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
NL
Email Fam van Dijk | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extraordinary Wildlife / Bush experience with a great and skillful team!
The end of August our family (two adults and two kids; 15 and 17 years old) had the pleasure to spend three days (two nights) with Walking Stick Travel & Tours in Botswana's Okavango delta. It was an extraordinary experience which has created memories for life!
Early 2019 first contacts have been made and all communication ran very smoothly. Philimon the owner of Walking Stick Travel & Tours was very informative, helpful and fast in his response. Although we did not know Philimon and his company before we trusted the excellent reviews on the internet. We have not been disappointed.
At the time of booking we decided to go to Moremi. Because Botswana and the Okavango delta suffered severe draught in 2019 Philimon took the decision before our arrival to change our booking to Khwai concession. From his recent experiences he knew that Moremi would be less interesting to see than Khwai. The vast majority of wildlife moved to the wetter area's of the delta. We followed Philimon's advise and this did not disappoint us at all.
After 4,5 hours of travel we arrived at the campsite. Philomon's team had set up the camp and welcomed us with a nice (bush) lunch. Our campsite had a great view on the river. While having lunch the wildlife experience already started with elephants passing by on a distance of maybe 50 - 100 meters max. Great view for a lunch!
During the trip we have made two afternoon/evening and two morning game drives with Philimon. While making these trips we experienced that Philimon was born in the delta and is a very experienced wildlife guide and driver in the bush. Based on his knowledge Philimon has been able to trace all the wildlife one could imagine to see during a trip like this. Lions with cubs swimming. Lions hunting and mating. Leopard hunting and feeding young cubs, hyena's with cubs, Elephants, crocodiles, Giraffes, antilopes in a wide variety. Too much to name all.
During the trip Philimon learned us a lot of the wildlife and behaviour of the animals. Although the animals / predators were allowed very close to the car during the drives we have never had any uncomfortable moment. Philimon knowledge of the behavior was really great. His knowledge and experience also helped him in always taking the right position to take great pictures. Sometimes we needed patience but in the end it was always rewarding.
While we were having our gamedrives the other teammembers were preparing the meals and maintaining the camps for us. The facilities in the bush are of course basic however part of the experience. It is amazing to see how Joe the cook was able to prepare the nicest meals on simple campfire. Big compliments to the chef and his team.
Over the years we have made many gamedrives and visited many National Parcs in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. These were all great, but cannot be compared to staying deep in the bush of the Okavango Delta. The sights during the day but also the sounds during the night while camping (and the vicinity of the wildlife strolling around the tent) have been our best experience so far.
We are Philomon and his team very grateful for making this (lifetime) experience so special for us. If you want to enjoy a real bushexperience with a great team, we would highly recommend Philimon and his team!
CH
Email Robert and Nina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nature pure in a beautiful scene with a lot of wildlife
We stayed three nights with our guide Charles and his crew in the Okavango delta in a bush camp (very well organized by Walking Stick Travel & Tours). It was an experience we will never forget! Every day we were traveling several hours by walking and by mekoros i.e. completely unmotorized. In this way we were part of nature (and not only observer like in game drives). We have seen a lot of animals (elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, hyenas, crocodiles, impalas, waterbucks, lechwes, kudus, bushbucks, warthogs, etc and many different birds, we only missed the cats) and we learned a lot about animal tracks and animal behavior. The food was on a professional level and very good. In the evenings we sat together around the campfire and talking or listening to the animals. We can really recommend this trip!
DE
Email Claudia und Harald | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our expectations for the mobile safari and Walking Stick Travel & Tours were fully met
After several stays in South Africa and Botswana over the past few years, some of which were in private reserves, we deliberately opted for a mobile safari for the first time. Of course you can not compare the comfort of the two different types of safari, etc.
Our experiences so far related to both walking and travel safaris in the mentioned countries.
