- You are here:
- Home
- Tour Operators
- Golden Africa
- Reviews
Golden Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, HATAB, BOGA & House of Beyond
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
-
BW
- Price Range:
- $690 to $2,500 ppper person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Anne and John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We didn't want to go with a group, we didn't want to do the tourist trail, we were NOT disappointed.
"I suppose upon reflection we initially took a bit of a gamble with Golden Okavango (now Golden Africa): we hadn't heard of them before, we just liked the look of their web site and the fact that they mentioned private guides and mobile camping which we wanted; then we liked the sound of Rob Barber's reply to our original enquiry, and it went from there. Rob so obviously listened to what we wanted, took on board what we had experienced before in East Africa, suggested a package that we liked the sound of, and we decided to trust him with our safari. We are very glad we did; he and his team did an excellent job with efficient organization for everything to flow smoothly: flights, transport, accommodation and being totally looked after. This was exclusively for us. Our open camp was set up in beautiful, wild places in Nxai Pan, Moremi, Khwai and Savuti. Breakfast was held up one morning as two lionesses strolled through our camp! We also had 'little surprises' which Rob organised because of what he had learnt about our interests. That initiative particularly impressed us, and the wild dogs and meeting Tico was very special, as was looking at the amazing African Sky at night through a powerful telescope, and our first helicopter flight over the delta when we spotted a leopard hunting a warthog! We felt our money was managed wisely and that we also had value for money. We had just the best time ever in Botswana with Safari guide James Haskins and Annelies, owner of Drumbeat who organised our camp with efficiency and amazing food.
We could not recommend Golden Africa more highly. Go with them and enjoy!
Email Susan Gray | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A journey through the best wilderness on the planet with a born naturalist and bush expert.
I was brought up in the bush, have had numerous wildlife experiences, so I am no push over on quality experiences in that environment. I was truly impressed by the knowledge shared from the story about the size and volume and intricate nature of the simple termite mound to spending more than an hour as part of an elephant herd with their babies all around us and both parties totally relaxed and witnessing Elephant parenting dynamics such as trying to get the young to have their midday nap. Then on seeing a couple of twitching ears amongst the foliage Rob got down low and sent some calls into the dense undergrowth and then what emerged in front of us on the road was a pack of beautiful Wild dogs, a rare siting indeed. They were on the hunt and we followed them on their hunt for at least an hour and a half through dense bush bumpy terrain - wow! What an experience even the most priveleged of us bush folk recognise the enormity of the experiences we had on that 10 day trip of a lifetime. Only a true naturalist such as Rob has his finger on the pulse in the most beautiful environment that is the Okavango Delta - the last of real Afica and now a UN World Heritage site.
Email Mik | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super wildlife , beautiful area, great guide
Our safari in Botswana was organised by Rob Barber at Golden Africa. Some of it I the Khwai area in a tented camp, and some of it at the Tubu tree camp. Tubu tree is a luxury lodge with high-quality accommodation, good food and good guides. The highlight of the safari for us, however, was the time that we spent in Khwai being guided by Rob. The accommodation was much less luxurious, but the overall experience was fantastic. Not only is Rob an excellent guide and very skilled at finding the wildlife, he is also an excellent communicator. We not only saw wildlife, we also learned about the different alarm calls, and to look for tracks and signs of the animals. We have been on a number of safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Namibia, but the days with Rob in Botswana were the best, and we are looking forward to our next safari with Golden Africa.
Email Amy Williams | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfection. Magical and Wonderful Wildlife. Rob was a perfect guide explaining everything.
We couldn't have asked for a better experience travelling and learning about the Okavango Delta than with Golden Africa. Rob our guide had an in depth knowledge of all the wildlife & was able to teach us so much about the Country, Animals and nature around us.
The organisation of the trip was perfect, everything was tailored to what we wanted and was done in a relaxed and professional way. We would recommend a Golden Africa trip to everyone & will be booked another trip in the future.
Email Lucy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable fortnight in a remarkable country
A trip of a lifetime is an overused expression but this absolutely was. Having thought this would be my one experience of an African safari, the problem now is I want to come back!
Our trip was for two weeks . Rob and Charlotte arranged the perfect mix of lodges and two three days mobile safari. The advance information was brilliant, just enough to raise the excitement levels and anticipation and we were not disappointed with the reality. The lodges were lovely and the mobile safari was definitely the highlight.
Every day for the whole fortnight saw us seeing something new. An animal round every corner ( some more difficult to access than others) with the occasional elephant providing siesta entertainment by wondering past the camp as we lounged on the extra "chill out" area tent. Besides the animals there was the most incredible number of birds all reliable identified making our wildlife books almost redundant for everything except reliving the days exploits!
