Walking Stick Travel & Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours where clients assist with camp chores
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,472 to $6,076 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Milo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A once in a lifetime trip with a few issues...
We had a 13 day tour with walking stick tours in August of 2023. Botswana itself is an incredible country with some of the friendliest people, and some of the most incredible wildlife we’d encountered anywhere. All 5 of us highly recommend a trip to the country for safari. Unfortunately our experience of walking stick tours was less stellar.
I’ll start with the good (of which there is plenty) :
- The food that Jo & team prepared for us was absolutely incredible, better than we had In restaurants elsewhere, and all cooked over an open fire! The team were always friendly and happy to help with any requests, we had beer and wine at dinner and no shortage of clean bottled water. We were really well taken care of at camp the entire 2 week trip.
- Prior to the trip communication was good and we were picked up at the airport.
- We had a great guide, Wago. He spoke very good English and had excellent knowledge of the flora & fauna of Botswana. We had a lovely time getting to know him and he got us some truly amazing wildlife sightings.
- Onto the sightings generally, we had great views of lion, leopard, cheetah, even an early morning wild dog sighting - really special.
The negatives:
- Our vehicle (named desert honey badger) was in a constant state of disrepair. We broke down several times every single day, the brakes on the car weren’t functional, and we had to veer off road at points when vehicles approached along the same stretch of road. We were repeatedly told that the car was being replaced or fixed but the issues persisted for the entire trip. This impacted our game viewing and massively impacted our travel time, by the end of the trip we were taken in an alternate vehicle, but this was far too little and much too late.
- Communication on the trip itself was poor, the issues with the vehicle and what was (or in fact wasn’t) being done was never properly communicated to us. We were misled daily about getting the vehicle repaired or replaced, but this never happened. We’ve been on safari before and know how ad-hoc things are sometimes, but this was a step beyond.
- In an attempt to make up for the constant issues with the vehicle we were offered a “complimentary” trip to Victoria falls in place of a game drive as our vehicle wasn’t functional. This was in fact not complimentary, and we paid $500+ for the day ourselves.
Since our trip we have reached out to Phillimon to open a dialogue with no intent for compensation, but we have been ignored. We absolutely loved Botswana and can’t recommend it enough as a safari destination, but we’d recommend you go with another operator instead of walking stick.
Reply from Walking Stick Travel & Tours
Posted on Oct 3, 2023Thank you for taking the time to share your good and bad experiences on your recent 13 day tour. We're sorry to hear that your visit wasn't up to your expectations. We take all feedback seriously, and we appreciate your honest feedback.
We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced. We also acknowledge the fact that the vehicle you were travelling in was in a constant state of disrepair.
However, the vehicle broke down once, not several times every single day. In Khwai (Day 7), the break fluid pipe had to be replaced, but the vehicle did not break down. The guide contacted headquarters in Maun to report the problem. A vehicle was then dispatched from Maun to Khwai to deliver a brand new break fluid pipe and two cans of break fluid. The repairs were done immediately at the campsite. This did not impact on any game viewing activities or travel time.
On day 11, in the Chobe National Park your vehicle broke down. In approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle following you - also our game viewing vehicle carrying 2 clients (a couple) arrived at the spot. You then joined them in their vehicle and continued your journey to Chobe Riverfront. Again, this did not impact on any game viewing activities or travel time.
You contacted me later that evening to lodge a complaint. I did apologize but you felt that an apology was not enough. You also mentioned that you did not want to travel in the same vehicle (named desert honey badger) again - even if it had been repaired. I then offered you a different vehicle to take you for a Victoria Falls day trip (still part of your 13 day itinerary), the following day, and you accepted.
Unfortunately you did not inform me that you were charged border fees and entrance fees at Victoria Falls, amounting to $500. VISAS and border fees are not included in our package prices, but I would have been more that happy to refund you the fees you paid to see the falls.
We did apologize to you in a follow up email we sent you at the end of your tour. So your attempts to open a dialogue with me have not been ignored. I also responded to this review, directly to you, on the 29th September but I have not heard from you.
