Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Shipungo Safari & Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $360 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IN
Email suri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mark is professional tour organiser and help his clients to the best of his ability.
Did Okavango Delta safari for 2 nights and 3 days tour. Services (occomdation, food and mokoro & walks) were excellent and guide could explain well.
The tour was reliable and staff (guide, chef and support staff) looked after me well.
IE
Email Kiran Hegde | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing 10 days in botswana
Our 10-day mobile safari through Botswana in June 2024, organized by Shipungo Safari & Tours, was an extraordinary adventure that exceeded our expectations as first-time safari-goers. From the wild landscapes of the Okavango Delta to the vibrant wildlife of Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe, Shipungo crafted a trip that left us in awe. Below is our feedback, highlighting what made this experience exceptional and a couple of minor areas for improvement.
# References
[1] out photos from the trip are at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vNp5xQVmz6mxfwvi6
[2] i wrote a blog detailing our experience. start here: https://hegdestravels.blogspot.com/2025/01/botswana-2024-conclusion-and-summary.html, and then work through the links in this page.
[3] i converted my blogs into a book: https://amzn.eu/d/0I38njr
# What Worked Well
Outstanding Guides and Staff:
The Shipungo team, led by Mark, was phenomenal. Our guides—Orphan (Ofilwe) in the Okavango Delta, Kem for Moremi and Savuti, and Tops for the Chobe River cruise—brought the wilderness to life. Orphan’s sagebrush scent-masking tips and calm handling of close elephant encounters were unforgettable. Kem’s storytelling and skillful tracking, like spotting a leopard on patrol, kept us captivated. Tops’ insights into elephant behavior on the Chobe River added depth to our cruises. Their expertise, honed through Botswana’s rigorous guide certification, ensured we felt safe and enriched throughout. Shine, our chef, and KG, our camp hand, were equally exceptional, making every moment seamless and memorable.
Well-Crafted Itinerary:
The itinerary was perfectly balanced, covering the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe. From walking safaris and mokoro trips in the Delta to thrilling game drives in Moremi and Savuti, and serene Chobe River cruises, every day offered something unique. Highlights included witnessing a buffalo kill by nine lions, tracking leopards, and enjoying sundowners by the river. Shipungo’s flexibility—lingering at a lion sighting instead of a scheduled boat ride—prioritized wildlife experiences, making the trip truly special.
Exceptional Camp Experience:
The bush camping was raw and authentic, exactly what we wanted. Shine’s vegetarian meals, like veg burgers, quiche, and oven-baked bread, were a delight, far exceeding expectations for camp cooking. KG’s efficient camp setup, including tents with open-air showers and pit latrines, added to the adventure without compromising comfort. Mid-trip clean linens and towels were a thoughtful touch.
Personalized Service:
Mark’s attentiveness during planning set Shipungo apart. He patiently answered our many questions, tailoring the trip to our family’s needs. His gesture of delivering laundered clothes and duffel bags in Maun eased our transitions between locations, reflecting his commitment to a personalized experience.
Value for Money:
Compared to luxury camps, Shipungo’s mobile safari was budget-friendly without sacrificing quality. The authenticity, safety, and exceptional wildlife encounters made it an incredible value, perfect for those seeking a genuine safari experience.
# Areas for Improvement
While the trip was near-perfect, a couple of minor points could enhance future experiences:
Night Drive in Khwai:
During itinerary planning in April 2024 I asked Mark to add a one‑night stop in Khwai expressly for a night drive. Mark happily obliged, but once there it became clear our guide Kem lacked night‑driving experience and felt uncomfortable spotlighting after dark, so the drive was cut short. A guide with proven night‑drive expertise - or clearer pre‑trip guidance on its limitations -- would have set better expectations. That said, the Khwai River sundowner and the next morning’s superb game drive more than made up for the disappointment. We suggest Shipungo review how night drives are staffed and briefed in future.
First Aid Kit Oversight:
The operator forgot to bring a first aid kit to the Okavango Delta and then to the rest of the safari, which could have been problematic had we needed it. Thankfully, our own kit covered us, but Shipungo should ensure a kit is always included for safety.
# Overall Impression
Shipungo Safari & Tours delivered an unforgettable journey through Botswana’s wild heart. Mark’s meticulous planning, combined with the expertise and warmth of Orphan, Kem, Tops, Shine, and KG, made this a five-star experience despite minor deviations. From close encounters with elephants and lions to serene sundowners, every moment deepened our appreciation for Botswana’s wildlife and culture. We wholeheartedly recommend Shipungo to anyone seeking an authentic, well-organized safari and are already dreaming of our next adventure with them!
Email Anne and Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing safari experience we ever could have imagined
We did a 7 day 6 night safari from Maun to Kasane. 2 nights Moremi NP, 2 nights Kwai and 2 nights Savuti. Our camp team were fabulous.
Our tour guide, Kem went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed a maximum experience. Many close encounters with all the animals we expected to see, and some we weren’t sure we would see, including lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog. His ability to track animals was exceptional and his knowledge of the animals, birds and bush was impressive. Sunset drinks with stunning vistas.
Tal was our chef, producing an excellent array of well balanced meals in the middle of Africa with a very happy, joyful disposition. The hot porridge on those cold mornings was so good.
Slo was are camp manager, setting up camp the most comfortable, efficient camp areas. Our tent size allowed enough space so not to feel claustrophobic with a camp bathroom/toilet attached. Camp fires every night under the stars listening to lions roar and hyenas wail are memories I will never forget
I would make two changes to our safari that being flying into Moremi NP from Maun and flying out from Savuti to Kasane for the Chobe River cruise to finish the safari. Both the beginning and end with so many hours sitting in the back of a safari vehicle being wind blasted were very difficult to tolerate.
