Reviews

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serena, geneva   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: September 2015 Reviewed: Oct 9, 2015

Email serena, geneva  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

highly recommended
5/5

this is the second time I have done a safari holiday in africa and the first time with sunway. I was certainly not disappointed and infact the holiday and accommodaion were far better than I had expected. I did a 2wk 'beach and bush' from johannesburg through swaziland and mozambique. the tour was very well organised, guides farai and william highly knowledgeable on all our questions, either flora or faune, and did their jobs very professionally. the tour included 3 nights in several places, a welcome break from the long days in the truck, which obviously was a big part of the trip. we did several safaris in a couple of parks, and saw loads. the food on the tour was top quality and rarely convenience foods, lunches often picnics on the road sides and dinners usually a fabulous meal around the camp fire. the 'permanent tents' were far from being tents, all with very good sanitary and hot water, and the places we stayed one night in were more 4* than basic. the programme, although it included thousands of kms and long travelling days was...excellent. I think the entire group would agree that there was nothing we would have changed in hindsight. well done to the guides and organisers

Rachel Guinee   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: June 2015 Reviewed: Jul 8, 2015

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

From the mighty Vic Falls to the dunes of the Namib and the Okavango Delta -a superb tour
5/5

We have had the most amazing trip that lived up to all expectations and exceeded them. The service provided by Greg and Dee, our guides, was superb; from the food to driving and most of all their experience and sharing of their love and knowledge of Africa. All the communications before the trip were spot on, and during the trip we were looked after perfectly so that the distances covered and array of activities laid on seemed effortless and relaxed. The weather was great (June) with sunshine days and heat and we had been given all the advice on clothes for cooler evenings and mornings so were perfectly prepared- all the information you need is in the itinerary - we just did take more than we needed! Would highly recommend Sunway and this tour to anyone wanting to see a beautiful part of Africa on an accomodated tour.

joyce   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2014 Reviewed: Jul 28, 2014

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

It was a time that my husband and I will never forget
5/5

My husband and I did a 14 day camping safari with our guide ;Jonathan Clements and Ende. We had the best time,they gave us an experience that we will never forget. All the way from the animals, birds that we saw, to the camping experience, great food,education of the country. If you want to do a safari- request these 2 gentlemen. They were the best.

jingleby   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: September 2006 Reviewed: Dec 19, 2011

Email jingleby  |  20-35 years of age

5/5

Well organised, great guides from Sunway and hooked us up with fantastic local guides, in the Delta and elsewhere (Oliver our game guide in Moremi, Savuti and Chobe was truly excellent!).

Nipo   –  
Finland FI
Visited: March 2024 Reviewed: Apr 10, 2024

Email Nipo  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Zimbabwe & Botswana Game Tracker - worth the price, some challenges
4/5

We did Sunway Safaris Zimbabwe & Botswana Game Tracker (ZBa16) in March-April 2024 with a Sunway Safari truck and all together 12 participants and 2 guides. Here is a summary of the trip. All in all, the level of the tour operator was reasonable by Arfica's standards and the trip was generally worth the price. The guides were of a good average level and the arrangements were generally smooth. The food was average.

The car's safety level had some shortcomings (three-point seat belts were missing and a lot of loose items were kept in the passenger compartment), but the driver's driving skills were good. It is worth noting that the car is built on a truck chassis and the suspension is therefore very stiff. Spending tens of hours on bumpy roads in Africa is therefore quite uncomfortable. In addition, the car's air conditioning is insufficient for hot climates, so you should be prepared for discomfort. Contrary to what is said on the website, there is no drinking water tank in the car, but passengers are advised to buy their drinking water from shops.

