Botswana Archives - Mills Africa

Fantastic Vacation

November 10th, 2015 by Kristina

Chuck & Barbara Schmit – Seattle Washington

We wanted to thank you for putting together a fantastic vacation for us. All of the components were all that we had hoped for. Cape Town was a great way to start. Parts of its shoreline were reminescent of the Monterey Peninsula in CA. The wine country reminded us of Oregon and of course wine tasting was a highlight. The two days with Steve, our Cape Town guide, were just great.

The Okavango Delta was a highlight, and we loved the experience of all water game viewing. The camp was as nice as depicted on-line. Our guide Kam was excellent as well – young and full of enthusiasm but also very knowledgeable. We couldn’t have enjoyed our stay there more.

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Then off to Savute, which couldn’t have been any more different than the Delta, but just as interesting. Our guide Qwist was like Kam-great. Just like our other stays, the staff there treated us royally and the camp was very nice. Just very good choices that you made for us.

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My only regret is that we didn’t stay an extra day at Victoria Falls-yes, to try again for Tiger fish. But that’s on me for insisting on a one-day stay. You were correct- the Stanley Lodge was a very special place-just the right place to relax after 2 weeks of traveling around on game drives.

Going into this trip we felt that it was going to be a once in a lifetime vacation. At the end of our 3 weeks, we agreed that at some point before we are too old to do so, we should go back to Africa, perhaps during a different time of year (June/July?) to experience Southern Africa shortly after the rains, which is something that all of our guides suggested so that we could see the “other” green Southern Africa. Whether we end up doing another trip, only time will tell. But both Barb and I are very grateful for all the help you gave us in making this trip such a memorable experience.

Posted in Botswana, South Africa, Testimonials

Flawlessly Coordinated: Cape Town, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls

June 13th, 2014 by Kristina

I don’t know how you do it! We are: amazed, awestruck, and can hardly believe our good fortune for the experiences we had on our trip.

To start with…every detail of our transportation was flawlessly coordinated. Down to the river crossing by boat at Kasane and including the bush pilot of 22 years of age who made perfect landings and take-offs each time!

The people we met were delightful at every stop and the guides were so helpful in explaining things to us about the culture, the animals on the game drives and what to expect relative to our daily schedule and how to maximize our experience.

From our bed and breakfast in Cape Town, the game reserve in South Africa, at Victoria Falls and in the Okavango Delta and all points in between – our accommodations were delightful. We did so enjoy the bird house at Tongabezi Lodge but our cabin by the river was also terrific with the sounds of the hippos lulling us to sleep.

And at Kanana Camp – I had no idea frogs could sound like wind chimes!

Kay L.
Seattle, WA

Posted in Botswana, South Africa, Testimonials, Zambia

Our first trip to Africa

April 15th, 2014 by Kristina

In Zambia, a wild dog lays on the grass. Photo by Margaret C.

Our first trip to Africa, Zambia and Botswana, was in 2007. Mills Africa put it together. After returning home I called in to give our report. Then, I was told “you guys really got it!” And, I replied YES! We did get it and now our fourth trip is in the works.

It is an experience unlike any other….the scenery, the reddest sunsets that you will ever see, and the animals. It is also an education….the history and the people. If you make the effort to get to know your guide and the camp staff, you will learn about not only them but how they live. This year we saw a man who had been our guide in 2007 and the first thing that he did was show us his wedding ring. Another guide from the 2007 trip was our guide this year at a different camp. He, too, recently married and we hand delivered a letter from him to his wife who works at another camp.

I hate to go to sleep at night ….I might miss the sounds of animals, nearby or far away. One night I heard an elephant next to our tent pulling up grasses and eating. When the wake up came in the morning, I told our guide to be careful as there had been an elephant next to our tent ALL night. At breakfast I found out that there had been over one hundred elephants in camp. Not just one.

Each early drive starts with reviewing the sounds of the night and reading the “morning news”. We look for comings and goings in the sand as we head out. It is a bit like going fishing…you never know what you will find or where it might be.

As we approach the end of a trip I am always sad. It is like reading a really good book and the end is only a page away. But, it is the animal experience that lives in our hearts and continues to take us back to Africa.

Margaret C – Seattle, WA

Posted in Botswana, Testimonials, Zambia

The Latest – Africa updates.

November 22nd, 2013 by Kristina

We pride ourselves on creating the trip of a lifetime for our clients – many of whom who are kind enough to provide highlights of their experiences. Browse the posts in “The Latest” to see their thoughtful feedback. Here you will also find interesting articles and snippets, posted to give you a sense of the amazing sights, sounds, experiences, cultures and histories awaiting you on your journey to Africa.

Posted in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Testimonials, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe