Sep 18, 2024
AWESOME Safari! - This safari was so much better than we imagined. From our drivers, Simon and Eric to our guides, July and Gift, they helped make this a trip of a lifetime.
Simon was so delightful, making the one hour journey from our hotel in Vic Falls to the Botswana checkpoint (and back) just zip by. Eric was Mr. Efficient, ushering us through the Botswana side ahead of a very large group, saving us at least a half hour. Thank you, Eric!
We had a river safari in the morning, led by July, and an afternoon land safari, led by Gift. Both these gentlemen were exceptional guides: very knowledgeable and especially personable. They both took us up as close as (safely) possible to the abundant wildlife in Chobe. We saw hippos, buffalo, crocs, zebra, giraffe, baboons, pumbas (warthogs), elephants galore, and yes, lions, along with kudus, impalas, and more. There were scores of fowl, all identified by our guides. Truly awesome! Thank you Cuckoo Safaris for making this such a memorable trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 10, 2024
I thought they weren't worth it compared to ours in Iguazu: I was wrong! - It is worth moving to the heart of Africa to meet them!!!
They're very big, tall and spread out!
It is a pleasure to walk the road with all the viewpoints!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 31, 2024
Wildlife aura - I was impressed by the allure of wildlife.
I am simply mesmerized by the world we live in, from Jeeps to herds of elephants, impalas, giraffes and then nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 21, 2024
Small group tour is the best way to go!! Thank you Cuckoo Safari! - I went with Cuckoo for all three of our activities because they got great reviews and am so happy we did! They give you a quality experience and it’s so much more personable! We’ve traveled to over 60 countries and the three tours we booked with Cuckoo Safaris are at the top of our list of incredible experiences.
The morning of this tour our driver picked us up and advised us that it would be around a 60 minute drive to get to the boarder. Along the way we were treated with a mini safari of giraffes, kudu and elephants! The driver would stop so we could take photos and never made us feel rushed. Once at the boarder he walked us into the immigration and the whole process was quick and easy! Make sure to get a multiple entry visa!! We walked 10 steps and our guide and driver in Botswana was there to collect us and drive us to the immigration office on that side. Easy process!
We were taken to a gorgeous resort where we boarded a small boat that seats 16 max. I think we were lucky going during a slower season as it was just us and a family of three on the boat. There were many boats on the water and some really big ones but the small boats got you so much closer to the wildlife. We spent 3 hours on the water and the time flew by!
Lunch was back at this gorgeous resort. Buffet but lots of selection and yummy. I forgot my iPhone charger and the front desk will charge your phone for you.
The land tour through Chobe was also just as great! We had a safari vehicle with a top and it was a life saver under the hot sun. So much wildlife and our driver was not only funny but truly got us the best angles to see the animals and we never felt rushed. We were also really lucky and were the only two people in the safari vehicle that day. Crazy!! Incredible day tour to Botswana!! Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 15, 2024
A Must-Do Day Trip Filled with Adventure and Animals - We had a wonderful time! The drive from Vic Falls to Botswana was on time and enjoyable with our driver. The transfer at the border went very smoothly and was quick. Our next driver was informative and friendly. Another transfer to our river cruise was seamless and off we went, on a morning river safari. We were the only ones on the boat with the guide and he was terrific. We saw so many animals in and out of the water. The river scenery itself was fabulous. A highlight was watching a family of elephants swim across the Chobe River. The buffet lunch, in a beautiful lodge, was delicious, and our afternoon land safari was highlighted with closely watching lions finishing off a recent buffalo kill. We saw a lot of animals, now from the land perspective. Beverages were served mid-way. The trip back to Victoria Falls from the border with our same original driver was again, seamless and on time. We didn't wait for anyone, anywhere. A terrific one full day tour and company to work with!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 13, 2024
Awesome day in Chobe - Pick up was on time & Simon was an absolute gentleman. He made sure we had everything we needed & let us know what to expect for the day. Once through immigration (Simon helping us) we were met on the Botswana side & helped through immigration swiftly & driven straight to Chobe. Our driver Veegro (terrible at spelling) was top notch. We saw heaps: Lion, lioness with her cubs, giraffe, Buffalo, elephants (100’s), hippo, warthog, zebra, kudu, impala, waterbuck, baboons, etc. Then onto the boat & that was also brilliant. Best game visit to a park in many years & I've done quite a few over the years. Veegro was awesome, funny & very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 12, 2024
Bravo Goes To Cuckoo Safaris!! - This was our 1st visit to Zimbabwe. We arrived Victoria Falls by Rovos Rail from Cape Town and Pretoria. We had our first fantastic Safari experiences in Hwange Nat'l Park, as part of our Rovos Rail excursion. We were excited to continue the safari experiences with the safaris that we had booked through Cuckoo Safaris. The 1 day Chobe river cruise/ safari-game drive and half day safari-game drive in Zambezi Nat'l Park did not disappoint. We saw an AMAZING amount animals, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat. The guides, Figo and Mtabisi, both with PUKU Safaris, were timely, knowledgeable, professional, kind, and personable. The morning cruise on the River is a must for any visitor. Our to and from Botswana Driver Manda was timely, professional, kind, and humorous as well. His assistance and help getting through the border and into Botswana was greatly appreciated. Got to give a BIG Shout Out to and for Tatenda Tarzan our Cuckoo booking agent. He was soooo helpful and so patient as we planned and booked our safaris/game drives. We had hoped to meet Tatenda in V.F. and THANK him personally, but unfortunately that didn't happen. We would certainly book through Cuckoo Safaris again.
Caution; I had problems in Zimbabwe with older USD currency notes being refused for purchases and tips. The older notes, without color, are seen by the locals as being "No Good". Be sure to take newer USD currency notes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 12, 2024
Very good one day experience. - Enjoyed trip from Victoria Falls to border with Simon. Chobe River trip was great way to see animals. Safari was a lot of fun. A good one day exposure to the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 23, 2024
Long day but saw lots - Professionally run tour of the Chobe River and game drive in Chobe Park. Long dive with 1 hr drive each to the Botswana border for the two tours. All guides excellent. All the transfers were expeditiously handled and there is lunch at a 4 star hotel between the tours. Think the boat tour should be shortened to 2 hrs as 3 hrs seemed too long. Had done a safari in Kruger earlier in our trip but did see some new animals..crocodiles, rhinos, and Cape buffalos. Saw many elephants, monkeys, giraffes, and bushbacks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 3, 2024
Not the best money spent on a tour - Too much time at one sighting while on the boat tour. Then when we when in the land tour he took us right back to the water where we saw basically the same animals. I was looking to see more of the big cats out large antelope not more elephants and hippos.
Review provided by Viator