Martin Smith, Managing Director
Kingfisher Safaris
- Office In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Botswana Guides Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,736 to $26,038 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Superb journey in Zambia and Botswana
Martin at Kingfisher created a wonderful journey through some of the iconic game parks in Zambia and Botswana. Once we decided on our itinerary, he arranged the travel between countries and provided excellent information to guide our preparation. Our guides and the lodge staffs were knowledgeable, friendly and made us want to return. We experienced the creature comforts of the lodges and the wonder of elephants walking through our camp during the mobile safari part of our trip. It was a wonderful combination and I couldn't have been more pleased with all aspects of this trip.
Email Chris Greaves | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
excellent service with frequent contact and advice
I found kingfisher safaris to be excellent in providing help and advice prior to booking. The fact it is a UK based company also helped in avoiding money transfers which can be awkward in Zimbabwe. Very personal follow up was received with Martin even making sure we had arrived at our various destinations. I had never used a tour company before for trips to Africa but with the number of transfers needed (air and road) used one this time and wasn't disappointecd with the service. Everything was on time andof a v high standard. The recommended accommodation provided an excellent holiday experience. Would definitely recommend Kingfisher and will be using them again in the future
Email Peter Greenwald | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful People, Lots of Animals
Nxai Pan was especially wonderful. The people at the lodges were very friendly and kind. The guides & trackers were amazingly knowledgeable, and they were lots of fun to be with. We saw lions at both Nxai Pan and Lebala. Guides at both sites were very diligent in finding animals for us to see. Truly, everyone was very nice. I would definitely go again.
Email Stephen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kingfisher delivered on every count
This is a top notch outfit. No lodge can match driving, dining, and sleeping out in the bush. It's a 24-7 experience with Pilot and his wonderful crew. Best of all, Pilot knows where the animals are going before they do. We enjoyed sustained sightings--alone--of an hour or more up and down the food chain. We two parents with two adult children enjoyed an African experience of a lifetime. We cannot recommend them highly enough.
Email Kevin and Anna | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very well organised and genuinely caring.
We wanted to do a lot in our five weeks taking in Namibia, Botswana and Victoria falls and finishing in Mauritus (which we planned ourselves.)
We actually had four tours which ran fairly seamlessly from one to the next. The planning process was a collaborative process in which we could say what flights we were able to book - some are quite limited or infrequent, and Martin at Kingfisher suggested itineraries. We were able to book the flights online and he was able to match us up with all of the activities - safaris, lodges, guides etc. He was there throughout the planning process and was always available. He clearly has a lot of local knowledge, contacts and a wealth of experience.
The entire itinerary, flights and route maps were all kept together on the Safari Buddy app. Since it was quite a complex itinerary this was great as it meant we could relax and enjoy rather than constantly having to think what was coming next.
The trip itself was amazing. We loved all of the accommodation arranged for us - the hotels were very good and the lodges were absolutely stunning.
Before going to Kingfisher, we had tried to organise a few bits ourselves. We didn't mind small groups, but the costs soon started spiralling. Kingfisher were able to give us what amounted to a private tour for far less than the cost of a group tour if we had orginised it ourselves.
Email Denita Kitto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent- Martin and his staff were masterful at taking our desires for a perfect Safari !
Martin was terrific and patient at working with our budget and giving us plenty of
Options. He was fantastic at communicating via email and even took my overseas call with enthusiasm!!
I feel value is incredible for the once in a lifetime African Safari experience !
His local staff was incredible - Pilot is like no other guide !! He goes above and beyond to ensure you have the best experience ever . His staff treats you like royalty ! The tents are luxurious, the food is great and the experience is amazing
CA
Email Lucien Brideau | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attention to detail ,flexible, customer service.
