The Mzansi Experience Staff is ready to assist!
The Mzansi Experience
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- SATSA & SAYTC
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $135 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
NZ
Email Pen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
NOT in the Okavango Delta, NOT really a safari - read the fine print carefully!
Be Warned: We were so excited to book our Luxury Okavango Safari. The blurb said that the luxury tented safari lodge is located on the banks of the Boteti River which has its origins in the heart of the Okavango Delta. What didn't it say? that the Lodge was 3 hours drive from the Delta on the other side of Maun, in the middle of farmland next to a muddy fried up river. We felt pretty stupid to have been conned, but the only other couple at the lodge when we arrived said that they had been taken in too and another guest had chosen to leave early for the same reason. The misleading advertising felt very deliberate. For a luxury experience, other things seemed off too. There was no cooling system or fridge in the tents (this was a problem as my partner had meds that needed to be kept cool). Drinking water had to be purchased by the bottle. The swimming pool was green with algae when we arrived - the staff did empty, clean a refill it but it was not available for the first two day of the stay. If after reading this you are still keen to go (or you've already paid and can't get your money back), what can you look forward too? The small staff was very friendly. The guides were extremely knowledgeable. Our main guide went above and beyond to ensure we saw lions in Moremi even though he must have put in a 13+ hour day with all the driving to and from the park. The chef was excellent. We were asked about preferred foods and eating times (the lodge was extremely quiet when we were there so she tailored things to our exact wishes). The mokoro and walking safari, and Moremi game drive were wonderful (just wish we hadn't wasted hours getting to them). However, as some other reviews have said, it seemed like the foreign owners didn't really care about the lodge, the staff or the visitor experience that they were offering. I would recommend avoiding, and finding somewhere actually in the Delta to stay. If you can't afford that, just stay in Maun and do daytrips.
Reply from The Mzansi Experience
Posted on May 13, 2024Hi Penelope,
Firstly - apologies for my delayed response. I was busy doing site inspections and quality checks at our lodges in South Africa the past few weeks.
I assume you were the guest travelling with Monica, who made the booking for you both.
Your review has come as quite a shock to us, as it paints an extremely damaging picture.
You state the swimming pool being green AND the staff replacing the water as a corrective measure, meaning that something was done about it.
Bottled water was stated in the quote and itinerary exclusions - so that was clear even before you travelled. Clean drinking water is provided in the rooms at no cost - you omitted to mention that.
Speculating and speaking about "the other couple" will not be considered. They did not report anything from their side, and we received a good review left in the reception book from them.
We have gone through all communication with Monica regarding this booking, and have noticed (despite having these questions on our client details form) neither of the guests reported any medical conditions or special facilities for medicine. We have noted the request for the sleep apnea machine, where a plug point was present.
During the quoting process, we attached a comprehensive itinerary overview, as we only have limited characters available on SafariBookings for our descriptions. Indicative travel times were stated in there.
The dry river you are referring to is unfortunately due to a very severe drought in Botswana currently, and not within our control. I was at the tented camp a month before and there was still a good level of water. It is also extremely difficult to know when good water would come in, as it depends on rains coming from Angola (far north) and can happen at any time. Thia refers to our Force Majeure in our Terms and Conditions regarding weather conditions including droughts.
Also - even if not a drought in other years, December is normally when the water levels are at its lowest. And the weather is at its hottest (peak summer). This is something you should have known from basic research on this area.
I strongly contest the notion that advertising was deliberately misleading. We have been priding ourselves on honest business for many years, and would never state false information to a guest. By law, we are not allowed to sell products containing incorrect information, which is meticulously checked by the owners of the camp we use as our base, before publishing online. The word "conned" is highly defamatory and not taken lightly.
I am appreciative of the fact that your experience regarding the activities and catering was excellent. The team aima to deliver this high level of service whether the camp is empty or not.
Should you have reached out to us within 24 hours (as per our complaints section on our Terms and Conditions) while on tour, we would have had the opportunity to assist in improving on certain areas you have mentioned in your review. However - hearing about it only 4 months later leaves us disappointed that we never had the opportunity to do so.
I implore you to reconsider such damaging reviews in future, as it affects the livelihoods of the people we employ by stating facts which are not correct.
Wishing you all the best,
Leon Steyn
Managing Director - Mzansi Experience
CA
Email Maryse | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good customer service
First of all, their service is super good. I've exchange many emails with the team and they were always quick to answer and also giving detailed responce. I book a 5 days Kruger Safari. The value was perfect. Not the Big luxurious food/accomodation, but this is what I expected for a 1000$ CAN trip. I got the chance to be in their freshly new rooms at Kruger Adventure Lodge. It was beautiful and well situated in a quiet spot. About the staff, their were nice, I would say that in Canada we always offer better customer service, so if we compare with the African service I got in other place, it was normale.
