Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- HATAB, BOGA & BTO
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Roxann | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not truthful about the length of time from one camp to another. No sanitary hand washing facilities
The description of the length of time from one camp to another was totally inaccurate. Instead of the 3-31/2 hours it advertised, it was more like 8-10 because we were hauling a trailer with all our camping gear. We got stuck and no adequate rescue equipment had been packed. Not had any sanitary handwashing facilities been packed, resulting in 2 of us contracting norovirus and being very sick for half of the safari. Stay away from this company.
Reply from Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions
Posted on Oct 24, 2024Ordinarily we will have no problem with this review if it was given in good faith and if it reflected the true nature of events as they unfolded during our 7-Day safari with Roxann and friends in September 2024.
Norovirus
Our guests for the September 2024, 7-Day safari are three (3) elderly ladies who are retired nurses. Apparently, each one of them has a pre-existing health problem which they conveniently did not mention at the time of their quote request and consequently booking confirmation. The office came to know about these medical health problems on the first day of their safari when they were leaving for Moremi Game Reserve.
When our guide went to pick up our 3 guests from Maun Lodge in the morning on the day the safari started, the ladies told him that one of their friends was not well. She was having some stomach problems and as a result was experiencing some episodes of diarrhea. Upon learning this our guide informed the ladies that he will make strategic stops along the way to Moremi. He also told her that she is free to stop him at any time if she feels like she needs to use the "bathroom".
The first strategic stop that our guide made was at the Kaziikini Concession to allow our guest to use the bathroom facilities found in this private concession. Thereafter, they proceeded to Moremi whereupon he stopped again to allow the guest to use the bathroom facilities located at Moremi's South Gate before going all the way to their wilderness camp in the Xakanaxa area inside Moremi Game Reserve.
It is worth noting that our guest was having this stomach problem before arriving in Maun to spend the night at Maun Lodge, before we picked them up in the morning to start their safari, before reaching Moremi Game Reserve to spend the first night of their safari vacation, before reaching the Khwai Concession and before moving into Savuti. We would also like to point out that one of the ladies did not experience any stomach problems at all from the moment they were picked up from Maun Lodge to go on a wilderness camping experience in Moremi, Khwai & Savuti. Interestingly, she was eating the same meals prepared on the same pots, using the same ingredients and by the same safari chef-a chef known for her strict hygiene standards during our mobile safaris.
Can anyone therefore, without doubt, accuse Moonstroll Safaris of preparing food that was not hygienic during this 7-Day safari? Lest we forget, our entire staff did not experience diarrhea throughout the entire duration of the safari. These included the safari chef, the guide & 2 camp assistants. By the way, they were eating the same food the guests were having during the safari, prepared by the same safari chef!
Hand Sanitizers
We are also being accused of not providing hand sanitizers and as a result our guests ended up contracting the norovirus! We want to believe that our guests, BEING RETIRED NURSES, know that hand-washing is the best method to prevent norovirus. That one should use hand sanitizers in addition to washing their hands! It is in this regard therefore, that we want to point out that there is always more than enough LIQUID SOAP in all of our safaris which can be used precisely for washing your hands!
Vehicle getting stuck in thick Sands
Every mobile safari operator (luxury, mid-range or budget) knows that every safari carries the risk of tire punctures, getting stuck, mechanical breakdowns, etc. This is why we make sure that every safari vehicle is equipped with spare tyres, high-lift jacks, tow ropes, spades, etc. So, getting stuck in the thick sands and spending some time freeing the vehicle from these thick sands, is not unique to Moonstroll Safaris. It happens, although unpleasant!, to even the best of us.
Time spent moving between wilderness camps
Our itineraries give approximate driving times (i.e., if you are to drive straight from one camp to the next without stopping) between wilderness camps used during our safaris. It is very IMPORTANT to remember that you are on a safari! Therefore, the time you spend watching game, the time you spend photographing the African landscapes, marveling at the African sunrises and sunsets, enjoying your breakfast in the bush or having a picnic lunch in the bush, and stopping to stretch your legs, all add to the time you are going to take to reach your next camp during a moving day.
Thank you
Email Elise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A genuine bush experience
My partner and our other couple friends were so lucky to have the best team taking care of us. Dylos our guide and driver went out of his way to ensure we had the best bush experience - finding the best animals, finding the best spots to eat, answering all of my numerous questions and taking every opportunity to point out and give new information on the animals we spotted. We were lucky enough to see not one, but TWO leopards.
As for the rest of the team, Enok was the most fabulous cook. I couldn't believe what that man could do with a few pots and a fire. The most insane home baked fresh bread, delicious curry, meatballs - you name it. It was beyond my wildest dreams of what I would expect camping.
Huge up to Kennedy for setting up our lodging to a T. You ensured we were comfortable at all times and that we had a hot camp shower when we returned from long game drives out. Thanks for all your hard work.
Overall I give the team at moonstroll 5 stars - thanks for an unforgettable first safari experience. Botswana and its people are so beautiful. We will be back. <3
IT
Email Stefano | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professionalism, competence availability and kindness
We had a great time with Dylos, Otata (I hope it's written like that...) and the two camp assistants, we never felt in danger, we recommend them
IE
Email Shane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience
From start to finish, our week-long trip with Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions was everything we hoped for. The service and organization were top-notch, making the journey feel both seamless and exciting.
