Exploring the Untamed Beauty of Botswana Safaris
The Republic of Botswana is renowned for being an excellent destination for the more intrepid explorer and seasoned safari enthusiast. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world – approximately the size of Kenya however with a population of only 2 million in comparison to Kenya’s 41 million – so there is a real sense of truly escaping into the wild.
Through its history it has remained almost untouched and so is not scarred with the roads and infrastructure present in many other southern African nations.
Botswana is bordered to the south by South Africa, with Zimbabwe to the East and Namibia to the West. It has a diverse landscape ranging from the Kalahari Desert covering much of the country to the rich delta of the Okavango River in the north which is reported to be the largest river delta which is inland in the world. This varied landscape is home to a variety of animals making it an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
The Chobe National Park was founded to the West of the Okavango Delta and is renowned as having the highest population density of elephants in the World. On a Botswana safari tour you can expect to see hippopotamus, elephants, crocodiles, giraffe, lions, cheetah, leopard and rhino.
Although deserts are traditionally thought of as dry and barren lands, the Kalahari Desert itself is influenced by seasonal rains providing grasslands and wetlands such as the Makgadikgadi salt pans. The grasses bring the grazing animals such as antelope, wildebeest, springbok and kudu and where these are found they are closely followed by their Big Cat predators. Flamingoes are a firm favourite with visitors and you can view them in their thousands as they descend upon the salt pans. There are two national parks within this region, the Central Kalahari Reserve and the Gemsbok National Park.
Victoria Falls waterfall is located just north of Botswana on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Botswana has a short border with Zambia only a few hundred metres long, however it is sufficient for Victoria Falls to be visible and it creates a stunning backdrop.
To experience Botswana in all its glory, we recommend a safari tour. Our experienced safari consultants will happily plan you a bespoke safari holiday to enable you to take in all Botswana has to offer. Alternatively we have a selection of popular safari tours and camps to choose from below.
Our favourite Botswana Tours
To experience Botswana in all its glory, we recommend a safari tour. Our experienced safari consultants will happily plan you a bespoke safari holiday to enable you to take in all Botswana has to offer. Alternatively we have a selection of popular safari tours to choose from below.
Get your complimentary 46-page Safari Selection Guide now
Get your complimentary 46-page Safari Selection Guide now
Places to visit in Botswana
Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
Chobe National Park & Chobe Forest Reserve
Nxai Pan National Park
"Organization is top-notch. Memories galore.."
Amanda
Botswana Safari Camps & Lodges
The Victoria Falls waterfall is located just north of Botswana on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Although Botswana shares only a short border with Zambia, spanning a few hundred meters, it is sufficient for Victoria Falls to be visible, creating a stunning backdrop.
Places to visit in Botswana
The Chobe National Park
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Moremi Game Reserve
The Okavango Delta
Victoria Falls
Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
Chobe National Park & Chobe Forest Reserve
Nxai Pan National Park
"2 weeks in Kenya and Botswana"
Gamewatchers arranged 2 weeks of safari camps and transits for us covering Kenya and Botswana. We have traveled many places but this trip was the best of our lifetime.
Holly – Sept 2024
"2 weeks in Kenya and Botswana"
Gamewatchers arranged 2 weeks of safari camps and transits for us covering Kenya and Botswana. We have traveled many places but this trip was the best of our lifetime.
Holly - Sept 2024
Talk to a Specialist
Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Kenya.
Hola, I’m Andrea and my love affair with the captivating world of safaris began during my teenage years when I embarked on my very first safari in Kenya. There, amidst the awe-inspiring wildlife and expansive plains, I found my true passion. Over the years, Kenya has called me back time and time again, leading me to explore its myriad camps, conservancies, and renowned parks. More recently, I’ve had the privilege of staying at all the Porini Camps, where the spotlight shines on wildlife conservation—a cause close to my heart as I traverse the globe. While Kenya holds a special place in my wanderlust-filled heart, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have also woven their magic into my soul. If you’re eager to embark on your own safari adventure or share your passion for conservation, please feel free to contact me at andrea@gamewatchers.com
Let’s connect and embark on a journey through Africa’s wild wonders together.