Except of the first reservation exchange initially, I never spoke or saw anyone from The Mzansi Experience, their are a just the one that sell you the package with transportation (Safarilink) and the lodge package.
US
Email Yakin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great f service - highly recommend
Service was excellent, especially the food. They were flexible to our needs and despite poor weather conditions, they did the best to ensure we get our game drives and kept us comfortable at the lodge. Very passionate of their jobs and very knowledgeable. Thanks for a great time!
Email John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and provide a great safari experience at a fair price.
Very friendly staff at Boteti Camp. Excellent, very knowledgeable guides (James was a star!). Good facilities on a very nice location. Food very good. Providing very good value for money. I would certainly recommend this tour operator to my friends.
ES
Email Karmelo Gutierrez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
everything memorable, the experience the treatment... a unique and unforgettable experience. thanks
An experience far above expectations. I would repeat without hesitation with the agency that made this unforgettable trip for us. From the email treatment in the reservation, to the safaris. Everything to remember.
ES
Email Domingo Javier Sampedro | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with a lot of animals
Everything can be better but in a general view the safaris done were really good. All things depends around the people who do it and we feel some difference between one guide and the other that go with us. Another thing, talking about animals is the lucky that you are, and I thing that we were lucky. Thanks a lot for your work and we wish with repeating with you.
IL
Email Wendy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Accommodating, helpful, suggested tour plans, listened to all our needs and fulfilled them.
Fairly pricey but worth every penny spent. Prompt communication answering all our questions and providing excellent suggestions. The service we received before the tour began and then during the tour was superb. Extremely reliable and kept to our schedule. If we had any requests during the tour they worked hard to accommodate and fulfill our requests. I highly recommend the services of the tour guide David and Kay and their crew.
DE
Email Tamara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most amazing place at ndzuti bush camp
Communication was good, trip was well prepared.
If you have the chance go to ndzuti bush camp. They are the most amazing people, taking so much care of their guest. It was an abolsute pleasure to stay there. Comfortable beds, good food and unique safari experience
IT
Email Pietro Garzotto | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
True astonishing wildlife experience, everything we could dream of, and more.
A truly unique experience. We booked 3 nights in the Moremi Game Reserve. The journey began the evening before the scheduled departure with a meeting with our guide, David. We discussed the itinerary for the next day, and he explained the organization of the trip, providing useful advice for life in the bush. We immediately became friends with him.
The next morning at the agreed-upon time (7 am), he picked us up at the lodge in Maun with the fantastic Toyota Land Cruiser, which never let us down, and the safari began:
Day 1: A mokoro ride on the Boteti River and a transfer inside the Moremi Game Reserve (with camping at South Gate) with an afternoon game drive.
Days 2 and 3: Full-day game drives with breathtaking sightings and photographs at the level of National Geographic, if not better.
Day 4: The last morning game drive to bid farewell to the wonderful reserve and return to Maun.
The team consisted of:
* David, the guide, probably the best guide in Botswana, well-versed in all the park's fauna and flora, tireless in driving and providing explanations and stories, a deep connoisseur of the Moremi Game Reserve and all its trails. He speaks impeccable English, always making himself understood, and was super helpful and very friendly.
* Gladis, the young cook, a true talent in the kitchen. Whether it was dinners in the field or packed lunches, she always delighted us with typical Botswana dishes. After 12 hours in the savannah, it's important to eat well and plenty.
* Mt, assistant cook, and handyman, always with a smile on his face, kind, helpful, service-oriented, friendly, and always ready to make us laugh in the evenings after the game drives with his jokes.
* Moses, the assistant guide, David's right-hand man in the bush, always attentive to spotting any animal and also a great connoisseur of the savannah habitat.
And it's mal d’Afrique right away. We can't wait to go back, not only for the fantastic animals we saw (see the photos) but also for the wonderful people who accompanied and guided us in this unique experience. Thank you very much, and see you soon!!!
JP
Email Kimiko Kawahara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
it was amazing
it was super enjoyed those days
i was stay in 3 night 4day then i saw the Lion family 3times and lot of a another animal
that guide is very professional and kindness
camp(Acc)side is also lovely and really nature very close to water place and i saw the elephant,zebra ,bumba? and more
there was provide clean room and beautiful meal
all hand made cooking, sweets and fresh fruits
i was really enjoying definitely back to again
