Your Safari, Our Passion
Cuckoo Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $2,583 to $10,334 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 Trymon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jam packed African experience
we had a great time in Victoria falls. I was picked up at Victoria falls airport and from then onwards l knew l was in trustworthy hands. The guides were knowledgeable and always available. I loved every minute and had a such fantastic time. It was a great experience in a wonderful little town. I will definitely back in Victoria Falls. Thank you Cuckoo Safari. I highly recommend the company
DE
Email Mary & Wayne Gokey | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Heart of Zimbabwe
Simon and his team were first class professionals. They brought us to the heart of Zimbabwe and into the hearts of the people. Well organized tours with many options for diversions. We dream of Africa.
Email Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
Great tour. Definitely worth a visit to both sides of Victoria falls. I was lucky to have both Brown on the Zimbabwe side and Lucky on the Zambia side. Seamless entry via the immigration with both guides helping out. (Don’t forget to get the Kaza visa if you are looking to do this and a safari in Chobe)
Great detail given about the falls from both guides throughout.
We saw some people walking the bridge and the long walk to the other side. Lots of vehicles and big trucks on that dirt track, so having a vehicle pick us up on both sides (with air con and water) was just perfect.
Brown took us to the ‘Big Tree’ on the way back to our hotel, a 1200 year old Baobab tree. We even saw elephants, monkeys and other wildlife on the way/ way back to our hotel.
Me and my wife both felt very much at ease with both guides who helped takes photos of us constantly on both tours and gave us how long we wanted at every view point.
Ponchos were provided as well, which were very much needed when we went, as it was the season of high water, so a lot of spray.
These guys were great and I highly recommend them.
DE
Email Roger, Marie and Sonja | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant visit of the Viktoria Falls - both sides
Cilo and Mike were kompetent in explaining the history as well the geology and nature of this special area. They were very courteous while accompating the hole 6h tour. We felt anytime very safe.
Thank you very much for this excellent experience !
Amazing, specially the guide Shelton in Zimbawe side and Delphister in Zambia side
Perfect tour, experienced guide Shelton in Zimbawe and Delphister in Zambia.
Both help us crossing the border to Zambia and viceversa and made everything smooth and Quick. Do not hesitate choose these company and both guides
An amazing experience our first time to Africa, we would definitely recommend Cuckoo to others!
Thank you for a very positive experience our first time to Africa! What could have been very stressful and nerve-wracking experience was alleviated through booking their safari itinerary. We booked the 12 Day Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park to Okavango Delta trip. The booking process was very simple, almost too much so that we were just nervous that maybe we missed something. Tatenda was very responsive whenever we needed to contact about the booking/itinerary.
When we arrived in Victoria Falls, Simon and Tatenda were waiting for us in the arrivals area and we were immediately off to Hwange. Simon was great about explaining our overall itinerary, but also just welcoming us with some background knowledge about the places we were passing through- the economy, the people, the customs, etc.
The lodge at Hwange was breathtaking. The open atrium was beautiful, the rooms were classy and had great views, and the back area where the fire pit and pool were perfectly overlooking the watering hole. We would just relax and observe the animals- it was our favorite view of any of the lodging we stayed at for the duration of the trip. Our guide Bheki was extremely knowledgeable in his craft and prompted our fascination with tracking. Not to mention a new appreciation of birds! His observation skills were enviable and we saw so many animals there, including some we didn’t think we would see at all or didn’t know existed!
We returned to Victoria Falls and had an amazing sunset cruise. The drinks and snacks with the ambiance of the Zambezi River were lovely. We were so impressed with the ability of the captain and crew to spot animals from the boat. The following day, we saw the namesake falls itself, which was breathtaking. There was a bit of time to explore the town and then we went to the private game reserve with our guide Nico that ended with delicious bush dinner.
Our transfer from Zimbabwe to Botswana was actually incredibly smooth. Simon drove us to the border for handoff to Gift, who was from Puku Safaris- Cuckoo’s sister company in Botswana. Border crossings can be quite hectic, but Gift guided us and a family of 4 through this process very smoothly and patiently. It was the easiest border crossing that my very well traveled friends had ever experienced.
