Recreational experience in desert landscape, newly decorated tents & fine food:

We two families (each with a teen) chose this stunningly located lodge in the midst of a private reserve as a “grand finale” (last three nights) of our excellent Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Fly-in safari guided expertly by Ultimate Safaris (sightings included the Big 5, wild dog and sitatunga). This because we knew the lodge from our last trip (three years ago), and we liked it at the time. Again, it was a recreational experience unequalled to almost any other places. This desert landscape with all the different colors is really something special!

We were pleased to learn that the dents had been refurbished and updated. The bathroom is now much larger and better furnished than last time, we liked it … All nine tents are oriented to the rising sun, so you are able to enjoy the first sunrays. And you can do this indulging in the early morning tea and cookies provided by the staff, a nice touch!

The public space (two lounges, a bar, a library and two dining rooms) is beautifully decorated and has a peaceful feel. There is also an adequately sized pool with a relaxing sun deck. 

As far as the food is concerned you shall not be disappointed as it is of a very good quality. When staying here, you are on half board. This includes a good breakfast, a delicious lunch, delicate cakes in the afternoon and a sumptuous dinner. The employees are attentive, courteous and eager to please. 

As we had our own guideI (from Ultimate Safaris), I cannot comment on the activities offered by the lodge. Things to do include nature drives and walks. But do not expect spectacular game viewing because Wolwedans is more aboutrecreation than action. For me it is the ideal final point after an eventful safari trip.

To conclude, this is the perfect (relaxing) stay in a wonderful landscape. And this with the benefit of nice rooms and fine food. The only (minor) negative aspect for me is the fact that the rooms are not connected to the main complex (restaurant etcetera). So you have to “wade” through (small) sand dunes to reach it. I am aware of the fact that this layout is due to fire restrictions. Yet I think there would have been more comfortable solutions …

Date of stay: October 2010

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Absolutely superb location, good restaurant, but a bit dated tents:

On our brilliant Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari guided expertly by Ultimate Safaris (sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga) we (two families with a teen each) also made a stop at this beautifully located lodge amid rocky hills.



The facilities can still be described as good. There is a lovely pool between boulders, the most beautiful spot for sundowners (on top of the rock) as well as a nice tented restaurant and lodge. Also the food was very good. The dinners were excellent as were the breakfasts. When it comes to service, it was good at the restaurant and okay everywhere else.

As far as the activities are concerned we cannot judge the ones offered by the lodge as we had our own guide (from Ultimate Safaris). With him we successfully tracked down the desert elephants.



All in all, Mowani Mountain Lodge is a nice accommodation in a wonderful desert landscape. You get here fine food, yet it could do with some improvements as to the tents (rather dated).

Date of stay: October 2010

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Interesting black rhino tracking in beautiful landscape & newly refurbished camp:

Our two families (each with a teen) stayed at this “classic” Wilderness camp two nights for viewing the endangered black rhino (not to confuse with the rather common white rhino …). We did this on the occasion of our brilliant Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari guided expertly by Ultimate Safaris (sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga).

The camp is situated on a windy (at least during our stay) plain amongst rocky hills. Plus, it was far away from any civilization. The tents (total of eight) had been refurbished recently. And they should satisfy also demanding travelers. You find here a tented restaurant (one long table) and a lounge area. Apart from this there is no more public space. All meals are included in the rate. The arrangement included a (simple) breakfast, lunch (we had a delicious picnic during a drive), (good) cake in the afternoon and a served dinner (we had twice tasty meat).

We considered service as good, the staff usually was helpful and courteous. Activities in this camp are (of course) focused on tracking the endangered black rhino by vehicle. In case of success there is more tracking on foot. As these animals are more aggressive than their counterpart (the white rhino) you cannot go really close. Yet it was nevertheless quite something!



The bottom line is a good camp in beautiful surroundings (when you like rocks) with a somewhat different game viewing (focused on black rhinos).

Date of stay: October 2010

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

Our two families with a teen each stayed there two nights prior to going to Kwando Lagoon 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).

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 with 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 is more than enough but its quality is 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 as well as 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 consider the stay in this camp as a very good experience. Accommodations, service and activities were excellent, only some ameliorations food wise would be appropriate.

Date of stay: October 2010

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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 this boat. As we were two families with a teen each we were able to do so. 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.

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 cuisine 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.

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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