The itinerary was mostly good. The biggest disappointment was that a few weeks before the trip, the tour operator announced that Khama Rhino Sanctuary was removed from the plan, as seeing Rhinos was one of the main reasons we booked this particular trip. It was replaced by Goo Moremi Gorge, where we did a small nature walk in a large group of tourists and where there was practically nothing to see. The reason for the change was that one of the couples participating in the trip had booked earlier flights, which is why we had to be at the airport earlier and therefore travel further the day before and miss the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. In my opinion, it is not fair that the route of those who have already booked the trip is shortened and destinations are left out, so that those who booked later can book earlier flights.

Another big disappointment on the trip was the game drive arrangements of the Hvange nature park. The itinerary promises 4WD game drives in the park led by a local guide. We also booked the night game drive offered as an extra. In practice, we got an ancient truck from the 80s and a non-English-speaking driver who couldn't drive it and wasn’t interested in the animals or guiding. At the very beginning, we got stuck twice in the sand, from which we had to shovel the tires and push the car (the safety instructions prohibit not getting out of the car, but we had no choice but to push the car out of the sand). After this, the driver refused to drive on the dirt roads anymore and only drove back and forth on the main road of the park, with the result that we saw nothing but a couple of elephants that were in the middle of the road. Also, the night game drive light used by the driver was so weak that you couldn't spot animals in its light. Despite our complaints, the Sunway safaris guide didn't do anything about it, but went himself to another car, which drove small dirt roads and saw a lot of animals. When we demanded a refund for the payment, the guide didn't even try to find a solution, but bluntly stated that we should pay for these "game drives".

There was also one very dangerous incident on our trip. In the Okavango Delta, a hippo attacked one of our group's canoes. A local paddler barely managed to keep the canoe afloat by jumping into the water himself and hitting the hippo with a stick, which broke in a flash. Fortunately, no one was injured, only the clothes and belongings of the people in the canoe got wet. However, the situation was life-threatening.

The accommodations were mostly as described, some quite basic, some better and even luxury.
The Great Zimbabwe hotel turned off the electricity at night to save electricity from 1-5, with the result that the air conditioning did not work and we stayed up sweating almost the whole night. You couldn't open the windows because of the monkeys and mosquitoes, which was very uncomfortable.

Okavango Delta tent camp was very basic, as promised. It was quite nice there as long as the weather stayed good, but on our last day there it rained non-stop, which made it quite uncomfortable. We also had to leave the camp in the pouring rain, so all our things were soaking wet after the trip.

Hermits Peak Guest Lodge in Matobo, Nkosi Guest Lodge at Victoria Falls and Goo Moremi Gorge Resort were the best and good quality accommodations of the trip, the rest were quite ordinary.

Reply from Sunway Safaris
Reply from Sunway Safaris
Posted on Apr 12, 2024

Dear Nipo,

Thank you for taking the time to provide such in depth feedback.
Sunway Safaris would like to provide feedback on some of the points raised.

“The car's safety level”
Our Sunway Safaris trucks are built to conform to the latest safety regulations.
If we did not do this, then we would have multiple issues with fines and officials all over Southern Africa, including when our vehicles cross over borders between countries.
Each vehicle is fitted with a safety shell and each seat has a lap belt.
The Sunway trucks are built by a registered coach builder and we have a specific homologation design certificate.
Safety in our industry is of our utmost concern as Sunway is responsible for the clients and guides it carries on tour.
We do our utmost to ensure the safety of our clients at all times.

“Air conditioning”
We specifically avoid the use of the term air conditioning when marketing or discussing the Safari trucks.
These vehicles are not fitted with an air conditioner.
They do have an air cooling system, which when used will reduce the temperature in the vehicle by around 5 - 10 degrees.
But, this relies on a number of factors such as whether all clients keep their windows closed when operational.
So, if it is 40 degrees outside it will still be rather warm inside the truck.
Also note that Southern Africa experienced unusually high temperatures towards the end of March 2024 which would have contributed to the heat inside the vehicle.

“Drinking Water”
All of the Sunway Safari Trucks are fitted with a water tank that is available to clients.
I have discussed this point with the guides and they say they informed the group of the tank, but that the clients chose to purchase water instead.
I have asked the guides to make sure in future that this point is clearly communicated to all clients and make sure that all clients understand what water is available.