Our two Chobe game drives via vehicle were guided by the talented Figo. His driving skills were second to none- I want to drive like him when I grow up. He was very pleasant and amiable, answering all of our incessant questions about being a guide, the parks, plants, animals, and whatever crossed our minds and he had a great sense of humor. Everyone in our vehicle wanted to see a leopard, and he was able to track one the first morning. We were the first to find it and one of a few vehicles that were able to see it before it disappeared like smoke into the brush. It was amazing.
The boat game drives in Chobe were also really cool and you get to see the animals in a much different way. The guides on the boats showed us different things, so each evening was a unique experience. It was definitely worth it to do game drives via both land and water. We ate dinner at the Chobe Safari Lodge buffet each night and the food was incredible, which I didn’t expect to say about a buffet.
As we ventured out towards Maun, our itinerary seemed less full, but that was likely due to the remote locations we needed to travel to. Hearing the animals at night and watching the elephants drink water at Elephant Sands was spellbinding. The meerkats were adorable and so worth the morning drive.
Once we reached Maun, Mr. Lee transported us to the Mokoro dugout canoe expedition. I would say that this is less of a canoe experience and more of a bush walk, for those who are participating. It is performed by people in the community and helps to support them. I think we walked for about 2 hrs. The following day, Mr. Lee deftly guided us in the Moremi Game Reserve, and poetically checked off the last of the animals we wanted to see. It was perfect.
A note about food and beverage- we were worried because we have dietary restrictions (vegetarians and food allergies), but everywhere we went was very accommodating and we didn’t have to worry about it at all. Cuckoo did well to relay our specifications, and everywhere that fed us either knew or confirmed with us what we could eat. Buffet style meals always had plentiful options for all of us. They also constantly provided bottled water so we never had to worry about buying our own or be concerned about having to make bold choices.
Overall, I can’t say enough about what a great experience Cuckoo made this. They booked unique, comfortable accommodations. They ensured that we had extremely competent guides who made sure that we were safe and respectful of wildlife while still getting to see a wide array of animals and educate us about an expanse of knowledge. Simon was very friendly and kind- making sure we were comfortable, reminding us of our itinerary, answering our questions, giving us suggestions, and educating us about life for people and animals alike. Thank you so much for everyone responsible for these bookings because it was a once in a lifetime trip. I hope to visit again one day.
Email Kerrie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tuba is a fantastic guide, he deserves a pay rise :-)
Had the most incredible time exploring Victoria Falls with Tuba! 🌊✨ He was such a positive, happy, friendly, and knowledgeable wonderful guide — full of fun facts and stories that will make you laugh, that really brought the place to life. You can tell he loves what he does, and his energy made the whole experience unforgettable.
The views were absolutely stunning, and Tuba made sure we got the best photo spots while also sharing so much about the history, culture, and nature around the Falls. Everything felt super relaxed, well-organized, and full of good vibes.
If you’re visiting Victoria Falls, I can’t recommend Tuba enough. You’ll learn, laugh, and have an experience you’ll never forget! 🌈
BR
Email JOAO VALDETARO | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Adventure
I recently went on the 8-day tour with Cuckoo Safaris, covering Chobe National Park, Elephant Sands, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I’d recommend to anyone considering a safari in Southern Africa.
Communication and Service:
From the moment I booked, communication with the team was clear and efficient. They provided all the details I needed before the trip and were responsive to any questions I had. During the tour, our guides were professional, approachable, and knowledgeable. They made sure everything ran smoothly and that we were comfortable throughout the journey.
Value for Money:
The tour felt like excellent value for money, considering everything that was included: transportation, accommodations, meals, and the activities. Each part of the itinerary was carefully planned, and it was clear that a lot of thought went into making the experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.
Reliability:
Everything ran on time and as promised. The transfers between destinations were seamless, and there was always someone available to assist if needed. I appreciated the attention to detail and how well-organized the logistics were, which allowed me to fully enjoy the trip without worrying about the schedule.
The Tour Itself:
The variety of locations made this trip stand out. Chobe National Park offered amazing wildlife viewing, especially from the boat safari. Elephant Sands was unique because of the proximity to elephants—they were right there at the waterhole, just meters away. The Okavango Delta provided a peaceful contrast, with mokoro rides through the water channels being a highlight. Ending the trip at Victoria Falls was perfect, as it’s truly a must-see destination. The guide’s insights added depth to each experience, making it more than just sightseeing.