Andrea Landaeta
Hello, I’m Pranay Chandra, a veteran of the Indian Armed Forces whose profound passion for nature and wildlife led me to the world of wildlife photography. My lens has captured the essence of the wild, earning recognition in esteemed competitions like the Sanctuary Asia annual wildlife awards and the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. Beyond photography, I’ve dedicated myself to conservation efforts, collaborating with Ecological Task Forces and supporting WWF India’s training initiatives in tiger reserves. In the realm of education, I’ve partnered with CEC, New Delhi, to create informative video programs on Human-Wildlife Conflicts. I’ve ventured to Kenya, embracing the splendors of Africa while staying at Porini camps and other renowned lodges. I’m based in Bangalore, India, and you can connect with me via email at pranay@gamewatchers.com or reach me by phone at +91 801 788 5256, including WhatsApp. Let’s embark on a journey to celebrate the beauty and conservation of our natural world together.
Pranay Chandra
Hello, I’m Kristy, your Australian-based Safari Advisor with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps. My background in ecology and conservation management, combined with a deep passion for nature and the great outdoors, led me to Kenya where I instantly fell in love with its spectacular wildlife and warm-hearted people. Having spent significant time at our Porini Camps and explored other camps we offer, I bring intricate knowledge to help craft your ultimate wildlife safari adventure. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the savannah or the serenity of the wilderness, I’m here to make your safari dreams a reality.
Feel free to reach out to me on the Gold Coast, Australia, at kristy@gamewatchers.com or call +61 419 175 672
Kristy Thomson
Talk to a Specialist
Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Botswana.
Rick McIntyre
Hello, I'm Rick, based in Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years in the travel industry and a passport filled with stamps from over 70 countries. My heart was captured by Africa during my first visit to Kenya, and since then, I've journeyed back repeatedly, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Whether you're dreaming of a "once in a lifetime" vacation or you're a seasoned safari traveler, I'm here to assist in planning your perfect African adventure.
You can contact me at rick@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +1-877-710-3014.
Rachel Chambers
Rachel Chambers
Rachel resides on the vibrant West Coast of Canada, specifically on Vancouver Island. She has a profound love for travel, having explored nearly 30 countries. However, it was a solo journey to Africa that truly ignited her passion. Upon stepping foot in Botswana for the first time, Rachel was captivated and knew she needed to explore more of the continent. Since then, she has ventured solo to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, where she traveled with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps.
It was during these experiences that Rachel realized her desire to be a part of the Gamewatchers team.
You can contact Rae at rae@gamewatchers.com or WattsApp +1-250-588-9112
Julie Roggow
Julie Roggow
Greetings, I'm Julie Roggow, and I come to you with over two decades of immersion in the world of travel. My journey into the heart of safari adventures began as I traversed Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, capturing the essence of these mesmerizing landscapes through my lens. Among these remarkable destinations, Kenya and the Porini safari camps hold a special place in my heart. Their unique blend of wilderness and conservation resonates deeply with me.
My passion for travel is matched only by my dedication to sharing that passion with others. I'm here to ensure that planning your safari vacation is an enjoyable and seamless experience.
Feel free to reach out to me by email at julie@gamewatchers.com or through our toll-free telephone line at +1-877-710-3014.
Sally Wanjau
Hello, I am Sally Wanjau, and I have been travelling to Kenya on safari since the 1980’s which led to me living and working there for several years. Married to a Kenyan, it is a place that I now call home. I currently live in the UK with my husband. For a number of years, I ran my own safari business as an agent working closely with Gamewatchers Safaris creating unique and tailor-made holidays for my clients, and in 2017 I joined Gamewatchers Safaris full-time as one of their dedicated team of Safari Advisers.
Having travelled extensively throughout East, South and Southern Africa, I remain passionate about Kenya, my love of which is fed by my many fantastic wildlife experiences at the Porini Camps.