“Khama Rhino Sanctuary”
Sunway Safaris sends out notification of changes at least 6 weeks prior to tour.
Notification of this change was sent on 29 January 2024 with a detailed explanation as to why this change was necessary.
We can understand that some clients may have been disappointed by the change, but overall this was for the greater good of the tour.
The reason provided for the change is not consistent with the reasons given in the detailed notification sent on 29 January 2024.
In short, the change was made to provide superior quality accommodation to the touring group on the final night of tour, combined with a nature based activity.
Goo Moremi Gorge Resort we feel is of a suitable standard to meet this need.
Further to this, clients do have an excellent opportunity to view Rhino on foot, earlier on in the tour.

“Game Drive in Hwange National Park”
I have had a look through all the feedback forms provided by all clients on the tour.
There is not mention of the poor quality of the vehicle by other clients, or a lack of animal sightings.
When speaking with the guides, they were aware of the unhappiness with the night drive, but recommended to the that this be dealt with after the tour as all clients were already waiting in the truck for departure.
The night drive is an optional activity operated by a third party from the lodge.
We will however get in touch with the operator to raise the clients concern with the quality of vehicle supplied for the drive, so thank you for raising this with us.
We always strive for clients to receive the same standard of experience.

“Hippo Incident in Okavango”
The Okavango is a wild environment.
It is one of the primary highlights of many of our tours.
We carry 1500+ clients per annum into the delta.
The poler mentioned to the group that this is only the second time that a hippo has come near a boat in the last 5 years.
So that’s 3000 bed nights per year, and 15,000 bed nights in the last 5 years (Covid excluded)
So, two hippo incidents in 15,000 bed nights is not unfathomable in terms the wilderness aspect, hippos, low water levels this year.
We’ve been doing this for 30 years now, and thankfully without a hippo injury to client.

Generally, the polers are aware of where the hippos are congregating during the day.
And thus, avoid contact with the hippos as far as possible.
The polers are very cautious, move slowly, and stick to the edges of any lagoons.

The short sunset Mokoro experience normally takes place at a lagoon close to camp site in the early evening.
It is normally a very relaxed situation with hippos either in the centre or far side of the lagoon, if any hippos at all.
Bearing in mind that hippos are an absolute highlight for many of our clients.

But as always wildlife is unpredictable and finding a “rogue” hippo out of place would be the exception.

Central southern Africa is experiencing very low rainfalls this year, worse than any of the last 40 years.
This means that the Delta is restricted to the main channels, but also that grazing is going to be challenging for large herbivores.
This of course puts pressure and stress into the environment and does make all of the animals a little less predictable.
The polers will of course be doing all they can to avoid hippos on these activities and would not have chosen to put the clients in harm’s way deliberately (the polers also have children they want to go home to each day).

As stated earlier, safety of clients is paramount to Sunway Safaris and we would not put clients in a high risk situation.

“Great Zimbabwe Electricity”
Zimbabwe and South Africa are known world-wide for electricity interruptions.
We are not aware of Great Zimbabwe Hotel “switching off the power” purposely between 1am and 5am.
But, we have contacted the hotel group to find out if this is the case and will act on it accordingly.
Unfortunately, bearing the countries power supply issues, sometimes things that are completely out of Sunway or the accommodation providers control can occur.

Looking at the feedback from tour, all other clients on the tour rated all accommodation on tour 4* and 5*, and commended the accommodation used on tour.
So, I am sorry to hear that you did not have the same level of satisfaction in terms of the accommodation used.

We value all client feedback as an important control mechanism, and always ensure that it is taken seriously and any issues raised are properly dealt with.

Thank you again for your detailed feedback.

