Embrace Safaris
Embrace Safaris
5
Ancient Ruins4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursSafarisPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Embrace Safaris is a family owned company that offers tailor-made mobile safaris and adventure tour packages. We offer luxury mobile tented accommodation options as well as more budget orientated activities, such as day trips to Moremi Game Reserve, mokoro trips, bush walks and cultural tours. We operate within all of the major tourist destinations in Botswana such as, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park. Magkadigkadi Pans, Tuli Block and many more! We pride ourselves in our authentic and wholesome approach to tourism, by sharing our passion and connecting people with nature. Our tailor-made mobile safari itineraries allow you the flexibility and personal attention to create and embark your very own, privately guided safari! Our family has deep roots in Botswana's tourism history, and Embrace Safaris owner and Director, Alistair Wilmot will make sure that every safari or tour is lead with genuine passion and the highest standard of hospitality and professionalism.
Maun, Botswana
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Kyls2014
Sydney, Australia23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Alistair Wilmot hangs out the side of his moving vehicle, eyes glued to three sets of lion prints that are heading for the river. Wild sage bursts against the car wheels as it lurches off-road, sending puffs of sweet scent into the air. In the distance a huge bull elephant violently shakes dates from a palm tree. This is wild Okavango as you dreamed it.
The Wilmot Mobile Camp was the coolest first-wilderness-experience I could have asked for. This tour is for all who don’t want the manicured pedestrian luxury-camp experience that now pervades Okavango - but who yearn for the authentic Delta, untouched; true encounters with remoteness, and close encounters with animals.
Alistair and Elsa are extraordinary hosts with an infectious passion for this magical place. They bring huge energy, and deep knowledge. Alistair is from Botswana’s pioneer stock with deep-rooted history in the Delta, and his partner, the beautiful Elsa, is a keen environmentalist. Together they were brilliant company, and could not have done more to make an unforgettable safari for me.
We camped in a remote concession, in a forest with a baboon family of twenty or so nesting above us in the trees. We did not see another living soul for the duration.
Two safaris a day, morning and afternoon, were capped with a sundowner next to the Hippo pond, with the hippos finding us as entertaining as we found them.
The camp was well organised, and food prepared was tasty, simple. and cooked on an open fire. A bucket shower was always ready with hot water thanks to Elliott and Basuthu, our two Botswanan helpers. Simple but comfortable tents. Miner’s lamps lit our nights.
The camp clearly had it’s dangers. A carcass, dragged into the trees above us by leopards, greeted us on arrival, a cautionary tale that we were now in their territory. But I always felt protected by the skill and watchfulness of my hosts, who had solid strategies and procedures for any situation. And actually, the nearness of animals heightened the experience for me, and left the luxury camps I attended subsequently feeling dull and orchestrated by comparison. (It turns out Botswana is an extremely regulated place. The permanent camps are often very regimented and feel stifling if you are into a taste of adventure. There is no freedom to go off road, or be on foot in places where there is big game - no where near the freedom of Wilmots.)
We swam in a crocodile free-section of the pristine river, and had a thrilling standoff with a huge female elephant while on foot. On the last night Alistair and Elsa rigged up a ‘star bed’ for me, complete with mosquito net on the top of one of the four wheel drives, out of reach of the leopards. It was fantastic falling asleep under the milky way with a cacophony of sound-sound hippos, elephants and lions.
Alistair is an excellent and intuitive tracker. You may not always find game right on cue, in a way that the zoo-like luxury camps organise to. But you are guaranteed astonishing unexpected and intimate experiences, such as driving home through a moonlit, mist-filled valley only to see 100 buffalo coming at us out of the mist.
I feel profoundly lucky to have seen the Okavango through the eyes of this brilliant couple. I’ back in a shot, and couldn’t recommend Wilmot Mobile Camps more.
The Wilmot Mobile Camp was the coolest first-wilderness-experience I could have asked for. This tour is for all who don’t want the manicured pedestrian luxury-camp experience that now pervades Okavango - but who yearn for the authentic Delta, untouched; true encounters with remoteness, and close encounters with animals.