ES
Email Enrique Eusebio | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An excellent and surprising safari
An excellent safari. Visiting these natural places while camping is marvelous due to the close contact with nature. The entire team has been very professional and has always been attentive to any detail. We have traveled a group of 16 friends and every afternoon when we arrived at the different camps the tents were ready, the fire lit and the Gin Tonic and the beers prepared. During the trip, the guides have always been very attentive to show us the animals and things of interest that we found. The stay in the delta and the rides in mokoros were very very pleasant. Barrier-free camps in the middle of nature provide a very surprising feeling of adventure. The journeys between the different camping areas are a bit long but they are interesting because you can constantly see different animals and landscapes. It is a highly recommended trip with this excellent organization and a very professional team.
DE
Email Hans&Rosi | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable days on our camping safari in Botswana with many highlights and beautiful memories
In April 2023 my wife and I were finaly able to go on the 11-day safari with Walking Stick Travel & Tours that we had already booked in 2019. Due to Covid 19, earlier travel had not been possible. Philimon had kindly held our booking until then. It is especially worth mentioning that there was no price increase in the following 3 years. Our special thanks for this!
Our journey now took us through the parks Moremi, Khwai, Savuti and Chobe. We were accompanied by a team of 3: Wago as guide and driver, Josiah as cook and KB for setting up tents and other helps. Everything was well organised and the team made our stay very pleasant with a lot of enthusiasm and helpfulness. The meals were varied and very delicious. The game drives were very informative and interesting. We profited greatly from the knowledge that Wago always knew in advance what, for example, leopards or lions were planning to do next. Once we were able to follow a leopard on its hunt for about 1 1/2 hours. All the other drivers had lost the hunt long ago. In the end, however, the hunt was unsuccessful.
On the game drives we saw nearly all the animals of Botswana. In Khwai there were the most leopards to be seen, even in the dark, because night drives are allowed there. We were able to watch a family of lions feeding on a prey for a long time.
The tents were very comfortable with shower and toilet in a separate area at the back of the tent. Hot water for our sink and shower was brought to us at any time of the day on request. It was very exciting at first and great to listen to the sounds of the night. Not seldom hyenas and jackals sneaked around our tent, sometimes very noisily.
A nice end to the day was a G&T after each afternoon game drive, followed by dinner. Around the campfire we discussed the day's events and plans for the next day.
This was now our third stay in Botswana. Once again it was a very successful stay with many exciting and adventurous moments. We can really recommend Walking Stick Travel &Tours.
Email Jesper Morch | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Magic days in the Delta
Over the past 25 years I have made an average of four annual trips to nature reserves in east and southern Africa. Ten years ago i was fortunate to run into Walking Stick and their leader Philemon Kamogelo. The experiences Philemon and his team gave us then were never surpassed until my recent trip with my dear friend Melanie from Cape Town.
We had planned and booked our trip for late September 2023. A heatwave was rolling over Botswana at the time. We asked if we could postpone some months. Although Walking Stick had prepared everything for a 12 day trip into the Delta followed by Moremi, they agreed. Correspondence between Cape Town and Maun was lively. Whatever our questions and requests, we invariably had reply and comments within 24 hours. Walking Stick is not the most fancy and luxurious of safari companies. Fortunately. It is exactly because Walking Stick is not that Melanie and I consider Walking Stick the best and most exciting experience available anywhere in east and southern Africa.
Philemon was our guide. His team included a chef, a back-up driver, a camp assistant, and two mokoro sailors. All of them from there same little village of 500 souls, which use had the good fortune to visit. The visit to the village was important - Walking Stick is very much a community based enterprise involving the village in many ways and form. But even more exciting was our daily encounters with the wildlife. At our first camp, we sat at sunset facing the river. To our left was 13 giraffes and 30 elephants. Straight ahead was an endless line of buffaloes. Maybe 150. And everywhere around us impala, wildebeest and zebra. And up in the higher branches of the tree see sat under, three fish eagles scouted the river for a possible catch.
