Reviews of Camp Kwando
(71%) From 15 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Camp Kwando
We had a pleasant stay. Lodges made from same material local housing of people were build of. Beautiful.
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A disappointment
The staff were very good and helpful but they were let down by a very indifferent management. There was no atmosphere which stemmed from the management who did not seem to have a lot of interest in us or their job.
Our guide Costa was excellent as was the food and the serving staff. It is a shame that they were let down. Please be aware that if you visit in the rainy season there is no roof on the bathroom! A place we would not revisit.
Camp Kwando review
The manageress (Rhiannon) really did not want to be there. There was very little welcome from her.
The rooms need updating and there are plans in the pipeline. It so happens that the chef, Dolla, is an old acquaintance of ours from Stanford were we have our South African home. Her food is exquisite and the best we had on the whole trip.
The bar manager (Riaan) was not very sociable and spent all his time with other guests and staff speaking in Afrikaans. Local staff were excellent.
Costa the guide on the river cruise was fantastic, we saw hippos and crocs on a very interesting boat trip. The only downside was when the owner phoned and reminded him we only had two hours. As if it really mattered when we were the only guests (again).
The bathrooms are let down by the fact they are totally open to the elements, not just the shower, so in a heavy rainstorm you get totally soaked.
Camp Kwando review
Lovely setting, although could do with a bit more signage early on the approach road to reassure you that you are on the right road!
Treehouse accommodation was excellent, very roomy with good furnishings, mosquito net and balcony to sit out on. Good large bathroom with bath, shower, toilet and sink. Water comes from the river, so expect to have to pick out various bits of greenery from your bathwater! No tea and coffee making facilities in the room which was disappointing.
On our second day, we went to order a drink at the bar and we noticed a sign saying that the drinks bill (which includes any beverage ordered with dinner) must be checked by guests each night as it can't be changed after that. We felt we should have been told about this rule on arrival, as if a mistake had been made on our first nights drinks bil from dinner, we wouldn't have been able to challenge it as we didn't know about the rule on that day! Incidentally, our drinks bill was wrong on the second night, but luckily, by that time we'd seen the notice so had asked to check it!
On arrival, we booked three activities with the receptionist, boat trip on the afternoon of arrival, mokoro trip at 9am the next morning, and game drive at 2pm the next afternoon. As we were about to go for breakfast at 8am the next morning, a member of staff knocked on the door to collect us for the game drive - we explained we were booked on the game drive for 2pm, but were told we had been booked on for the 8am game drive. As they have a policy of not doing a game drive unless there are at least four people going we were told we wouldn't be able to do a game drive in the afternoon. When we pointed out that it wasn't our mistake that it had been booked for the wrong time, they did agree to take us in the afternoon, but only after a slightly heated exchange, which left us feeling like we didn't really want to go in case it caused bad feeling, so we just spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.
On speaking to the management later, we were given an apology and told that it was a mistake that the receptionist had made before. The receptionist was told that from then on the bookings have to be done directly through the office, so hopefully this situation won't arise again.
The two trips we did were very good, the afternoon boat trip was relaxing with lovely views and glimpses of hippos, elephant and various birds. The mokoro trip was lovely, with a very different perspective by travelling so low in the river, the mokoro guide was excellent too. Evening meals were of an average standard, but we found the breakfast to be very good - especially the pancakes. The locals that served the meals/breakfast were polite and friendly.
Camp Kwando review
Very friendly and informative welcom. Beautiful location and we really enjoyed the evenings by the river with a tremendous amount of sounds and smells. Food were excelllent. We had a boat trip on the river and a game drive in Mudumu National park. We saw a lot of elephants, buffaloes and other plains game.
Very nice place with good atmosphere.
Camp Kwando, beautiful but sterile
The rooms and communal areas were very beautiful. The staff were pleasant, but there was absolutely no atmosphere, which was a pity as it could be excellent. The 2 young people who were 'front of house' were very good, and helpful, but too young to give a place some character, probably because they themselves are learning, and doing a job.
The river trip was probably the worst river trip we had, such a contrast from the trip at Ndhovu, we saw little, and frequently saw more than the guide, who had to be prompted to point things out!
This was the only other place we would not want to go back to
Camp Kwando review
Nice "tree house" rooms (actually on stilts not in trees) but the open-plan arrangement was not very practical for non-couples. Water supply problematic - none on arrival, then only cold. When it did work, they turned on sprinklers at 8 am to water the buildings & the river (missing the grounds) - so it stopped in the room!
Water heating by wood burning boiler at 4.00am meant smoke smell in room & flames outside - alarming - a warning would be helpful.
Atmosphere would be improved by using local supervisory staff instead of European/South African gap-year students. African restaurant staff seemed rather 'stiff' & 'following instructions'. Friendly chef introduced each evening meal.
The evening river cruise was limited compared to others.
Where were the management team to deal with problem & queries ?
Having said that the location & facilities were good with great potential to improve the overall experience.
Traditional atmosphere at Kwando
Located south of Kongola on the Kwando River, traditional style huts on low stilts with open air toilet and shower attached (screened by poles). To get there, you drive past (and through) a local village. Staff and villagers friendly, locals being trained in restaurant trying very hard, but come across as very regimented in their speech. "Enjoy your meal" comes across as a command, rather than a polite by-line.
The food, however, was very good and we did ENJOY. Open air bathroom not good if it rains - keep the toilet paper inside the hut. Two of our group went for a village tour and found the cultural experience informative and interesting. Good interaction with local community.
We drove to the nearby Mudumu National Park which is not at all well set up (yet?). No signage or fences, and when we did find the rangers hut, were given only a hand drawn map which gave us very little to go on. Just keep driving... and turn left... then repeat. We saw very little wildlife in this area, but maybe the wrong time of year.
Evening boat trip was described by one of our group as the scariest time of her life. Dodging Hippos at speed on a narrow waterway was hair-raising. We thought the boat driver was a bit of a cowboy, only succeeding in antagonising the hippo.
Very pretty location and attractive lodge
For us this was just an overnight stop. It is a beautiful spot.
Read more about the whole safariRelax at Camp Kwando
We selected Camp Kwando to relax and unwind after 2 weeks of intensive travel, and were not disappointed. We were met on arrival, allocated two tree houses, assisted with our luggage and allowed to relax completely. Game drives and boat trips were offered, the staff enquiired after our well-being, we were well fed and watered, and were perfectly content. The tree houses are a must for secluded relaxation, beautifully constructed and equipped, 5 star luxury alongside the Kwango.
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We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