Kind regards
John
Sunway Safaris Marketing

Jens and Anett   –  
Germany DE
Visited: October 2019 Reviewed: Nov 28, 2019

Email Jens and Anett  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The review below is the personal opinion of Jens and Anett and not that of SafariBookings.
Not again in this way !
3/5

1.Vehicle:
"The vehicle was more suitable for a short-term off-road tour. Definitely not for a longer tour! Seats as in a 3rd class rail wagon – plastic cover (very suitable for sweating at outdoor temperatures at 40 °C and without air conditioning (defective from the beginning/–no armrests/-no adjustable backrests! With up to 10 hours in the vehicle you can already get problems with the intervertebral discs. We have seen the same design equipped in a different way! Furthermore, the vehicle was very under-motorized, which was very noticeable on mountainous routes! Temporarily defective freezer box! Cleanliness left a lot to be desired. I personally took the brooms in my hand! Discs were not cleaned throughout. "So there can be no question of comfortable travel here.

2.Supply
"We are proud to offer our travelers high quality, tasty and healthy meals three times a day." –Statement from Sunway Safaris in the travel text!
One of the most disappointing experiences of the trip was the supply. Unfortunately, only finished products packaged in the supermarket were purchased on a low-cost basis. (e.g. canned vegetables and canned fruit) Lots of pork products! I tried to shop with myself. It worked out sometimes. If there were fresh bread rolls instead of pre-packaged toast bread, the baker bought them and then what was not eaten was also given away. But then in the same breath bought in the supermarket cardboard packaged toast bread. Fresh fish was supposedly bought from the boat in front of our nose for us, but we haven't seen it! Repackaged marinated fish from the supermarket was served! Fresh fruit from the village farmer was basically not bought! Why always? Better supermarket products again! We did so ourselves in part. We then tried to buy some decent beef steaks/kudu or impala in private shops of the reserves. Then we realized what we wanted. It didn't help much. It is important to think more healthily and, above all, to buy higher-quality products as described above all. We have experienced and seen directly that it is possible and there is everything. It may not have been due to the costs either, since the prices were quite reasonable. Maybe everything has to go fast. "Furthermore, the great loss of time due to constant shopping in the supermarkets was not comprehensible to us! 1-1.5 hours, sometimes almost daily. If I know that long distances have to be driven, then I get my things in time and leave accordingly earlier! Conclusion: The care was like a camping holiday corresponding to a youth trip. But it shouldn't be like that. They were all adult people!

The country has so much good and, above all, tasty things to offer. We could not understand and accept this approach on the part of Sunways.

