Hosted Journeys to extra ordinary places
Cuckoo Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Action-packed, well organized itinerary!
This was a trip for my 22 year-old, myself, and a friend. When planning an adventure so far from home, it’s so important to have great organization. From the very beginning, from the moment I started making inquiries, Cuckoo Safari was very responsive with messages. They made me feel very comfortable before even arriving in the country. Their organization and proficiency continued throughout our entire stay. Our guides and the office used WhatsApp to stay in touch, so we could always ask questions when needed.
To mention a few of the staff we met: Simon was a stand-out, we met him the first day and he also drove us from Vic Falls to the border of Botswana and gave us a very good understanding of the area, sharing information the entire ride! Felix, from the company booked to transport us for our sunset dinner cruise was a friendly and informative driver. And Figo, from the sister company of Puku Safari in Botswana was a wonderful guide for our first game drive in Chobe. Everyone at the entrance to Chobe and other 4 x 4s knew him and shared information when game-spotting.
Regarding the activities: we had an amazing variety of activities in our itinerary, and it allowed us to experience so much in a short time. The sunset cruise on the Zambezi with drinks and snacks was wonderful. We really enjoyed being on the river that first night, it was very relaxing. For those of you who enjoy gin, there are some craft-flavored varieties that are made locally that were delicious. It was awesome to walk up to the boat landing, and have warthogs there to greet us! The game drive in Zimbabwe and bush dinner at the Livingstone reserve was absolutely wonderful. It was so fun to stop for happy hour in the bush, with a bar right on the grill of our vehicle! And, dinner under the many stars was amazing with a wide variety of food choices. We were also very happy to have the opportunity to see rhinos on this game drive. Our tours of both sides of Vic Falls were very nice. Be prepared to get wet! We wore our sandals that had rubber grips on the bottom, and that was a better choice than sneakers and fine to walk in. Our friend had to wear sneakers and they were soaked through during the first few minutes! So, if you only bring one pair of shoes, they are going to need to dry out before wearing them again! Our time in Botswana was great. We truly enjoyed being on the river and on the game drives in Chobe. When staying at the Chobe Safari Lodge, the activities of the river game drive and bush game drives are organized through the resort. Of note, we had a much better experience with Puku and with our final driver Sammy (organized through the resort). One question to ask the Guide you are assigned to when the hotel is organizing the game drive is does he use the radio to communicate with other drivers while on the game drive. It’s really important that they share information, because then we had a much better chance of seeing animals. When one driver had located something, and shared that information, then the rest of us were able to take advantage of it. The second driver that we had (from the resort) did not communicate with anyone, and it was the experience where we saw the least in the park. The walk on Impalila Island was very informative, although Namibia has just raised the cost of an entry visa to US$90! And, the immigration service was not well organized at all, taking us more than 30 minutes to enter the country, even though there was no one else in line. We saw that there is the opportunity for an online E Visa in a sign at the little immigration office, so would recommend that anyone doing this part of the itinerary takes advantage of that. You will be approached by children, most likely, during the village walk. If I had known this, I would have brought items like school supplies to hand out. At the central baobab tree, there are women selling handicrafts. You can buy from them in US dollars, and you can also give a donation that supports the entire village.
As for the accommodations: both Pioneers Lodge in Zimbabwe and Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana were wonderful places to stay. If you were interested in any spa services, we would recommend having those in Zimbabwe, as the prices in Botswana were even more than I would pay back home in the USA!
Other notes: bring USD. You can use them just like home In Zimbabwe and for tourist shopping in Botswana and Impalila Island.
Feedback: one thing that would’ve been helpful, on our very organized day by day itinerary would be to note which company was providing our transport or activity. For example, if we knew when Puku was picking us up, and when Chobe Safari lodge was organizing the activity, it would have been very helpful.
Our sincere gratitude, and thank you to Cuckoo Safari such a wonderful experience! We would be happy to come back again and use your services!
US
Email Virginia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A very enjoyable trip arranged by Cuckoo Safari.
We booked a 6 day safari with Cuckoo Safaris from Chobe to The Okavango. All in all, a great experience! All of the different Safari related places - Chobe, Planet Baobab, and the Okavango Delta were great! The places we stayed were nice and comfortable. The Chobe River cruise and National Park were truly amazing. Planet Baobab facilities were unique and the meerkats were a unique experience. The Okavango experience also met all expectations. However, be aware this is not a guided tour, but an arranged one. We had multiple guides and drivers throughout the trip, and communication about times, places, conditions of travel, bathroom facilities, etc. were only by word of mouth and sometimes vague. It would be helpful to know more of this info in advance - and know tipping guidelines when you have two or even three drivers / guides in one day.
US
Email Tyler | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great itinerary, great service, exceptional experience!
Great tour! Lots of variety of game drives and experiences: dinner cruise, helicopter tour, canoe, speed boat, games drives, walking tours, etc. Chobe in particular is amazing, so many animals to see. Accommodations are good as long as you manage your expectations, it's Africa. Our guide, Simon, was amazing. Very friendly and shared a lot about nature, his culture, his family, etc. Would book it all again without question.
Please note, the game drive to Moremi Game Reserve on the last day is a long day. You are in a safari jeep from 5 AM to 6 PM or so and roads are very bumpy.
Email Michael | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Welcoming, friendly, informative as well as effecient transfer between Zim & Zam sides of Vic Fall
Loved being abke to see both sides of Vic Falls from Zim (with Tuba) and Zambia (with Mike)
US
Email Rose | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great operator who was very accommodating when changing plans
Cuckoo safaris was very reliable and communicated swiftly when there were any updates/ changes to schedule. Great service and everything was arranged prior to arrival. They were also amazing with accommodating last minute changes when we decided to add Victoria falls into our itinerary. Tour guides were amazing and we saw a lot of the Big 5 (3/5) while on this tour.
IT
Email Stefano | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cuckoo is very well organized
We started our trip in Victoria Falls. Due to the bad weather it was not a great day. All the afternoon boring in the hotel.
Than we moved to Botswana and we had great safari: game drive, canoe in the Okavango Delta and Helicopter sightseeing was great!!
Our guide Simon really amazing and fun!!
Email Philip | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly professional, reliable and friendly. I would recommend 100%
Cuckoo has been incredibly helpful and professional. We’ve had numerous changes to the safari during the booking process and they’ve been very responsive, flexible and accommodating.
When the time finally came for our trip, we were welcomed by our tour guide Simon, who has played a big part in making the trip so memorable. He was incredibly friendly and knowledgable and was keen to ensure that we had the best experience.
Throughout the safari, all the activities and transfers were scheduled and executed smoothly and reliably with no issues. I would definitely recommend Cuckoo Safari and Simon in particular for anyone looking to do a safari in Zimbabwe and surrounding countries.
Thank you to the Cuckoo Team!
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience!
I recently went on a safari tour with Cuckoo Safari and it was absolutely fantastic from start to finish! The entire experience was incredibly well-organized, and we got to see an amazing variety of wildlife up close in their natural habitat.
What really made the tour special was our guide Simon—knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about the local culture. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great time on all our activities (which were also fantastic), answering all our questions with such enthusiasm.
It was a perfect balance of adventure, comfort, education, and breathtaking scenery. I can’t recommend this tour enough!
BR
Email JOAO VALDETARO | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Adventure
I recently went on the 8-day tour with Cuckoo Safaris, covering Chobe National Park, Elephant Sands, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I’d recommend to anyone considering a safari in Southern Africa.
Communication and Service:
From the moment I booked, communication with the team was clear and efficient. They provided all the details I needed before the trip and were responsive to any questions I had. During the tour, our guides were professional, approachable, and knowledgeable. They made sure everything ran smoothly and that we were comfortable throughout the journey.
Value for Money:
The tour felt like excellent value for money, considering everything that was included: transportation, accommodations, meals, and the activities. Each part of the itinerary was carefully planned, and it was clear that a lot of thought went into making the experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.
Reliability:
Everything ran on time and as promised. The transfers between destinations were seamless, and there was always someone available to assist if needed. I appreciated the attention to detail and how well-organized the logistics were, which allowed me to fully enjoy the trip without worrying about the schedule.
The Tour Itself:
The variety of locations made this trip stand out. Chobe National Park offered amazing wildlife viewing, especially from the boat safari. Elephant Sands was unique because of the proximity to elephants—they were right there at the waterhole, just meters away. The Okavango Delta provided a peaceful contrast, with mokoro rides through the water channels being a highlight. Ending the trip at Victoria Falls was perfect, as it’s truly a must-see destination. The guide’s insights added depth to each experience, making it more than just sightseeing.
Accommodations and Food:
The lodges were comfortable and clean, and I felt well taken care of at each stop. Meals were fresh and tasty, with enough variety to keep things interesting. While the accommodations were not luxury-level, they were exactly what I expected for this type of tour—practical, safe, and located in great spots.
Final Thoughts:
Cuckoo Safaris delivered a reliable, well-structured tour that exceeded my expectations in terms of organization and overall experience. It’s a great option for anyone looking to explore Southern Africa’s highlights without the stress of planning everything independently. I left with incredible memories and a newfound appreciation for the region’s beauty and wildlife.
AT
Email Nandini | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsible, reliable and attentive to detail. Made extra effort so our trip was perfect.
After telling Cuckoo Safari of our desired activities and destinations, they drew up a great itinerary for me and my husband. Everything was perfect - the activities, the transport between destinations, the accommodation and also our tour operator. It was an unforgettable Safari experience.
I really appreciate the attentiveness and professional of Simon, the tour operator, who drove us between the locations and could share a lot about the history, culture and wildlife. My husband and I always felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip.