Alistair and Elsa are extraordinary hosts with an infectious passion for this magical place. They bring huge energy, and deep knowledge. Alistair is from Botswana’s pioneer stock with deep-rooted history in the Delta, and his partner, the beautiful Elsa, is a keen environmentalist. Together they were brilliant company, and could not have done more to make an unforgettable safari for me.
We camped in a remote concession, in a forest with a baboon family of twenty or so nesting above us in the trees. We did not see another living soul for the duration.
Two safaris a day, morning and afternoon, were capped with a sundowner next to the Hippo pond, with the hippos finding us as entertaining as we found them.
The camp was well organised, and food prepared was tasty, simple. and cooked on an open fire. A bucket shower was always ready with hot water thanks to Elliott and Basuthu, our two Botswanan helpers. Simple but comfortable tents. Miner’s lamps lit our nights.
The camp clearly had it’s dangers. A carcass, dragged into the trees above us by leopards, greeted us on arrival, a cautionary tale that we were now in their territory. But I always felt protected by the skill and watchfulness of my hosts, who had solid strategies and procedures for any situation. And actually, the nearness of animals heightened the experience for me, and left the luxury camps I attended subsequently feeling dull and orchestrated by comparison. (It turns out Botswana is an extremely regulated place. The permanent camps are often very regimented and feel stifling if you are into a taste of adventure. There is no freedom to go off road, or be on foot in places where there is big game - no where near the freedom of Wilmots.)
We swam in a crocodile free-section of the pristine river, and had a thrilling standoff with a huge female elephant while on foot. On the last night Alistair and Elsa rigged up a ‘star bed’ for me, complete with mosquito net on the top of one of the four wheel drives, out of reach of the leopards. It was fantastic falling asleep under the milky way with a cacophony of sound-sound hippos, elephants and lions.
Alistair is an excellent and intuitive tracker. You may not always find game right on cue, in a way that the zoo-like luxury camps organise to. But you are guaranteed astonishing unexpected and intimate experiences, such as driving home through a moonlit, mist-filled valley only to see 100 buffalo coming at us out of the mist.
I feel profoundly lucky to have seen the Okavango through the eyes of this brilliant couple. I’ back in a shot, and couldn’t recommend Wilmot Mobile Camps more.
Written September 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoranHowickSA
Chichester, UK2 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
A magical safari with Alistair & his team of friendly, caring, happy, knowledgable staff. We spent a week sharing the home of & obseving the lives of the most fabulous creatures from tiny squirrels & mongeese, to incredible varied birdlife, to beautiful impala, zebra, kudu, giraffe, lions, leopards & elephants..
Sun rise, mid-day and sunset drives, with superb tracking by Alistair, provided an abundance of great & small wildlife - it was so good to stop for short or long periods & observe their interactions & behaviour.
Our camp was very very comfortable with superbly well equipped tents & bathroom facilities - to shower under the stars with the roaring of lions in the distance is just brilliant ! A log fire for early coffee pre-drive chats or for pre & post dinner chats & stories or just quiet reflections of the day.
We enjoyed splendid meals & the best "fire baked" bread ever !! A well stocked bar with ice & lemon all week - Such brilliant organisation to provide such comfort in the middle of the bush .
Thank you.
Sun rise, mid-day and sunset drives, with superb tracking by Alistair, provided an abundance of great & small wildlife - it was so good to stop for short or long periods & observe their interactions & behaviour.
Our camp was very very comfortable with superbly well equipped tents & bathroom facilities - to shower under the stars with the roaring of lions in the distance is just brilliant ! A log fire for early coffee pre-drive chats or for pre & post dinner chats & stories or just quiet reflections of the day.
We enjoyed splendid meals & the best "fire baked" bread ever !! A well stocked bar with ice & lemon all week - Such brilliant organisation to provide such comfort in the middle of the bush .
Thank you.
Written May 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber172037
1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Friends
I really had no idea what to expect so I can't say it passed all my expectations however I can say I'll never forget it. Unbelievable experiences with animals; lions, leopards, wild dogs, rhinos, elephants, hyenas, crocodiles and pygmy leopards (more fool me! lol) and so many birds!
The organisation at Embrace was faultless we were treated so well with an earnest and warm attitude by all the staff. Our guide Alistair treated us to all the insights and tracking skills we could have wanted. It was amazing to be so involved. The camp and facilities were as if we were staying in a hotel except we were camped in the bush! Really! Three amazing meals per day, beds, hot showers, snacks and a mobile bar!
