Fantastic “hard core” game viewing, nice setting, but property in need of refurbishment:

We (two families with a teen each) spent two nights there after being at the Little Vumbura Camp. We did this on the occasion of our brilliant Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls fly-in safari, expertly guided by Ultimate Safaris (sightings included the Big 5, cheetah, wild dog and sitatunga). Compared to Little Vumbura (Wilderness Safari), Kwando is less oriented to the traveller seeking for comfort but more to the adventurous one.

We were received rather distantly but the staff lightened up by and by. There are about eight rustic tents that were comfortable enough and clean but in an urgent need of refurbishing. We were told that the whole camp should be renovated in early 2011. The setting of Kwando is idyllic, by a lagoon under old trees, very nice.

The meals are buffet style. First, there are a continental breakfast by the “bush TV” before the morning game drive and a somewhat bizarre brunch after it. The food was well prepared but did not go well together. Then they served high tea before the evening game drive and quite a good dinner afterwards. For drinks you could help yourself from the bar. There was also a small pool (no towels provided) and a nice terrace by the lagoon for viewing the really spectacular fauna. Among others, we experienend elephants crossing and an abundance of hippos.

One night when going back to the tent after dinner there even was a hippo in front of our room. During the night there was an ongoing “noise” of these animals, a special experience …

The camp is specialized in “hard core” game viewing. That means “pursuing” certain animals until you see them. On the one hand, this gives you the chance of really rare sightings (we viewed amongst others cheetahs, lions and wild dogs). On the other hand, such drives were quite strenuous at times. But we kept saying to ourselves that we were lucky to have such experiences. Plus, we were aware of the fact that we probably would not be able to repeat such a trip (because of the enormous cost of traveling in Botswana).

In short, game viewing at Kwando Lagoon Camp is really a special adventure worth wile experiencing once in a life time. Yet accommodations up to date would certainly be a plus!

Date of stay: October 2010