Walking Stick Travel & Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours where clients assist with camp chores
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Loki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fantastic experience. I would say "once in a lifetime", but I hope it won't be!
Our week-long mobile tented safari from Kasane to Maun with Walking Stick was one of the best things my fiancée and I have ever done. Phillimon 'Leopard King' Kamogelo is the best guide in Botswana - the other guides were always asking him for tips and the other travellers were clearly jealous. We had unbelievably intimate contact with almost all the wildlife one could wish to see, including hippos roaring, lions mating and several encounters with leopards, the last one a breathtaking, half-hour-long show with us in the very front row! Photos, the camp manager, made sure that our tent was comfortable and the bathing water was always warm...and then there was the food. We could not believe the delicious meals that Joe, the cook, was able to whip up over an open fire. We ate like kings the whole week! We couldn't recommend Walking Stick more highly. Stop thinking about it and just do it. You won't regret it. And we'll be back.
Love from Loki & Viri.
Email Julie & Lawrence | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An experience of a lifetime!
We recently returned from our first ever safari trip. From day one the contact with Philimon was prompt and thorough. Any questions were responded to rapidly and without delay. He made us feel reassured and that was a key point for us. The food was excellent, the staff friendly and helpful. The service was excellent. We were very impressed with the safari and there was never a dull moment. The whole experience proved to be very eventful. Philimon is an extremely helpful and knowledgeable guide and nothing is too much trouble for him. The accommodation is what was expected but the food did however exceed our expectations, was wonderful and hearty. We were very impressed with the service we received and would recommend them to any and everyone.... why would you go anywhere else? These are local people who know this land like the back of their hands and they are happy to share their knowledge and experiences with you. Best experience of my life and we look back fondly on our trip.
Email Johan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Walking in the Delta is simply the best way to see wildlife on the planet.
We went back to Botswana and Phillimon and his team from Walking Stick this year, this time with my 77 year old mother. Last year, we just walked the whole time on the various islands created when the water from Angola essentially breaks Chief's island in the Delta up into smaller bits and pieces.
This year we also went to the Khwai area with Phillimon driving us around year.
In Khwai we saw a lot: leopards eating impala in tree; wild dog killing Wildebeest (not recommended for the faint-hearted), lions mating; hyena but it can get a bit crowded around the animals with all the lodges' vehicles competing at the sightings. Great camp though; good food and Phillimon and his assistants making the camping as pleasant as it can be.
We planned the Delta visit better this year, going in by boat is great but it is quite long so flying out on the return works well. As last year,walking in the Delta with Phillimon and the two other guides and seeing lion on foot; lots of elephant etc is an extraordinary experience. They take great care to explain footprints and tons of other aspects about the area where most of them grew up. And the Delta itself is of course one of a kind. We shall be back.
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Email Salamandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A unique encounter of wildlife and local culture
Phillimon was great with replying to emails quickly during the booking phase (the only delays were when he was driving a safari himself for a few days at a time). Using a money order as a form of payment seemed unusual but everything worked out fine. The car and crew picked us up at the airport and drove us back there with plenty of time, even if it meant that the crew had to wake up extra early to pack before a long drive back. The game drives were extensive and varied, and Phillimon was always going the extra mile to check spots where rare animals may be. And that's how we say 3 leopards (probably 2 different ones but one that we saw twice) in 4 days. Phillimon is a good tracker and is able to read the behavior of several animals as indicators of where the big cats are, while explaining to us what he is doing and his understanding of animal behavior. The tent accommodation was our best experience so far, with real beds, and en-suite toilet and shower in a fenced, private space, all that while camping 60 miles from the paved road: Real luxury while remaining simple. The food prepared by the cook was excellent and very hygienic. Breakfast, tea time and dinner were shared with the guide, which was the occasion for conversations about the local traditions, the use of plants, the Bushmen culture (the natives of this area who were traditionally hunter gatherers and have a profound knowledge of their environment), etc. A very unique experience, I totally recommend it!
