Africa Driven レビュー 187

Our trip was brilliantly organised by Andy through Drive Botswana. He understood completely what we did and did not want to do and see and organised the right mix of camping and luxury accommodation for a 3 ½ week trip through Namibia and Botswana. He was highly professional and very responsive as we went through the planning process, taking things out and putting things in to suit our whims and advising us on what was feasible / worth doing and what wasn’t. A major benefit of using Andy was that he had real insight into which campsites / lodges were available and could hold provisional bookings on our behalf. He recommended some absolute gems. Realistically, it would have been practically impossible to have organised this trip without Andy’s support, particularly in the short time available (we contacted Andy 2 ½ months before we set off). Andy was also on tap during our trip, at short notice getting us onto a spectacular balloon trip across the Namib, which appeared to have been sold out, and helping out with other minor issues. With regard to self-drive vehicles, we'd recommend discussing with Andy the various hire companies used by Drive Botswana and the different types of vehicle used as they all have their pros and cons, and booking the vehicle early to ensure that you get what suits you best. We’d have no hesitation in recommending Andy and Drive Botswana to anyone planning a self-drive trip. Thank you Andy!

The whole trip was really amazing! We came home safely with a big bag full of emotions and beautiful experiences. We had no kind of problems.
First of all, the whole organisation, from the chosen route to the kind of vehicle, from the camps to the transfers, all worked out very well! A big thanks to Andy and his team, you are really professional!

We recently returned from our second safari organized by Drive Botswana. In 2017 we took three weeks to drive from Windhoek, Namibia to Kasane, Botswana, visiting major game parks in both countries. We self-drove, camping about half the time and staying in lodges about half the time. All was well-organized and well-chosen. Andy did a great job of both advising and accommodating. This year we spent five nights between two lodges deep in the Okavango and then spent six nights camping on a self-drive from Maun to Kasane. Again Andy organized everything and it all came off without a hitch. On both trips we ended with a visit to Victoria Falls, also organized by Drive Botswana and stayed in well-chosen hotels. On both trips Andy recommended a photo safari on the Chobe River with Pangolin Photo Safaris in Kasane, and that was among the great highlights of the trips, and something we would not have chosen on our own.

We spent 2 unbelievable great weeks in Botswana where we met the african hospitality, had some adventurous rides (no breakdown 👍) and could observe the fantastic animal kingdom. The trip to the Victoria falls was definitely a good choice as well. The itinerary was well organized and made sense (included meals and activities). Thanks a lot to Andy and the team which did a great job

We initially booked our Namibian self drive safari pre-COVID and were eventually able to experience it this year. Throughout the COVID period, Phil from DriveBotswana kept in contact and was able to rearrange and rebook the whole holiday. We told Phil how long we wanted to go away for and he put together a programme that we could review and negotiate over. His local knowledge was essential to ensure that we got the most of the time that we had. We were not to be disappointed.
The lodges all had their individual feeling, weren't overcrowded, felt friendly and intimate and the food was delicious. Many had watering holes and sitting with your sundowner whilst elephants come to drink, is something very special. In August, the dry season, we found the wildlife to be abundant and we were overwhelmed with the amount of animals that we saw. The Namibian people were exceptionally friendly and some of the lodges that Phil picked for us were run by the local community. Namibian roads are pretty good on the whole, even down to the D roads - we didn't have any problems.
This was a holiday of a life time - each day bringing new experiences and wonders. Namibia has such a mixed landscape - from bush in the east to desert and coastline in the west. Phil provided our itinerary as an electronic copy for us to print, but also as an app - again another extra feature. As well as GPS co-ordinates, the itinerary also provided a description of each stage, with things to look out for along the way.
I would highly recommend Drive Botswana!

We had an amazing 13 day trip in Botswana and Zambia thanks to Drive Botswana. Our self-drive safari was perfectly organized. From our well-equipped vehicle, to our reservations, to our logistics, and any of the tweaks we had suggested to the itinerary. The whole team have a deep knowledge of the lodges, campsites, and roads, keeping your trip on track with an outstanding itinerary.

Their local knowledge provided us with some great experiences that we couldn't have organized ourselves. Everyone we encountered was top notch, timely, and friendly. From providing info on roads, camping reservations, fuel stops, groceries, distance, spots to avoid, we felt like our itinerary was expertly planned. The team is open to questions and suggestions and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again for a similar trip in the region.

THANKS Drive Botswana for an amazing trip!

