2017 Testimonials
Hi Mandy, Thanks so much for your welcome home - I have been meaning to email to ask if there is anywhere I can leave a review.
We both wanted to thank you so, so much for planning a honeymoon that was more perfect than anything we could have ever imagined. Every little thing was amazing, and you made every step so easy for us. Whenever we moved on to the next location, someone would always be there with a smile, waiting to pick us up - I've never had such an adventure-packed and yet stress-free trip! All the accommodation was also lovely, and we really felt like you had taken care to create a trip that showed off the different landscapes and varied experiences that Botswana has to offer. The variety of different areas and reserves allowed us to see a huge number of different animals, and we feel so lucky to have seen and experienced so much - from watching a male and female lion paddling across a river, to following a leopard out into the bush, to having a meerkat use me as a watchtower! The last couple of days at the beautiful Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe were also the perfect way to relax and reflect on our trip before heading back home.
We were a little hesitant about using a 'tailor-made' holiday company initially, because we usually like to book and research every aspect of a trip ourselves, but from your first friendly email we felt 100% comfortable and like we were in safe hands. Now that our trip is (sadly!) over, I completely hold my hands up and say that I could never have organised such a wonderful and expertly planned experience myself! You met our requirements for budget with no problem, and we felt that the value for money we received in terms of accommodation standards and game drives/activities was amazing. We asked for adventure with a little touch of luxury along the way, and we got a million times more of both than we expected.
Thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts for finding us the most beautiful way to kick off our marriage. I will recommend you to everyone I know without hesitation - I only wish you could book all our holidays from now on, forever!! ????
We have loads of amazing photos from our trip - it's our plan to sort through them all before Christmas so we will be sure to add the highlights to the gallery!
Thanks once again and we will most certainly be back in touch when it comes to booking our next Safari - I fear we may now be obsessed!
EJ, November 2017
Hi from Khwai River Lodge Mandy. We're having a grand time and looking forward to Eagle Island Lodge tomorrow - but not looking forward to the end of this trip! Cheers.
PS: 3 big bulls just now waded through the river in front of our boma and are feeding about 100 meters away
LJ, November 2017
Hi Mandy, We wanted to thank you for the trip. We found everything wonderful and we really enjoyed it! It was an amazing experience for us and we will definitely go back to Africa. Everything was perfect, we enjoyed all the hotels (specially Khwai reserve - Alley Camp, which was amazing!!!!). Also, we wanted to thank you for the champagne bottle! It was not necessary! :)
If we know anyone that wants to go to Africa we will recommend you for sure! Keep in touch! Best regards,
GO, September 2017
Got back home yesterday morning from a terrific trip! Your observations and comments on Zimbabwe were right on. They were 110% courteous, considerate and helpful, not only in the camps, but everywhere we travelled, including airports, security, shops and fellow Zimbabwean travelers. We were really impressed with the camps and the outstanding quality of the guides and the accommodations. Food was a little unpredictable in Somalisa, which was surprising, but great at the other camps. Game was very sparse at Kanga (away from the pan at this time of year), but the guides worked hard to make our stay enjoyable. L, who was very concerned with the canoe trip Zambezi canoe trip, was selling the trip to others after completion. It really was a highlight of the stay at Expeditions. ARH was as expected and we enjoyed our brief stay there.
I’ll forward some photos if you’d like, once we get organized. Thank you again for making another perfect trip for us.
T&L S, September 2017
This is long overdue…We had another fabulous adventure in Africa!!! Cannot thank you enough for all you do for us. Deception Valley was very nice…upon arrival we were greeted by about 15 lions. Great camp managers, good food, we really enjoyed the camp! Kadizora Camp, another beautiful camp! Great managers, good food, animals were plentiful. Gohoha Hills, LOVED the camp, LOVED the managers, BEST food! Only issue was it is about an hour to an hour and a half drive to get to the animals each day. It was a little hard but definitely worth it!!! Selinda Camp…Everyone loved it!!! The animals are plentiful and beautiful. Great managers and great food. Love the camp…sad it will be our last stay there.
We returned home to Hurricane Irma…our home was OK except for a roof leak in our kitchen. Then a week later B had a knee replacement. He is doing extremely well with his physical therapy and healing! Sorry I am just now getting time to sit down and write you.
Everyone (as we expected) LOVED AFRICA!!! One couple is going back with us in 2019…which is what I need to discuss with you next!!!! Mandy, we are so grateful for all you do for our travels to Africa!! Couldn’t do it without you!! Hope this finds you doing well. Our best, J&B H, Aug 2017
Hello, Mandy! Having returned from our ramble through Botswana, etc., I just wanted to express thanks for your help in setting up the arrangements. Each one our stops left us with indelible scenes, and the extended family is still sorting through the torrents of quite impressive photos.
The stop at Khwai was especially rich - not only in the variety of wildlife (the lions circled the village roaring and murmuring the first night we were there) - but also in the rare conversations with San folk in the settlement who recounted their origins and current circumstances unforgettably. The staff there were wonderfully open and hospitable - the chef, Daniel, took our 5 YO granddaughter, L..., under his wing in the kitchen.
And I am at work now on an extended travel piece whose opening paragraphs I will paste in below to give you a flavor. We will look for a place to have it published. Gratefully,
JL, Aug 2017
Just arrived home .....midday yesterday and are all a-glow with stories and gratitude. The trip was most enjoyable, safe, and smooth. Thank you for helping to pave the way for us. I was comforted to know you were on the other end of the wires to answer questions. Piles of sandy laundry await! JS, Aug 2017
Now it's been already 4 weeks since our arrival back in Austria. We wanted to thank you for all your work and doings regarding our Namibian Safari. It's been just amazing! Everything was perfect, our highlights were the Etendeka Mountain Camp, the living Desert tour with Chris and the Tok Tokkie Trail. Thank you once again. My Dad will be talking of our journey for the rest of his life. Best regards, CF, April 2017
Thank you for helping me put my first African Safari together - and to reserve the seat on the flight back. It was wonderful, every day! Want to do it again... IK, Mar 2017
I feel I must thank you most sincerely for all you have done to make our trip enjoyable. We have had a fabulous time in Namibia and it could not have gone smoother (except a small hiccup on the transfer back to the airport from Olive exclusive).
The self-drive vehicle was great and the help given by ‘wheels for africa’ was invaluable. We absolutely loved the Olive and the African Rock hotels they were not only different to larger establishments but luxurious in their own unique ways. We will definitely return to them given the chance. The food at the African Rock was as good as we have eaten anywhere and the chef Janice was such a character and Moni the manager was so helpful when we met another couple and to sit together she set a table in the Chefs Kitchen!!
Tobias , the manager at the Olive exclusive was very helpful in all respects and again the food and wine divine.
The highlight had to be Mowani mountain camp. Just a mere 110 kilometers along a gravel road! This camp was just unbelievable both in its location but also the facilities they provided. We took an excursion one morning to find the desert elephants and after 3 hours our guide/driver Max found them. Anyone who loves safaris and wildlife should see them and the environment they live in. I will not leave out Okojima Plains camp and Africat which was a place where the conservation problems of Namibias wildlife is put into stark reality.
In conclusion Mandy we cannot thank you enough for all the help you gave us and we can’t wait to return to Southern Africa for another adventure in the near future.
A&C McG, January 2017