10 day mobile camping safari in Botswana’s delta. The tour provided a unique personal experience tailored to the customer . From pickup at the airport to returning at the end of the safari attention to the needs of quest remained the focus of the camp crews. Two game drives per day provided ample opportunity to view the wild life of the delta with a focus on what was important to the quests wether it be an emphasis on the big five or simply to experience both the flora and fauna. Mobile camps were surprisingly comfortable providing a unique experience. Well worth the costs.
Email Malinda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Martin Smith is knowledgeable, responsive, & takes a personal interest in each tour he plans.
This was a first time, bucket list safari for me. I fortunately received a recommendation for Mr. Martin Smith from a co-worker. He immediately responded to my initial email. He asked what my goals/desires were in terms of the trip. He continued to respond -almost immediately- to each question I had.
The Safari exceeded my expectations. I traveled to Botswana at his recommendation. I could not have been more pleased!!
I started with two nights at Victoria Falls and stayed in the Victoria Falls Hotel. Truly, I unexpectedly felt like royalty, with a private check in and fabulous room with a great view.
My first Safari camp, Linyanti Concessions, provided herds of wild animals to see and enjoy in their natural surroundings. Next was Khwai Lediba and last was Vumbura Plains. Each provided a unique experience and each increased in luxury. Keep in mind that I’m not a “luxury “ person, but it was a very nice surprise!!
EVERY transfer, every detail was flawless and seamless!!! I never had to think or worry about anything!!!
I overwhelmingly recommend Kingfisher Safaris and Mr. Martin Smith!!!!!
Email Paul | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful Mobile Safari perfectly organised
9 days Mobile Safari in Botswana. Excellent guide Pilot and great service from his Staff. Determined to find the most elusive animals which he did!! Most helpful assistance from Martin at Kingfisher Safaris who even booked a flight for us at short notice when ours was cancelled! Great experience, excellent value and wonderful service from booking to returning home. We will definitely travel with Kingfisher again!
SG
Email Hui Ping | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trusting and Reliable Tour Operator that provides us a Once-a lifetime Experience in Botswana!
It is Martin's words of assurance, his knowledgeable background about Botswana and his active communication that ends my months of searching for the right operator for our trip to Botswana. We told him what we hope to see during our 9 days 8 nights stay at Botswana and he crafted out 5 nights at Moremi and Khwai, followed by 3 nights at Mababe campsite. He took into consideration of my husband's medical concerns and suggested us flying into Xakanaxa and exit by Khwai and we were glad to be given the opportunity of our live time to ride the 5 seater plane by Mackair and we were simply thrilled. We even spotted a troop of elephants from the plane.
Once there, we were greeted by Pilot, an experienced guide and tracker who came personally to pick us and we started our game drive immediately. During our stay, his crew, namely Elena, Pauline (the talented chef) and Sruu took good care of us, ensuring that we were kept warm during winter times, making sure we have warm and delicious food and keeping our tent clean and neat whenever we returned from our game drives.
We listed what we hope to see at Botswana and Pilot gave us more than we wanted. His active communications with the other trackers as well as his years of experience of tracking animals made it possible to see more animals. His driving, to others, might seemed too fast and reckless but we knew that he did not want us to miss seeing the animals in action. That is what game drive is all about. He always checked on our safety during the rides.
We saw wild dogs, cheetahs and lions attempting to hunt, abeit failed, leopard cautioning us to stay away as he had an impala up on the tree, close encounter with herds of eleplants, cape buffaloes, impalas and visited a den of hyenas with a gamily of at least 11 living there. The list goes on. As we were staying in the tent, we had lion, elephant and hyenas visitations at night but that added further excitement to our experience. Over at Mababe, it was quieter as the animals spotted were fewer but Mababe gave us a totally different experience. The wide, vast plains were unique, raw and so remote that we felt we were the only humans walking on this side of the Earth. Over at Mababe, it was our first sightings of the African wild cat and Genet too.
Pilot and his crew gave us a treat on our last night, whipping out their local dishes, dancing and singing around the campfire.
Thank you for the unforgettable memories and excellent services.