The safari team were remarkable, the tents put up and set out so that we had all the pluses of camping but none of the discomforts. Miles from nowhere, really in the middle of the bush but with all the home comforts. En suite showers and loos were great but above all the food and wine was absolutely superb and would compete with any static restaurant or hotel. What's more the team were lovely and couldn't have been more welcoming.
I really hope I will be back.
Email Douglas Clarke | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Botswana through the eyes of a Golden Africa team will never be forgotten both personalised or group
My wife and I visited Botswana for the first time for two weeks on a private safari, through Golden Africa, with Rob Barber, the owner of the business, who has in excess of 10 years experience, and Charlotte (his now wife). Our remit was to see the best of Botswana with maximum privacy, and exposure to the birds and animals in contrasting environments, with an equestrian element. This remit was more than met by Golden Safari themselves, primarily on a superbly organized mobile camp, and through their association with third party lodges.
Their communications were excellent both by phone and email. To ensure your safari can be as agreed, book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The itinerary can be personal or group. We stayed in three different lodges, including Motswiri Ride and Walk which provided an excellent horseback experience - providing mounts suited to personal expertise, as well as driven safaris.
The mobile safari was a unique experience offering two prisitine sites away from all others. A moveable tented camp with long drop loos and bucket showers. Logistics and excellent food were handled by Annalies. Two hyenas came through the camp the first evening, and we were also visited by an elephant and a honey badger.
Rob showed his excellent bush craft when we followed a pack of wild dogs on the hunt and he was able to anticipate their movements and drive in advance thereof. Wild game safaris are subject to the luck of the draw and we were very lucky in that which we saw- both birdlife and animals. Only Savute, in the Chobe National Park, was somewhat limited by drought and the drying up of the river past the lodge - but this in itself provided different experiences.
All transfers between main sites, other than between bush camp sites, is by small chartered light aircraft. This is due to the nature of the Okavango delta.
An excellent detailed itinerary with illustrated details of the accommodation and areas was provided.
Complaints - had we none! and I was happy to provide positive repors on Trip Advisor.
In conclusion just arrange a safari and go. (He also organized an excellent safari for us in Nambia through an associated company).
Email Sally Martin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari as it should be - great location, excellent food, comfortable bed & knowledgeable guiding!
I had been on safari before, but this was a very different experience! A tailor-made itinerary including two different camps, and a 2 day break in the middle at Machaba Camp. It's been sensational! Everything's been
organised to perfection - tents, meals, game-drives, weather (!) - we couldn't have asked for more. Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge, both of the area and of the wildlife, is exceptional, and added insight & colour to an already excellent experience. Sadly the lovely Charlotte, Rob's wife, was unable to join us, but the camp team did a brilliant job and made us feel totally at home.
Sincere thanks to them all for looking after us so well.
Email Frank Willsdon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Botswana safari with a touch of adventure together with expert guiding and information.
I have been on 4 previous safaris in Africa and this one has been by some
way the best in all areas. In particular, Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge and experience of
Botswana and specifically the parks we visited, is second to none and
enabled Sally and myself to have a wonderful, memorable holiday. I will be
unhesitatingly recommending Golden Africa and his team to all those who are
interested in a safari of excellence!! Thank you Golden Africa!!
Email Mylo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The experience of a lifetime - a honeymoon organised and delivered with sublime service, thank you!
I wanted to show my wife my favourite places on Earth for our honeymoon, so I chose Botswana and Zambia through Golden Africa. As an independent operator with the best contacts in the industry, GA excelled at offering a tailor made trip of a lifetime and took incredible care of the smallest details making this a truly unforgettable journey. We spent nights out under the stars in the wilderness and saw the moon rise, watched in awe as thousands of zebra came down to water, picnicked exclusively as wild dog trotted by, saw a vast range of animals and learnt a great deal about the habitats and people that make up the bush in a such an easy going way, and of course, relaxed and were spoilt rotten where ever we went! A magical safari and one we shall never forget!
Email janeh. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic bush experience
What a wonderful guide Rob is. This was a real bush experience ,staying in isolated areas with only animals for company.Rob is so knowledgable and enthusiastic he made the trip much more than any other safari we have been on. The tents are comfortable but not luxury by any means but very well catered by lovely staff. We did 3 nights in the bush camp followed by 2 nights in a luxury camp and then another 3 nights in the bush and i think this was the perfect combination. Would highly recommend Rob and his company to anyone seeking a real 'old school' safari
Average User Rating
Rating Breakdown
- 5 star 32
- 4 star 0
- 3 star 0
- 2 star 0
- 1 star 0
Disclaimer
- All corporate and/or tour info is provided by Golden Africa, not SafariBookings
- The tours offered by Golden Africa are subject to their terms & conditions