Fantastic “hard core” game viewing, nice setting, but property in need of refurbishment:

We (two families with a teen each) spent two nights there after being at the Little Vumbura Camp. We did this on the occasion of our brilliant Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari, expertly guided by Ultimate Safaris (sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga). Compared to Little Vumbura (Wilderness Safari), Kwando is less oriented to the traveller seeking for comfort but more to the adventurous one.

We were received rather distantly but the staff lightened up by and by. There are about eight rustic tents that were comfortable enough and clean but in an urgent need of refurbishing. We were told that the whole camp should be renovated in early 2011. The setting of Kwando is idyllic, by a lagoon under old trees, very nice.

The meals are buffet style. First, there are a continental breakfast by the “bush TV” before the morning game drive and a somewhat bizarre brunch after it. The food was well prepared but did not go well together. Then they served high tea before the evening game drive and quite a good dinner afterwards. For drinks you could help yourself from the bar. There was also a small pool (no towels provided) and a nice terrace by the lagoon for viewing the really spectacular fauna. Among others, we experienend elephants crossing and an abundance of hippos.

One night when going back to the tent after dinner there even was a hippo in front of our room. During the night there was an ongoing “noise” of these animals, a special experience …

The camp is specialized in “hard core” game viewing. That means “pursuing” certain animals until you see them. On the one hand, this gives you the chance of really rare sightings (we viewed amongst others cheetahs, lions and wild dogs). On the other hand, such drives were quite strenuous at times. But we kept saying to ourselves that we were lucky to have such experiences. Plus, we were aware of the fact that we probably would not be able to repeat such a trip (because of the enormous cost of traveling in Botswana).

In short, game viewing at Kwando Lagoon Camp is really a special adventure worth wile experiencing once in a life time. Yet accommodations up to date would certainly be a plus!

Date of stay: October 2010

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UPDATE: last rebuild of Little Vumbura Camp was in spring 2017

Wonderful setting, good accommodations & activities, some complaint about food:

Our two families with a teen each stayed two nights at Little Vumbura Camp prior to going to Kwando Lagoon Camp. We did this on the occasion of our fabulous Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari, expertly guided by Ultimate Safaris (now ultimate.earth, sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga).

This camp is a “classic” Wilderness Safari camp (meaning a notch down from the “premiere” camp). Its setting is spectacular, surrounded by water and only reachable by boat. On our arrival, we were welcomed by a group of employees presenting a local song, a nice touch.

There are six comfortable, spacious and well furnished tents connected to the common areas by raised walkways. As far as the public space is concerned, there is a covered place for meals, a bar, a lounge, a library and a small pool.

Food wise you are on full board. This means breakfast before the morning game drive and brunch/lunch after it. Then you get high tea before the evening game drive and dinner after it. And all the meals are buffet style. The quantity of food on our stay was more than enough. But its quality was not always sufficient. I personally liked the salads at lunch time and the desserts. However the meat was not suitable for buffet style meals (tough steaks), and the vegetables were almost uncooked.

The camp offers a variety of activities on land and on water. We made several game drives and one mokoro trip. All were very well organized, and drinks and snacks were offered. We enjoyed it very much and had the chance to view (amongst others) lions and a pack of wild dogs. The service at Little Vumbura was faultless and we are picky guests.



All in all, we enjoyed our stay at this camp. Accommodations, service and activities were excellent, only some ameliorations food wise would be appropriate.

Date of stay: October 2010

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UPDATE: Ichobezi Makwae was introduced in 2007 as second vessel, a third followed, today (2026) it is about the Chobe Princesses (3 of them)

Luxurious & relaxing game viewing:

This luxury houseboat is a recommended alternative to a lodge along the Chobe River. If you book three (out of total four) double rooms, you will be the only guests on the Ichobezi Makwae Housboat. As we were two families with a teen each, we were able to do so. We did this on the occasion of our fantastic Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari, expertly guided by Ultimate Safaris (now ultimate.earth, sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga).

The houseboat offers medium sized rooms with a small bathroom. And it comes with all the necessary equipment of normal hotel rooms. In addition to your (private) room, there is a dining area with a bar, a lounge area, a plunge pool and a small sundeck. It was a great experience, and everything was for our own use.



As far as the culinary side is concerned, three meals and all drinks are included in the rate. The food was really good, among the best of our trip. Service wise we have no complaints, the staff was eager to please.

The houseboat cruised along the Chobe River, and we could see plenty of animals from the deck (elephants, hippos, buffalos and other game). For closer game viewing, two speed boats were at our disposal.

And one day, we even had the chance to observe a lion kill, awesome!

All things considered, the Ichobezi Makwae Houseboata is a superb and relaxing way of game viewing!

Date of stay: October 2010

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Here you find the details of our safari through southern Africa. It is about visiting Botswana, Namibia and the Victoria Falls in style. There is more about our itinerary and the hotels we stayed at with some comments. Furthermore, I included some information about our brilliant tour operator. It is about ultimate.earth, a really great safari travel provider. For detailed reviews of the individual lodgings we had, check out the respective posts:

• Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwando River, Botswana
• Little Vumbura Camp, Okawanga-Delta, Botswana
• Ichobezi Makwae Housboat, Chose River, Botswana
• Desert Rhino Camp, Damaraland, Namibia
• Mowani Mountain Lodge, Damaraland, Namibia
• Hotel Villa Margherita, Swakopmund, Namibia
• Wolwedans Desert Lodge, NamibRand Reserve, Namibia

Click on the following link to view my Google Map of this once-in-a-lifetime trip:

Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls safari

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