Mr Samuel Mopalo has been working in the tourism
Early Kingfisher Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- BOGA & Botswana Tourism
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Desray | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Magical, Authentic and Exhilarating African experience
This safari was the best safari experience of my life. Growing up in South Africa I’ve been fortunate to experience a wide range of safaris from luxury lodges to self drive to walking safaris. The safari with Sam and his team tops my list of a relaxing retreat whilst been immersed in the beautiful African bush. Sam has an uncanny sense of where to park at a sighting so that his guests get the best views and photo opportunities. All qualified guides need to know the facts of the animals, birds and trees in their area - what sets Sam apart is his knowledge of their behavior and his delightful sense of humor. The team at the camp treated us like royalty and we were spoilt at every opportunity. It is unbelievable the quality of food that can be made on a camp fire. The tents are beautifully clean and the outdoor shower is the cherry on the top of every safari experience. We have booked our next adventure with Sam and the team. Ideal for a friend’s or family getaway. Thank you Sam and team for an experience that nurtured my soul and one that was very difficult to leave.
Email Katie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We saw more wildlife in 10 days than we could possibly have imagined!
This is the trip of a lifetime. Sam is a mine of information on all things natural, but more than that, he’s fun and very responsive to his guests’ needs and particular interests. He'll find you every conceivable animal and bird and take you close up. We even had a night of star gazing.The support team at the camp are fabulous too – nothing is too much trouble and the quality of food that chef manages to produce on an open fire is impressive. This is comfortable camping within the boundaries of the national parks and the cacophony of animal and bird noises throughout the night make it a true bush experience! We were blown away by the scenery as well as the wildlife and can’t recommend Early Kingfisher highly enough.
Email Alison Smith | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly experienced guide!
Sam was a highly experienced guide and created an amazing safari experienced for my husband and I that definitely exceeded our expectations. All of the staff was so kind and hospitable to top off the incredible tour. We felt like we were able to see and do so much. We definitely recommend this safari to everyone.
Email Damien Chimes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life changing trip with an incredible company
I cannot recommend Early Kingfisher Safari enough! Sam and the crew were incredible. We saw more animals than we had imagined we could. Sam is full of every piece of information you could ever want about even the animals you didn't realise were so interesting!
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Email Adam | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Experience from an Exceptional Company
Just completed an amazing 7 day safari with Early Kingfisher, led by owner Sam. Every aspect of this camping expedition was exceptional and left breathtaking memories of the beautiful animal kingdom. I learned so much about the animals that roam Bush. I give 5 stars to animal spotting, knowledge of animal behavior, accommodations, and food service. Thank you for such a spectacular safari, it far exceeded my expectations.
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Email Grace | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
EXTRAORDNARY EXPERIENCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE SAFARI
I set out to go on a budget safari with my family to explore the beauty of Botswana’s wildlife. What was advertised as budget camping turned out to be 5 star glamping with the most knowledgeable guide/tracker with expertise in animal behavior. Early Kingfisher Safari in Botswana provided a very personalized, once-in-a-lifetime 7-day adventure that surpassed all our expectations. Led by the exceptional owner/guide Sam and his team of dedicated passionate professionals, this safari was an experience that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Of the MANY standout aspects of this safari, the unparalleled knowledge and expertise of Sam was in a league of its own. His passion for the animals and their behaviors was infectious, and his ability to answer every question in-depth and with enthusiasm was remarkable. With Sam by our side, we were able to witness incredible wildlife encounters and gain a deeper understanding of the captivating animals that call this region home.
From the majestic elephants, the elusive big cats, to the endangered wild dogs, each sighting left us in awe. Sam's wealth of knowledge allowed us to appreciate the intricate dynamics of the animal kingdom, creating a profound connection with the wildlife around us. It was truly a privilege to witness these extraordinary creatures in their natural habitat while learning their unique behaviors.
Sam and his team truly set the bar high for exceptional service and hospitality. From the moment we arrived, their warm and welcoming demeanor made us feel like family. Their dedication and passion to ensuring our comfort and satisfaction was evident throughout the safari. An unexpected highlight of this budget safari was the multi-course meals we were served. Despite being in the heart of the wilderness, the expertise displayed by the camp's kitchen staff was astounding. Each day brought a new culinary delight, expertly prepared and beautifully presented. As I would mention to the small group at every meal, “I do not get food or service as good as this at home”.
While the focus of our trip was the wildlife, Sam and his staff also excelled in what is advertised as “budget camping”. I expected tents with sleeping bags. No sleeping bags, but a luxurious tent complete with carpeting and comfortable beds with daily service ensuring a restful night's sleep in the wilderness. The individual pop-up bathroom and shower area connected to each tent allowed for a comfortable private environment.
I cannot imagine a better safari experience even in a posh resort. This was truly a luxurious glamping experience provided at a budget rate. Every moment was filled with awe, wonder, and discovery. The opportunity to witness the incredible wildlife of Botswana in such an intimate and immersive manner was truly unforgettable. My family and I wholeheartedly recommend Early Kingfisher Safari to anyone seeking an exceptional safari experience that combines expert guidance, breathtaking wildlife encounters, and luxurious camping accommodations. This adventure has left us with new friends and spectacular memories to cherish for a lifetime!!!!
