching, and sleeping in the hot savanna, we found them still at war not too far from our campsite. Hats off to Salani, our guide who seems to have a sixth sense (and great tracking) for when and where to catch these ferocious cats, and for providing context as to why one of the 3 was heavily scarred and limping. We managed to sleep more somberely that night, as vultures jackals and hyenas had probably done a good job of clearing the left overs.
On our final day we managed to track the 4 lions, who it seems had now made peace and joined forces, on a hunt in the greenery! I was sad to leave but will cherish the excellent experience and incredible memories that Botswana gave me. I got to see 4 of the Big 5 very up close, in their natural habitat! Thanks to Anna and her team for providing a splendid time in the jungle and giving me a new found appreciation for mother nature and the jewel of Africa, Botswana!!
Email Celia Mascall | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant Botswana experience
Our guide, Selani, was fab and very knowledgeable. He was determined to find us all the best sights of animals and birds. He followed the animal tracks and knew all the names. Camping was an experience in the heat wave of 38 degrees but the team in the camp were great, especially the cook. The lodges were lovely and all the boat rides were great although Big Toro lodge needs to sort out their air conditioning. Highlights were seeing cheetahs and wild dogs up close, watching elephants swim back across the river at sunset and Victoria falls. Overall I can highly recommend Sekanka.
AT
Email Thomas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect organisation
I can really recommand Sekanka Tours!
This family operated organisation is absolutely trustworthy, generous and customer friendly!
NZ
Email Brenna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded All Expectations and We Had The Most Fantastic 4 Days
We did a 4 Day 3 Night Safari Tour from Maun to Kasane and it was spectacular!
From pick up to drop off everything was extremely reliable and was communicated well.
Our team was Salani, Deti, Joe and Boneface (apologies for the spelling) who made our trip smooth and enjoyable at every point.
Salani as our guide took us in a journey. He started off by showing us how to track the animals building the suspense and then when we found them it felt so much more thrilling. He told us so much and answered all questions but it never felt like a lecture. We spent the right amount of time with each animal and he had such a respect and love for the animals it was really lovely to see.
Deti and Boneface were our Tour assistants and responsible for the equipment and setting up camp. It was a pleasure to return from our night drives and have camp fully set up with the most impressive camping set up. Beds were made and very comfortable, our bags were already in the tent and the back section of the tent with toilet and make shift shower was a game changer. We even had towels rolled up be cute displays.
Joe was our cook and did the most amazing job of keeping us feed the whole time. There was always plenty to eat and it was all delicious, especially the crispy chicken. He catered well to the vegetarian in our group as well. He was also the secret spotter of the group and spotted cheetahs, owls and other hard to see creatures which was great.
There is a lot of driving on the tour but we found this very relaxing as you have some time to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings and animals.
Overall I would highly recommend this tour. You go through many varying terrains, see animals in many environments and each day is complexity new.
A big thanks so everyone involved, we love it!
AR
Email Daniel Wagner | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An unforgettable experience thanks to our guides and the beauty of Botswana
From the first moment our guide Salani was concerned about making our safari a unique experience. We shared three incredible weeks together observing and photographing wildlife. The collaboration of the guides was essential to obtain spectacular images. Thanks to them we have beautiful memories. Joe was an excellent cook and he always made sure we liked the food. He also accompanied us with Namba and Diti who at all times helped us with whatever we needed. Many thanks to Tepo, who trusted us and took care of putting together our trip according to our needs as photographers. Totally satisfied with the experience we were able to enjoy, I hope we see each other again.
LU
Email Emilio | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with a reliable team
The team of Sekanka travel have been great in organizing the tour in a flexible and complete way.
The guide was very expereinced and always available to satisfy our requests and to do the extra mile to make us live the best expereince possible.
We are a family with 3 kids and we were always feeling safe, even if living the savana at a close contact with animals.
The staff hasn been always helpful and quick to prepare tents and great dinner.
I recommend Sekanka travel for a great experience in Botswana!
JE
Email Gill Rees | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Botswana, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the zambezi were all an amazing experience.
The tour was value for money, we stayed at some amazing places and the food everywhere was brilliant. We had booked this holiday not wanting or expecting luxury. We wanted 2 or 3 star guest house/ lodges for the experiences. There we some last minute changes which really annoyed us ( in the places we stayed) some were an upgrade which we did not really want. Our guides for the whole trip were brilliant. I would stay at all the lodges again, but not sure if I would use the same company. However we all loved it.
Reply from Sekanka Travel and Tours Safaris
Posted on Jun 29, 2024We are very surprised, to say the least, with how you rated our services. There were no last-minute changes per se, but calculated changes following feedback from the clients that traveled before you. For the 2 lodges, we had changed there were valid reasons and the changes were done in good faith, with both lodges upgraded.
We do acknowledge you wanted to stay at 2/3-star accommodations but I am not sure if you would have enjoyed taking cold showers or felt comfortable in situations that were described as 'appalling' by other clients that travelled before you. Or in Victoria Falls, where allocated rooms were near the bar and restaurant when we knew the lodge was fully booked and the noise was going to be a problem.
You had initially contacted us about the changes and we went into detail about the situation, at that time to your satisfaction. In the email you responded with you said 'There were no complaints'.
We are a small team and company but we are sure you were hosted fully and with great professionalism. Your 3-star review lacks objectivity altogether and therefore fairness to all the people that hosted you on your visit. Even more, since you say they were brilliant at the same time.
Reading your review, in which you are complementing the guides, expressing your satisfaction with the food in all the places and the places themselves and stating that you would ''stay at all the lodges again'' and furthermore saying that ''we all loved it'' contradicts the fact that you would not use our services again - as we made it happen.
We would have welcomed and appreciated objective criticism as it helps us grow and improve our services.
Email Sibylle Barz | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience!
We did a private camping safari tour with sekanka in July 2023. Everything from the start to the end was organized perfectly well, the team was so nice and helpful. We went with two kids, 9 and 6, and felt safe all the time. We had the most amazing sightings and could certainly not have had this experience on our own. It was definitely an experience we will never forget!
PL
Email Jarek Drzewiecki | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Smooth and perfect tour while exploring best edges of Botswana
The trip, the views, the animals exposure went over expectations.
All I can say is ‚it couldn’t be better’
Salani and team made it as good as it should be
Thank U Sekanka 👌👌👌
DE
Email Margit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a really great vacation with lots of impressions and nice people.
The planning of the trip was very good. The flight including all transfers worked wonderfully. The guides were very friendly and impressed me with their knowledge of the wildlife and the country. It was a varied, interesting and sometimes exciting vacation that I really enjoyed