One of the standout aspects of the trip was our driver, Dylos. He was absolutely fantastic—so knowledgeable about the areas we visited and the wildlife we encountered. His passion for sharing insights made every moment more enriching, and he kept the atmosphere light and fun throughout. Whether it was spotting animals or telling stories about the local culture, Dylos made sure we never had a dull moment.
Enoch, our chef, was another highlight. His culinary skills were incredible! Each meal felt like a gourmet experience, even in the middle of the wilderness. It was impressive how he managed to prepare such delicious and varied meals in some remote locations, always catering to everyone's tastes and dietary needs. His meals became something we eagerly looked forward to every day.
Kennedy, another team member, was equally brilliant. His warmth, helpfulness, and cheerful spirit added to the overall comfort and enjoyment of the trip.
With such a knowledgeable, fun, and friendly team, this was hands down one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.
My one recommendation to Moonstroll Vantage Expeditions would be to improve their communication with customers in order to provide total clarity on what to expect from arrival and the first couple of days. Other than that, I cannot fault this company and would highly recommend them to anyone!
IT
Email Luigi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice guys and nice day!
We had a nice day in Moremi game reserve. Not much animals because It was too hot but we saw some Lions together.
Thanks ti our driver.
IT
Email Sarah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kind, professional and reliable
We chose Moonstroll for a 4-day safari departing and returning from Maun to visit Moremi and Khwai reserve including a mokoro trip.
We were met at the airport on our arrivals in Maun for a transfer to the hotel and a quick briefing. We were immediately able to appreciate the punctuality, seriousness and professionalism of all the staff. Monametsi always responded quickly and was very helpful. Our guide Dylos has a great experience in animal knowledge and is very reliable, he allowed us to see many animals up close in total safety.
The tents are large and comfortable. We had requested vegetarian meals for one of the members of our group, everything was prepared with the
maximum care from our talented chef.
I absolutely recommend choosing Moonstroll for a tent safari in Botswana to have a wonderful experience and have the chance to meet such good people.
BR
Email Julius Dadalti | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent itinerary!
I am a photographer from Brazil. I had amazing time in Botswana with Moonstroll team. The guys were great and the encounters amazing. I will do that again. We went to Chobe and Savuti. Thank you, guys. Very nice and professional guides. It was my first time in Botswana and I will increase the destinations there with this team.
FR
Email Adrian L | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
10 day mobile safari in Botswana
A personalized tour of the Okavango delta from a knowledgeable and professional team. We were so well taken care of from A to Z. We really appreciated the dedicated personal service from the whole team. Nothing was too much trouble for them to arrange. We saw a wide variety of animals, including 5 sighting of leopard. They are a trustworthy organisation, and I will definitely travel with them again. The camping was amazing, with elephants wondering pas our breakfast table on the very first morning !
IT
Email Valeria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attentive and available
They are just caring and attentive in whatever they organize!
Email Katie & Simon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing camping Safari in outback Botswana
In July we returned from a safari in Botswana. For my family of four (including two teenage boys) it was our first time to Africa. We had dreamt of the trip for a long time, and the camping safari with Moonstroll surpassed all expectations.
Our Safari started in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with a local tour provider who Moonstroll arranged for us. After our tour of the falls (wow!) we transferred to Botswana where our safari commenced. The next 5 days included multiple game drives, a boat tour on Chobe River and a mokoro tour in Okavango. The wildlife was abundant. We saw many elephants, giraffe and hippopotamuses. Highlights included seeing a leopard that had dragged an impala up a tree in Savuti, and front row seat on an interaction between lions and elephants (two lionesses were sizing up a young elephant for dinner) and driving through Moremi reserve with water holes full of hippopotamus and crocodile. Our Guide, Tracker and Driver was Thuso. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals and all the different birds. Thuso worked long days with us, as we were keen to savour every last minute of daylight on the game drives.
We love camping in Australia, so thought a camping safari would be a great way to experience Africa. The Moonstroll team made sure we had fantastic camp sites arranged in the parks and reserves. A highlight was camping on the edge of a hippopotamus pool for two nights in Khwai and getting to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner by their waterhole. Camping was a great choice - hearing animals noises at night was also something else!! Another benefit was that we didn’t need to leave the park to drive back to a lodge. The evening we watched the leopard we stayed until almost dark as our campsite was only a few minute’s drive away.
We had two tents to accommodate our family of four. Each tent had comfortable single camp stretchers and an annex addition for an outdoor ensuite bathroom. Kennedy and Howard did a great job setting up a comfortable campsite in each location.
Our Safari chef, Midoh, created delicious meals each day and the highlight was a traditional meal she prepared for our family on the last night. On the days we travelled to a new campsite we had a picnic on the road and these generally included some meat, salad and pasta, campfire bread and fruit.
Mr Monametsi from Moonstroll made all our arrangements and it was well executed by his team. We feel privileged to have had this experience, and would highly recommend both Moonstroll and Botswana to have an African Safari adventure.