You can contact me at sallywanjau@gamewatchers.com or call me at +44 7546 433 250
Wayne Hammond
Wayne Hammond
Hello, I'm Wayne Hammond, and I'm fortunate to have embarked on over 30 incredible journeys to the enchanting continent of Africa. It's a place that has captured my heart time and time again. My travels have taken me to Kenya, which I've had the pleasure of visiting far more times than I can recall, as well as to Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, and Mozambique. Among my cherished bush haunts, I hold dear the Masai Mara in Kenya, the mesmerizing Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, and the wondrous South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. I'm not just a passionate traveler but also an avid amateur wildlife photographer and an occasional travel writer.
If you're ready to embark on your own African adventure, don't hesitate to reach out to me at wayne@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +44 7986 978 985.
Andrea Landaeta
Hola, I’m Andrea and my love affair with the captivating world of safaris began during my teenage years when I embarked on my very first safari in Kenya. There, amidst the awe-inspiring wildlife and expansive plains, I found my true passion. Over the years, Kenya has called me back time and time again, leading me to explore its myriad camps, conservancies, and renowned parks. More recently, I've had the privilege of staying at all the Porini Camps, where the spotlight shines on wildlife conservation—a cause close to my heart as I traverse the globe. While Kenya holds a special place in my wanderlust-filled heart, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have also woven their magic into my soul. If you're eager to embark on your own safari adventure or share your passion for conservation, please feel free to contact me at andrea@gamewatchers.com
Let's connect and embark on a journey through Africa's wild wonders together.
Pranay Chandra
Hello, I’m Pranay Chandra, a veteran of the Indian Armed Forces whose profound passion for nature and wildlife led me to the world of wildlife photography. My lens has captured the essence of the wild, earning recognition in esteemed competitions like the Sanctuary Asia annual wildlife awards and the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. Beyond photography, I’ve dedicated myself to conservation efforts, collaborating with Ecological Task Forces and supporting WWF India’s training initiatives in tiger reserves. In the realm of education, I’ve partnered with CEC, New Delhi, to create informative video programs on Human-Wildlife Conflicts. I’ve ventured to Kenya, embracing the splendours of Africa while staying at Porini camps and other renowned lodges.
You can connect with me via email at pranay@gamewatchers.com or by phone at +91 801 788 5256
What Our Clients Say About Us...
In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our latest clients’ feedback posted on Trip Advisor.
Lisa W28 December 2024 A long awaited dream come true. I booked my trip through Gamewatchers in Queensland and Kristy organised everything for me. She was always available to me, even when I was in Kenya a my flight needed readjusting. I have nothing but praise for this group. I ave travelled to Africa on a few occasions and it usually takes quite a bit of research etc. No I have discovered Gamewatchers all I have to do now is work out when to go. laurafrangi18 December 2024 Unforgettable safari week in Kenya From the booking process with Safari Consultant Wayne Hammond to the actual experience at Porini Amboseli Camp and Porini Mara Camp, it has been perfect at every step.There is nothing I would change, I cannot think of something to improve! We felt in good hands from A to Z. I'm a super happy customer and will recommend Gamewatchers / Porini camps 100%.Thank you for organizing this unforgettable trip for us. It feels like it was all a dream, we will cherish this memory forever! carobertson1 December 2024 Kenya Safari with Gamewatchers The entire experience was phenomenal. The communication from the first contact made to Gamewatchers ( Wayne Hammond was our liason) to the transfer to the hotel at the end of the trip was outstanding. All our questions were answered fully and in warp time. We were provided with all the information that we needed to create a safari experience that was 10/10. The hotel accomodations prior and post safari were more than comfortable with staff that were friendly and helpful. The hotel restaurants provided a good choice of food that was tasty and well prepared. The actual safari bested our expectations. The Porini staff at each of the 3 camps ( Rhino, Cheetah and Porini) we