Long awaited trip after 2 years Covid stop, this 4.000 km self-drive experience, originally planned for summer 2020, was finally rescheduled for 2022 and perfectly organised by Phil of Drive Botswana.

Based on our interests Phil skilfully enriched our itinerary with helpful advices and great suggestions about extra activities worth trying during our trip. Just to mention a few: the photographic safari on the Chobe riverfront, with the opportunity to use pro-gear and the guidance of an expert wildlife photographer on the best camera settings to shoot great pictures of the animals, or the overnight in Ntwetwe Pan sleeping in bedrolls under the incredible nightsky of Magkgadigkadi Pans, a once in a lifetime experience we will never forget.

The extremely precise day by day directions guided us through our 3 weeks journey, covering the most epic places in Botswana with detailed information like roads conditions, fuel stations and shops on the way, things to avoid, distance and timing. We really had it all covered by Drive Botswana, which is an incredible plus when driving places you haven't been before! With their knowledge behind the planned route we really felt confident and safe throughout our journey.

I would highly reccommend Drive Botswana as a preferred partner for a self-drive trip. We've been so happy about this experience we are already planning our next one with them for summer 2023.

It was easy and fun to organise our trip, thanks to Phil's prompt email response to our various inquiries. New itineraries were established depending on our wishes and we felt supported all the way.
In Botswana we were never disappointed with service providers and everything was as expected.
THANK YOU Drive Botswana for a wonderful trip, one of our best!

We went to Botswana for 16 days in July 2022 to discover the country on a self-drive safari as a couple. The organisation of the trip by Drive Botswana was incredible. We felt very well guided and safe. Andy listened to our wishes and was very available for our questions during the preparation.

Thanks to Drive Botswana we were able to discover beautiful areas with a well-equipped and efficient 4x4, stay in very good lodges and campsites, with very attentive and friendly staff and great service, and do excursions that will stay in our memories for a long time!

It was a wonderful trip, thanks again to Drive Botswana. We would recommend this country with its landscapes, wildlife and people that will for sure put stars in your eyes!

Sophie & Valentin

Back again in Norway after another good self drive safari organised by Drive Botswana, this time with our 12 year old grandson.
Travelling in Moremi and Chobe always gives you great wildlife experiences. The highlight in Botswana was 4 male Lions hunting buffalo along the track just after Mababe Gate towards Savuti, the big groups of Buffalo and Elephant on the Chobe Floodplains and the river Cruise in Kasane. This time we also visited Namibia and in Etosha the wildlife was good with sightings of Rhinos, Cheetah and plenty of Lions.
Hope to be back again soon.

Drive Botswana have prepared for our family (me, my wife and 2 children aged 15 and 12) a 3-week self driving safari trip covering Namibia, Botswana and ending at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This was our first safari trip to Africa and as newbies we were little bit afraid how we will cope. It was fantastic! We travelled in late June and early July 2022 and were impressed at the cleverly designed plan of trip, well selected places for accommodation (almost each place was unique or very special in some aspect) and the diversity of wildlife we could see on our journey. We have managed to watch a great number of various animals including the famous Big Five. Our children were absolutely enthusiastic about the experience. Finally, all communication and support from Drive Botswana (trip instructions, special books on Namibia and Botswana, maps) were highly professional and really helpful. If you consider safari in Botswana and/or Namibia, I strongly recommend their services.

Andy and Phil helped us to plan an unforgettable trip to Botswana and Namibia. Whilst we knew the areas that we wanted to visit, we needed their knowledge of the roads, driving distances and accommodation to put together the best itinerary. When we were making the initial plans we found the virtual itineraries that they provided gave us a really clear idea of the routes and helped shape the trip. Both Andy and Phil were very quick to respond to any queries and the maps and driving directions provided as well were excellent.
We stayed in some amazing places and saw plenty of game, including some very close sightings of cheetahs, lions and rhinos.
We will certainly go back to Drive Botswana for our next trip. Thank you to Phil and Andy!

Amazing trip arranged perfectly by Andy, logistic really well planned with a direction handbook that makes the gps useless! Andy was really proactive during the planning phase as well, updating the trip according to our needs. We cannot wait for the next adventure! Thanks Gabriella&Gabriele

Phil, of Drive Botswana, arranged a 35 night trip through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana for us. He was able to tailor the itinerary to our requests, made good suggestions for activities, as well as booked quality camping and lodging accommodations. He was very responsive to our questions and requests for changes to the proposed itinerary. We were also very impressed with the amount of information provided in case of an emergency or issue that might arise. Drive Botswana is a very professional and top notch company. We would not hesitate to recommend them or make use of their services for ourselves, once again, in the future.

