CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor communication, unclear terms, and inconsistent service
We communicated with Frank prior to booking the tour and initially everything seemed fine. We tailored the itinerary together and eventually agreed on a trip. Before paying the deposit, we specifically asked for the cancellation terms and conditions. These stated that cancellations made more than 120 days prior would incur a maximum fee of USD 300 per person cancelled. There was no mention of hotel cancellation penalties. Based on this, we paid the deposit in March 2025 for a trip scheduled for the end of December 2025.
Originally three people were travelling. On 19 August, before the 120-day period, I informed the agency that one person had to cancel. When the revised pricing was eventually provided, it included a hotel cancellation penalty that had not been mentioned in the original terms. It also took several months and repeated follow-ups to receive the revised price, which only arrived on 8 December, just weeks before departure. By then, we felt uncomfortable but had already paid a substantial deposit and could not change plans.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, Frank picked us up at the airport, though there was no sign displayed by Destinations Kenya Safari. The safari itself was outsourced to another company, Super Eagles, and our driver/guide was Derick.
In Amboseli, we were supposed to stay three nights at Sopa Lodge but were instead taken to Penety for the first night due to an alleged overbooking. We were not informed of this change in advance and only learned of it from the driver. Penety is a lower-standard property than Sopa, with an approximate price difference of USD 100, which was not refunded.
On the morning of 27 December, just before starting the trip, Frank informed us that our Masai Mara accommodation needed to be changed due to an issue involving snakes, we did not fully understand, but we were flexible, provided the replacement was a tented camp. It took three days to receive an alternative, which we did not find suitable. We then researched options ourselves on Booking.com and suggested two camps. One of these was discouraged by our guide due to access and flooding concerns, and we selected the other. Because the booking had to be handled by the agency, we could not benefit from the discounted rate on booking.com. We were informed that the hotel cancellation fees of the first hotel were refunded to the agency; however, we did not receive any corresponding refund.
We later learned that typical safari schedules include both early morning and afternoon/dusk game drives as these are the peak times to see the animals. In our case, we were often back at camp by 2–3pm with no late afternoon drive. On our third Masai Mara day, after the hot air balloon activity, a full day game drive was part of the programme but initially not offered until we specifically requested it.
Derick was generally punctual, a capable driver, and the vehicle was decent. However, there were instances that raised concerns about transparency, including having no change very conveniently and charges that seemed high. For example, we paid USD 120 for two people in Lake Naivasha for a one-hour boat ride and a one-hour land tour (not Crescent Island) - because no official prices were displayed, we had no way of verifying whether these charges were standard - and USD 30 for a simple roadside lunch. We were only informed after eating that the lunch was not included.
While we enjoyed Masai Mara, we frequently observed vehicles going off-road and large numbers of cars surrounding single animals, including situations where rangers were present. We observed money being exchanged between drivers and rangers. This gave us the clear impression that enforcement of reserve rules was inconsistent. Sometimes 10 vehicles would be surrounding one animal or following them to the point of disrupting what they were doing. We would ask our driver to leave that animal in those cases.
Positively, the food quality was good, accommodations were generally comfortable, and the wildlife and landscapes were exceptional.
We also noticed after our trip that many of the agency’s high-rating Google reviews come from profiles with only one review and limited detail, which made it difficult for us to assess their reliability.
We doubt this review will change any of the quality of the services provided, but we wanted to leave an honest review regardless.
In conclusion, while the trip itself was interesting and we saw everything we hoped to see, the organisation and communication - particularly on the agency side - were poor. Only because we saw everything and had good accommodation and food this is a 2-star review rather than 1.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Savanna Safaris: a second trip marred by chaos and lack of support
We entrusted Savanna Safaris for a second trip, expecting the same standards as before. Instead, we encountered three major issues: serious organizational failures, a complete absence of support during an emergency, and poorly planned logistics. These failures compromised our entire journey.
Although our first experience with Savanna Safaris had been mostly positive, this second trip, lasting only 8 days, left us deeply disappointed and disillusioned.
SAFETY: Non-existent emergency response
On the final morning, we left camp early to reach Maun Airport. After just 30 minutes, we got a flat tire—only to discover that the vehicle had no tools to replace it. We stopped every passing vehicle, but none could help: our wheels had different bolt sizes.
It became immediately clear that Savanna Safaris had no emergency plan. They rely solely on cell phones and car radios. If there’s no signal, you’re simply left to your fate.
We called Emmelyn and Fred (owners of the agency) multiple times, with the calls connecting but never answered. We also used a satellite device with text capabilities (Garmin), widely reliable in Botswana, to send messages. No response.
How can a tour operator be unreachable when clients are in danger?
The contract clearly states that “Savanna Safaris shall monitor the entire operation from arrival to departure and liaise with lodges/charters in case of any delays/emergencies.” This promise was completely ignored.
The driver had no “plan B.” With more than three hours of road ahead and an international flight looming, we were in a state of panic. Eventually, we had to ask other tourists for help and pay extra for a ride to the airport.
We received no assistance or follow-up from Savanna Safaris, even at the airport. Once home, our messages to Emmelyn went unanswered as well.
LOGISTICS: Poor planning, misleading information
We had specifically asked Emmelyn to suggest the best areas for photo safaris. However, she booked us 4 nights at Black Pools (Moremi) and only 3 at Khwai. This created two major grievances: the decision seemed unbalanced and made without explanation, and it did not align with our request.
