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Traveller reviews

Travel reviews by AS. from Northwood

Review Distribution

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Terrible

Total number of trips

1

Countries visited

2

Lodges stayed in

4

Excursions taken

0

Botswana safari

Botswana and 1 other country between 27 May 2019 and 6 Jun 2019

Trip rating: Excellent
"We had a most enjoyable trip. Eight nights in the safari camps was sufficient. We could have enjoyed a third night at Shinde, with perhaps only two at Gomoti, where the activities were limited by lack of water. We were mostly lucky with our fellow travellers, who can make such a difference to the trip.

It was much colder at night (between about 5.30 pm and 9.00 am) than we had expected. We just about had enough warm clothing, and the hot-water bottles were very welcome on both morning drives and for the night.

At Gomoti and Splash, we found the timing of evening drives, from 4.00 to 7.30, and dinner at 8.00 more difficult than at Shinde, where dinner was at 7.30. With the former, the wake--up call at 6.00 am seemed to come round too quickly.

Tipping: Your guidelines were clear and we followed them. But we were concerned that we did not see anyone else tipping their guides when they said their goodbyes. Perhaps they were very discreet, although we think not. Do some companies include the tipping in their prices, or are the guides not getting the tips which are an important part of their income?

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Megan was very helpful, including about aspects of our longer trip which were not her responsibility. We felt reassured that she was available to help as and when needed."

Feedback response

We are thrilled that these travellers had a great trip overall. As far as we understand, companies don't tip in advance for their clients. As far as we know, that's not done and the camp staff are paid a decent living wage at the places we feature, so tips are a useful and appreciated addition - but shouldn't be a necessity for living. We expect that perhaps the other travellers were discreet when giving any tips. It may have been done in camp, through the manager or perhaps when nobody was looking?

Arranged By Megan Green


Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls Hotel

"Splendid hotel near the Falls"

2 nights Arrived 27 May 2019
"Relaxing ambience in this comfortable period hotel.

Easy access on foot to the Falls and the town. All the staff were friendly and helpful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Shinde Camp

Shinde Camp

"Beautiful site by the lagoon."

2 nights Arrived 29 May 2019
"A delightful camp, in a lovely setting by the lagoon, and with very attractive communal areas. Relaxed and friendly staff, led by the manager, Thuso. Excellent food, and the tea with our wake-up call was most welcome.

Our guide, Lucky, was outstanding, with great knowledge of the flora and fauna, which he shared extensively with infectious enthusiasm. He also talked freely about life and society in Botswana. We very much enjoyed the time we spent with him.

Good for wildlife, and our mekoro trip was enchanting. Our paddler, BT, succeeded in spotting a sitatunga (not on your checklist for this camp). Lots of lechwe, reedbuck, tsessebe, a side-striped jackal and many different birds."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Gomoti Plains Camp

Gomoti Plains Camp

"Well-run camp in attractive setting"

3 nights Arrived 31 May 2019
"All the staff were hard-working and efficient. The atmosphere could have been more relaxed if the staff had been a little less reserved. The food was interesting and tasty, and we enjoyed the special dinner in the bush, which had been beautifully set up.

Our guide, Karl, was very professional and worked hard to find as much wildlife for us as possible. He was very knowledgeable, but could have shared more before being asked. We enjoyed our sun-downers, especially the one at the waterhole near the buffalo fence at the edge of the concession.

Although the camp is by its own river, there was unfortunately no water in it at the time of our visit. So there were no boat or mekoro trips available. However, we did enjoy the behind the scenes trip."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Splash Camp

Splash Camp

"Splendid setting and stylish rooms"

3 nights Arrived 3 Jun 2019
"A very attractive, new camp which was well thought-out and stylishly designed. The staff were hard-working and burst into song and dance on several occasions, including the camp's 1st birthday.

Our guide, David, was excellent and enthusiastic, supported by our tracker, Goums. They worked well with the other guides to find as much wildlife for us as possible. We enjoyed our boat trip and sun-downer on the water (and our other sun-downers!).

Not on your wildlife list: we saw an aardwolf, a spring hare, two wild cats and three spotted hyenas on our night drives; also steenbock, tsessebe, reedbuck, side-striped and black-backed jackals, and a verreaux owl during the day. we saw a huge herd of buffalo, which was most impressive."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

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