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
AT
Email Wolf | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A very unique experience with a great Staff/Guide
We made a 2 nights safari into the okavango delta.
The communication was very easy and uncomplicated.
Unfortunately the water level was to low to go all by boat like planned, but Philimon and his team did a great job to evade this problem.
The service was much more than we expected. The whole experience was great. The Mokoro and Walking Safari have been amazing, and our guide Johnson had a great instinct especially for our photographic interests. Furthermore he was a really nice and communicative guy.
Next time we will especially Request Johnson as our guide.
AI
Email Paul | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Unforgettable Adventure: A Great Safari with Walking Stick Travel & Tours
I recently had the pleasure of embarking on an extraordinary safari experience with Walking Stick Travel & Tours and its owner Phillimon, and it surpassed all my expectations. From the moment we set foot in the Okavango Delta to the final days of our camping expedition, every aspect of the journey was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. The communication leading up to the safari was very good.
The first leg of our adventure saw us spending two nights on a captivating island nestled within the Okavango Delta. The experience was truly magical, as we immersed ourselves in the untouched beauty of this natural wonderland. Our guides led us on exhilarating hikes, introducing us to the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The proximity to wildlife was awe-inspiring, offering rare and intimate encounters with creatures great and small. Whether it was observing a majestic elephant strolling through the vegetation or marveling at the grace of a grazing giraffe, each encounter left us in a state of sheer wonder.
The journey continued with four nights of camping in multiple locations, adding a sense of adventure and exploration to our safari. The safari drives were nothing short of extraordinary. Our knowledgeable guides took us on thrilling excursions, navigating through the vast wilderness in search of elusive wildlife. From majestic lions and stealthy leopards to herds of graceful antelopes and dazzling birds in flight, the sheer abundance of wildlife sightings left us breathless.
One cannot talk about this safari without mentioning the incredible culinary experiences provided by our chef Dix. The food served throughout the trip was delicious, diverse, and skillfully prepared. Despite the remote locations, Dix managed to create delectable dishes that satisfied our palates and energized us for the adventures ahead. Moreover, the thoughtful provision of ice-cold beverages added an extra touch of luxury and refreshment to our safari, ensuring our comfort even in the heart of the wilderness.
The guides and staff were exceptional in every way. Their passion for the natural world and commitment to providing an unforgettable experience were evident in their every action. They shared their extensive knowledge with enthusiasm, making the safari not only an adventure but also an educational journey that deepened our appreciation for the delicate ecosystems we explored.
In conclusion, my safari experience with Walking Stick Travel & Tours was simply outstanding. The combination of the enchanting Okavango Delta, thrilling wildlife encounters, sumptuous cuisine, and attentive service made for an unforgettable journey. If you're seeking an adventure that will leave you in awe of nature's splendor, I highly recommend embarking on a safari with Walking Stick Travel & Tours. They are true experts in creating unforgettable memories in the heart of the African wilderness.
NL
Email Patricia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professionally organized trip of a lifetime!
Trip of a lifetime.
Our group ( my husband, father, 2 brothers and 2 friends) enjoyed a 6 night safari with Philimon as guide. Our friend had been in Botswana and he promised us the true bush experience and wow he did really deliver by booking with walking stick.
Safari
We did a 6 night safari to okavango / moremi/ Khwai / chobe
Philimon picked us up in Maun and then took us to the Okavango delta where they took us on mokoros ( local kayaks) to the camp on an island. Immediately we saw crossing elephants and hippos in the river. In this area we did walking safaris which really was a special experience, we saw lots of animals including hippos.
In Moremi the campsite really was as adventure. We saw a leopard at night and there were quite some elephants and baboons passing trough.
When we arrived in Chobe I thought that we already had an elephant overload but still seeing them play and swim in the river was a nice experience.
The game drives in all areas were great. Philemon really goes all out to ensure that you see as many animals as possible. While in Savuti we were the first ones to spot a lion in the morning due to Philemon’s great tracking skills. He is very knowledgeable about animals and birds.
Food & drinks
Dix the chef offered a great variety of food including fresh baked bread. Really enjoyed each and every meal and the sitting in the evening at the campsite fires with nice wines/beers and G&Ts.
Accomodation
The tents were comfortable, with clean and comfortable linens. The toilets were way better than expected ;)
The camping is really in nature and I have never felt this close to animals before ( while still feeling safe).
Communication/ booking
During the booking process the contact with Philemon was very professional and he will really think along with you to plan the perfect trip.
I just cannot stop raving about our trip! Recommend walking stick to everyone if you want a true African safari experience. Next time hopefully we will able to go longer.
ES
Email Enrique Eusebio | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An excellent and surprising safari
An excellent safari. Visiting these natural places while camping is marvelous due to the close contact with nature. The entire team has been very professional and has always been attentive to any detail. We have traveled a group of 16 friends and every afternoon when we arrived at the different camps the tents were ready, the fire lit and the Gin Tonic and the beers prepared. During the trip, the guides have always been very attentive to show us the animals and things of interest that we found. The stay in the delta and the rides in mokoros were very very pleasant. Barrier-free camps in the middle of nature provide a very surprising feeling of adventure. The journeys between the different camping areas are a bit long but they are interesting because you can constantly see different animals and landscapes. It is a highly recommended trip with this excellent organization and a very professional team.
ES
Email Fernando | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Walking Stick & Tours
Very well organized travel. Attentive guides. They know their work and so we can see many animals, camp sides and tents are safe
I recommended this company
IT
Email Michele and Alessia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 10 days safari private tour with an excellent crew
The tour has been very well organized.
Comfortable tent, excellent food, very professional driver and guide.
Thanks a lot to Philimon for the organization and to Dylos for guiding our safari, to Titous for the meals and to Keys for the support.
