Martin Smith, Managing Director
Kingfisher Safaris
- Office In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Botswana Guides Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Paul | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful Mobile Safari perfectly organised
9 days Mobile Safari in Botswana. Excellent guide Pilot and great service from his Staff. Determined to find the most elusive animals which he did!! Most helpful assistance from Martin at Kingfisher Safaris who even booked a flight for us at short notice when ours was cancelled! Great experience, excellent value and wonderful service from booking to returning home. We will definitely travel with Kingfisher again!
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Email Malinda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Martin Smith is knowledgeable, responsive, & takes a personal interest in each tour he plans.
This was a first time, bucket list safari for me. I fortunately received a recommendation for Mr. Martin Smith from a co-worker. He immediately responded to my initial email. He asked what my goals/desires were in terms of the trip. He continued to respond -almost immediately- to each question I had.
The Safari exceeded my expectations. I traveled to Botswana at his recommendation. I could not have been more pleased!!
I started with two nights at Victoria Falls and stayed in the Victoria Falls Hotel. Truly, I unexpectedly felt like royalty, with a private check in and fabulous room with a great view.
My first Safari camp, Linyanti Concessions, provided herds of wild animals to see and enjoy in their natural surroundings. Next was Khwai Lediba and last was Vumbura Plains. Each provided a unique experience and each increased in luxury. Keep in mind that I’m not a “luxury “ person, but it was a very nice surprise!!
EVERY transfer, every detail was flawless and seamless!!!... Read more I never had to think or worry about anything!!!
I overwhelmingly recommend Kingfisher Safaris and Mr. Martin Smith!!!!!
CA
Email Lucien Brideau | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attention to detail ,flexible, customer service.
10 day mobile camping safari in Botswana’s delta. The tour provided a unique personal experience tailored to the customer . From pickup at the airport to returning at the end of the safari attention to the needs of quest remained the focus of the camp crews. Two game drives per day provided ample opportunity to view the wild life of the delta with a focus on what was important to the quests wether it be an emphasis on the big five or simply to experience both the flora and fauna. Mobile camps were surprisingly comfortable providing a unique experience. Well worth the costs.
Email Wayne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Simply outststanding! Highly recommend.
Outstanding service and what an amazing "once in a lifetime" experience.
I cannot thank Martin and his team enough. Despite having a very narrow time window and a restricted budget, Martin managed to find a way to deliver the fantastic canoe safari experience I hoped for. I also needed to make significant last minute timing changes and Martin deftly managed to rearrange all arrangements accordingly.
The canoe safari was terrific. The itinerary, guides, food and equipment was exactly as communicated. Canoeing on the Zambezi is an amazing experience. The scenery was straight out of National Geographic and we got to see loads of animals and birds. It was such a privilege to be immersed in nature taking it all in. Simply amazing.
Martin was very helpful in planning the trip. I had lots and lots of questions and Martin was always open, courteous and quick to respond. The information he provided was spot on and made the trip for me.
The experience was great value for money.
Highly recommend.
Email Lesley Hooper | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Passionate about delivering a top rate mobile safari
The trip was excellent in all respects. Pilot and the team were attentive without being intrusive, were friendly, fun and caring. They worked together really well and ensured that all of our camping needs were met. Pilot went even went over and above to borrow a suitable lead to charge Steve's camera in the car.
We appreciated camping in 3 very different locations. Water was not easily available at the 3rd camp but it didn't seem to pose any problems for us "guests".
Setting up and taking down the camp three times was a feat in itself. No complaining - even when the camp had to be taken down in the rain; our tent was always up first and down last.
Pilot
His organisation and desire to provide us with the best experience possible was clear. Pilot's passion for all things "animal" meant some long game drives, with no clock watching - we loved it! We even did a short game drive on the last morning as caracal had been spotted. We didn't see one but... Read more it was not for the want of trying and clearly we could not understand the message over the radio and would have been none the wiser.
His knowledge of animal behaviour was second to none and he also indulged us in our interest in birds. Pilot's knowledge of the game parks and the "road" system was mind boggling. His level of expertise in driving in conditions that we had never experienced before was evident. The trip back to the airport was quite something as Pilot was determined we would not be late.
Pilot was good fun to be with.
Paulina and the food
The meals were of great quality with fresh meat and salads, homemade bread and cakes cooked in the "oven" over the fire. Speaking to others with experience of "safari" in the bush, baking bread and cakes is definitley not usual! The meals were wholesome and plenty of everything.
There were also plenty of drinks - hot and cold, always on offer.