The vehicle was stupendous, a fully restored 6L V8 1967 Land Cruiser, unbeatable!
If you get a chance to go on this Safari with Alistair and the crew do not hesitate!
The organisation at Embrace was faultless we were treated so well with an earnest and warm attitude by all the staff. Our guide Alistair treated us to all the insights and tracking skills we could have wanted. It was amazing to be so involved. The camp and facilities were as if we were staying in a hotel except we were camped in the bush! Really! Three amazing meals per day, beds, hot showers, snacks and a mobile bar!
The vehicle was stupendous, a fully restored 6L V8 1967 Land Cruiser, unbeatable!
If you get a chance to go on this Safari with Alistair and the crew do not hesitate!
Written November 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
magic32rn
Rimini23 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Great places with magic atmosphere. Congratulations to Embrace Safaris for the organization, competence, customer care but mostly for the adventure spirit and the passion. The passion of Alistar and Elsa made sure that the journey made with them as guides seemed like a shared trip with two old friends. It was special. Thanks.
Written September 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NatjN
Bergamo, Italy1 contribution
Aug 2017 • Family
Myself and my family recently had the absolute pleasure of experiencing our very first Safari through the undeniable luxury of Embrace Safaris and above all through the experienced eyes of its owner Alistair. As parents of two pre-teens, a girl and boy, aged 11 and 9 years old respectively, it would be fair to say that we had moments of concern about them spending 5 days on Safari. However, thankfully, our concerns were completely groundless and we can absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, recommend this experience for people with families looking for something different.
Alistair’s love and passion for his surroundings coupled with his limitless knowledge and patience with the endless questions from our children (as well as the adults) made our adventure so much more than we could have ever imagined. An essential mix of humour and experience made every game drive an unmitigated success – in fact our children frequently remind us that 1) we saw absolutely everything (we did) and that 2) Alistair is awesome (he is)!
The camps are the height of luxury, hot showers and fabulously delicious food are incredibly welcome after the morning and afternoon game drives. Although, I would have to say that my favourite part was most definitely the sundowners and the sunsets on the African plains – nothing can quite compare to watching the sun go down whilst elephants and other animals quench their thirst in a watering hole nearby. My children have come away with an understanding about nature and its surroundings from Alistair and Embrace Safaris that they would never have learnt in school – an unforgettable experience for all of us. Thank you for the memories and laughter Alistair and Embrace Safaris – we would come back in a heartbeat!
Alistair’s love and passion for his surroundings coupled with his limitless knowledge and patience with the endless questions from our children (as well as the adults) made our adventure so much more than we could have ever imagined. An essential mix of humour and experience made every game drive an unmitigated success – in fact our children frequently remind us that 1) we saw absolutely everything (we did) and that 2) Alistair is awesome (he is)!
The camps are the height of luxury, hot showers and fabulously delicious food are incredibly welcome after the morning and afternoon game drives. Although, I would have to say that my favourite part was most definitely the sundowners and the sunsets on the African plains – nothing can quite compare to watching the sun go down whilst elephants and other animals quench their thirst in a watering hole nearby. My children have come away with an understanding about nature and its surroundings from Alistair and Embrace Safaris that they would never have learnt in school – an unforgettable experience for all of us. Thank you for the memories and laughter Alistair and Embrace Safaris – we would come back in a heartbeat!
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cd00ge
Bergamo, Italy1 contribution
Aug 2017 • Friends
Coming from Zimbabwe and having had the great fortune to have 'been to the bush' throughout my childhood, expectations for this safari to Savute and Khwai were high. And I can say without a doubt, that I was blown away by Embrace Safaris! Alistair is a brilliant guide - it was fascinating to watch him hanging off the truck to track - a particularly memorable moment was when one of us thought we had spotted a snake track on the road. Alistair slowed the vehicle down, glanced at it for 2 seconds and: 'nope, that's a leopard dragging a kill'. U-turn! And off we went to find it - and find it Alistair did! We had 5 days of magic in pristine wilderness, with a very charming host, in a luxurious camp and were spoilt by the friendly and efficient staff. I can't recommend this experience more highly and my friends, family and I have come away with fantastic memories. Thank you so much Alistair and Embrace Safaris! So hope to be back again soon!