stayed at were excellent - they took great care of us, made sure that every need was met and were gracious and patient with our questions and requests. Every person greeted us with a smile and most called us by name. The game tours, the walking tours, and the night tour provided us the oppoturnity to not only see and hear the animals up close and perrsonal, but also to learn about the flora and fauna, the cultures of the people. Each tour gave us a greater appreciation of the land and its inhabitants. We left the bush with new friends and a greater respect for all things African. We saw so many animals and took + 1000 photos over the 10 days in the bush. It was the trip of a lifetime. Carolyn23 November 2024 WISHES AND DREAMS DO COME TRUE. Myself and my mate stayed in Nairobi for 2 nights. We were escorted, throughout our trip from landing at Nairobi Airport to our return to Nairobi Airport to go home. This gave us time to visit the Giraffe Centre, where we hand fed the Rothschild Giraffes, which are wild and free to roam in a huge conservancy. An Absolutely fantastic experience! We were then taken to various shopping centres where bead making jewellery, recycled items were created, wood carvings, artworks and so on was expertly made. We didn’t go to Karen Blixens’ house/museum, of “Out of Africa” fame, which we will visit next time we go, as we certainly will be revisiting!Day 3 was the start of our 1st camp Safari at Amboseli Camp, run by the wonderful Massai people. We were escorted in uncovered, massive Safari vehicles which comfortably seat 6 guests. Our Massai guide and spotter were so knowledgeable, about everything from fauna, birds, all the animals. We asked so many questions about their lives and they were so honest and so proud of their Country, which is spotless, clean and friendly. Our guides found every animal and bird that was in our book plus more. I could not believe how close we were to all the animals; LIONS, ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFES, BUFFALOES, CHEETAHS!!! We called it UCAP. Up Close And Personal!!! We had a days safari at Amboseli National Park too!Our next 3 day camp was Rhino Camp, which we flew to on a small aircraft. We booked this camp as we wanted to visit the last 2 Northern White Rhinos left in the world. As they are so rare, they are protected 24/7 365 days a year along with Baraka, the blind Rhino. We saw lots of animals along with lots of Rhinos. The experience with Nijad, the very friendly Northern White Rhino was so emotional, upsetting, happy etc., it was FANTASTIC!!! She was soooo friendly. We fed her, stroked her, tickled behind her ears and scratched her HUGE horn and she loved it and I love her!!! Just MARVELLOUS!!!Our next camp was Lion Camp. It did not disappoint. Again, saw all the big 5 plus lots of Hippos. Lost count of how many different Lions and Lionesses we got UCAP to!!! There was lots of drama with the Lion and his pride on our camp, where 3 other Males came to try and take our prides’ Lionesses!!! Thank god our pride hid well and the 3 Males returned to their own area!!!After 4 days in Lion Camp, we returned to Nairobi, in a more relaxing hotel, for 2 nights.On the 1st day, we visited the world famous SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE, which must be booked 3 months prior to your visit. Another experience not to be missed. The babies are so beautiful where you can pat, stroke and scratch their bums!!! DELIGHTFUL!!!The only advice I can give is check that you REALLY need to take, a flask, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, wet wipes!!! These were supplied at each camp/vehicles/bathrooms!!! These takes up so much room and weight in your 15K luggage that I could’ve taken more clothes!!!It is impossible to tell you how exhilarating and exciting this trip was in a few thousand words. The pictures and videos we’ve taken have shown our family and friends just how wonderful this trip of a lifetime was. The staff, the posh tents, the food, the itineraries were just excellent plus everything worked seamlessly.We will be coming back with GAMEWATCHERS SAFARIS.NOT ONCE DID WE FEEL THREATENED OR AFRAID!!! Even when the Lions walked past us, nonchalant, within 5 feet away!!!Having just watched Gary Barlow on his Safari in South Africa, I can honestly say that our Safari was a 1000% better.I would also add that Wayne Hammond, one of the advisors who helped me choose our trip, was also excellent. All my wishes and dreams were catered forHow he put up with my emails, I’ll never know!!! ipbchlvr20 November 2024 Can I give 9.99 stars out of 5? My husband was not at all interested in going but by day 2 he was in awe! Our