3.Itin' itinerary - Sunway Safari hasn't been able to get the organization of the Soweto tour for us! Started in Johannesburg, where the start was to take place at 6:30 a.m. We were especially rather there to accept the desired briefing in time. After more than 1, 5 hours later, the departure took place. We should feel the loss of time. • Very long journey to the 1st accommodation Zululand. Unfortunately we couldn't do anything there anymore, because we arrived very late! (The loss of time from the morning) Actually very bad, because this accommodation and surroundings was very nice. Why we had to drive around the next day again in order to get to a supermarket remains a mystery. About 1.5 hours stay at a gas station to shop in the supermarket. Again a loss of time and unusable time of our holiday. This went on almost every day! Very late breakfast and late departure to the next station. • Arriving in the direction of Kosi Bay, there was no way to do anything, as the darkness had already arrived. What a pity! E.g. kayaking was not possible. Also in the direction of Swaziland we left very late in Kosi Bay and arrived late in the accommodation despite fast border clearance. Again, no time to do anything else. Beautiful accommodation, but no use! Very nice environment. Highly recommended for follow-up tours. Again a very late departure (8:30 a.m.) the next day. •
In Maputo again late arrival! There was not much time left to see something of the city. Quick sightseeing tour with the tour bus! Then to the Hotel Cardoso which should be kept in any case! Very good level and above all a very good breakfast. We organized a taxi and drove to a restaurant on the beach! Highly recommended! We also had no concerns about any problems with locals or criminals! Even during the night tour in the area, we did not have a negative experience. (certainly it always depends on the area) We felt everything very safe and got to know very friendly people. "Take back, relax and enjoy the warm sea water and the wide white beaches. Boat tour in the Dhau, a traditional wooden sailboat of Arabic design, fishing, snorkeling, surfing or diving between paradisiacal coral reefs are also possible (own cost)". This is such a real advertising slogan! There can be no talk of relaxation and enjoyment! Boat tour with Dhau? Not a chance! Good accommodation- Yes. But nothing more. Going far too far - benefit - effort-ratio was just not right. • Again the whole route back towards Bilene. Attention! Bilene with lagoons description was not approached -First in the tour bus we were told that we would stay somewhere else! Sand dune landscape very nice! Accommodation good! Restaurant very good! But there was nothing to do with swimming! Not a calm lagoon, but very high waves in the sea! Again nothing as it was actually described! That's it with the beach tour-without swimming! Because this stretch of coast is something for surfers and anglers! You could have used the mini pool for a short time! But take on these hardships? So the disappointment took its course. In addition, my wife
because of your injury had been looking forward to the lagoon to go into the water. Joy there!
Then continue towards the South Africa border to Kruger NP. Unfortunately, without looking to the right or left, it was really snapped to reach the next destination (border) as quickly as possible. There was something to photograph on the left and right (LandscapeNative bush hut dwellers and so on. But both (driver and guide) lacked the sensitivity that could be interesting or you just didn't want to stop in some places. (Safety concerns ?– we can't imagine) " In the Kruger itself we arrived again very late in the Letaba camp (by the way the worst and smallest accommodation). It was again just a quick quick – process until the night safari! Making food (I helped yourself otherwise it would have become very tight) in the dark! Showers and go! Rest and relaxation - out of place! The next morning on to the nearest accommodation Makuwa Lodge. Driving and driving! Surely we have also seen animals! Luckily! • Arrival also late! No more activities possible! Makuwa Lodge is highly recommended and also has a decent level and very friendly operators. Last day – without the planned activities - just didn't happen-Just go back to Johannesburg!

4. Driver and Guide
Driver -JoJo: - very good attentive, safe and friendly driver-very helpful
Guide – Ferell:-- a lot of knowledge is available - not always easy to understand - should work on its exterior - partly very dirty clothing - should deal with time management. When shopping, take a more thoughtful approach and shop more health-consciously! Especially not at the time of the travelers, who then only sit around at parking spaces and petrol stations! Maybe camping is closer to him. He had already made this known in person.

Overall conclusion:
The journey wasn't the hit. For the fact that you are sitting almost only in an uncomfortable vehicle and actually have very little of the destinations reached, we would not want to do this tour again in this form. The price-performance ratio just wasn't right. Neither from the course of the tour nor from the supply. In hindsight and the current findings, a self-driving tour (even with a driver) would have been possible without hesitation. (Have hit some on the way) You would also have coped very well in terms of price! The road conditions definitely gave that away. For us, it was like a Paris-Dakar rally. Reach intermediate destinations as quickly as possible and then continue. Just to say I was there once? That was not our idea and it was not really intended and, above all, not described.
In addition, my daily help, with breakfast, packing and tidying up, didn't really help anything. The Routine has been retained! Very annoying!

eric   –  
Canada CA
Visited: July 2017 Reviewed: Aug 26, 2017

Email eric

The review below is the personal opinion of eric and not that of SafariBookings.
lack of training guides
3/5

the safari was good ,but the lack of training of are guide ( Wayne)to adress a''Bully ''in are group ,even after it was mention to him ,put a lot of strain and a bad atmosphere in the group ,and cause me lot of stress,I will not recommend to someone Sunway Safari ,I saw other group ,with other company having more fun and a better group dynamic that our,I lodge a complaint to Sunway Safari , will see ,

Robert   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Feb 21, 2016

Email Robert  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

The review below is the personal opinion of Robert and not that of SafariBookings.
Disappointing i m afraid though maybe ok for first time visitors to Africa
2/5

We travelled Johannesburg to Victoria falls last November. The truck was full to capacity at 12 plus provisions and was far too cramped. We had two guides, only one of whom could drive the vehicle and he was by far the better at his job. The second guide had preferred clients and was often rude to those not among them; his knowledge was poor, demonstrated at the zimbabwean border crossing when we found his visa advice to be incorrect and more generally in terms of local traditions. Group integration was poor based on our worldwide experience. The farewell event was pointedly only open to those favoured few.