Written September 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_zimbo_bimbo1
Waikiki, HI1 contribution
Aug 2017 • Friends
I have done safaris all my life but this was par excellence in every respect! We saw all the big predators at very close range, with cubs, in an exquisite ecological environment. A big group of friends with children, we were treated to great comfort in the tented camp lovely food and wine around a campfire......the luxury of a lodge. Alistair was so knowledgeable and congenial and great fun. His staff were efficient and friendly....it was a truly wonderful 5 days with Embrace Safaris and the amazing Alistair Wilmot team. We will do this again!
Written September 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Milan, Italy4 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Alistair is a brilliant guide and host. His crew were fantastic . Comfortable camp and great food. As for the wildlife, it was beyond expectation and mostly due to Alistair's incredible skill as a guide. I have had the privilege of being on a number of Safaris in Botswana and I can honestly say this was one of the most incredible experiences. Highly recommended.
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyls2014
Sydney, Australia23 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
This was my second bespoke safari camping trip with Alistair and Embrace, and if I could do it every year for the rest of my life, I'd be a happy chappy. It's a privilege to be taken to such remote, untouched and exquisite landscapes.
Alistair offers you something that none of the commercial Lodges can..bespoke off-road safaris of true remoteness and aloneness - no signs of humanity just the stars above - and in a place of sublime beauty and wildness, replete with animals living as they have for millennia. You never know what you will find; hippos, crocks, elephants, red lechwe, giraffe, zebra, lions, honey badgers... This time we even saw two leopards mating.
Botswana is increasingly highly regulated and run on a system of luxury lodges where you cant drive off road. I have stayed in many of these, and enjoyed them greatly. But it is a completely different and far more intimate & 'real' experience to camp with baboons in the trees above you, to drive off road through the glistening waterways bursting with water birds, and to see animals that have not been in contact with humans, as the oft almost trained animals of the luxury camps are, and best of all, to hear/see no sign of humankind anywhere in any direction.
On this kind of trip things can go wrong. We got bogged in hippo holes a couple of times at one point, and I couldn't sleep on top of the jeep on the final night as I did last year, as leopards were active in the area. But it is the spontaneity and occasional risk of this kind of off road safari that makes the experience all the more exciting, fun and real. I feel like I have seen the real Okavango.
Alistair Wilmot, coming from a long historic line of Okavango pioneers, has a deep knowledge, understanding and passion for this special place, it's animals and it's wildness. His chef Charles made beautiful simple food on the camp open fire. And as last year, I didn't want to leave. I think of this beautiful wild place often when I am not there.
Alistair can design any type of safari up for you. So if you aren't able bodied, or find the rigors of rough off-road driving difficult, I am sure he could accomodate you. But if you are young, or young at heart, or adventurous in any way, and if you just want to see something real and untouched for a change, then Embrace is the Safari company for you.
Alistair offers you something that none of the commercial Lodges can..bespoke off-road safaris of true remoteness and aloneness - no signs of humanity just the stars above - and in a place of sublime beauty and wildness, replete with animals living as they have for millennia. You never know what you will find; hippos, crocks, elephants, red lechwe, giraffe, zebra, lions, honey badgers... This time we even saw two leopards mating.
Botswana is increasingly highly regulated and run on a system of luxury lodges where you cant drive off road. I have stayed in many of these, and enjoyed them greatly. But it is a completely different and far more intimate & 'real' experience to camp with baboons in the trees above you, to drive off road through the glistening waterways bursting with water birds, and to see animals that have not been in contact with humans, as the oft almost trained animals of the luxury camps are, and best of all, to hear/see no sign of humankind anywhere in any direction.
On this kind of trip things can go wrong. We got bogged in hippo holes a couple of times at one point, and I couldn't sleep on top of the jeep on the final night as I did last year, as leopards were active in the area. But it is the spontaneity and occasional risk of this kind of off road safari that makes the experience all the more exciting, fun and real. I feel like I have seen the real Okavango.