Black Pools is a remote, isolated area, far from other camps, with limited routes and very little wildlife. You drive the same track every day, seeing the same few animals. We left Khwai at 6:30 am and arrived at Black Pools at 8:30 pm—an exhausting transfer. Upon arrival, the zone was flooded; no other vehicles in sight; no guides reachable by radio; no phone coverage.
With the main road flooded, we became lost in the bush at night. This lack of planning is unacceptable for a professional agency.
We finally reached camp only with the help of staff from another camp over an hour away.
The site turned out to be abandoned and unsuitable for a photographic safari.
The agency never specified that the destination would be Black Pools; the contract referred only to “Private Camping in Moremi.” We were not warned that the transfer would take all day. We later discovered that excellent safari areas were easily accessible from Khwai. Our main grievances are a lack of transparency about the destination, misleading transfer information, and missed opportunities to choose better safari locations, all of which result in stress, lost time, and wasted money.
AFTER THE TRIP: SILENCE
Despite several attempts, Emmelyn never replied to our messages after the trip.
CAMP STAFF: Excellent!
In sharp contrast to the management, the tented camp team was outstanding professionals, kind, helpful, and prepared.
A big thank you to Edna (always impeccable tents, hot water ready), KG (our brilliant chef), Tandy (our attentive waiter), and Nico (an expert driver with eagle eyes).
FINAL THOUGHT
There are great safari companies in Botswana that prioritize client care and safety. Our core grievances with Savanna Safaris are organizational failure, lack of emergency support, and misleading logistics. Sadly, they no longer demonstrate responsibility or transparency.
If you’re looking for a responsible and transparent operator, look elsewhere.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good
Service was a joke, I paid in June for me to be placed in different seats with my son and to also be next to the toilet. Aren’t those seats given to people who come last minute? The wine tour was just us sitting in an open place no tour was given at all which is unacceptable. Also we went to a different orchard than what was advertised. Next time do better.
You're better off booking a better lodge and self driving, food is very poor.
Pros: they delivered on everything we agreed on, one driver (Alec) was fantastic, lodge room was nice and big although animals live in it's ceiling.
Cons: 1 hour late airport pickup, drinks not included and they ask for tips on them, some drivers are lazy (no we don't need 2 hours worth of breaks during a full day game drive), lodge needs more maintenance (especially the pools), food is very very basic, barely edible.
Even if it's one of the cheapest pre-made safari options, it still felt way overpriced for what you get.
No good sighting of Leopard and Lions during our visit, sadly had to cancel our Panorama route tour because of this. So we really missed on both.
My recommendation is that you pick a better lodge (closer and with better food) and self drive, you'll see animals anyways.
FR
No answer after a reclamation
The car had an issue which made us lost a whole day, there was no compensation and no answer to our messages on both instagram and whathsapp. This is not professional at all. My wife and I were really deceived of this lack of seriousness and sense of responsability.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be careful of little trics.
The maximum number of people in a group is 6. It was shown on the website, and before they picked me, I confirm with them again, I was told we have 6 people.
However, the total number of the group is actually 8+ 1 driver.
I tried to call and email them to give me an explanation . No reply.
The people in the group are very nice, and the driver of the safari is very responsible, no trics at all.
I am just not satisfied with the manager, who responded very fast before you pay, and disappeared after the payment. No matter what happens and how you try to contact, NO REPLY, until I made an complaint to safari booking company.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guide, awesome management
In August 2025, we visited beautiful Kenya, booked a tour at Sumian safari, and were satisfied with the guide and the trip as a whole. However, the manager's job is terrible - for 6 months I have been waiting for a refund for the hotel (we booked a certain hotel, and on the day of arrival we were informed that it was cold and settled in a more budget hotel). I've been promised a "money transfer tomorrow" for 6 months.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hire professionnals
Accommodation was fine and according to expectation (that's the +1 star) but the guide Solomon, rather call him the driver was not at the level at all: confusions on accommodation places and morning meeting hours, not very good placement during safaris, no communication, vague and short answers, question able eyesight for animals with no binoculars of his own.
Add to it an old car not very confortable full of 8 people from 3 différent agencies, and with car radio not working, i call it amateurism as you can find Chinese talkie radio for 30-35usd only ! All car passengers agreed on it.
Result: no bearded lion, no leopard spotted meaning no Big five completed.
For 1500usd/pax for 6 days (even 2000 for some other passengers), you are in the right to expect better as we feel guide accounts for a good 60% of experience.
It was even more frustrating as on the final transfer from office to hotel, another guide of this agency Louis explained us far more things about the animals in 20mins than Solomon in 6 days... Then maybe kind of bad luck on the 20 drivers they have, still HUGE disappointment on our main yearly trip.
So i want to mostly blame here the agency who appointed us someone not tailored for this job who they should propose to reconvert as maybe taxi driver... And despite reclamations during trip agency did not agree to change driver halfway as well.
I wont redo it and definitely dont recommend this agency and its sisters (jungle roam/jocky tours/Big five).
IT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Etosha National Park by Carlo Gaborini
too many people and cars
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spent my 2nd day waiting
On my second day, I was supposed to be picked up between starting the afternoon game drive at 12h00 and leave the park by 15h00. The game drive starter at 13h30 and finished at 14h50. We left the park at 16h10.
The term luxury should not be used for the lodge i stayed in.