Reviews of Lianshulu Lodge
(86%) From 24 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Lianshulu Lodge review
A Modern lodge. The only problem we had was the sort of "Africa" problem one gets when there is no obvious manager. Expert Africa had booked for us 2 night - one day on full board (which includes excursions) and one day with dinner only.
We arrived at 4pm, and they said we had to have full board on day one, which meant we had paid for, but were not getting lunch and a morning game drive. I got upset (rad really upset) and we sat arguing in the reception area with a dozen staff looking on for 40 minutes, until they backed down and agreed that we could have the full board day the next day. It was an unnecessary hassle.
Lianshulu Lodge review
The gravel road to the lodge was ok and the Lodge's dirt road was passable though there were many large puddles across the width of it. it only became unpassable (for us in an ordinary saloon car) in the last 100m before the gate where the river had flooded it. They were able to pick us up in a 4X4.
It was a lovely lodge. Ther was no provision for charging in the room (which was huge and beautifully appointed) but it was available at the reception.
The morning game and evening river trips were superb. Great hippo sightings in the evening. Good animals and birds in the morning esp. warthog and baboon.
Mosquito nets and repelant were provided.
Lianshulu Lodge review
Luxury lodge, but disappointing variety of wildlife seen on the game drive...not worth the exorbitant price.
Read more about the whole safariLianshulu Lodge review
Good food and wine.
Activities good but no fishing.
Lianshulu Lodge review
More formal than our other lodges - very attentive service.
Good food, and tables were beautifully decorated.
Very well-appointed room.
The game drive was a little pricey - unfortunately there was not a great deal of game to see but the view of the Carmine Beeeaters was a highlight.
We did not take the boat ride.
Messing about in boats 2
Although we only stayed one night, this large lodge really deserves two nights, we had a fantastic time spending an hour with a family of elephant in the river, carmine bee-eaters and roan antelope make you think you have been here much longer.
The facilities are excellent and the staff helpful and the NP is a little known treasure.
Lianshulu Lodge review
Oh dear! I was so disappointed with our stay here. I had hoped this would be the climax of our holiday and yet it proved to be exactly the opposite. The access road (5km) is in terrible condition, with large potholes, and is in desparate need of repair. This was mentioned to site management who recognised the problem, although I did not note any commitment to deal with it.
There is no doubt that the lodge facilities are excellent. We had a large room which was well equiped, and the common areas of the lodge are wonderful, immediately overlooking the swamp and river channels. However apart from a few birds there was little to see directly from the lodge during the day - but note that hippos were regular visitors across the lodge grounds in the early hours.
We did go on the evening boat trip which was excessivley expensive (N$550 pp), but I wished afterwards that we had not. I know that animal sightings cannot be guaranteed, but then a much lower price would make such a trip seem more reasonable. We did have a price from elsewhere to compare this with.
The food was dissappointing. It seemed as if they were trying to be extra special, but just not quite making it. Nearly all of the main course on our second evening was left uneaten by all 4 of our party. How a game stew can yield pieces of meat that are so dry and tasteless remains a mystery. This was the worst meal (and only really bad meal) that we had on our entire 3 week holiday. And why at breakfast one could not just get a piece of bacon, but instead had to have a bacon, potato, mushroom (and goodness knows what else) concotion is also a mystery.
At our second evening meal there was a group of VIPs who I took to be senior executives from the company. I was approached by one of them who asked how were things. I said so-so. "What did I mean?", he asked. I said that the food was very dissappointing. His reply was just appalling. He said, "What did you expect?". I replied, "The same stanadard as I have had everywhere else that I have been." If this was his approach to customer service, then I think he has a lot to learn. This is very odd since I thought the same company ran many of the other lodges we had stayed at.
One pleaseant surprise is that we were advised at the end of our stay as we settled our bill that the drinks were free. I am not sure why this was - we were not on all inclusive rates. We spent some 2 hours at the pool but no-one came to ask if we wanted a drink.
Expert Africa comments
Wilderness Safaris, the owners of Lianshulu Lodge, were disappointed to hear that these travellers did not entirely enjoy there stay here. The Chief Operations Manager – Mike Wassung - has looked into all the matters raised and has apologised for the problems they encountered with the service, food and activity prices. All the issues are being investigated fully. With regards to the quality of the food that night, the operations manager was also there the same night he did comment that he agreed that the food was ‘indeed a bit dry and unimaginative’ that evening. This has been discussed and rectified by their food training manager.
We are sorry that we didn’t notify these clients about the high cost of Lianshulu’s activities prior to their visit. Whilst it’s wise to double-check the cost of any extras on the ground – we should have pointed out the relatively high costs of activities here. We have subsequently added a comment on the lodge write-up to this effect.
As a result of this (and a couple of other) feedbacks, Wilderness Safaris has lowered the costs of their activities by 25% to try to make these better value for money - however there are still quite pricy.
Wilderness Safaris have assured us and these travellers that the comments and feedback is highly valued, and they see this as constructive, and as a very important tool in assisting them to achieve the high standards that they aspire to. Their sincere apologies have been forwarded to these clients for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Lianshulu Lodge review
Lianshulu Lodge is beautifully located on the Kwando River, the place is well-designed, elephants and hippos roam the gardens at night and the staff are friendly.
We did find the stay at Lianshulu the least of the holidays, but that has more to do with the overall standard of our accommodation during the entire trip than Lianshulu itself.
Wildlife was not abundant, but it was special once we encountered some: we saw big herds of roan for example. It was very cold and windy when we were there and that may have affected the wildlife.
Fantastic location
What an amazing location and a very relaxing and luxurious stopover.
The staff were very attentive, rooms fabulous, and the food was also very good. Sitting around the fire on the deck after dinner listening to the sounds from the river was great.
Took the boat trip which was very enjoyable and informative.
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.
