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:
- $1,735 to $26,018 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
Email Lesley Hooper | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Passionate about delivering a top rate mobile safari
The trip was excellent in all respects. Pilot and the team were attentive without being intrusive, were friendly, fun and caring. They worked together really well and ensured that all of our camping needs were met. Pilot went even went over and above to borrow a suitable lead to charge Steve's camera in the car.
We appreciated camping in 3 very different locations. Water was not easily available at the 3rd camp but it didn't seem to pose any problems for us "guests".
Setting up and taking down the camp three times was a feat in itself. No complaining - even when the camp had to be taken down in the rain; our tent was always up first and down last.
Pilot
His organisation and desire to provide us with the best experience possible was clear. Pilot's passion for all things "animal" meant some long game drives, with no clock watching - we loved it! We even did a short game drive on the last morning as caracal had been spotted. We didn't see one but it was not for the want of trying and clearly we could not understand the message over the radio and would have been none the wiser.
His knowledge of animal behaviour was second to none and he also indulged us in our interest in birds. Pilot's knowledge of the game parks and the "road" system was mind boggling. His level of expertise in driving in conditions that we had never experienced before was evident. The trip back to the airport was quite something as Pilot was determined we would not be late.
Pilot was good fun to be with.
Paulina and the food
The meals were of great quality with fresh meat and salads, homemade bread and cakes cooked in the "oven" over the fire. Speaking to others with experience of "safari" in the bush, baking bread and cakes is definitley not usual! The meals were wholesome and plenty of everything.
There were also plenty of drinks - hot and cold, always on offer.
We noticed that hand washing (hygiene) among the staff was frequent - and provision of water and/or wet wipes when out was appreciated.
General
The early morning call with "your water is ready" started each day nicely. General ensured the car was kept clean inside and out. He sorted our bucket showers and presumably had the task of emptying the toilet cassette - we have a campervan and know what is involved with that. Guests with another company told us they had a "long drop" which was not so pleasant to use. The idea of a portable cassette toilet is genius.
Elena
Naturally warm, friendly and easy to chat with, Elena looked after us well. She took a lot of care making our bed and tidying up. Elena also took a lot of pride in setting the table (she makes serviettes into wonderful shapes), serving the food and drinks and preparing the "picnic bag" for tea and sundowners. She has an eye for detail and likes things to be done properly.
We would highly recommend a Pilot mobile safari.
Email Robyn McIntyre | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience of a lifetime in Botswana with a dependable and knowledgeable safari tour operation.
We had a wonderful time on our 8 day glamping safari in the Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai Concession, Botswana, with our guide Pilot and his 3 person crew! Somehow each day was just as magical as the day before and we now have fantastic collection of stills and video to remember our extraordinary animal encounters. Setting up the trip with Martin via email was so much easier than I had anticipated and he was always prompt to reply if I had yet one more question. We felt that we got great value for our money. Pilot was a wealth of knowledge and we always felt comfortable and safe with him. The rest of the team were formidable too- always helpful and polite, and a pleasure to be around. I still don't know how Pauline turned out those wonderful meals over an open fire!
Email Bettye Maki | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent in all ways. Careing, professional, knowledgable.
Our guide was Pilot with pilotsmobile safaris.com. I had previously had Pilot as my guide a few years ago and definitely wanted him again. It is important to have an experienced guide, who knows the wildlife encountered for safety reasons. Pilot is an excellent tracker. He can read animal tracks which is an advantage to finding that illusive leopard or cheeta. We saw everything we had hoped to see and more. Pilot has a very caring staff with a cook that is superb. We had fresh homemade bread daily and a variety of meals that can be found in a 5 star restaurant. His other staff members are very accomodating. Your comfort and well being is their top priority. Our safari was 12 days. Each day brought a new, exciting adventure.
One day during our afternoon rest period a bull elephant walked along the edge of camp as we sat in lawn chairs watching. The tents, showers and toilets are camp style but very comfortable. The beds and pillows insure a good night's sleep.
If you are wanting a guide who tries his best to show you what you came to Africa to see, you cannot miss with Pilot and crew.
NZ
Email Shane Primrose | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Mobile Safari experience of a lifetime
Martin made booking our adventure so easy and gave us great advice, if you want a hassle free experience then use KingFisher Safari’s.
We booked a 9 night mobile safari in Botswana Okavango Delta with a fantastic team Pilot, Helena, Pauline and Motobi. My wife and I had a wonderful carefree trip, seeing a huge range of wildlife.
Pilot is a hugely experienced guide that respects the animals space unlike a lot of other safari vehicles. His knowledge of animals and navigating the area is truly amazing.
The rest of the team made sure the camp is perfect, the camp chef Pauline creates the most amazing meals and her daily baked bread is to out of this world.
Helena the camp manager is wonderful at looking after you while Motobi the camp hand ensures you have hot water daily.
