The director
Okavango Exploration Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- HATAB & BOGA
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours where clients assist with camp chores
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $900 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Lynn and Rob | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Competent, knowledgeable, fun, friendly, safety-oriented guide, great value for money. Top marks!
The two brothers at the helm of Okavango Exploration Safaris are extraordinary hosts. Their purpose is clearly to give clients the very best that the Botswana bush has to offer. This means they expertly track down a wide array of wildlife, they share their vast knowledge of the flora and fauna of the land, their camps are simple and well-run, the food is delicious and they accommodate food restrictions very well, and you always feel safe in their hands.
While planning our family safari, we were in constant communication with our guide, Sox. He was most helpful and very flexible in working out schedules and activities, and always got back to us immediately. Sox was at the airport to meet us with open arms in his well-equipped and very comfortable safari vehicle. He is an excellent driver and spotter, and has a warm and friendly personality.
From the coffees at sun-up to the gin and tonics at sun-down, we enjoyed every minute. We saw grand herds of elephant, giraffe, zebras, antelopes, as well as lions, leopards, cheetah, wild dogs, buffalo, hippos, to name a few. We shared stories around the fire under an incredible blanket of stars, we heard the roar of lions at night while we were tucked safely into our tents. And we experienced a beautiful morning on the river in mokoros, where we came face to face with a herd of elephants taking a drink and splashing around! It was all magical and never to be forgotten.
We have enjoyed seven safaris in the Botswana/Namibia area, two of which were with Okavango Exploration Safaris. We highly recommend this outfit and definitely feel we received good value for our money.
Email Catherine, Kim and the boys | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous, fun, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.
Our family of 4 spent 14 nights with Theno and Okavango Exploration Safaris in June/July 2023.
Communication was excellent and Theno was very happy to organise a tour to suit us. We chose the fully inclusive option so that we could have as much safari time as possible. Arriving back in to camp at sunset to a hot shower, camp fire and dinner was fabulous. We had elephants through camp, a raid from a honey badger and a visit from a hyena one evening. We were camped close enough to see and hear two male giraffes fighting. Tents with stretcher beds were comfortable and we had solar lights provided. We are used to bush camping in Australia so the en-suite bush bathroom was positively luxurious! Theno was great with our boys (12 and 16) and his brother Miambo happily whittled sticks for them to toast marshmallows over the fire at night. Miambo also makes the most delicious bush bread!
We saw just about every animal possible in the areas we visited (Moremi, Savuti and Chobe), including lion hunts and the two Savuti prides, African Painted Dog, hyenas, leopards, multiple antelope species, hornbills, secretary bird, jackals, wart hogs, wildebeest, elephants, giraffes, hippos (including the tiniest newest baby hippo “Bob”). It was the trip of a lifetime and we would definitely choose to see more of Africa with Theno and Okavango Exploration Safaris if we ever had the opportunity.
Email Will | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Theno is a wonderful guy with immense knowledge of African wildlife and how to entertain his guests
We didn't know what to expect when we first met Theno Jakwa in the hotel car park in northern Botswana. After sitting down for a light dinner we were immediately made comfortable that the next two weeks would be a great experience.
The next morning we set out to our first exploration of a National Park, seeing a wide variety of animals all clearly introduced by Theno. Within the first few hours we saw dozens of elephants, giraffes, impala and hippos. Details like sex, approximate age, condition and behavior were patiently explained, as were the best ways for us to interact.
Over the next two weeks he continued this same approach and our animal interactions were more and more exciting as we experienced buffalo, hyenas, wild dogs, warthogs, zebras, leopards and lions.
Interestingly we noticed that in addition to our family, Theno also had the respect of many of the the other vehicle guides, who would defer to his guidance in positioning vehicles around feeding or resting animals.
The setup for camping was superb. My family and I camp regularly and offered to help, but everything was automatically done before we could lift a finger. We enjoyed the food as well as the casual chats each evening by the fire.
We were sad when our journey finally ended, but look forward to heading back again for another trip with Theno and his team.
Email Melissa and "kids" | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A knowledgeable and competent tour operator who makes his guests feel safe and at home in the bush
Our family (including two teenagers) spent 12 nights in Moremi Game Reserve with Okavango Exploration Safaris on a semi-participation mobile safari and we had an experience of a lifetime. Theno, our safari guide and owner, is a brilliant, competent safari guide whose knowledge of the bush, animals and birds meant that we felt in safe hands all the time. We had fantastic sightings, including a pack of painted dogs (wild dogs) which we were fortunate enough to see three days in a row. It was such a privilege to see these beautiful, endangered animals in their natural habit. Theno's capacity to "read the bush" meant that we also saw two male leopards, a pride of five male lions, honey badgers, hyenas and the list goes on and on! Moremi was bursting with wonderful bird-life - it is a bird-watcher's paradise and Theno will take the time to find and identify any bird, for those who are interested. We never felt rushed and, unlike those staying at the safari lodges who are on a strict curfew, we were able to take our time and soak up the sights and sounds of magical Moremi. Theno's love of the bush and animals made this possible. Thank you, Theno: it is clearly not just a job for you, but a way of living and being. Delicious meals were provided by Muyambo (supported by Ante), as well as wonderful, freshly made bread and muffins, all of which were baked in the camp-fire. Semi-participation meant we participated in erecting and dismantling out tents and generally helped unpack/pack a few things away - it was not at all difficult and made us feel more a part of the experience. We are longing to go back.
