Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs F from W Midlands

"I would like to say that the stay was very good because there were some excellent points about the accommodation (e.g. the friendly welcome and breakfast) but our room had a couple of defects.

We had to ask the proprietor to attend to a continually flushing toilet and TV that did not work"

"Clean, modern, functional units designed to fit in with the desert environment and situated within easy access to Sossouvlei.

There was some confusion over the evening meals. Our itinerary stated the we were on a B&B basis so accordingly we had bought food before our arrival at the camp. We were then told that we were booked in for dinner at nearby Sossouvlei Lodge which on the second evening we had to forgo. The food at the lodge was excellent.

These guests enjoyed a Balloon flight over the Namib Desert. Here's what they said about it:
Awesome!

A very professional outfit. We felt completely safe in their hands. A wonderful way to see the desert landscape.

The champagne breakfast was very tasty with plenty of variety.

Would highly recommend this activity to others."

"Well located in a beautiful garden setting near to the centre of town. Friendly proprietor who readily organised activities for us.

While the breakfasts were adequate we felt the choices were restricted. However, as this is only a small establishment one perhaps can not expect the variety offered by a larger concern.

Our garden room was very comfortable with all facilities provided."

"This lodge is ideally situated for seeing some San Bushmen rock engravings and for Sundowner Safaris in search for desert adapted elephants.

The scoring is rated only as Good because at the time of our visit there was an ongoing refurbishment of some of the chalets around us so it felt as though we were in the middle of a building site.

The food was adequate to good but rather lack lustre compared to other places at which we stayed."

"This is ideally situated just outside the Estosha National Park - a wonderful place to see a wide range of wildlife in situ.

Modern, well planned chalets with excellent facilities.

Wonderful food with a wide choice game on offer - a meat eater's heaven!"

"We received a very friendly welcome on our arrival (even from the resident warthogs and hornbills).

One of our group celebrated his birthday while we were there. A choir made up of the employees at the camp sang a Namibian equivalent of "Happy Birthday".

Excellent food, beautifully presented but no choice."

"Quirky, thematic cottages. Clean and comfortable. Perfectly acceptable for a one night's stay to break up a long journey.

The food was tasty but no choice.

As we had to make a very early start the next morning we requested breakfast packs. These too proved to be as quirky as the accommodation, comprising of sweets, savoury snacks and more sweets - and a small sandwich!"

"This is a wonderfully secluded lodge in the heart of the Okavango Panhandle (a proper Okavango experience but without the high expense of flying into the delta).

We were given a warm, friendly welcome by everyone. The facilities and service were 'top notch' - apart from a slight problem with the tepid showers.

The manager and guides were very knowledgeable but very accessible. Our stay lacked for nothing.

We would highly recommend this to others."

"Although we had an unfortunate experience with water from an overflow pouring through the roof onto the bed we would still have to say that this was the worst accommodation we had the whole trip.

We had difficulty in getting help because of poor lighting / signage and no one at reception - the outpouring started just as we were going to bed!

Eventually a security guard and later the night manager arrived. We were then hurriedly moved to another tree house further away. Although we received an apology at the time from the manager there was no follow up the next morning. We felt as though they had just gone through the motions.

Our rating is poor because the food and service were not up to standard."

"The raised tented accommodation was of an environmentally friendly design, surrounded by free roaming animals which gave it a real safari feel.

Accommodation, food and facilities were excellent - although some of our party experienced logging on to the Wi-Fi.

The manager was friendly and knowledgeable without being intrusive."

"Personally we found the overfamiliar manner of the manager to be off putting. Not everyone appreciates this approach.

However, the accommodation, organisation, food and facilities were exceptional; our every need was catered for, right down to the provision of hot water bottles on our early morning game drive.

It was extremely exciting when towards the end of one game drive, we were fortunate to see a pack of wild dogs hunting giraffe."

"Ilala Lodge is very well situated in Victoria Falls - a perfect place for some R&R after a long safari trip.

It has the feel of good colonial style of accommodation.

The food, activities, rooms and facilities were all excellent. The service was good but we felt the initial reception was rather hurried. We were given no time to sit and enjoy our welcoming drink before checking in forms were thrust upon us and we were then whisked off to the room."