We noticed that hand washing (hygiene) among the staff was frequent - and provision of water and/or wet wipes when out was appreciated.
General
The early morning call with "your water is ready" started each day nicely. General ensured the car was kept clean inside and out. He sorted our bucket showers and presumably had the task of emptying the toilet cassette - we have a campervan and know what is involved with that. Guests with another company told us they had a "long drop" which was not so pleasant to use. The idea of a portable cassette toilet is genius.
Elena
Naturally warm, friendly and easy to chat with, Elena looked after us well. She took a lot of care making our bed and tidying up. Elena also took a lot of pride in setting the table (she makes serviettes into wonderful shapes), serving the food and drinks and preparing the "picnic bag" for tea and sundowners. She has an eye for detail and likes things to be done properly.
We would highly recommend a Pilot mobile safari.
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Email Denita Kitto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent- Martin and his staff were masterful at taking our desires for a perfect Safari !
Martin was terrific and patient at working with our budget and giving us plenty of
Options. He was fantastic at communicating via email and even took my overseas call with enthusiasm!!
I feel value is incredible for the once in a lifetime African Safari experience !
His local staff was incredible - Pilot is like no other guide !! He goes above and beyond to ensure you have the best experience ever . His staff treats you like royalty ! The tents are luxurious, the food is great and the experience is amazing
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Email Robyn McIntyre | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience of a lifetime in Botswana with a dependable and knowledgeable safari tour operation.
We had a wonderful time on our 8 day glamping safari in the Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai Concession, Botswana, with our guide Pilot and his 3 person crew! Somehow each day was just as magical as the day before and we now have fantastic collection of stills and video to remember our extraordinary animal encounters. Setting up the trip with Martin via email was so much easier than I had anticipated and he was always prompt to reply if I had yet one more question. We felt that we got great value for our money. Pilot was a wealth of knowledge and we always felt comfortable and safe with him. The rest of the team were formidable too- always helpful and polite, and a pleasure to be around. I still don't know how Pauline turned out those wonderful meals over an open fire!
IT
Email Laura Capelli | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and kind
Our safari experience was simply incredible, thanks the fantastic team provided.
Martin managed the whole trip administration from London, super responsive and fast in answer!
Helena, Paulina, Motobi, and Pilot were all incredibly attentive and kind, making us feel right at home, even in the middle of the bush, miles away from Italy.
Those kind of trips are quite expensive (especially for Italians), but it totally worth it! Super recommended!
Nothing could be better!
We truly hope to have the chance to go on another safari with them!
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Email Wendy Sundquist | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The adventure of a lifetime!!
We had hoped that this safari would be wonderful, but it far exceeded our expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime for me and my friend. it started with Martin at Kingfisher Safaris. He helped us to book the trip we wanted - 12 nights in the bush on a luxury mobile safari with Pilot. Martin answered all our questions, was incredibly responsive to our questions and made sure we had all we needed for the trip as well as guidance in transportation.
My friend had taken a safari with her daughter 20 years earlier with Pilot as their guide so we knew we wanted him again on this trip. Pilot has many years of experience; he is definitely safari guide extraordinaire. His number one priority is to keep every one safe - I never felt scared. Pilot is very bright, skilled and determined to find the Botswana animals, birds, etc as well as taught us about animal behavior, tracking and when to give a wild animal their space. He loves what he is doing. He is warm and has a wonderful sense of... Read more humor which made the trip very fun as well. His staff work as a team and really enjoy people and each other. He does not have a cook - he has an amazing Chef - KG. She prepares food over a fire and bakes in a metal box with coals which included homemade bread every meal. Beef, fish and chicken are the main entrees prepared in different ways, salads, fresh cooked vegetables etc and incredible desserts such as bananas foster, brownies, cake and crème caramel.
Elaina was our hostess who looked after our needs and wants such as hot water bottle for the cold nights, our tent and bathroom needs, served us those delicious meals as well as helping the other staff. Toby prepared our warm water for our shower and washbasin, helped to take down and put up the tent, pack and whatever else needed to be done.
Value for the money ? Oh my gosh yes!! We both think we got a deal. We are so glad we did the mobile safari - we went to 4 different camp sights to see and hear a variety of wild beings. One afternoon we were sitting in our chair between game drives and had an elephant walk past our tent on his way to the other side. And saw a lioness walk on the road right outside of our campsite - she was looking for her sisters and could have cared less about us.
The trip was the most exciting, fun adventure I have ever had. Would I do it again? You bet!! Thank you so much Martin, Pilot and your staff.
