35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A gorgeous park with amazing elephant and hippo viewing, as well as good birding opportunities.
I'd been on safari at other locations for about ten days already in South Africa, and I'd previously been on two safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, but here we saw the highest concentration of elephants and for the first time got to observe them at length as they drank and played in and around a large body of water. Being able to view wildlife from a boat on the river was also a new experience and allowed us to see a different array of behaviors.
Chobe is also the only place I've seem hippos out and about in large numbers during the day. This is apparently because they need to spend more time eating because of the fierce competition for resources from the large elephant population.
The scenery was gorgeous, especially from the river. I appreciated the number and variety of birds that could be viewed on the river even in midday.
We were there only for a day trip. The weather was hot but not oppressive, and the boat and jeep both had shades to protect from the sun. A rainshower came while we were having lunch but left as quickly as it came and did not interfere our game drives/boating.
We had previously stayed on private reserves in South Africa and our guides in Chobe, while knowledgeable, did not seem to have the same depth/variety of knowledge. For example, our group had a lot of interest in plant life, and our guides did not know much beyond the major grasses and trees. Perhaps they knew them in the local language, but not in English or Latin. Since this was just a day trip for us, though, we didn't have a lot of time to study plants so it wasn't a major drawback.
Our lunch was good and there appeared to be a variety of accommodations in town for varying budgets. The roads to and from the park were wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised by the way drivers observed the speed limit.
The town near Chobe is well built-out, so you don't feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. However, there were some lodges located within the park or on the river, and these had more of a remote feel.
On the drive/boat ride we encountered other vehicles, but there were no "traffic jams." All vehicles/boats I saw had guides, and there were never more than three vehicles (but usually one) at a single viewing spot. Drivers were careful not to block each others' sight lines.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Kathryn
We saw everything from African penguins to zebras. In addition to Kruger, we were in the Cape, which has fantastic scenery and fascinating plant life. Naturally, not all of South Africa has a "bush vibe" since it's got lots of cities and a big population, but you can get that vibe in the parks if you pick the right places.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Kathryn
We were only there for a day, but Botswana is a lovely contrast to Zimbabwe. Border control was efficient, infrastructure was good, and local residents did not seem to have the air of hopelessness that was present among many in Zimbabwe thanks to its economic difficulties.
NO
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guide
We were kind of unlucky with the number of animals we saw, but it still ended up being great because of our cheerful and intelligent guide. Learned a lot.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome, rugby world cup, animals and great guides to top it off, just like family
The whole experience was awesome i loved it the communications from our guide Neil was great he made sure we were all involved and and all enjoying it even though the day we were in krugar was pretty cold.
At night we watched the rugby world cup games and had delicious meals.
The whole experience was better then i expected and Panzi bush camp was a beautiful setting to relax in at night very quiet with the occasional wild animal visiting.
Extraordinary Journeys provides 'extraordinary' service!
Extraordinary Journeys took care of all the details so that we could relax and enjoy our Tanzanian adventure. They kept our interests and budget in mind as they planned our trip, in the end giving us more value for the money than another well known tour company that we talked to.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic adventure
It was amazing! I loved every minute of it. I would go back in a heart beat! The accommodation was fantastic felt very outdoorsy but safe behind the walls from the roaming creatures outside. The Safari was great I got to see the big 5 except for the leopard. Will do it all again to see them all.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What I came all them miles to see
Spent all up two weeks at panzi resort Kruger park
On countless safaris seen all the animals excluding
The leopard but that's also my excuse for going back to
Tick that off the list
From day one to my last my tour guide Neil's
enthusiasm never changed weather it wa talking about
And giving facts about plants or the smallest insect to the largest animal
Highly recommend and 100% coming back
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was a great tour, and a great guide.
Neil is a great guy and a great guide. He has a lot of really good stories to tell, and we always have a great laugh. He knows a lot og the history of South-Africa and the places we're going to, so it's really interesting.
The highligt of the trip was the Kruger Park. We got to see many different animals, and for my 2 trips I've been able to see the big five. Neil is really good of spotting the animals. He dosen't just know about the big animals, but he also knows a lot about the birds.
I can really recommend Jewel of Africa Safaris. We had a really good time.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful family reunion trip to Botswana !
Our party of 8 had a trip of a lifetime - Victoria Falls to a houseboat on the Chobe River and then Lagoon Camp and Shinde Camp in Botswana. The accommodations, service, and food were excellent at all locations. The staff at the camps were amazing - so friendly and helpful to our party and especially the two teenagers. We saw several groups of lions including young cubs and a fresh lion kill, not to mention elephants, zebras, hippos, crocs, giraffes, and many types of birds and antelopes - all very close.