Premium Botswana & Namibia

Customer Reviews

• Stewart

  · October 28th, 2017
  Peregrine Tour – Classic African Safari Feedback Overall experience: Excellent The principal objectives of this tour were all achieved. We were able to view and photograph nearly all the animals we hoped to see. We had good leaders and drivers and excellent company. Accommodation was satisfactory to excellent and transport was effective if subject to a few deficiencies. There were some hiccups but there was clearly a desire on the part of Peregrine to rectify these as possible. Health and safety One concern as that the transport truck on the last two legs had problems with broken bindings for one of the fuel tanks. The door to the passenger compartment also was jammed and could not be opened from the inside – a worry when we found ourselves sitting directly above the unsafe fuel tank. The door problem was eventually rectified but the fuel tank bindings broke a second time. Itinerary This was comprehensive and a reason we felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience most of the attractions of east and south Africa. The trip was certainly undertaken in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Culture We had good interactions with Maasai people, San bushmen and the Cape Malay community as well as with accommodation staff and other guests at the relevant venues. Local drivers/guides for the game drives were also communicative. Accommodation Most venues were excellent. There were some changes from the advised itinerary (which others in the party were given advanced warning of but we were not). Some of these were probably a change to better facilities (e.g. Lake Nakuru Lodge rather than Sleeping Warrior tented camp & Trailblazers Camp rather than Dqae Quare Lodge in Ghanzi). However, inability to stay a second night at Mopane Lodge, Damaraland and the need to move to Khorixas Rest Camp was a definite downgrade. Also the inability to stay at Namibia Desert Lodge and diversion to Swartfontein Hunting Lodge was a major problem given the additional time (2h15m each way) to reach Sossuvlei and Sesriem, despite the excellence of the Lodge itself. Half our group opted not to go on that day trip because of the additional time and the state of the vehicle. Transport – poor Activities – Excellent Meals – excellent The transport was something of a let-down. We appreciate that availability of good appropriate transport in Africa may be limited and what there is may suffer greatly regularly because of the state of the roads. Our benchmark was the truck used when we toured with Peregrine in Mexico last year which had been much more upmarket. However we had problems with each of the trucks used in Africa: 1) Kenya. Reasonable truck. There was no air-conditioning but it was not required in those temperatures. No microphone system for leader. Did have fridge and lockable safe. 2) Maasai Mara. Appropriate vehicles for game drives. Because of rains, tracks had become muddy and local drivers did not appear to have either expertise or equipment to cope and frequently got bogged. This caused a delay of over an hour for us to be picked up after a balloon ride. 3) Tanzania. Truck seemed similar to that used in Kenya but had problems with engine pressure and stalling so (thankfully) we had more time in game drive vehicles than planned. The truck also proved to be very leaky in both passenger and luggage compartments. 4) Victoria Falls-Cape Town. Truck was smaller than the previous two with uncomfortably narrower seats. There was a roof that could be raised but this was unsuitable unless people were very tall. The bindings securing it were continually failing so it rattled throughout. The actual roof was quite low and a real hazard for taller members of the group. It was not a suitable vehicle for an extended game drive (for which it was scheduled in Etosha) as those on inner seats would have had very limited views. The entire group opted to pay an additional US$90 each to use game drive vehicles provided by the lodge. There was an air-conditioning unit of variable effectiveness and initially it leaked badly and had to be switched off. There was no safe or fridge available. More seriously, half way across the Namibian desert, bindings for the second fuel tank broke. Some of the passengers helped to secure it temporarily with a chain and it was “repaired” in Swapokmund but promptly broke again the next day. Safety issues with the jammed door are mentioned above in “Health and Safety”. The transport company replaced the vehicle with a “Sprinter” bus which gave a much more comfortable ride over rough roads but had more limited viewing facility. 5) Namibian border. Because of the change of vehicle, the exit bureaucracy at the Namibian border caused major problems. The transport company were reputedly “too busy” to forward replacement papers for a few hours and we had to wait for 3-4 hours before we could leave the country. Crew Our leader on the first leg was excellent with good local knowledge and excellent communication skills. He demonstrated extraordinarily good prediction skills about the likely movement of animals. He was responsive to the needs and request of the group. The driver on our first leg was competent and safe. Our leader on the second and third legs was also first rate, enthusiastic, approachable, organised and communicative. Both leaders showed a commitment to a high level of responsible tourism. The driver on our second and third legs was also safe and helpful although did get caught a couple of times exceeding the local speed limit (we felt sorry for him as the signs had not been all that clear and helped with his instant fines). The roads were challenging to say the least and he coped well with the difficulties and the broken fuel tank straps. He was rather shy socially but did join the group and we enjoyed looking at his family photos. Booking process There were many emails back and forth but the local contact was always patient and helpful. Trip notes Some of these were out-of-date when we travelled but we had not been notified of alterations, especially regarding changes of accommodation (some others had received updating emails). Had the change to Swartfontein Lodge been notified well in advance with a caution about the transport distance but a well-deserved complimentary description of the lodge, this would have caused less disgruntlement among the party. General comment Peregrine may not be the cheapest tour company but do have a commitment to quality. When inevitable problems arise they do make a strong effort to ameliorate or correct them.
  Show more
• chris

  · August 14th, 2016
  Original itinerary was great but not followed by guide. Sth Africa, Botswana, etc, saw big five but none of the cultural experiences, schools, music, people as listed in itinerary. Guide not interested, received no reply from Peregrine after sending email. Still left wanting as trip was once in a life time.
  Show more
• Lynn

  · October 18th, 2019
  Initial organisation ( small vehicle and no trailer) not so great but Tanya rose to all challenges and fixed any glitches promptly.
  Show more