Walking Stick Travel & Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours where clients assist with camp chores
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
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Email Salamandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A unique encounter of wildlife and local culture
Phillimon was great with replying to emails quickly during the booking phase (the only delays were when he was driving a safari himself for a few days at a time). Using a money order as a form of payment seemed unusual but everything worked out fine. The car and crew picked us up at the airport and drove us back there with plenty of time, even if it meant that the crew had to wake up extra early to pack before a long drive back. The game drives were extensive and varied, and Phillimon was always going the extra mile to check spots where rare animals may be. And that's how we say 3 leopards (probably 2 different ones but one that we saw twice) in 4 days. Phillimon is a good tracker and is able to read the behavior of several animals as indicators of where the big cats are, while explaining to us what he is doing and his understanding of animal behavior. The tent accommodation was our best experience so far, with real beds, and en-suite toilet and shower in a fenced, private space, all that while camping 60 miles from the paved road: Real luxury while remaining simple. The food prepared by the cook was excellent and very hygienic. Breakfast, tea time and dinner were shared with the guide, which was the occasion for conversations about the local traditions, the use of plants, the Bushmen culture (the natives of this area who were traditionally hunter gatherers and have a profound knowledge of their environment), etc. A very unique experience, I totally recommend it!
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Email Katerina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Camping and Safari at Moremi Game Reserve
I spent 4 nights on a camping safari at Moremi Game Reserve with Philemon and his crew. It was a wonderful experience. The Walking Stick crew is obviously experienced and prepared. I felt well-taken care of, and the camp facilities were above what I could have expected, with a large tent with cots for beds and en-suite bathrooms. Most importantly, Philemon (our guide and company owner) has extensive knowledge of the animals and the habitat. Even after having been on multiple safaris before, I felt that I learned a ton from him. He was great at tracking animals and keeping our game drives varied every day. He combined useful information with interesting stories from his experiences, and he also taught us a lot about the cultural context of the different peoples who were historically inhabiting the delta. I'd happily use his services again.
DE
Email Dirk Hauer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 days with an experienced guide, a friendly team, perfect mixture of comfort and bush experience
We looked for an bush experience as close to nature as possible and we got what we wanted. Philimon and his colleages took care of us in all possiblre ways: wonderful game drives, brilliant sightings, relaxed evening campfire talks, delicious food and drinks (sundowners included). We booked and payed in advance from Hamburg, Germany via internet and had no problems at all. We met a day before the start of the safari so all details could be talked about. So we had 4 days ion the Okawango Delta, Kwai Region, we'll never forget. Thank you so very much!
Email Marc | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Camping with the wildlife
What an experience, surrounded by game, camping in the midst of a reserve, morning visits by Elephants and afternoon by Zebra's. The light of the early morning 4WD rides, the afternoons by the water, the evenings by the campfire. The animal's all around - Lions, Leopards, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Impala. We toured in open 4WD, and camped in comfortable tents with beds, hot showers and portable toilets. Campfire breakfasts and dinners, knowledgeable, friendly local guides. We couldn't have ask for more
Email Carolien | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience of true bush life in Botwana with wonderful and knowledgeable staff
Unbelievable experience of true bush life in Botswana! Philimon is so knowledgeable. He as well as his support staff go out of their way to make everything special and nothing is too much trouble. Joe, the chef, whipped up delicious meals and we did not go hungry once. Philimon also took my son fishing in the Delta. There is just nothing like a mekoro ride while the sun is setting over the Delta. We learned so much about the bush in Bots and ticked off a bucket list-experience!
CH
Email Polo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience - privatized camping safari - great game drives
We experienced the privatized camping safari for our family and enjoyed every moment.
Throughout the 5 days safari we experienced a very high reliability and trust. Our guide (Philimon) is highly professional and we enjoyed the combination of a native local guide (and his stories) combined with his empathy for tourists and his high working ethics. He and his team (in the second car with cook/tent etc.) worked hard to make our experience unique and unforgettable.
I was travelling in Botswana (also Moremi) 25 years ago with my own car (self-driver) and I used to have some detailed information upfront. For this trip we had less detailed information upfront, means also less marketing. That was ok.
We had all the necessary information and our guide optimized our journey during the safari (e.g. added a boat-trip).
We assume that the longterm working-experience as guide/driver in the Okovango-Delta makes it possible to relate to both worlds (local and international) - and we enjoyed that a lot.
We do trust Walking Stick Travel & Tours and we recommend them to people who look for a privatized camping safari (with good value for money).
Email Natalie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ethical local company, fantastic experience.
Fantastic locally owned company. Phillimon and his team took the best care of us and we were treated like royalty. Actually, more like treasured family. Food was great and Phillimon's skills as a tracker and guide meant that we had some incredible sightings. We booked and paid a deposit with Phillimon only weeks before Covid hit and had to postpone this over and over. He honoured our deposit for FOUR YEARS!!! Many other companies would have taken the money and run, but he not only held it, he kept the price the same. That's ethics!! I highly recommend Walking Stick Safaris!!!!
EE
Email Agne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Every day was special!
We had 7-Day The Best of Botswana tour. First days was our guide Jacob. He was really good about the nature, wildlife and history. Other days was our guide Dylos. He is the best! We had some bad surprises, but he really did his best that we still could see all the animals. You are so lucky if Dylos will be your guide. He knows the local languages and has good contacts as well, good humor. It all is important if you are stuck together with the guide 80% of your day inside the car. In our trip, first days we were on wetlands and without a car .So no charging from car. You need to take your battery to charge your phone and camera. But if you have all days with camp car, then you can charge from car. Also be aware during bushwalks. Me and my husband hurt ourselves stepping on the thorns. They came though the camping boots! For ladies- washing your hair can be tricky. It is Africa, so there is not so great opportunities for shower. There is not so much wildlife as you see from the commercials. Lions, elephants, hippos and giraffes can see every day, but cheetah, leopard, wild dogs, hyenas you maybe cant see at all. It is all about luck and how good guide you will have.
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Email Bernie Daina | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrific guide, cook and assistants, itinerary and safari.
Phillimon Kamogelo <walkingsticksafaris@gmail.com> was a wonderful guide, driver, and camping leader to remote areas of Botswana, where we saw many, many species of wild animals and had a good trip. His cook and assistants were great, too.
Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing wildlife with a bush camp experience
Organising the safari with Walking Stick was easy. Our questions were quickly answered. Amazing wildlife throughout the 10-day camping safari. So many big cats. Our guide was brilliant, very knowledgeable, and funny, and we largely avoided the crowds. We had limited washing water at times, but our camp assistants did their best to provide for our needs in each of the five campgrounds. Highly recommended, particularly for those with a sense of adventure.
