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Kelsey B.
US
Visited:
June 2019
Reviewed: Oct 14, 2019
Email Kelsey B. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I HIGHLY recommend booking a safari experience with African Bush Lovers!
Before we committed to booking with African Bush Lovers, we were in touch with Kenewang (goes by Kenny), the co-owner of the company. From the moment of first contact, we knew we found the PERFECT safari company. African Bush Lovers is locally owned and operated by Kenny and her husband, Stanza (more to come on this GEM of a human!). Both Kenny and Stanza are natives of Botswana and they are super helpful and very friendly.
In late May, our party of 6 flew into Maun to meet up with the African Bush Lovers team. The moment we got through customs, we were greeted by our fearless Professional Nature Guide, Stanza. Stanza is a veteran nature guide with over 10 years of safari experience. Our group wholeheartedly agreed, Stanza
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was the BEST guide and we trusted him with our lives.During our safari experience, we went to the Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti and Chobe National Park. Stanza’s safari vehicle (lovingly named the “Gods Must Be Crazy”) was incredibly comfortable and spacious. In addition, Stanza’s off-road driving skills were impressively good!
Stanza WOWED us daily with his knowledge about all of the nature and wildlife. The volume of wildlife we saw during our game drives exceeded ALL of our expectations. Some highlights include: 1 male leopard, 4 male lions, a pride of female lions (on a hunt!!), a handful of crocodiles, dozens of giraffes, a couple herds of zebras, at least 50 hippos, and at least 500 elephants. By the end of the safari, we were all convinced that Stanza was part eagle due to his amazing long-distance eye sight. Also, his ability to identify tracks/dung/bird calls was next level! In addition to the wildlife, Stanza shared a lot of information and great stories about the history, culture and people of Botswana. Such a treat!
Stanza and his team were quick to accommodate every need and desire we had while on safari. We had great camp sites, comfortable camping equipment (we opted for the semi-luxury accommodations), AND plenty of drinks and delicious food. Stanza and his team even included a tea time during our game drives! They planned for EVERYTHING. For meals, our chef Moffatt and his sous chef, Simba, prepared delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. Every dinner was a decadent multi-course meal. It seemed like Moffatt was on a mission to make us gain weight
Ana
PT
Visited:
October 2019
Reviewed: Nov 25, 2019
Email Ana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgetable safaris
It was an amazing wildlife experience. We made day and night game drives and despite of the drought and being the end of the dry season, we could make water and mokoro safaris in a beautiful place with very few tourists. One of the highlights was to see a mother cheetah with a group of 8 young cheetahs. It was amazing! We also made a walking safari where we saw lots of animals that we didn’t expect to see. It was a great experience to feel the natural environment of these animals.
The ambiance of the camp was very exclusive and the staff, the guides, the accommodations, the food were absolutely fantastic.
Arne
DE
Visited:
January 2020
Reviewed: Feb 14, 2020
Email Arne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing price for value!
About safari in Botswana: it is a bit more expensive than e.g. Kenya but therefor you are not one of a billion vehicles surrounding the animals. I really appreciated the sustainable way they are dealing with the animals and the tourism.
Animals: we saw maybe a hundred giraffes, up to 200 elephants, 25 lions, ... all of them with babies, never would have dreamed of seeing so many! Note: we were in rainy season, you can google the differences.
About Tony / our guide:
Besides Tony there is another guide in the company called Vincent who was responsible for us. He was able to tell a lot about animal behavior, made us feel safe and it was always a laugh. Really cool guy, I really liked him!
Price:
Compared to staying in lodges (excluding those with privates reserves which are way in a different price league) you will see the same animals as everyone is doing their game drives
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in the same area of the park. The reason his offers are much cheaper is (as far as I can guess) due to being camping instead of staying at a fancy lodge. I didn’t mind it in any way as it made the trip so much more intense.Staying in the bush:
For the camping we did go for the ‘luxury version’ which allows you to go toilet at night and gives you more time to relax. The latter was appreciated by all of us due to having to take in all the impressions.
The food was basic but well prepared. So there is nothing wrong with some good Spaghetti Bolognese, most food was actually really good.
The car was in a very good condition. I think up to 5-6 persons per car is comfortable, though Vincent said they usually don’t take more than 5 anyway.
Sean Howard
US
Visited:
February 2020
Reviewed: Feb 28, 2020
Email Sean Howard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing boat cruise down the Chobe River through Botswana!
We went on safaris through Kruger National Park, South Africa prior to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Both safaris offer amazing game spotting but Botswana is unique as it included a boat ride on the Chobe River. The animals are abundant and you really don’t have to look too hard to spot them. Botswana provides a glimpse of the fascinating lives of game that inhabit the Chobe River and the surrounding area, especially the plethora of birds. If you are a bird watcher, you will be in heaven! The boat ride through the Chobe river in the morning followed by mid-day lunch break was the highlight of our trip. The river scenery is beautiful and serene. The afternoon safari in a 4WD was a bit rough as the dirt roads are more rugged and less paved but that also adds to the experience. Our driver and operator were also patient and professional. We recommend Botswana for a well-rounded safari experience!
Julie Gale
GB
Visited:
July 2022
Reviewed: Sep 6, 2022
Email Julie Gale | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paradise!
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we came into contact with, having 30yrs+ experience I'm not surprised. It was an absolute privilege not only to see these beautiful animals in their natural environment but also meeting the warm and welcoming Botswanans. Botswana offers everything. Now book that trip!
Devon
US
Visited:
April 2023
Reviewed: Apr 25, 2023
Email Devon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful time
Botswana was beautiful and I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Sally Williams
GB
Visited:
May 2023
Reviewed: Jun 27, 2023
Email Sally Williams | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible wildlife in beautiful landscape
We staying at Kwara Lodge and Gomoti Plains Lodge in the delta. Kwara was our favourite lodge , all the staff were so friendly and welcoming. Our guide and tracker Stanley and Eric were so knowledgeable with over 30 years experience, it really added to our experience. The natural landscape of the delta was amazing and wonderful to see it being so well protected by the local people and authorities.
Marlee Bowman
CA
Visited:
June 2023
Reviewed: Aug 23, 2023
Email Marlee Bowman | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Botswana's wild life is beyond compare. I was blown away in the first three hours I was there.
Our 15 day safari was wonderful. I expected to see some animals but the number we saw was incredible. The boat cruise on the Chobe River was amazing. Elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, hippos and warthogs (this was in the first 3 hours). We got so close to the animals. We glamped for 15 days and saw at least one new animal everyday. Tony's Mobile Safari took great care of us. The only downside about the trip was that I was unprepared for the cold. The early morning game rides are very chilly. You need a toque, gloves and a light coat. The afternoons are glorious and warm. The scenery and sunsets are magical. As to safety, the only time I felt unsafe was when a male lion looked me in the eye and started walking towards me. I was in the Jeep, of course. He walked beside the jeep and went to sleep in the shade cast by the vehicle. He passed so close you felt like reaching out and petting him. I would recommend Botswana to everyone.
Steven Oberman
CA
Visited:
July 2023
Reviewed: Aug 27, 2023
Email Steven Oberman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safe and quiet country with lots to offer. Absolutely loved it and wished I could have stayed long.
Botswana has so much to offer. From the beauty of its landscape and animals to the genuine nature of its people. Don’t know why it took me so long to get here.
Ayda VC
Stunning!
It was amazing to see the water and how passionate the local people are about taking care of natural resources!