Going on Safari with Pilot is a fantastic experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
My only advise to would be travellers is book Discovery B&B one night before the Safari and again one night afterwards as avoids having to rush to setup camp or at the end rush to get to the airport.
We will be recommending Kingfisher Safari’s and Pilot to all our family and friends.
Thanks team for a trip of a lifetime.
CA
Email John White | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable, thoughtful, and understood what we were after.
We booked a visit to Namibia and Botswana for October 2025, and boy, we were not disappointed. The two locations are very different, and Martin knew how to bring out the best of both. Our Namibia adventure had us range over 3000 km to see the amazing landscape that is Namibia, guided by our excellent tour guide Joe, and we never felt rushed, or that it was too much. The Botswana leg was a very different experience, taking us as close as possible to nature, and again led by the ever surprising and resourceful Pilot. We didn't just get to see wildlife, we got to experience it.
I stronly recommend booking your next African adventure with Kingfisher Safaris.
CA
Email Bibi Popovic | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive, detailed and informative communication
We booked 2 weeks with Kingfisher Safaris for October ‘25. This was our first safari and Martin helped us create itinerary for the first leg of our trip which included visits to Cape Town, Victoria Falls and the incredible Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. We are so glad we did it.
The second leg of our trip was a camping safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta with a group of friends.
We loved every moment we spent in camps in Moremi and Khwai Concession. Our guide Pilot and the rest of the staff were there to make sure we have everything we need in order to feel as comfortable as possible. Pilot is one of a kind guide. He has decades of experience and very deep understanding and respect for the wildlife. I have to mention his great sense of humour as he made us laugh all the time. His dinner time stories were the best!
Thanks to Martin, Pilot and the ground staff, our trip was an amazing experience.
Email Robert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The guide was knowledgeable and the camping was comfortable.
Charles gave us a very enjoyable and informative safari. He keeps animal guidebooks in the car for the benefit of his customers, but he never had to refer to them. He could identify every mammal and bird species that we saw. He was very good at locating game animals. In one case he saw fresh tire tracks turning off of the road into the bush. He told us, “There is something interesting here,” and followed the tracks to a family of leopards. He single-handedly chased away an enormous male elephant that was eating acacia seed pods in our camp (but not until after we took pictures). Charles is also very personable, and told us stories about growing up in Botswana (his father wanted him to raise cattle).
The tents were comfortable and the food was great. A very nice "glamping" experience.
Email Judith and Barry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent, well researched, well supported, bespoke safari tour in Botswana
This was the first time that we had been on safari in Africa. Martin at Kingfisher Safaris offers bespoke tours and he has first hand knowledge of the area. He discussed various options in detail so we could easily select an itinerary that suited us. We chose to visit 3 camps in Botswana over a period of 12 days. Communications from Martin were timely and appropriate. Martin provided an excellent service and was always available to answer any questions, offering support as required. Both the safari tour and accommodation at the camps were way beyond our expectations. We would definitely use this company again.
Email Marta Chase | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an amazing visit to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana!!
We worked with Martin to organize a 4 week trip for us to Zimbabwe (Hwange and Mana Pools), Zambia (South Luangwa) and Botswana (Savuti, Khwai and Moremi). It was a trip of a lifetime.
We started with a lovely boutique guest house in Victoria Falls and headed off to three African Bushcamp sites in Zimbabwe. They were all lovely and the wildlife amazing.
We then headed to Zambia to South Luangwa and spent 8 nights split between two amazingly beautiful Sanctuary camp/lodges. We returned to many of the same spots on our daily drives but each day was a new one when it came to the wildlife. We felt like we knew the area by the time we left.
We finished with a 10 day mobile camping safari in Botswana with Pilot and his excellent staff (Maikano and Brighton). Pilot has the ability to find so many different animals in very difficult to see spots. This part of the trip was the highlight.
Martin did a wonderful job of providing the connections between all our different adventure. Everything went seamlessly. His choice of lodges was excellent.
We hope to return again and use his excellent services.
Thanks for a wonderful trip of a lifetime!!
Email Anuradha and Rajesh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent customised service
We worked with Martin at Kingfisher to plan and book our customised tour /itinerary and then on the ground in Botswana, Pilot Manga was our tour leader and safari guide. Martin is very knowledgeable about Botswana having spent several years there and was able to hit just the right spot for us in terms of both luxury and adventure. He was always responsive and worked through all of our questions patiently and gave us good information and advice throughout.
On the ground, Pilot was absolutely brilliant. He one of Botswana's great guides (Every camp we were at, the staff in the camp knew/had heard about Pilot.) He was able to make our trip an absolute delight with his incredible intuition and tracking skills in the bush. We had fantastic sightings and opportunities to watch the behaviours of several of the Big 5 at close quarters and a lot of this we owe to Pilot's great skills. But more critically, Pilot is a humble individual despite his enormous abilities and his sense of humor and storytelling kept us regaled throughout our 13 day trip.
As and when we plan our next Botswana trip , we will reach out to Kingfisher Safaris again.