Africa Explorer Trips

This was a brilliant tour in every respect. Hery was one of the best trip leaders I've ever had. And the places we went and the things I saw made this a truly memorable trip of a lifetime. That said, it's not for everyone. Long days on bad roads were grueling, and some of the lodging was basic. But these things should not dissuade anyone from visiting this fascinating and beautiful country.

The whole experience was absolutely amazing. Accommodation was well thought out and the wild camping was well equipped with en-suite facilities. The itinerary was superb and we were surprised at how many of the animals we saw and at close quarter. Our tour leader was excellent his knowledge of the animal’s behaviour added to our experience. Our first safari but not our last would highly recommend.

We had an excellent trip. The itinerary is well thought out and covers all the classic things you want to see in Namibia, especially the dunes and game parks. .Our tour guide, Sheona, did an excellent job of telling us a lot about the country and nature and attending to everyone’s needs. We were a group that mixed well and had a lot of fun together. Our first stop was at Hammerstein Lodge, was a bit rough as we were plagued with bad weather: torrential rain, hail and snow in mid-June. This was an exception to the usual weather.. The heating in our rooms did not work. We all took it in stride as best we could. We were delighted as the accommodation only seemed to get better at each of the other stops. We did not see any lions, but we,were,lucky to be able to see rhinos and journeys of giraffes as well as some unusual things like an aardwolf and a jackal playing with its prey. I am convinced that every trip will have something unique and different on it.. The extra free day activity in Walvis Bay is highly recommended. We all signed up for it. We saw dolphins and a whale on our boat trip, but also had visits from seals and pelicans. Riding cars in the dunes by the sea was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the trip so much that I am considering doing it again.

As Explore state, this is a FULL-ON safari, lots of time in the jeep but you don't really notice it as there is always something to see/experience. The wildlife density far exceeded expectations and the knowledge of our guide Joe was exceptional, as was his ability to anticipate where to position us for the best viewing experience. Wild dogs, leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalos, hippos, cheetahs, jackals, zebras, a whole mix of antelope and myriad of bird life that kept our 'twitcher' group members very happy indeed! You will not be disappointed, this is a great trip! Tips: - In the dry season, it is cold in the mornings/nights, pack LAYERS, and include a pair of gloves, a beanie, some thermals, warm fleece/jacket and something windproof. Use packing cubes in your bag, helps when moving around so much. - Ladies: Take loo roll/tissues with you for the 'bush wee' stops...and don't forget some eco friendly dog poo bags for putting your loo paper/tissue in after a 'bush wee' so you can dispose of it in camp properly later! It's evident some tourists are not so thoughtful or litter conscious...don't be one of them! - Namibia Visa: ENSURE you get one online beforehand! Yes - The Namibian government website for online applications is a nightmare, BUT keep trying and do so well before your departure. Alternatively use a third party and just ****-up the extra they charge, as VISA ON ARRIVAL is a lottery!! Five out of eight of our group had not got visas beforehand, having given up with the online application process, and the solo border guard would not process Visas on Arrival for them. Just said his colleague was off and he couldn't do it. This left us sat at the border for 2 hours whilst alternatives were explored of how to get the five back to Victoria Falls. Then suddenly another border supervisor appeared and they got their visas processed but not without a lot of upset and stress. Some things that could be improved: - It seemed a lot of driving for our single driver/guide to do alone. With 4 days between 250-350km and the last day over 500km, and that without game drives added in. - The houseboat was a bit of an anticlimax, somewhat tired and could do with some TLC. It only moved about a kilometre upstream and then moored-up, but the launch trips from it were excellent, particularly for bird spotting. - Explore: Link with a third party to sort the Namibia visas out for your clients. Or at least, DO NOT ADVISE that Visa on Arrival is an option, it may be in theory, but in reality it is a lottery at best! We came very close to having to re-route five members back through Botswana, with discussions of flights from Maun to Vic Falls being considered.

Trip of a life time made so enjoyable by our Explore guide - Phenyo. He just knew where to take us to see the most awesome wildlife. We were lucky to witness a lion couple on their honeymoon. We were so close to a pride of lions I could have put my hand out and touched one. We had a mix of accommodation from wild camping to premium lodge and houseboat. We saw the big four as the rhino is protected on an island as part of a breeding programme.

The Botswana wildlife was a wonderful experience! We saw lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals, elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes and a vast array of birds. Our guide Phenyo was a superb animal spotter and we had a great group of people. Being able to get so close to the animals was just amazing. Our itinerary was re-routed in places due to heavy rainfall in previous weeks. The highlight was the wild camping which was more comfortable than we had imagined. The back up crew, William, Charles and B-man did an incredible job setting up the camp for us and cooking a 3 course meal for us every night as well as baking cakes and fresh rolls every day. A few small tweaks would make the trip even more enjoyable. The boat trip in Chobe on the second day should absolutely be included in the trip, it was a highlight. Lunch and dinner at Thamo Telele should also be included. The prices were reasonable and no viable alternative for food anyway. On the houseboat the captain forgot to switch on the generator for two days so we only had cold showers. Instructions around activities could be better at times. That said, it was an unforgettable holiday. Great group of travellers and amazing sights. Please note that in the winter (we went in June) it is very cold in the morning and evening, but very hot in the middle of the day. You will be in an open safari vehicle for 8-10 hours a day and fleece, jacket, hat and gloves were all required.