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Email Katerina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Camping and Safari at Moremi Game Reserve
I spent 4 nights on a camping safari at Moremi Game Reserve with Philemon and his crew. It was a wonderful experience. The Walking Stick crew is obviously experienced and prepared. I felt well-taken care of, and the camp facilities were above what I could have expected, with a large tent with cots for beds and en-suite bathrooms. Most importantly, Philemon (our guide and company owner) has extensive knowledge of the animals and the habitat. Even after having been on multiple safaris before, I felt that I learned a ton from him. He was great at tracking animals and keeping our game drives varied every day. He combined useful information with interesting stories from his experiences, and he also taught us a lot about the cultural context of the different peoples who were historically inhabiting the delta. I'd happily use his services again.
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Email Dirk Hauer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 days with an experienced guide, a friendly team, perfect mixture of comfort and bush experience
We looked for an bush experience as close to nature as possible and we got what we wanted. Philimon and his colleages took care of us in all possiblre ways: wonderful game drives, brilliant sightings, relaxed evening campfire talks, delicious food and drinks (sundowners included). We booked and payed in advance from Hamburg, Germany via internet and had no problems at all. We met a day before the start of the safari so all details could be talked about. So we had 4 days ion the Okawango Delta, Kwai Region, we'll never forget. Thank you so very much!
Email Marc | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Camping with the wildlife
What an experience, surrounded by game, camping in the midst of a reserve, morning visits by Elephants and afternoon by Zebra's. The light of the early morning 4WD rides, the afternoons by the water, the evenings by the campfire. The animal's all around - Lions, Leopards, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Impala. We toured in open 4WD, and camped in comfortable tents with beds, hot showers and portable toilets. Campfire breakfasts and dinners, knowledgeable, friendly local guides. We couldn't have ask for more
Email Carolien | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience of true bush life in Botwana with wonderful and knowledgeable staff
Unbelievable experience of true bush life in Botswana! Philimon is so knowledgeable. He as well as his support staff go out of their way to make everything special and nothing is too much trouble. Joe, the chef, whipped up delicious meals and we did not go hungry once. Philimon also took my son fishing in the Delta. There is just nothing like a mekoro ride while the sun is setting over the Delta. We learned so much about the bush in Bots and ticked off a bucket list-experience!
Email Fran | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and efficient and quick to respond to our enquiries
We found Walking Stick Tours to be very efficient and professional, always quick to respond to our enquiries and felt that the price of the trip was great value.
Our guide Gabana was so knowledgeable about the areas we were visiting and the animals and their behaviour that we could experience and enjoy the bush safely while still having close encounters. Tracking a female leopard in the early morning, and sitting close to wild dogs by their den with the two adults guarding the pups as they emerge, and the excitement of the rest
of the pack returning from a hunt were highlights. We will remember the many great moments throughout the trip for a long time.
We were well looked after by our camp chef Election who worked hard to provide us with tasty and filling vegetarian meals everyday, we never went hungry and nothing was too much trouble for the camp assistants always helpful and cheerful.
We have recommended Walking Stick Tours to others while on our travels and would not hesitate to book with them again if we return to Botswana
Email Ian & Sarah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a Fantastic Experience!
We had an amazing time! Thank you so much for everything.
Moses was a brilliant guide and ensured that we had a very positive experience taking home with us memories of a huge array of animals, previously only seen in books and zoos!
Simon and the team looked after us really well despite the challenges they faced with punctures and supply trucks. We loved our tents and found the camp beds really comfortable and the al fresco showers and loo surprisingly easy. Having animals so close to our camp made this especially magical.
The river safari in Chobe was a great end to the trip, allowing us to see many of the animals a lot closer up and from a different perspective, and the transfer from Chobe to Victoria Falls went very smoothly.
If we were doing this again, we would add in one or two extra days so that we could build in more 2-night stays during the holiday. This would make it more relaxing allowing for an occasional afternoon siesta instead of 3 consecutive days of long drives. That said, we thoroughly enjoyed what we did despite being very tired at the end!
A wonderful holiday and one that we will definitely recommend to others.
On the communication side, everything was great, but an indication of the potential travel times each day (in addition to the morning and evening jeep safaris) would have helped with our planning and to manage our expectations of time on the "road".