consultant wayne arranged everything and it went amazingly smooth. I was so anxious because people kept telling me we were crazy not going on a “tour” with a tour company. Do not hesitate to book with gamewatchers. Amazing staff in the camps. Polite , nice, easy to talk to. Camp managers amazing. Accommodations clean, neat, plenty of food. Excellent spotters & driversEtson, Dixon, John, frank, Jackson and Edward stand outWe stayed 2 nights each at porini amboseli, porini rhino, porini rhino river, and porini cheetah campOh did I mention the amazing wildlife?Non stop, every turn held something new and fun. Saw the big 5 and so much moreEvery camp located in a different ecosystem but all were greatWe saw some other groups in closed vehicles. I was attracted to the open proper safari Land Cruiser-exciting!And I liked the conservancy ideaIt was my #1 bucket list item and I am in awe that it was beyond fabulous Gamewatchers delivers Vacation3675952353318 November 2024 Best time ever! My dream come true. Everything was exceptional from the camps, food, service and game drives. The people are lovely! I could not have asked for more. Marie-Annick G10 November 2024 Kenya: A dream come true I had high expectations for this safari and GameWatchers delivered. As a solo traveler, i felt that I was being taken care of from the moment I landed in Nairobi to being dropped off back at the airport 8 days later, I only have positive comments. On the twice-daily drives, the drivers and spotters were all very knowledgeable about our surroundings and the wildlife. I felt safe 100% of the time being escorted to/from my tent at night time. The accommodations are clean, comfortable and the food plentiful and delicious. I truly can’t come up with one negative point. I visited the Nairobi National Park, the Rhino camp and the Masai Mara and finished with a few hours visit in Nairobi before catching my flight back which included Karen Blixen’s property now a museum. I also booked a hot air balloon ride in the Mara: not to be missed! TwoTravelers218 November 2024 A View of the Local Culture, Wildlife and Geology of Madagascar We chose Gamewatchers for our trip to Madagascar having enjoyed our safaris in Uganda and Kenya two years ago. Our driver/guide, Franco, was outstanding by all accounts. How he managed to drive on those roads and keep us relatively comfortable and on time is beyond my understanding. The car was clean and comfortable, Franco knew when to talk and when to let us rest. He is knowledgeable, a fantastic driver, and very friendly. All of our area guides were excellent.Balita (Patrick) in Antananarivo was very knowledgeable and aware of our abilities vs. the time we had.Emil in Ranomafana NP with his knowledge of the wildlife and plants he enabled us to see much more than just the lemurs and chameleons. We also visited his vanilla plantation and loved that.Adrian in the Anja Reserve allowed us to find our own places from which to photograph the lemurs. Many guides just tell you what to do and we appreciated his understanding.Nirina at Isalo patiently helped us hike into the gorge and kept up a fascinating stream of conversation about the geology and the wildlife.We truly appreciated not feeling pressured to buy things from the gift shops.Madagascar tourism is not as mature as Kenya and South Africa which meant that Gamewatchers needed to be extra aware of time and needs. We thought they did a fabulous job finding activities that fit our desires to learn about the culture, wildlife, and geology in this truly remarkable country. Mike Q4 November 2024 19 Day trip to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Our trip to Africa was amazing! Truly a trip that will give us wonderful memories for a lifetime. We saw so many animals, it will take a week just to sort through the photos and videos. We loved the different accommodations, from the Elewana Tarangire Treetops and Serengeti Nimali Camps to the more rustic Porini Mara and Amboselli Camps. It was a very nice change of venue throughout the trip that made it interesting. All of the guides and camp personnel were very gracious, informative, and entertaining! We met many other travelers that we enjoyed and became friends with. I cant think of enough nice things to say about Gamewatchers. It started with the trip layout and suggestions that was made by Wayne Hammond, our representative. The other personnel at Gamewatchers kindly helped us with all our connection needs and even allowed us to rework our last day’s schedule to give us amazing views of the Rinos in Nairobi National Park. We love Gamewatechers and all their representatives and will recommend them for trips by our friends.