We will never forget such experience and we recommend walking stick as a reliable tour operator
Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing wildlife with a bush camp experience
Organising the safari with Walking Stick was easy. Our questions were quickly answered. Amazing wildlife throughout the 10-day camping safari. So many big cats. Our guide was brilliant, very knowledgeable, and funny, and we largely avoided the crowds. We had limited washing water at times, but our camp assistants did their best to provide for our needs in each of the five campgrounds. Highly recommended, particularly for those with a sense of adventure.
US
Email Bernie Daina | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrific guide, cook and assistants, itinerary and safari.
Phillimon Kamogelo <[email protected]> was a wonderful guide, driver, and camping leader to remote areas of Botswana, where we saw many, many species of wild animals and had a good trip. His cook and assistants were great, too.
Email Milo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A once in a lifetime trip with a few issues...
We had a 13 day tour with walking stick tours in August of 2023. Botswana itself is an incredible country with some of the friendliest people, and some of the most incredible wildlife we’d encountered anywhere. All 5 of us highly recommend a trip to the country for safari. Unfortunately our experience of walking stick tours was less stellar.
I’ll start with the good (of which there is plenty) :
- The food that Jo & team prepared for us was absolutely incredible, better than we had In restaurants elsewhere, and all cooked over an open fire! The team were always friendly and happy to help with any requests, we had beer and wine at dinner and no shortage of clean bottled water. We were really well taken care of at camp the entire 2 week trip.
- Prior to the trip communication was good and we were picked up at the airport.
- We had a great guide, Wago. He spoke very good English and had excellent knowledge of the flora & fauna of Botswana. We had a lovely time getting to know him and he got us some truly amazing wildlife sightings.
- Onto the sightings generally, we had great views of lion, leopard, cheetah, even an early morning wild dog sighting - really special.
The negatives:
- Our vehicle (named desert honey badger) was in a constant state of disrepair. We broke down several times every single day, the brakes on the car weren’t functional, and we had to veer off road at points when vehicles approached along the same stretch of road. We were repeatedly told that the car was being replaced or fixed but the issues persisted for the entire trip. This impacted our game viewing and massively impacted our travel time, by the end of the trip we were taken in an alternate vehicle, but this was far too little and much too late.
- Communication on the trip itself was poor, the issues with the vehicle and what was (or in fact wasn’t) being done was never properly communicated to us. We were misled daily about getting the vehicle repaired or replaced, but this never happened. We’ve been on safari before and know how ad-hoc things are sometimes, but this was a step beyond.
- In an attempt to make up for the constant issues with the vehicle we were offered a “complimentary” trip to Victoria falls in place of a game drive as our vehicle wasn’t functional. This was in fact not complimentary, and we paid $500+ for the day ourselves.
Since our trip we have reached out to Phillimon to open a dialogue with no intent for compensation, but we have been ignored. We absolutely loved Botswana and can’t recommend it enough as a safari destination, but we’d recommend you go with another operator instead of walking stick.
Reply from Walking Stick Travel & Tours
Posted on Oct 3, 2023Thank you for taking the time to share your good and bad experiences on your recent 13 day tour. We're sorry to hear that your visit wasn't up to your expectations. We take all feedback seriously, and we appreciate your honest feedback.
We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced. We also acknowledge the fact that the vehicle you were travelling in was in a constant state of disrepair.
However, the vehicle broke down once, not several times every single day. In Khwai (Day 7), the break fluid pipe had to be replaced, but the vehicle did not break down. The guide contacted headquarters in Maun to report the problem. A vehicle was then dispatched from Maun to Khwai to deliver a brand new break fluid pipe and two cans of break fluid. The repairs were done immediately at the campsite. This did not impact on any game viewing activities or travel time.
On day 11, in the Chobe National Park your vehicle broke down. In approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle following you - also our game viewing vehicle carrying 2 clients (a couple) arrived at the spot. You then joined them in their vehicle and continued your journey to Chobe Riverfront. Again, this did not impact on any game viewing activities or travel time.
You contacted me later that evening to lodge a complaint. I did apologize but you felt that an apology was not enough. You also mentioned that you did not want to travel in the same vehicle (named desert honey badger) again - even if it had been repaired. I then offered you a different vehicle to take you for a Victoria Falls day trip (still part of your 13 day itinerary), the following day, and you accepted.
Unfortunately you did not inform me that you were charged border fees and entrance fees at Victoria Falls, amounting to $500. VISAS and border fees are not included in our package prices, but I would have been more that happy to refund you the fees you paid to see the falls.
We did apologize to you in a follow up email we sent you at the end of your tour. So your attempts to open a dialogue with me have not been ignored. I also responded to this review, directly to you, on the 29th September but I have not heard from you.
EE
Email Agne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Every day was special!
We had 7-Day The Best of Botswana tour. First days was our guide Jacob. He was really good about the nature, wildlife and history. Other days was our guide Dylos. He is the best! We had some bad surprises, but he really did his best that we still could see all the animals. You are so lucky if Dylos will be your guide. He knows the local languages and has good contacts as well, good humor. It all is important if you are stuck together with the guide 80% of your day inside the car. In our trip, first days we were on wetlands and without a car .So no charging from car. You need to take your battery to charge your phone and camera. But if you have all days with camp car, then you can charge from car. Also be aware during bushwalks. Me and my husband hurt ourselves stepping on the thorns. They came though the camping boots! For ladies- washing your hair can be tricky. It is Africa, so there is not so great opportunities for shower. There is not so much wildlife as you see from the commercials. Lions, elephants, hippos and giraffes can see every day, but cheetah, leopard, wild dogs, hyenas you maybe cant see at all. It is all about luck and how good guide you will have.