However, the local park-based guides were really good. We saw all the animals we hoped to see and more thanks to them. No complaints about the food either.

igor   –  
Australia AU
Visited: July 2015 Reviewed: Aug 22, 2015

Email igor  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The review below is the personal opinion of igor and not that of SafariBookings.
not worth it. not good value for money
2/5

Sunway Safaris is highly disappointing. saying that, we did see majority of the animals, and the main tour guy was great.

disclosure: below is our opinion only, and we communicated it to the company and they promised to address these for the next tours. offcourse, it doesnt help us.

- lunches were predominantly can food. for 1500 Euro per person, one can provide better food.
- the vehicle is too small for 12 people. we were only 9 with an extra guide (3 guides) and it was cramped. one can use bigger vehicles, particularly for these large distances.
- perhaps the most annoying thing is the mus-information. game drive in Krueger, was literally only drive from point A to point B on our route. we didnt really have the game, off the sealed roads as one promised. we just moved up to Zimbabwe, and whatever we saw - that was the game. the game drive in Chobe, was offered to us for 400 Bula, but when we went to reception, suddenly the price went to 320. Finally, there was no option for night safari. we were promised it in Khama Rhyno and Krueger (itinerary based) but we didnt actually have the option when we were there.
In 2 of the camps there was no hot water - although promised (great Zimbabwe and i forgot the 2nd one)

Mike & Teresa   –  
Australia AU
Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 23, 2017

Email Mike & Teresa

The review below is the personal opinion of Mike & Teresa and not that of SafariBookings.
Truck unbelievably uncomfortable. Transfer didnt eventuate Joburg & Sunway refused to pay us back!
1/5

Wrote a long review to Sunway but they never even replied!
Happy to take your money but no after sales service.
Bus unbelievably uncomfortable, hot & seats terrible.
Food not great.
Wouldnt refund our transfer despite saying they would - waited Joburg airport for an hour & gave up!

Reply from Sunway Safaris
Reply from Sunway Safaris
Posted on Oct 25, 2017

Dear Michael

Thank you for the detailed critique of the Wild Parks Botswana Tour that you recently completed.

I am happy that you found the itinerary to be well planned and executed. However to get perfection is always the goal so I am pleased that you have brought up areas where you think we can improve the service and performance.

Spring in Botswana can get very hot before the rains arrive in late October. I take your comments about the tour not being suitable for the over 60's, and although we have successfully operated for many years in Botswana this period of the year is the best for game viewing.

I have read through your detailed recount of the arrival situation and I offer my perfuse apologies for the delay and uncertainty caused when the transfer company did not make connection with you. We subcontract to a reliable transfer service when we are unable to do the transfers ourselves. We have very few problems with this service and the transfer company have given their report. I will refund the taxi fare for the extra expense which you incurred on top of you pre-booked airport transfer. Once again my apologies. This is not the way we wished your Sunway journey to begin.

Safari Vehicle:
We do not advertise air-conditioning in the safari trucks for various reasons, primarily because of the issues of reliability and servicing availability in Southern Africa. There are only a few options available to us in Southern Africa for maintenance of the air-conditioning systems, and although these options are slowly expanding we cannot guarantee the service. On this occasion the vehicle you were in had air-conditioning, according to our pre tour check lists this was working. The majority of air conditioning systems, when the temperatures of 40 degrees, would only be able to take the edge off the heat. The vehicle is back at our operational base now and we will have the air con company looking at it in the next few days.