Accommodations and Food:
The lodges were comfortable and clean, and I felt well taken care of at each stop. Meals were fresh and tasty, with enough variety to keep things interesting. While the accommodations were not luxury-level, they were exactly what I expected for this type of tour—practical, safe, and located in great spots.
Final Thoughts:
Cuckoo Safaris delivered a reliable, well-structured tour that exceeded my expectations in terms of organization and overall experience. It’s a great option for anyone looking to explore Southern Africa’s highlights without the stress of planning everything independently. I left with incredible memories and a newfound appreciation for the region’s beauty and wildlife.
Email Sam and Karen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Epic 10 day trip of Zimbabwe and Botswana with Cuckoo Safaris
We personalised the Cuckoo Safari 10 day tour with the help of Tatenda, adding Hwange NP and removing the Saltpans. We also upgraded our Chobe hotel and Tatenda was very helpful with all our queries. Before the trip we were added to a whats app group with our guide Simon who we had read about in previous reviews and was so happy to hear would be our guide. We stayed at the Pioneer Lodge in Victoria Falls which was a gorgeous lodge style hotel with lovely gardens, at Chobe we upgraded to a riverview apartment with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an amazing balcony definetely worth the upgrade, elephant sands was our break inbetween kasane and maun accomodation was basic but comfortable and the elephants were the star of the show and at maun we stayed at Cresta Maun which was fine comfortable room and friendly staff. In Victoria Falls, we did the sunset cruise, the falls tour from both sides and a day trip to Hwange. The falls were at their best on the zimbwawe side and Simon took us round and was a brilliant guide, our guide on the Zambia side Delphister was lovely too and it was interesting seeing more of the geology on this side. Hwange was an interesting drive Simon and the other Tatenda did really well negotating the roads, we stopped at Hwange Safari Lodge to pick up our packed lunch and then met our guide Big M who was brilliant and took us out into the park, we saw 3 male lion, elephant, hippos, giraffe, antelope etc. We then went to Chobe where we did 3 game drives with Gift and a river boat cruise with July both from Puku safaris, both great guides, Gift was amazing at tracking the wildlife and we saw lions on every outing with him including cubs amazing. We also did a game drive from elephant sands and then in Maun we did the helicopter flight over the delta amazing but terrifying as we had never been in a helicopter before and then this one had no doors! A very peaceful and scenic mokoro trip with Gidean from the local village and then a long but brilliant day to Moremi game reserve with Lee where we saw wild dogs (and pups) and hyena. We were really lucky when it came to wildlife, but also through great guides tracking skills, our main guide through it all Simon was amazing so knowlegable and friendly he is a credit to cuckoo and I would highly recommend him as your guide, we had a few issues along the route as always happens on trips but they were all sorted and we always knew Simon was there to help either in person or through whats app. Zimbabwe and Botswana are both incredible countries, with wonderful people and the amount of wildlife is just incredible I never thought I'd lose count of the amount of lion we saw, we were also very lucky to see leopard, countless other wildlife, and beautiful scenery and sunsets if you are wondering whether to go we highly recommend as two sisters we never felt unsafe. One of us got a upset stomach towards the end of the trip but this did not spoil the trip just to be aware this may happen. We both managed to eat vegetarian fine at all times on the trip but found it more tricky to eat vegan although Simon did his best to help and this was really appreciated. We hope to travel with Cuckoo and Simon in the future and are excited to hear of their plans in Namibia.
Email Sarah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome trip! Simon was best guide
Cuckoo Safaris was amazing! I gave them very little information- how many people, that we wanted private, the month we wanted to go, and that we liked a mix of safari like activities, cultural and mid level luxury. They created the perfect multi city itinerary for us. They kept in constant contact with us throughout the process and I never waited more than a day for a response from them. In country they were responsive to whatsapp and made sure we felt comfortable. We did Zimbabwe with safari, sunset cruise on Zambezi River, and Victoria falls. Then we headed over to Botswana for a multi-day safari where we saw all but one of the Big 5! Simon, our main guide was AMAZING. He was so funny, humble, accommodating and hospitable. He really made our trip special. Our lodging accommodations were perfect. a mix of traditional, safari camp style and more modern/luxury. One that had us so close to the elephants! all of the food we had was amazing. At one point we had 3 buffets in one day! I'm a vegetarian and they made sure to accommodate that and I never worried! 10/10 recommend.