For our mobile safari we chose Walking Stick Travel & Tours with the owner Phillimon Kamogelo. I can say right away: we did not regret this choice.
The contact with Phil was very easy and reliable. My questions always came with quick and clear answers.
We had agreed to meet before the start of the actual safari. Phil was punctually at the agreed meeting point and had also brought along Joe, who has taken care of the physical well in the coming days.
Two days later, the two then picked us up as agreed in turn more than on time in our lodge in Maun.
It was first on a foot safari in the Okavando Delta. As agreed in advance with Phil we met at the dock our Poler Galaxy with which we were repeatedly in the delta. The joy was great to have him again as leader on our long foot safaris. Thanks Phil for making that possible.
Joe and Galaxy should accompany us. Our squad for the two days in the Delta completed Kenny and Crack (maybe you write differently). We had a lot of fun and joy with our companions.
Two days later back at Mokora Station we met Phil again. The open safari vehicle was loaded and, together with Phil, Joe and photos, it started for three days in the Moremi and two days in the Kwai.
The night took place in a spacious tent with attached private bath. On the open fire, Joe conjured incredible meals. Phil, Photos and Joe have always been very dedicated so we really enjoyed the time with the three nice guys.
The safari trips with Phil were also outstanding. You can tell from his long experience. Phil really goes out of his way to show his guests something special. Of course it also always needs the necessary luck.
Moremi itself is interesting. It is a pity that it is not really allowed to drive off-road.
In the Kwai, which we also liked, this is allowed. However, there is also the density of safari vehicles very high so that one is rarely alone in the difficult to find animals. Without a radio connection to other vehicles, we would not have seen one or the other. But these are all points that have nothing to do with Walking Travel & Tours and the quality of the company.
Our experience with Phillimon and his entire team was excellent. All employees of his appointment were always courteous, friendly and extremely motivated. We felt very comfortable during the whole time.
The decision to do a mobile safari for the entire week was the right one. As mentioned, neither the accommodation nor the game drives can be combined with the possibilities of private reserves, e.g. in the Kruger Park in South Africa.
But we were aware of that and the more we were surprised by the whole process, the excellent food and that there was nothing missing. Phil is, as already said, a very accomplished "guide" whom we were very happy to entrust ourselves.
My wife and I can warmly recommend the company and the entire team behind it. We both hope to see every single one of the team again. Thanks again for everything.
Good luck and success, dear Phil to you and the others.
Claudia and Harald
NL
Email Yan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We really enjoyed our experience with walking stick specially our stay camping in the Okavango Delta
We had really nice experience with Walking Stick. Our guides were really good, we learned and saw a lot.
CZ
Email Hanka | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari with Great Guide and Excellent Service!
It was our first trip to Africa. We decided to choose travel agency Walking Stick based on internet review and it was a really good decision. Our guide, Philimon, is the best guide I have ever met. He is a high professional with deep understanding of nature, animals, people and history as well. We spent together with him and his team 6 days in National Park Moremi and Game Reserve Khwai. We slept in tents in campsites so animals were all around us. Philimon did the best to see maximum of animals during our safari (we saw leopards, lions crossing the river early in the morning (5am)!!!, wild dogs eating antilope, lions preparing for buffalo chase, rhinos and of course lot of other animals as elephants, hipos, anitlopes, monkeys, zebras…). Night safari was also unforgettable experience. Joe, a chef, prepared us every day delicious meal with soup, meat, boiled and fresh vegetable. And imagine! - Fresh bread and cake baked on the fire. Joe is a real magician.
I hope that I will return to Botswana again. I definitely will go with Philimon and his travel agency again! Philimon – Thank you.
CZ
Email Bety & Tomas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Six unforgettable days on the safari, perfect guide and team.