A typical day at the Delta would be up at 7.00, tea, off in the mokoros and a walk or two. Back to brunch, maybe shower, and chill. Lunch made on open fire, a siesta and off on an evening tour of the delta in the mokoros. Later in Moremi, same pattern except the mokoro time was replaced by game drives in the huge Landrover.
Philemon and his team are without comparison the best, most competent, and most knowledgeable i have come across in my 100+ safaris over the years. They have my highest and most unreserved commendation. A trip with them is a glorious memory for the rest of your life. When yo do go, don't forget to get Philemon to tell you why their company is called Walking Stick. Melanie is as enthusiastic as `I am, and we are already beginning to plan or return to the Okavango and Walking Stick.
Email Melanie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best bush experience I have ever had
I have gone on Safari all my life - many were to super luxurious lodges. However, this was the best experience I have ever had. Being so close to the animals, learning from people who crew up amongst the animals and still being comfortable was just super amazing. It was extremely good value for money and the service from Philemon and his team was just super. The response to anything we asked was: "No Problem!" Philemon even went to extremely lengths to find a cellphone lost in the bush. If you want the real bush experience at a good price and still be comfortable, you cannot go wrong with Walking Stick Safaris.
Email Jules | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experienced, local, run by a trustworthy professional.
In October 2023 three friends and I had the absolute pleasure of doing a 7 day safari in Botswana with Walking Sticks Travel & Tours. The great service began before we left Australia as we emailed to and fro asking questions and clarifying details about the trip and were provided with all the info we needed by the very helpful Kealeboga James. It was a mobile safari which meant we camped in 4 different areas. As such, we got to see different landscapes and animals through Okavango Delta, Khwai Community Area, Savute area and Chobe National Park. I arrived in Maun the day before our tour started but still I was greeted at the airport by Walking Sticks manager Phillimon who drove me to my hotel. He immediately struck me as a polite and respectful person and as we spent the week in his care he proved to also be professional, humble, flexible, trustworthy and extremely knowledgeable with regard to flora, fauna and all things nature. He was supported by a terrific, hardworking team including Chef 'Prince' (a funny fellow), another expert guide, and multi-skilled back-up people who did everything from poling the Mokoro canoes to setting up tents and completing many tasks required to look after our needs so all the hard work was done for us. Our tour began with an enthralling Mokoro trip through the beautiful pristine wetlands where we were amongst hippos, crocs, elephants and birds. Mokoro's are the main form of transport and our camping spot was inaccessible by road and located in a shady nook near the water where we could view elephants and hear the sounds of nature (eg lion's roaring) day and night. Our tents with en-suite were adequate and we enjoyed the food and gin & tonic 'sundowner's whilst watching the gorgeous sunsets. Each day we spent hours game viewing either on foot or by jeep and Phillimon had a gift at being able to track and locate all manner of wildlife including lion, hyena, wild dogs, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, baboon, leopard and a variety of antelope and birds. We learnt so much as he imparted his knowledge of their behaviour and the landscape. All our campsites were different and in lovely settings. If you are a person who loves nature and living amongst it, can be up at sunrise every day and handle the challenges of dusty, bumpy roads and hot weather (October) then this tour is for you. It is one of the most memorable experiences in my 40 years of traveling. Thank you so much to Phillimon - your integrity is a true asset. Walking Sticks is a small, locally owned and run business and deserves the highest praise.
Email Tam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing. Exceeded all expectations. Phillimon is an outstanding guide, tracker and tour operator.
We (4 friends) had booked a Walking Sticks 7 day mobile safari “The Best of Botswana” during covid and finally made it in October 2023. An eagerly awaited holiday and safari that exceeded all expectations and the highlight of our trip to Southern Africa.
The trip was great value and Walking Sticks such an ethical company who honoured our deposit paid in 2020.
Phillimon is the best guide and tracker you could hope to meet. We saw some amazing sights including a wild dog hunt and kill.