I will however be looking into how we can support our agents with information so that it is for those booking in the hot months the temperatures that they could be travelling through.

We have found curtains become a hazard, take up space and become a contentious point among our travellers.

We go through regular guide training sessions with the operational issues for the cool boxes in the vehicle. So if there was only 1 resupply of ice in the 14 days of the tour for your clients cool box then I apologise. I will go through the receipts returned by the guides to make sure that we are supplying the correct amount of ice for the drinks cooler.

I am happy that the majority of the accommodation in Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Rivernest, Pelican Lodge and Rainbow Hotel all and the camp in the Okavango met your expectations. The prime motive for being in the Okavango Delta is for the mokoro journey and the wildlife game walks. Both of these activities get us closer to part of the wilderness that you cannot do on a vehicle based activity. The guides or polers suggestion of learning to pole is often an entertaining way to spend the afternoon in the Okavango. I am sorry that this although mentioned did not eventualise for you, the two nights in the itinerary dedicated to the Okavango offer a chance to get into the wilderness, we will concentrate on the cultural aspects of the Okavango for the next guides training session.

Hyena Pan: The actual game viewing drive in the morning in Moremi is extended so as to remove the backtracking back to Hyena Pan for lunch and allowing more time to explore Moremi Game Reserve as well as its surrounds. I am sure the flight back to Maun would have given you an excellent view over the edges of the Okavango.

The congestion in Chobe National Park is an unfortunate problem which is why we emphasize more of our wilderness experience in Moremi and have included the River Cruise to the itinerary. It is a major problem for the Botswana Wildlife Parks, Tourism Department and for the Botswana Government and they are all aware of these issues you have raised.

Food prep and storage: I am glad that the hygiene protocol of hand washing before meal preparation was adhered to. I will discuss the issues of the length of time food is left out particularly on hot days with Willard and Alois.

Our trucks store water in specifically designed stainless steel water tanks stored under the passenger compartment. The guides do not use engine water to wash food and produce. While I am glad that the hygiene protocol of hand washing before meal preparation was adheared to, I will make sure that the water is provided for hand washing at toilet stops as well.

We do guides training to help the guides become "time" efficient. I will redo this training with Alois and Willard to make sure that minimal time is wasted refuelling or shopping or banking during this tour. I will discuss this with the guides to make sure that they are aware when planning the following day. Good suggestion and we will follow up on this.

Thank you for your suggestions on making all the clients pre purchase their currency.

Tipping while not a cultural norm in Australia is a norm in many other parts of the world. All of the staff at Planet Okavango (a company which I own) and my staff at Sunway Safaris are paid well. Our guides partake in a bonus scheme dependant on performance and client satisfaction. They are all paid considerably more than many other sectors in Southern Africa. However gratuities are exactly that. It is a voluntary suggestion to show your appreciation of their hard work during the tour. We do not suggest at any point that it is compulsory. However if you enjoy the service and if you appreciate the guides role in the safari then we give a guide line for tipping for those uncomfortable or unsure of the amounts to tip. I am sorry that you felt pressured to tip the polers in the Delta after they had looked after you.

The Local payment is used for operational expenses during the tour and in retrospective payment at various points after the tour finishes in Victoria Falls. The guides are also carrying cash to cover the following tours which do not go back to South Africa.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Boma being included in the tour as a final meal celebration.

We appreciate your suggestions and feedback. I would have replied sooner however we never received the email or letter with your suggestions. The first I knew of this was when you posted the negative review on Google on Sunday / Monday. Once I received the email through our website and following letter correspondence I have endeavoured to reply as soon as possible. I would like to reiterate my apologies for the

Please can you send me your banking details and I will deposit $100 refund for the transfer taxi directly into your account by Thursday. Once you have received the refund for the taxi, I would kindly ask you to reconsider the review.

Kind regards
Shaun Waring-Jones
Sunway Safaris

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