Stories on Botswana Safaris
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Unveiling the Mystique of Botswana with Safaris
Exploring Africa's Wilderness on foot - Mara Walking Safaris
Have you ever imagined taking a slow-paced adventurous tour inside Africa’s wilderness on foot? Walking safaris are exactly that. Also known as bushwalks, walking safaris are completely different from game drives as they awaken all your senses allowing you to notice smells, sounds, and even colors of the wilderness.
11 Essential..
Ever imagined yourself on a wildlife viewing safari in Africa? Maybe it’s been a dream since childhood, or maybe it’s a new idea that sparked later in life – either way, you can’t wait to get on the African savannah plains and set out on a new adventure accompanied by an expert safari guide to watch the iconic wildlife!
When is..
Since the birth of the modern safari holiday in the 1920’s, Kenya has been the destination of choice for intrepid explorers to get a taste of wild Africa and the storybook animals that roam free of cage and bars. On many people’s bucket lists, an African adventure taking in the Maasai Mara takes on a daydream quality. The Safari holiday has changed somewhat since the early days of heading out into the bush with gun and tent..
Exploring Africa's Wilderness on foot - Mara Walking Safaris
Have you ever imagined taking a slow-paced adventurous tour inside Africa’s wilderness on foot? Walking safaris are exactly that. Also known as bushwalks, walking safaris are completely different from game drives as they awaken all your senses allowing you to notice smells, sounds, and even colors of the wilderness.
11 Essential Questions Before You Book an African Safari
Ever imagined yourself on a wildlife viewing safari in Africa? Maybe it’s been a dream since childhood, or maybe it’s a new idea that sparked later in life – either way, you can’t wait to get on the African savannah plains and set out on a new adventure accompanied by an expert safari guide to watch the iconic wildlife!
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
Since the birth of the modern safari holiday in the 1920’s, Kenya has been the destination of choice for intrepid explorers to get a taste of wild Africa and the storybook animals that roam free of cage and bars. On many people’s bucket lists, an African adventure taking in the Maasai Mara takes on a daydream quality. The Safari holiday has changed somewhat since the early days of heading out into the bush with gun and tent..
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news from Gamewatchers Safaris
Don’t miss out on our special offers, exclusive deals, and inspirational travel stories. Keep up-to-date with all the latest news from Gamewatchers Safaris by subscribing to our newsletter.
What Our Clients Say About Us...
In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our latest clients’ feedback posted on Trip Advisor.
Lisa W28 December 2024 A long awaited dream come true. I booked my trip through Gamewatchers in Queensland and Kristy organised everything for me. She was always available to me, even when I was in Kenya a my flight needed readjusting. I have nothing but praise for this group. I ave travelled to Africa on a few occasions and it usually takes quite a bit of research etc. No I have discovered Gamewatchers all I have to do now is work out when to go. laurafrangi18 December 2024 Unforgettable safari week in Kenya From the booking process with Safari Consultant Wayne Hammond to the actual experience at Porini Amboseli Camp and Porini Mara Camp, it has been perfect at every step.There is nothing I would change, I cannot think of something to improve! We felt in good hands from A to Z. I'm a super happy customer and will recommend Gamewatchers / Porini camps 100%.Thank you for organizing this unforgettable trip for us. It feels like it was all a dream, we will cherish this memory forever! carobertson1 December 2024 Kenya Safari with Gamewatchers The entire experience was phenomenal. The communication from the first contact made to Gamewatchers ( Wayne Hammond was our liason) to the transfer to the hotel at the end of the trip was outstanding. All our questions were answered fully and in warp time. We were provided with all the information that we needed to create a safari experience that was 10/10. The hotel accomodations prior and post safari were more than comfortable with staff that were friendly and helpful. The hotel restaurants provided a good choice of food that was tasty and well prepared. The actual safari bested our expectations. The Porini staff at each of the 3 camps ( Rhino, Cheetah and Porini) we stayed at were excellent - they took great care of us, made sure that every need was met and were gracious and patient with our questions and requests. Every person greeted us with a smile and most called us by name. The game tours, the walking tours, and the night tour provided us the oppoturnity to not only see and hear the animals up close and perrsonal, but also to learn about the flora and fauna, the cultures of the people. Each tour gave us a greater appreciation of the land and its inhabitants. We left the bush with new friends and a greater respect for all things African. We saw so many animals and took + 1000 photos over the 10 days in the bush. It was the trip of a lifetime. Carolyn23 November 2024 WISHES AND DREAMS DO COME TRUE. Myself and my mate stayed in Nairobi for 2 nights. We were escorted, throughout our trip from landing at Nairobi Airport to our return to Nairobi Airport to go home. This gave us time to visit the Giraffe Centre, where we hand fed the Rothschild Giraffes, which are wild and free to roam in a huge conservancy. An Absolutely fantastic experience! We were then taken to various shopping centres where bead making jewellery, recycled items were created, wood carvings, artworks and so on was expertly made. We didn’t go to Karen Blixens’ house/museum, of “Out of Africa” fame, which we will visit next time we go, as we certainly will be revisiting!Day 3 was the start of our 1st camp Safari at Amboseli Camp, run by the wonderful Massai people. We were escorted in uncovered, massive Safari vehicles which comfortably seat 6 guests. Our Massai guide and spotter were so knowledgeable, about everything from fauna, birds, all the animals. We asked so many questions about their lives and they were so honest and so proud of their Country, which is spotless, clean and friendly. Our guides found every animal and bird that was in our book plus more. I could not believe how close we were to all the animals; LIONS, ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFES, BUFFALOES, CHEETAHS!!! We called it UCAP. Up Close And Personal!!! We had a days safari at Amboseli National Park too!Our next 3 day camp was Rhino Camp, which we flew to on a small aircraft. We booked this camp as we wanted to visit the last 2 Northern White Rhinos left in the world. As they are so rare, they are protected 24/7 365 days a year along with Baraka, the blind Rhino. We saw lots of animals along with lots of Rhinos. The experience with Nijad, the very friendly Northern White Rhino was so emotional, upsetting, happy etc., it was FANTASTIC!!! She was soooo friendly. We fed her, stroked her, tickled behind her ears and scratched her HUGE horn and she loved it and I love her!!! Just MARVELLOUS!!!Our next camp was Lion Camp. It did not disappoint. Again, saw all the big 5 plus lots of Hippos. Lost count of how many different Lions and Lionesses we got UCAP to!!! There was lots of drama with the Lion and his pride on our camp, where 3 other Males came to try and take our prides’ Lionesses!!! Thank god our pride hid well and the 3 Males returned to their own area!!!After 4 days in Lion Camp, we returned to Nairobi, in a more relaxing hotel, for 2 nights.On the 1st day, we visited the world famous SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE, which must be booked 3 months prior to your visit. Another experience not to be missed. The babies are so beautiful where you can pat, stroke and scratch their bums!!! DELIGHTFUL!!!The only advice I can give is check that you REALLY need to take, a flask, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, wet wipes!!! These were supplied at each camp/vehicles/bathrooms!!! These takes up so much room and weight in your 15K luggage that I could’ve taken more clothes!!!It is impossible to tell you how exhilarating and exciting this trip was in a few thousand words. The pictures and videos we’ve taken have shown our family and friends just how wonderful this trip of a lifetime was. The staff, the posh tents, the food, the itineraries were just excellent plus everything worked seamlessly.We will be coming back with GAMEWATCHERS SAFARIS.NOT ONCE DID WE FEEL THREATENED OR AFRAID!!! Even when the Lions walked past us, nonchalant, within 5 feet away!!!Having just watched Gary Barlow on his Safari in South Africa, I can honestly say that our Safari was a 1000% better.I would also add that Wayne Hammond, one of the advisors who helped me choose our trip, was also excellent. All my wishes and dreams were catered forHow he put up with my emails, I’ll never know!!! ipbchlvr20 November 2024 Can I give 9.99 stars out of 5? My husband was not at all interested in going but by day 2 he was in awe! Our consultant