Our Safari Blog

After discovering a high number of camps in and around the Okavango, and at a price higher than we typically go for on a safari, we were very unsure on the route to go down for our honeymoon (especially whilst trying to planning our wedding!). So we reached out to Adelle at Discover Africa Safaris and she put the perfect itinerary together for us, which matched our budget, and the experience far exceeded our expectations!

Rhys and Grace's Botswana Experience

We had a fantastic time at Rra Dinare, Moremi Crossing and Nxai Pan camps. All of the camps are managed by Kwando Safaris who are also exceptional. We had great wildlife sightings at all 3 camps – it was very hard to choose which camp we preferred as they are all amazing in their own way, as are the guides and staff at all camps. Adelle had also arranged private dinners and champagne for us at 2 of the 3 camps, which was a lovely addition. Our highlight was the camping out in the bush evening under the stars listening to the hippos calling and lions roaring all night.

As a party of seven guests we found the travel arrangements seamless and the accommodation well suited to both older and younger members. In addition, we were of mixed bush experience with some seasoned safari members and some first timers. The Lodges and especially the guides were able to accommodate all levels of interest and discussion. We stayed at a lodge in the Chobe concession (our experienced and wise guide was Lebo) as well as in the delta in the Khwai concession (our guide Biyst was approachable and knowledgeable). The Lodges were well appointed, comfortable and the service friendly and impeccable. Discover Africa’s organizational skills were spot on! This was both affordable and value for money. They are clearly the experts in this area and we can highly recommend them especially for first timer safari travellers.

I contacted a few agency, Discover Africa was fast to respond. Every steps of the way in planning to the very end of departure, all things were planned with precise accuracy. Adelle was always in communication and ready to help and answer everything.

Frank, my guide and driver, was beyond expectations. I was an unusually quiet person, and somehow Frank seems to know that and provided me a perfect safari experience with just enough information and friendliness without making it seems overwhelming for me. He somehow noticed a lot of details while searching for animals, birds, plants and even insects while driving in the relatively difficult paths.

Both accommodations suggested by Adelle were great. I couldn’t ask for more. As a solo traveller, it isn’t always easy. It turned out to be beyond I had ever dreamed of. The feeling and experience when we stopped in the middle of hundreds or thousands of animals walking around us in the same direction was more than words can describe. Thank you Adelle. Thank you Frank.

Thank you Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw, and thank you Kirimu Camp. I am already thinking about my next experience with Discover Africa.

We have just returned from the most incredible 2 week trip in Africa, travelling to Kruger National Park, Cape Town and Victoria Falls – it was made all the more special by the incredible guidance, planning and organisation of Discover Africa, specifically Cayleigh. During the planning stage, nothing was ever too much trouble – they went to great lengths to listen to what we wanted in terms of destinations and type of accommodation and it all ended up being EXACTLY what we were looking for! The trip itself was seamless, with every single pre-arranged transfer and activity being on schedule. Cayleigh also provided contact details and checked in on us during the trip, to ensure everything was going smoothly. There is also a post trip check-in. Discover Africa provide an extraordinary service and we cannot recommend them highly enough!

In terms of the trip itself, there are just too many highlights to list but some of them were – extraordinary animals on safari and absolutely gorgeous Thornybush Lodge in Kruger, penguins and Table Mountain in Cape Town and basically everything in Zimbabwe – Shongwe Lookout was an intimate boutique hotel, sunset cruise (so many hippos!), elephant encounter, Victoria Falls and Lookout cafe, visit to a local village and the Simunye: Spirit of Africa show. We just want to go back and do it all again!

Everything was more than what I expected. From the safari drives to the lodging and food was five star. At the camps, one was pampered. Everyone was personable and made me feel at home. The entire trip was wonderful!

We had a wonderful experience with Discover Africa and, specifically, Dev Panaino. Dev helped us plan a dream vacation to South Africa and Zimbabwe and made the planning from our end effortless. We met with Dev via Zoom calls for the initial trip planning, and he regularly followed up with us via email. Dev was personable, easy to work with, and really listened when we outlined the experiences we desired on this trip. He designed an itinerary that met and even exceeded all our goals. With his knowledge of the area, he had great ideas for enhancing our adventure. Discover Africa provided us with comprehensive information on how to prepare for the trip down to the smallest detail. We left home with our travel documents safely in tow and the knowledge that we could reach out to Dev at any time should difficulties arise. And they sure did.

It’s worth noting that Dev arranged all our ground transportation at each leg of the trip as well as a private guide for several excursions. We traveled in unexpected luxury on the excursions with a knowledgeable, friendly guide who really added depth to the experiences. Dev also strongly recommended a safari lodge other than the more popular (and expensive) choices we had researched ourselves on-line. It turned out to be a true hidden gem, upscale yet cozier and more intimate than the others.

One of us had an unfortunate, vacation-ending injury on the fourth day of the trip (bad fall resulting in a broken kneecap requiring immediate surgery). We contacted Dev almost immediately in near-panic about what to do and how to get home. He really rose to the occasion, reassuring us that he would help and we’d be safe. Dev made many on-the-fly arrangements for us, from finding last-minute hotel accommodations and dealing with the local airline to arranging ground transportation and making all the necessary cancellations/re-bookings. Following our return home, he provided gathered helpful information to support our travel insurance claim.

Although our trip did not work out as planned, needless to say we highly recommend Dev Panaino at Discover Africa and would absolutely work with him again.