Email Joan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beautiful Botswana, Beautiful Camp, Beautiful Crew
This was my third safari with Sam. Each time has been a blessing and a phenomenal experience. Sam and his crew are incredibly talented, kind and professional.
Sam’s knowledge of the bush, animals, plants and birds is second to none. Sam has an intuition that gets his guests into the most amazing spots. Whether your passion is photography or being in the bush, Sam will share amazing sights and opportunities.
The camp is comfortable and well catered. PK creates masterpieces in that bush oven! I couldn’t recommend Early Kingfisher more.
Email Rhonda Glenn | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Spectacular Adventure with Extraordinary Guides and Safari Team - An OUTSTANDING Experience.
This was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Our group got to see so much wildlife thanks to Sam and Paul’s tracking diligence and expertise. They positioned their vehicles perfectly every time which in turn has now given our whole photography workshop group the most incredible photos and memories with which to cherish. Their knowledge was profound, any question was answered with depth and passion for the animals/birds and their beautiful Botswana and their storytelling was entertaining and hilarious. I have been on safari more than 5 times across Africa but had never camped; this adventure was transformational for me, to be fully immersed in the bush and to hear all of the sounds of the night was just incredible.
The chef was exceptional, there was a great mix of delicious food and freshly baked bread and treats for morning and afternoon tea every day and the housekeeping staff made our “tent” homes perfect (which included a turn down service each night!). Washing was done (even when you didn't expect it) and the full team were so warm, kind and joyous. I am so grateful for this experience and I couldn’t recommend the amazing Sam and Early Kingfisher team more highly. This trip was truly unforgettable to me.
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Email Carmon Koenigsknecht | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Look no further
My experience echos those of previous reviewers. Sam and his safari group provided exceptional service during our photography tour with professionals David Shaw and Jennifer Hadley. I felt entirely safe in their care. I have special diet needs and the chef was extremely accommodating. I loved every meal. Sam & Paul were very knowledgeable and have an uncanny ability to spot the elusive wild animals that seem to hide in plain sight. The staff were friendly and have attention to many details at the campsite, particularly cleanliness. I highly recommend Early Kingfisher Safaris.
Email Luke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime, all thanks to Early Kingfisher
Where to start...I had never gone on safari before, and felt quite overwhelmed with the choice on offer from different companies. Early Kingfisher stood out to me because the tour sizes were small, the costs were competitive, it was run by local people, and the reviews raved about Sam's passion for animals. Having completed a tour with them I can say confidently: if you book with them, you won't regret it.
The week was unforgettable, in large part to Sam & his staff. The animal spotting, knowledge I gained from Sam, the quality of the food we ate (3 course dinners every night), camping setup (practically luxurious), and travel arrangements (not a moment of stress during the course of the week). I am so, so glad that I overlooked more established companies in favour of Early Kingfisher, and I cannot recommend this company highly enough for what to me felt like a true safari experience. Some personal highlights are below...
Camping: the camping setup was perfect; spacious tents with a REAL BED, as close to a real (hot) shower/toilet as you'll find in the middle of nowhere, and even a turn down service twice a day (because why not). I haven't stayed in a lodge for a safari, but hearing deafining thunder, lions roaring and hyenas laughing during the night is simply unforgettable. And whilst most people might think camping and safari doesn't mix, I honestly felt no fear the entire week in the camp.
Staff: the staff on our tour were simply wonderful. I felt like I got to witness a group of friends cheerfully go about their jobs every day, and to such a high standard. Joan was our chef, who worked actual magic by preparing every single meal, including our 3 course dinners, each day, with only an open fire to work with. And it truly was delicious food. As I was on a week long tour, there were lots of pack downs to move location, all catered for by the staff, but the process ran like clockwork. And lastly, returning after an evening game drive to a song from the staff, was fantastic.
Game drives: I loved the twice-daily game drives, not just because I saw an abundance of animals, but because we had an awesome, passionate guide in Sam. His knowledge was second-to-none, always ready to answer our questions, but his ability to track animals was so impressive. As another reviewer has noted, many other guides came on the radio regularly to get his opinion, and we regularly found animals that no one else had, enjoying them in peace & quiet until other trucks invariably saw us and rolled in. Every detail was considered, from rugs in the morning when it was seriously cold, to 'Sam's Cafe' opening for business mid morning for a coffee break.
Photography: I went on safari for the photography, and Sam's understanding of light showed his experience not just of animal spotting, but how best to view them. He helped me get photos that I am extremely happy with by perfecting the angle. Our first night saw us spot a male lion with the setting sun right behind him, as just one example.
Learning: honestly, I learned so much from Sam during the week. For one example: over dinner one evening I asked if termites created their mounds from the earth as they dug down. In response we got a 15 minute reply detailing exactly how they function, and how they contributed to the formation of the Okavango delta. I don't think there was one animal or bird the entire week he couldn't identify.
Communication: before the tour, I found Sam to be very communicative over email in the run up to the trip, answering all my questions, and ensuring I had no concerns.
Recommendation: go for at least a week, if not longer, to ensure you're not spending full days travelling between locations. There were long journeys, but even on these, we were treated to seriously good food & animal sightings.