Lions hunting, at a kill, lounging about, elephants and more elephants, hippos a plenty, cape buffalo, leopard and lots of giraffes, zebra and antelope and loads of birds. Seeing hyena pups at a den with mother was yet another highlight.
The first 2 nights was spent on the Okavango Delta and we did 3 walking safaris with an amazing guide. Watching hippos from
a mokoro on the water was a dream come true.
Magical African sunsets with G&T’s & cold beers. Dinner prepared by Chef Prince with a camp fire and great wines.
You couldn’t find a better safari company than Walking Sticks with Phillimon, KD, Prince, Comfort and Kealeboga. Highly recommend.
Thank you for making our dreams come true.
Tam
Email Peter Smith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very well organised, professional and customer focused
My wife and went on the Walking Stick Travel & Tours 11 day Safari through the Okavango, Moremi, Khwai, Savuti & Chobe in September 2022. Our contact was Philimon and all our bookings were done via email with him. We travelled in one Land Cruiser (with trailer) with the Walking Stick Team of Elliot (Guide & Driver), Joe (Chef) and Kia (general support). Everything was well organised and the Team were such great fun to be with that we were sad the trip had to come to an end after the 11 days. The meals were varied and tasty, the game drives were very informative and interesting and we saw pretty much everything except Rhino during our game drives. During the drives we saw Cheetahs hunting, a leopard with a kill that had it stolen by hyenas, lions with their kill and many other sightings. The tents were very comfortable with shower and toilet in an enclosed area out the back of the tent. Warm water was brought to us every morning for our hand basin and shower. It was a great experience to lie at night in the tent listening to the sounds of the African bush before going to sleep. Afternoon game drives were always ended with a G&T and snacks around the fire followed by dinner near the campfire. All in all it was a fantastic experience and exceeded expectations. If you want to experience the real Africa with a great team and feel safe, then don't hesitate to book with Philimon and his team at Walking Stick Travel & Tours
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience, cannot more highly recommend!
I cannot say enough good things about Walking Stick Tours! My husband and I did the 11day/10night Okavango Delta-Moremi-Khwai-Savuti-Chobe tour. We saw everything we wanted and more, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Every location had something different to offer and I am glad that we decided to do the 11-day trip. We were so well taken care of by our guide and support team and our every need was met, often before we even thought of it. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I cannot more highly recommend Walking Stick Tours! Will absolutely be coming back. Thank you!!
CA
Email Brenda Allen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Walking Stick Tours is a 5 Star operation!
Our recent experience with Walking Stick Safari Tours in August 2019, was absolutely amazing! The owner, Philemon is simply the best there is! We stayed in lovely tents with a toilet/shower area at the back that was very comfortable. We did the "Best Of Botswana" Tour for 6 days and saw lots of the beautiful Okavango Delta and its animals. . We travelled mostly by a safari vehicle, which was bumpy and long at times, but lead by a knowledgeable guide and amazing driver. We also had two days in a remote area that we reached by a mokoro, or flat bottom boat. It was magical. What an experience for a Canadian. Botswana is a lovely country!
The staff named Photos and Gift and others were absolutely amazing. The food was super delicious and always served with kindness and care as they prepared it by hand over a fire daily. The settings for all of the camping spots were super amazing. We actually camped with elephants just walking by behind out tents. We could hear the frogs sing at night as we faced a river teeming with life. And through it all we felt safe and well taken care of by Philemon and his crew. We had lots of wildlife drives by safari vehicle, mokoro/boat cruises, and even a couple of guided walks. The staff is wonderful, from the cooks to the support staff. They are polite, hard-working, honest, and hospitable. The character of Botswanan people is incredible!
I am a world traveller, and can honestly say, it was the best holiday I ever had! We saw lots of animals in a variety of settings and was able to get to know the warm staff. It was everything I hoped for and much more. I strongly encourage you to go on one of Philemon's tours, he will give you a trip of a lifetime!
In fact, we had such an awesome trip that we want to book another trip in the years to come! Sending warm wishes out to Philemon and Photos and staff on a job well done!!!
