Photography Top Travel Experiences

African adventure with something for all family members: climbing the sand
dunes in the early hours to sit and watch the sun come up, desert colour
palatte, sand-boarding at speed, the contrasts of colonial Swakopmund,
township tour and an education in Herero history, game drives in Etosha -
hearing jackals howling whilst in your tent at night, sitting through dark
hours watching the animals at the water hole, searching for those elusive
leopards, closing windows at Waterberg lodge to stop the baboons climbing in
and sharing a terrace with the warthogs, watching an orphaned baby oryx being
fed from a bottle. And of course Jonas' famous BBQ dinners - with stories
around the fire from Jack afterwards! Hundreds of photos and a travel diary
to try and store the memories in a more organised fashion.
Thank you again for a fantastic holiday!
Hard to choose, but probably sitting atop the sand dunes or star gazing in
the desert


Steffan was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the trip - especially the
wildlife. But, you had to ask him questions to learn things, rather than him
teaching us about Namibia. So, I just asked lots of questions!!


For those with younger children, I'd caution that some of the drives are
long, and that it gets very cold in the early mornings both for breakfast and
the first few hours on the bus


Just another thank you!

Absolutely brilliant safari.

Paul Goldstein and the local guides went out of their way to ensure we had
the best experience.
The camp itself was superb and the food was the best we've had on any trip.
The camp managers, Darren & Emma, were very friendly and welcoming and added
to the overall experience.
We would happily go back tomorrow.
The number of big cat sightings, which was due to the spotting skills and
patience of the guides.


Paul Goldstein is a legend. Inspirational and great fun, you learn so much
just from being with him.


Get on the next plane out. You won't regret it.

Another amazing week in the Masai Mara. Don't be afraid to go during the
"rainy season". We had so many top quality sightings of leopards with cubs,
lions with cubs, a cheetah kill and a new born elephant. Of course this
cannot be guaranteed but we had very good fortune as well as maxing the time
out searching for photographic opportunities. The guides were excellent and
worked hard to get us into the best position for photos, whilst respecting
the animals and ensuring they weren't disturbed by our presence. Lovely food
and comfy tents - hot water bottles in our beds and in the jeeps were
well-received.
Spending quality time with a new-born elephant who was learning to walk and
suckle and very playful leopard cubs


Paul Goldstein - you can read all about him in other reviews.

Without doubt, you won't find a more hardworking guide, determined to
maximise your experience


Brace yourself for getting up around 5am and not returning to camp until
19.30 - every day. This safari isn't for wimps.

This was our first trip to Africa and it far exceeded expectations. The
itinerary was balanced and very well organised and we were fortunate to see a
huge variety of wildlife - including four of the 'big five' on the first day!
Although there were (by necessity) some long drives, the vehicle was
comfortable and well-driven by Sofiso. Our guide Rowan both entertained us
and still continued to point out interesting features and wildlife all along
the way, making sure we didn't miss a thing! There was a variety of
accommodation and even the tents in the Delta were comfortable.

Our focus was the wildlife and the amount and variety were superlative.
There were just so many highlights that choosing just one is impossible! The
visit to the Okavango Delta via mokoros, camping and the game walks were
inspirational. Whilst here, we watched an elephant approach our camp and then
wander over to a palm tree where it proceeded to shake the tree trunk
vigorously, causing the palm nuts to rain down. We watched it eat the nuts
and then repeat the performance - magic.
Watching a huge flock of vibrant lesser flamingos flying in the evening light
at the Makgadikgadi Salt pans.
In Chobe, seeing a leopard resting up a tree twitching its tail, guarding its
impala prey.
At Matobo, standing within a few metres from a mother white rhino and her
baby (and her teenage calf) and then going to visit centuries old cave
paintings which captured the wildlife so accurately (including rhino!).
In Hwange, looking into the faces of lion cubs who were resting in the shade
after a big meal.


Rowan was very knowledgable, friendly, fun and enthusiastic and helped us to
get the full benefit from all our trips. He quickly made sure that the group
was a cohesive unit in which we were all equal. He was extremely well
organised throughout the trip and at border crossings gave us all very clear
guidance as to what we needed to do, making these parts of the trip go as
smoothly as possible, too.
Rowan prepared and served us some great meals after long days on excursions.
We often enjoyed these sitting round the camp fire at night and he still had
the energy to entertain us into the evening!