wayne arranged everything and it went amazingly smooth. I was so anxious because people kept telling me we were crazy not going on a “tour” with a tour company. Do not hesitate to book with gamewatchers. Amazing staff in the camps. Polite , nice, easy to talk to. Camp managers amazing. Accommodations clean, neat, plenty of food. Excellent spotters & driversEtson, Dixon, John, frank, Jackson and Edward stand outWe stayed 2 nights each at porini amboseli, porini rhino, porini rhino river, and porini cheetah campOh did I mention the amazing wildlife?Non stop, every turn held something new and fun. Saw the big 5 and so much moreEvery camp located in a different ecosystem but all were greatWe saw some other groups in closed vehicles. I was attracted to the open proper safari Land Cruiser-exciting!And I liked the conservancy ideaIt was my #1 bucket list item and I am in awe that it was beyond fabulous Gamewatchers delivers Vacation3675952353318 November 2024 Best time ever! My dream come true. Everything was exceptional from the camps, food, service and game drives. The people are lovely! I could not have asked for more. Marie-Annick G10 November 2024 Kenya: A dream come true I had high expectations for this safari and GameWatchers delivered. As a solo traveler, i felt that I was being taken care of from the moment I landed in Nairobi to being dropped off back at the airport 8 days later, I only have positive comments. On the twice-daily drives, the drivers and spotters were all very knowledgeable about our surroundings and the wildlife. I felt safe 100% of the time being escorted to/from my tent at night time. The accommodations are clean, comfortable and the food plentiful and delicious. I truly can’t come up with one negative point. I visited the Nairobi National Park, the Rhino camp and the Masai Mara and finished with a few hours visit in Nairobi before catching my flight back which included Karen Blixen’s property now a museum. I also booked a hot air balloon ride in the Mara: not to be missed! TwoTravelers218 November 2024 A View of the Local Culture, Wildlife and Geology of Madagascar We chose Gamewatchers for our trip to Madagascar having enjoyed our safaris in Uganda and Kenya two years ago. Our driver/guide, Franco, was outstanding by all accounts. How he managed to drive on those roads and keep us relatively comfortable and on time is beyond my understanding. The car was clean and comfortable, Franco knew when to talk and when to let us rest. He is knowledgeable, a fantastic driver, and very friendly. All of our area guides were excellent.Balita (Patrick) in Antananarivo was very knowledgeable and aware of our abilities vs. the time we had.Emil in Ranomafana NP with his knowledge of the wildlife and plants he enabled us to see much more than just the lemurs and chameleons. We also visited his vanilla plantation and loved that.Adrian in the Anja Reserve allowed us to find our own places from which to photograph the lemurs. Many guides just tell you what to do and we appreciated his understanding.Nirina at Isalo patiently helped us hike into the gorge and kept up a fascinating stream of conversation about the geology and the wildlife.We truly appreciated not feeling pressured to buy things from the gift shops.Madagascar tourism is not as mature as Kenya and South Africa which meant that Gamewatchers needed to be extra aware of time and needs. We thought they did a fabulous job finding activities that fit our desires to learn about the culture, wildlife, and geology in this truly remarkable country. Mike Q4 November 2024 19 Day trip to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Our trip to Africa was amazing! Truly a trip that will give us wonderful memories for a lifetime. We saw so many animals, it will take a week just to sort through the photos and videos. We loved the different accommodations, from the Elewana Tarangire Treetops and Serengeti Nimali Camps to the more rustic Porini Mara and Amboselli Camps. It was a very nice change of venue throughout the trip that made it interesting. All of the guides and camp personnel were very gracious, informative, and entertaining! We met many other travelers that we enjoyed and became friends with. I cant think of enough nice things to say about Gamewatchers. It started with the trip layout and suggestions that was made by Wayne Hammond, our representative. The other personnel at Gamewatchers kindly helped us with all our connection needs and even allowed us to rework our last day’s schedule to give us amazing views of the Rinos in Nairobi National Park. We love Gamewatechers and all their representatives and will recommend them for trips by our friends.