Alistair Wilmot, coming from a long historic line of Okavango pioneers, has a deep knowledge, understanding and passion for this special place, it's animals and it's wildness. His chef Charles made beautiful simple food on the camp open fire. And as last year, I didn't want to leave. I think of this beautiful wild place often when I am not there.
Alistair can design any type of safari up for you. So if you aren't able bodied, or find the rigors of rough off-road driving difficult, I am sure he could accomodate you. But if you are young, or young at heart, or adventurous in any way, and if you just want to see something real and untouched for a change, then Embrace is the Safari company for you.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianpomfret2017
North Yorkshire, UK1 contribution
May 2017 • Friends
Have just returned from Botswana having spent an incredible time under the care of Alistair and Embrace Safaris. My second time in Africa and first with Embrace but by far my best experience of this wonderful place.
If predictability and guarantees is "your thing" then this is not for you, but if you appreciate the unpredictable, the unknown and breathtaking surprises that the bush has to offer then you won't be disappointed.
The day starts early in the camp with sunrise around 5am as you listen to the distant sounds of the African bush, and some not so distant. A typical alarm call would be Lions roaring to establish territory and contact other family members, the chilling scream of hyenas or the distant call of fish Eagles.
You are soon off on the morning game drive, be prepared for a bit of a chill and wrap up warmly - May in Africa is approaching mid winter and although hot later in the day the cool of the morning can catch you out.
It is not long before Alistair's uncanny knack of tracking the elusive game, whether by sight, sound, smell or tracks, gives us our first sighting of the day - a glorious majestic male lion roaring to his brother, his gushing cold morning breath clearly visible as your chest cavity vibrates with that incredible roar, he was no more than 4 metres away from our safari vehicle. Within minutes we had also spotted his brother as the pair linked up and headed on their way through the faint mist rising from the bush in the early morning sun. Again, with Alistair's animal behavioral understanding and detailed knowledge of Savuti we had several further sightings of the pair throughout the day.
The varied daily sightings and surprises are too numerous to mention here, but I will mention being fortunate enough to see leopard on two occasions !
The camp is well provided and accommodation, although basic as you would expect in the wild bush, is high quality. Hot showers on request were a welcome surprise, as was a laundry service! Food is excellent and always prepared fresh by the camp staff over their fire, even freshly baked bread baked in a tin box in the embers.
I could go on for ever but must resist.
So if you want an African adventure you won't get better than linking up with Embrace Safaris. You won't be disappointed and will have an experience to remember for life.
If predictability and guarantees is "your thing" then this is not for you, but if you appreciate the unpredictable, the unknown and breathtaking surprises that the bush has to offer then you won't be disappointed.
The day starts early in the camp with sunrise around 5am as you listen to the distant sounds of the African bush, and some not so distant. A typical alarm call would be Lions roaring to establish territory and contact other family members, the chilling scream of hyenas or the distant call of fish Eagles.
You are soon off on the morning game drive, be prepared for a bit of a chill and wrap up warmly - May in Africa is approaching mid winter and although hot later in the day the cool of the morning can catch you out.
It is not long before Alistair's uncanny knack of tracking the elusive game, whether by sight, sound, smell or tracks, gives us our first sighting of the day - a glorious majestic male lion roaring to his brother, his gushing cold morning breath clearly visible as your chest cavity vibrates with that incredible roar, he was no more than 4 metres away from our safari vehicle. Within minutes we had also spotted his brother as the pair linked up and headed on their way through the faint mist rising from the bush in the early morning sun. Again, with Alistair's animal behavioral understanding and detailed knowledge of Savuti we had several further sightings of the pair throughout the day.
The varied daily sightings and surprises are too numerous to mention here, but I will mention being fortunate enough to see leopard on two occasions !
The camp is well provided and accommodation, although basic as you would expect in the wild bush, is high quality. Hot showers on request were a welcome surprise, as was a laundry service! Food is excellent and always prepared fresh by the camp staff over their fire, even freshly baked bread baked in a tin box in the embers.
I could go on for ever but must resist.
So if you want an African adventure you won't get better than linking up with Embrace Safaris. You won't be disappointed and will have an experience to remember for life.
Written May 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Embrace safari, I would like to enquire tour booking on sep 2018, could you please contact me or give your mailbox?
Written April 26, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.