Couldn't have asked for more!


We were surprised just how cold the early morning game drives were in open
vehicles (we were there in July/ August; winter). The blankets provided
certainly helped, but we probably should have taken light windproof jackets
as well as fleeces. We had hats and gloves and also neck buffs - the latter
very useful to protect against the dust as well as to keep warm/ stop any
biting insects/ protect from the sun! We weren't troubled by insects, as it
happened!

We took US dollars which were fine for Zimbabwe, but local shops & traders in
Botswana preferred pula. There were plenty of opportunities to stop at ATMs
for these so this was not a problem.


If you are thinking about booking this trip - do it! It is worth thinking
about what you hope to see and planning the time of year accordingly.
(Victoria Falls still had plenty of water, even at the beginning of August).
We certainly had an experience of a lifetime.

I am an experienced Exodus/Africa client as I love both the continent and the
Exodus tours I have completed there. This present tour was outstanding in the
scope, the experiences and the group: all influenced by our excellent leader
Rowan. The itinerary encompasses game drives and walking drives which were
very productive. We saw all the usual big 5 but had some special experiences-
a leopard up a tree in full camera view with its fresh impala breakfast, wild
dogs [our guides said we were VERY lucky] and a rare as hen's teeth caracal
in the light of day begging from a parking attendant. WOW!
The combination of two countries in one tour encompasses some amazing
scenery, including the majestic Victoria Falls. Wild camping on the
extraordinary Okovango Delta is a once in a lifetime experience. Our group
shared interests and enthusiasms and we became addicted to the Millionaire
Quiz app to which our leader introduced. Who thought we could be so
competitive in such a jolly way!
The three amazing and very special animal sightings: leopard with kill, wild
dogs and caracal. Last experience probably never to be repeated in a lifetime
and special to me as my Abyssinian breed cat is descended ultimately from the
African caracal.


Hi is ace!!!!!!!
His organisational skills and enthusiastic love of Africa shine through.
A really god shopper and cook too over very many meals. An Exodus tour
marches on its tummy we know and we marched well and on time.


Do not hesitate if you love the African experience: this is a very special
tour.

This was a fantastic trip, helped by a great group of people. Both the
guide and driver were very knowledable and we all learnt a lot. The long
drives were helped by Rowan our guide reading out who wants to be a
millionaire from his phone and after several attempts we beat the odds!
Some of the group were nervous about camping in the Okovango delta but it was
glamping rather than camping and this proved to be one of the most enjoyable
2 days the trip. Mornings were chilly but we all layered up and with the help
of blankets on the game vehicals managed to keep warm. The trip notes were
inaccurate in the meals we had provided by the guide which worked out in our
favour. Most of us felt that all evening meals with the exception of Victoria
falls should be included.
Rowan provided good meals and there was plenty to eat.
We missed out on seeing lions and leopards but did see the most difficult cat
to spot the cheeteh so that more than made up for it and as it is wildlife
there are never any guarntees. When I booked this trip it was the animals I
was most interested in but this has lit in me an interest in birds that I
never knew I had and I hope to continue spotting and photographing bird in
future.
Victoria falls were amazing and I would recommend both the sunset dinner
cruise and the helicopter flight over the falls both were superb.
Coming face to face with a white Rhino whist walking with our knowledgeable
guide, John.
The evening cruise on the Chobe river was truely amazing with a wealth of
animals and birds at close quaters.


Rowan was fabulous as was Safiso our driver.
My only critisism would be that he did not ask far enough in advance if
anyone wanted to fly in a helicopter over the Okovango Delta, this could also
have been arranged by exodus in advance back in England. This meant we missed
out on this but we did manage a plane flight.


Yes take a warm hat in winter months, this should be added to the kit list.
Long jonhs or legging were useful too and a pair of gloves would have been
welcome first thing in the mornings.


Most of the accomodation was great but I would suggest exodus look for anothe
lodge in Maun as River nest cottages is fairly run down compared to the other
lodges we stayed at. The locks on my windows would not shut and others had
issues with showers etc.