I am Alessandro from Italy. Finally I and my friends have just had holiday in Zimbabwe and Botswana..after 2 years of postponing because of Covid 19 pandemic.
For the 2nd time (1st time in Namibia on 2019) we have asked help for the organization to Mr Phil and Drive Botswana..and as the 1st time everything was perfect. No problem at all in the organization.
They are very honest and they can build for you a tailor made holiday.
Mr Phil is very kind..everytime you have a question you can ask to him..and he is always ready to give you information and answers.
We are really happy to have chosen for the 2nd time Drive Botswana.
We are thinking to come back to the beautiful Africa for one more time again..and of course we will to Phil to help us to plan the holiday.
I definitively recommend Drive Botswana for your holidays in the Southern part of Africa, you will not meet any problem.
Visit Africa!
Thank you Phil once again for your help and for your kindness and be in touch soon for our next holiday in Africa!
Alessandro Scopelliti and friends from Italy

Drive Botswana organised a complicated safari across Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia with camping and lodge nights in seven different locations - everything perfectly organised and all pulled off with zero problems! Andy and Phil were very responsive in coping with our many route changes prior to setting off and all camps, lodges and vehicles were perfect! Brilliant!!

We booked our 3 weeks trip to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe with Phil.
This trip was by far the best we ever had (also thanks to the flawless organization and assistance provided by Phil). The service provided was tailor made, personalized and first class!
During the booking process, Phil took care of all our wishes and proposed very quickly an itinerary with a mix of lodges, campsites and activities. He was attentive to our wishes and promptly made any changes we requested providing good tips along the way. Phil was super responsive. Finally, we received a link to an interactive website with our proposed itinerary day-by-day and two booklets with information on the countries we would be visiting. Thereafter came COVID and we had to postpose not once but twice our trip. Phil managed this perfectly – we were amazed!
Before leaving, we received a day-by-day itinerary with very precise indications on the roads to follow, where to buy grocery, when and where to fuel, sightseeing, etc. Follow these instructions very closely and do not trust your GPS. We saved a lot of driving not always following the GPS, which tends to choose tarred roads instead of quicker gravel roads.
Phil organized for us a Toyota Hilux with a tent on the roof. The car was equipped with everything we needed for the trip. The car was in very good conditions and we did not encounter any issue during our trip, despite the sometimes-questionable road conditions. Drive Botswana works with Bushlore, a company present in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
The itinerary in itself was spot on. We were able to see amazing landscapes, amazing animals and met amazing people. Phil balanced camping, lodges and activities to perfection. Often after a long drive, we would have an organized activity or spend the night in an amazing lodge in order to rest. All the places we visited were breathtaking, but the two places we would not miss are Savuti campsite and the Pangolin hotel on the Chobe River. In Savuti, you will see amazing wildlife and at the Pangolin hotel, they take you on a river “game cruise” with professional photographic equipment, which allows you to experience wildlife from a complete different angle.
Should you want to spend your next vacation in Africa, do not hesitate and get in touch with Drive Botswana!

We book our trip to Botswana via DriveBotswana this year and it was amazing!
We are not used to go through an agency for booking our vacation and thus, we were a bit skeptical. However, booking campsites in Botswana revealed to be very complicated (especially only 3 months in advance) and it was impossible do anything on our own. From the 1st contact with Phil, we understood that DriveBotswana was very professional, listening to the clients and willing to help with any queries! We sent him a list of places we wanted to go, campsites we wanted to stay in and parks we wanted to visit. Only few days later, Phil had already prepared a detailed itinerary for a price that fitted our budget. Phil could book some of the best campsites we wanted and even added interesting places we did not know! He also provided their own handbook which is very well done and explanatory. Our trip was amazing and we highly recommend DriveBotswana to anyone planning a trip in Botswana!

It was our first time in Africa, and we didn't know, what would expect us at all, so we decided, to book our 3-week trip through Namibia and Botswana via an agency - via DriveBotswana. That was an excellent decision! The trip was very well planned and we got every information, we needed.
They booked our accomodations, the car, and some guided tours for us. Everything went very well without any problems and we felt very well prepared. Also, the contact is really nice, we always got an answer to our questions really quick and in full details. Thanks to DriveBotswana for this great experience. When we plan the next trip to Africa, we will definitely come back to you!