HR
Email Lovorka | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable, professional and friendly
Very professional and friendly crew that provided us the best Botswana experience. We could arrange everything online with fast response. A great choice for visiting Botswana with a really good value for money.
FI
Email Mauri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, reliable and knowledgeful.
Our guide Kem knew area, fauna and flora very well. He was doing huge efforts to show us as much as possible, but he also lessened our wishes - did not only drive after big 5. We saw 3/5 (lions several times, plenty of elephants and big herd of buffalos) and also several times cheetah, hippos, lot of giraffes etc. We have 11 & 15 old kids with us and Kem did have good communication with them also. Shine (the cook) did prepare very tasty meals - even kids did strongly agree.
In hindsight we should have booked 3 nights instead of two. Moving to Moremi and back consumed time in first and last day.
It looked like, Kem had not our correspondence with office available. He did check us what was included and did organize everything included and more wonderfully "on run". Huge thanks for that.
One improvement suggestion: We moved from Maun to Moremi (and back) in open safari car through gravel roads. Because wind and sand irritate eyes, cheap plastic construction safety glasses would be nice to be available.
We highly recommend Shipungo Safari & Tours and thank Kem, Shine & rest of team for wonderful experience!
PL
Email Rafal Woda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectl safari (6D5N Northern Botswana)
Absolutely top company, in all aspects. Starting from communication point of view - all our questions were quickly responded too and through whole process we felt welcome. Even made suggestions to our plans that made us rearrange the trip and worked out perfectly.
Safari itself was amazing. Our guide - Voice - had an incredible knowledge about all wildlife and nature around us, on top of that was an amazing driver, greatly contributing to comfort of viewing scenes in front of us.
It was a budget tented safari and I could be praising this for hours - being this close to nature, right in the middle of it, yet eating amazing food cooked by staff on fire, and staying in very nice tent. 10/10.
Overall, the trip was perfect value for money, and if really don't need to look for your safari anywhere else.
Email Amanda Overy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tailored budget safari done well.
If you would prefer to spend your money on a longer safari experience instead of high end luxury glamping, this company may tick your boxes!
The company - quick to respond. Flexible arrangements. Tailored to our needs with no fuss.
The camping - Basic, clean, comfortable, well maintained, everything you need, with great service from the set up/pack up crew. Hot showers, comfortable bed. Simple camping done well.
The food - Shein, chef extrodinare! Home style cooking over fire done to perfection. Fresh bread, cake, stews, stir fry’s and more. We could never have complained of hunger as we were very well fed!
The guide - Kem. If you were considering a self drive safari, forget about it. We saw so many self drive tourists miss out on seeing extraordinary moments as they weren’t with an experienced tracker. Kem was able to put us into positions to capture the moments we came to see, and we saw it all.
Our overall experience was exactly what we were looking for. They delivered it all and more, and we would not hesitate to use them again.
DE
Email Elke | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Camp Safari Adventure and Wildlife Experience
Our 6-days safari experience was truly extraordinary! Our guide, Voice, made it very special; his knowledge of and enthusiasm for wildlife and nature left us very impressed and we always felt safe and well cared for under his guidance.
The camp accommodation was very comfortable, and the camp team was awesome. They took excellent care of us and the camp, ensuring we always stayed in scenic locations. Evalino amazed us every day with delicious meals prepared in the camp kitchen. Thanks Oarabile for the excellent communication; everything went smoothly from the booking process to our arrival in Livingstone. A big thank you to the entire team!
We highly recommend Shipungo Safari to anyone looking for an unforgettable safari adventure.
AT
Email Clemens Salomon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The team was deeply engaged, highly motivated, genuinely passionate, and impressively professional
Our guide Voice went above and beyond to fulfill our wildlife sighting wishes – his appreciation for guests and genuine passion for his work were truly remarkable. The camp team was friendly, attentive, and helpful, and the food exceeded expectations, especially given the limitations of a mobile safari. Communication with the administration was fast and responsive, and they accommodated our needs to tailor the trip perfectly. I can wholeheartedly recommend Shipungo Safari.
CH
Email Simon B. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The value for money and service at Shipungo is good to very good. The staff is a big plus.
As a family of four, we took a private 5-day/4-night safari from Maun through Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe to Vic Falls and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Our guide and driver was Kem, and the other crew members were Voice, Shine, and Keff. They took great care of our well-being. Special mention goes to Kem, who brought us safely and sometimes Schuhmacher-like at the right time to the right place and in the right position to get a perfect view of the animals (f. ex. 2 leopards and 1 lioness with three cubs). He has a keen sense of when to hurry up, when to stay and how the animals move. The food that Shine prepared for us was delicious and plentiful. We would especially like to thank Voice for his patience with us on the day of our arrival, and Keff for his cheerfulness and the warm water he brought to our tents.
We booked the medium package with slightly larger tents, better beds and food and a bathroom behind each tent. A good choice for slightly older people and two teenagers.
Booking: We booked directly with Shipungo and paid via PayPal. No problems at all. The contact person was Oarabile (Mark). He looked after us very well and answered our emails and questions promptly.
The safari as a whole: Not all went like planned on the papers, but that is part of the game when travelling in Africa. The value for money and service at Shipungo is good to very good. The staff is a big plus.