Email Penelope | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and kind
We had the most amazing, and magical time with Theno and his team at Okavango Explorations in Botswana. He made us feel so safe while getting us up close and personal with what Botswana had to offer! All of the food was delicious with Mayumbo proving that you can have 5 star food cooked on a camp fire.
The bedding was simple but clean and comfortable. The hot showers at the end of the day were always a treat.
We left the trip with no unanswered questions about the wildlife, and various landscapes we ventured through.
We both couldn’t recommend doing his tour highly enough.
Theno and the team were incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming and can’t imagine a better way to see the delta.
NZ
Email Robert | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding safari experience with a wonderful guide
The Okovango has extraordinary diversity and 'Sox' is an extraordinary guide and tracker. Made this the most memorable travel experience of our lives. So many species and many safe, close encounters. Sox knows how to manage his guests and the risks involved. And he's a hell of a nice guy too.
We helped set up and break camp, packing tents and mattresses and camp furniture into the amazing kitchen trailer (and lion-refuge for our wonderful cook when the pride visited camp!)
Don't hesitate! You will love this!
Email Emily from Sydney | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful, looking forward to doing it again. Animals, animals and more animals.
Huge shout out to Sox and his team at Okavango Exploration Safaris. We have just returned from our 12 day mobile camping safari in Botswana. We met in Maun and then travelled through both the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park river front, ending our trip at Victoria Falls. It was such a wonderful holiday, we all loved every minute of it. There were so many animals, it was amazing. We booked a private tour with 7 of us, which was the perfect amount to fit nicely in the jeep and around the dinner table. I believe you can also book individually and Sox will put a group together for you. The camping was very comfortable, with quick hot water showers and your own bush toilet at the back of each tent. All meals were provided and we especially loved the morning tea and sundowner drinks on the front of the jeep whilst out on safari. We chose the fully serviced safari, so the team did all the work, making it very relaxing for us. It was a very special holiday and I can’t wait to do it again, would highly recommend.
Email Amanda Maltabarow | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most committed,knowledgable and happy tour operator ever! We loved Sox and his team.
As a first time safari traveller Sox's Okavanga Expeditions tour far exceeded my wildest expectations. I was worried that as it was a camping safari I might miss the creature comforts of Lodge style safaring. I would now recommend to any body to do this mobile safari in preference to the lodge approach.
We left Sydney, as a group of friends with an age range of 18-79 .
The team were terrific and handled all the negative aspects of camping, they set up our stretcher beds( fully made each night with pillow, sheets, blanket and doona. The ensuite out the back of the tent was very comfortable too and the showers were hot and more than adequate.
We were warm and cosy in the tents and we just loved having drinks by the campfire and being so much closer to nature as we ate our delicious meals together prepared by Meambo and his assistants Mado and Malaki.
The food and beverages were varied and exceptional.
Then the main purpose of the safari... those animals ! We found out why Sox has such a great reputation as he tracked and lead us to the most fabulous animal encounters. Leopards up trees, mass buffalo on the move ,hundreds of elephants and zebras and giraffes in so many varied societal groups . Sox's excellent tracking abilities lead us to enjoy a variety in animal and bird sightings. We were overwhelmed with the numbers of lions and lionesses we saw. We witnessed painted dogs hunting and then returning to their pack to regurgitate food for their pups . This is quite a rare experience and one I will never forget. We saw a porcupine early one morning with amazing spikey spines.
The vehicle was comfortable and we were warm and snug as we took of each morning excited to see what we would discover. Not one day did we return disappointed. a truly memorable holiday.
I cant wait to do another camping safari with Sox and his team. Six stars rating!!!
Amanda Maltabarow
Sydney Australia
Email Sophie Herrmann | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip of a life time, saw so many amazing animals and really enjoyed the experience
Sox and his team were so accommodating. We went with a group of seven and had the most incredible time. We did the 12 day mobile camping Safari and saw so many incredible animals. Sox and his team had the most delicious food (3 meals a day and 2 snacks). Making camping in the wilderness, feel luxurious. I could not recommend this holiday enough so much fun.
Could not recommend enough!!
Email Robyn Hector | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable and incredible safari with an outstanding guide
We had a brilliant time on this fully serviced mobile camping safari and would highly recommend it to others wanting to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Botswana National Parks (Moremi and Chobe). We were a group of seven which worked really well in our great safari vehicle. Theno, aka Sox, is an exceptional guide and tracker. His wealth of knowledge, experience and love for the animals and the bush adds so much to the experience. What we saw with the range of animals and bird life was just incredible (prides of lions, hippos, leopards, elephants, buffalo, impala, baboons and more). Sox is also supported by an excellent team who do an amazing job with terrific meals and creating such comfortable campsites which are not shared with others. Nothing was ever too much trouble and there was always a wonderful atmosphere around the dining table and campfire. From a sunrise cuppa to a sunset gin and tonic everyday was such an awesome experience. Thank you Sox and the team for a fantastic holiday.