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 p.81 #7 · African safari talk...recommendations? | |
artsupreme wrote:
It seems like there's a lot of people here interested in reviews of Pangolin experiences. Were all your destinations above with Pangolin and did they pack their safari vehicles with 6+ people like they did with 40Drigg's Chobe experience?
You mentioned Lewa was the highlight for you, what did you like about Lewa?
I'll add mine too.
I've been to Botswana 3 times, twice with Pangolin. Both times stayed at the hotel in Kasane and also at the House Boat.
FWIW, the house boat is being replaced by a new one that is only slightly bigger but apparently much better laid out. This may happen before the end of 2025 or it may already be in place.
The hotel is nice, great rooms, nice showers and beds, food is decent but nothing special. The staff is wonderful and very friendly, a necessity with these places I imagine.
You do boat trips on the river and also game drives in the CNP when you are at the hotel. The photo boat is the same whether you are staying on land or the water and is very well designed as mentioned.
The game drives are in their own vehicles, yes, with 6 people in a jeep and all that it entails. I never found the game drives to be that productive although there are a great many animals there - the park is just so big, it is almost 8 (yes, 8) times the Mara reserve. Therefore there are things that you may not see anywhere else that easily. For example, we saw a large herd of Roan galloping past our vehicle on their way to the river, with young calves and all. I have at most seen one or two of these beautiful creatures before, always at a distance. So while it may be your lucky day, again, it may not. Being a national park there is no off-roading so that's frustrating as well.
The river is another story. I would recommend staying on the house boat at least 2 nights if not 3 (their usual package) so that you can see the Namibian side of the river too where the boat will be parked for one or two nights (you have to go through an immigration check point for this, no visa required for US citizens).
The photo boat experience is unparalleled for sure, you get really close to the wildlife, including kingfishers and such, elephants chewing on the grass by the river banks and if you are lucky you may also see lions by the water. It is something you don't get to do anywhere in East Africa, so it is special. The boat driver is exceptionally good at getting you close.
Each group is led by one professional photographer who is either a Pangolin employee or someone hired by them for the duration (as was in our case). These guys are truly wonderful, very experienced and fully dedicated to your welfare. While they will also take pictures, they never get in your way and are always there to help and guide. Something I have a pet peeve with is when a team leader who you pay to take you on these workshops uses you to get his/her own portfolio padded up. Not so here, which is great. Even though I've been to Africa around a dozen times, I found this professional to be very helpful in his comments and guiding. Shooting from a boat low on the water is a new experience and having somebody who has been there before is very valuable.
we also did an extension to the Okavango delta and the Kalahari on both of my tours, but that was not a pangolin arrangement and in the end was less than stellar.
So yes, I vote for Pangolin hotel and houseboat, with the understanding that expectations might be exceeded or not, depending on your own experience but overall it is a worthwhile trip for sure.
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(usually with the 100-500 I have the tendency to fill the whole frame, often resulting in cropping out a tail or something)
