Travel reviews by Pelican family from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
A great adventure in Namibia
Namibia between 13 Jul 2008 and 30 Jul 2008
"This really was a super trip - not cheap, but your recommendations were all good and the accommodation and services surpassed expectations.
We though it was a great experince and just wish we had a bit more time. Howevr, I'm sure we'll be back before long to explore other parts of the country and Botswana as well.
We enjoyed the Sefofane flights (and could not have done the trip in the time without them), but it was also nice to do some driving ourselves which allowed us to stop in real towns and interact with real people - just flying between luxury lodges for a whole trip would give a rather limited experience of the country.
Suggestions for improvement:
Not really - we were overall very pleased and impressed with the trip you had arranged for us, based on my initial rather vague thoughts."
We though it was a great experince and just wish we had a bit more time. Howevr, I'm sure we'll be back before long to explore other parts of the country and Botswana as well.
We enjoyed the Sefofane flights (and could not have done the trip in the time without them), but it was also nice to do some driving ourselves which allowed us to stop in real towns and interact with real people - just flying between luxury lodges for a whole trip would give a rather limited experience of the country.
Suggestions for improvement:
Not really - we were overall very pleased and impressed with the trip you had arranged for us, based on my initial rather vague thoughts."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Kulala Wilderness Camp, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Welcome to the desert"
2 nights
Arrived
20 Jul 2008
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Doro Nawas
"Desert elephants and rock art"
2 nights
Arrived
22 Jul 2008
"Nice relaxed ambience and excellent accommodation.
Great outing to see desert adapted elephants and rock art - although guide did have to be encouraged to spend more time on the nature rather than taking us to the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, which we could easily do ourselves in our car.
The short 'sundowner' drive we were encouraged to go on after arrival proved rather expensive for what it was, although very pleasant. Overall, a very fine place."
Great outing to see desert adapted elephants and rock art - although guide did have to be encouraged to spend more time on the nature rather than taking us to the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, which we could easily do ourselves in our car.
The short 'sundowner' drive we were encouraged to go on after arrival proved rather expensive for what it was, although very pleasant. Overall, a very fine place."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Ongava Tented Camp
"A real bush experience"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Jul 2008
"What an idyllic spot! Made even more welcome by the pretty taxing 18 km approach drive - in truth a bit much for the 2WD Toyota Yaris, which repeatedly 'bottomed out' in spite of very careful driving. Those inexperience in driving in rough conditions may find this road rather daunting, but apparently improvements are planned.
Accommodation and meals way better than could be expected in such a location. Very welcoming and great flexibility with activities to ensure we got the maximum out of our stay. Camp 'security was very tight after recent visit by lions!
The 'one big happy family' eating arrangements are not a guarantee for success, especially with a well established larger group of rather loud Americans in residence. However, overall, we loved this place."
Accommodation and meals way better than could be expected in such a location. Very welcoming and great flexibility with activities to ensure we got the maximum out of our stay. Camp 'security was very tight after recent visit by lions!
The 'one big happy family' eating arrangements are not a guarantee for success, especially with a well established larger group of rather loud Americans in residence. However, overall, we loved this place."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Onguma Tented Camp
"Luxury camping"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Jul 2008
"Beautiful place - staff were great and very relaxed.
The local reserve is a bit thin on game, so the afternoon drives on offer are not terribly exciting if you've already been 'in the thick of it' for a few days, although the group who had just arrived were thrilled by a few springbok and kudu.
Excellent morning drive to Etosha, but it seemed to be standard practice to get back to the camp for 1130 and I would happily have stayed all day - indeed we ended up going back into the park in our car ourselves after lunch.
Overall a great couple of days, however, and the food here was probably the best of the trip - would put many city restaurants to shame."
The local reserve is a bit thin on game, so the afternoon drives on offer are not terribly exciting if you've already been 'in the thick of it' for a few days, although the group who had just arrived were thrilled by a few springbok and kudu.
Excellent morning drive to Etosha, but it seemed to be standard practice to get back to the camp for 1130 and I would happily have stayed all day - indeed we ended up going back into the park in our car ourselves after lunch.
Overall a great couple of days, however, and the food here was probably the best of the trip - would put many city restaurants to shame."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Beatiful spot to end our trip"
1 night
Arrived
28 Jul 2008
"Lovely location and great facilities. Food first class.
Felt more like camping than any of our other stops - not a problem at all, except a strong wind and rather aging velcro meant a rather cold night with a lot of flapping canvas.
Strongly recommend the afternoon nature drive and cave visit, followed by a sundowner in a beautiful spot - stunning scenery and another excellent guide. We would have liked more time her to enjoy one of the longer morning walks."
Felt more like camping than any of our other stops - not a problem at all, except a strong wind and rather aging velcro meant a rather cold night with a lot of flapping canvas.
Strongly recommend the afternoon nature drive and cave visit, followed by a sundowner in a beautiful spot - stunning scenery and another excellent guide. We would have liked more time her to enjoy one of the longer morning walks."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
The 9 hr outing to the dunes and Sesriem canyon was memorable. David, our guide was arguably the best we encountered - infectious enthusiasm and keen to make our experience memorable; even took us on an extra 90 min 'nature walk' on our last morning prior to our flight.
Thomas, the manager, was just a little intense, but ran a very tight ship."