With the Walking Sticks team, we spent six unforgettable days on the safari. It was unbelievable that this team was able to create conditions for us to see African nature closely and with all our senses, and thanks to our guide we felt comfortable and safe. We did not take this fact for granted and it really represents above standard for us. Regarding the whole team, we appreciate the friendly approach and professionalism, humility and respect for nature. Furthermore, excellent knowledge and observation skills, flexibility and understanding of our constantly changing photographic requirements and, last but not least, excellent cuisine. Thanks for all! I sincerely recommend to everyone who has a real desire to know and learn about Africa's nature.
CZ
Email Ivana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent, adventurous, dynamic, delicious meals, fantastic guide and the agency owner Philimon!
We spent with other 4 people 6D/5N in Moremi and Khwai reserves with Philimon and his great chief and other 2 guys. Philimon is a passionate guide and the owner of the company, eager to share all bush life, bush stories... in fact not only to share the stories, but also to create your own stories and experience in the bush. We saw a plenty of animals incl Big 5, as well the spotted dogs feeding themselves after they hunted the impala. We observed the lions hunting the buffalos, met elephants really close, were listening the hippos music at nights. The campsites were built greatly, far from other people, very comfortable tents with beds inside :). The meal was just delicious, rich and different every day, with desserts every night! Drinking wine at nights, sitting at the fire place, observing elephants crossing around the campsite, spotting other wild animals at nights etc etc... we also did a night safari in Khwai, awesome experience! I recommend this company very, very much. You will not be disappointed, you will just desire to come back again and again... go and see :)
CH
Email Loki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fantastic experience. I would say "once in a lifetime", but I hope it won't be!
Our week-long mobile tented safari from Kasane to Maun with Walking Stick was one of the best things my fiancée and I have ever done. Phillimon 'Leopard King' Kamogelo is the best guide in Botswana - the other guides were always asking him for tips and the other travellers were clearly jealous. We had unbelievably intimate contact with almost all the wildlife one could wish to see, including hippos roaring, lions mating and several encounters with leopards, the last one a breathtaking, half-hour-long show with us in the very front row! Photos, the camp manager, made sure that our tent was comfortable and the bathing water was always warm...and then there was the food. We could not believe the delicious meals that Joe, the cook, was able to whip up over an open fire. We ate like kings the whole week! We couldn't recommend Walking Stick more highly. Stop thinking about it and just do it. You won't regret it. And we'll be back.
Love from Loki & Viri.
IT
Email ROBERTO | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The trip of the life
For weeks I have been looking for a tour operator that offers something truly unique.
I contacted Philimon by mail and in a few days he proposed some solutions based on my requests.
The safari turned out to be perfect in every detail. 10 days in 5 locations all wonderful. Fabulous views and many animals. Philimon is very prepared as well as his collaborators. I love traveling and I can say that until today this has been the journey of life.
The value for money is absolutely above average.
Email Melissa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari tour exceeded our expectations!
We chose Phillimon and Walking Stick after reading reviews here on Trip Advisor. We were after an affordable safari that got us close the wilderness and animals of Botswana and we feel we chose the right one! Phillimon organised our 10 day tour, including a vegetarian menu for us, picked us up at the airport, then he and his team took care of literally everything during our trip. For those unfamiliar with mobile safaris, this means you get to stay in spacious tents, in wilderness campsites only open to mobile safari guides. So on our trip, we rarely saw other people, just elephants and nocturnal animals wandering by. We stayed two nights at each location, allowing us to see different animals each day. We started with a walking safari on Boro Island, which was exhilarating - I've never been so close to these types of animals on foot. And although we were told it's quite rare, over the 10 days we saw 4 different leopards, 2 cheetahs, along with numerous elephants, giraffes, hippos lions, zebras - basically everything it was possible to see in these locations. What we didn't realise was that Walking Stick always runs each group as a private tour; ours was a group of just two. So it felt like a luxury, fully inclusive camp for us. We had an amazing time and as cliche as it sounds, it really felt like a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend Walking Stick if your priority is seeing the animals and experiencing the wilderness.
