Travel reviews by Mr and Mrs W from GLOS
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2022 trip
Botswana and 1 other country between 16 Oct 2022 and 28 Oct 2022
"Our trip was fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed by all members of the family. The 15 year old who usually struggles to get out of bed was first on the truck for the early morning game drive. The wildlife was obviously the highlight and it did not disappoint. We saw a lot and learnt a lot. We found the guides extremely pleasant and knowledgeable.
All our guides also commented on what a well constructed itinerary we had with contrasting environments for all the different places that we stayed.
The lodges were all extremely comfortable with very friendly and helpful staff.
The food was without exception excellent and we enjoyed meeting other guests over dinner.
We had requested a swimming pool/plunge pool in all our accommodation and we found this a very pleasant way to cool off in the middle of the day.
Our 13 year old found the early starts and long days tough as he normally sleeps for 9 hours a night and it's difficult to achieve that when you get up at 0500 and dinner is not til 2000. We were able to have our evening meal a little earlier at Hyena Pan which was helpful from that point of view.
The only thing I would consider changing if I went again would be to insert a night's sleep either in Jo'burg or in Maun prior to starting the actual safari as we were all quite tired following the trip out from the UK. This of course would have occurred if we had started in Vic Falls as is normal procedure but we deliberately arranged the trip in reverse due to the requirement for Covid testing before crossing borders."
All our guides also commented on what a well constructed itinerary we had with contrasting environments for all the different places that we stayed.
The lodges were all extremely comfortable with very friendly and helpful staff.
The food was without exception excellent and we enjoyed meeting other guests over dinner.
We had requested a swimming pool/plunge pool in all our accommodation and we found this a very pleasant way to cool off in the middle of the day.
Our 13 year old found the early starts and long days tough as he normally sleeps for 9 hours a night and it's difficult to achieve that when you get up at 0500 and dinner is not til 2000. We were able to have our evening meal a little earlier at Hyena Pan which was helpful from that point of view.
The only thing I would consider changing if I went again would be to insert a night's sleep either in Jo'burg or in Maun prior to starting the actual safari as we were all quite tired following the trip out from the UK. This of course would have occurred if we had started in Vic Falls as is normal procedure but we deliberately arranged the trip in reverse due to the requirement for Covid testing before crossing borders."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Hyena Pan
"Hyena Pan review"
2 nights
Arrived
17 Oct 2022
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
Skybeds
"Skybeds review"
1 night
Arrived
19 Oct 2022
"As described previously we didn't stay at sky beds due to the threat of rain.
There was a freak storm about 24 hours after we arrived and we had to decide whether to go knowing that if it did rain we would have to relocate back to Hyena Pan in the middle of the night so we decided not to go and stayed at hyena pan for an extra night.
It was a shame not to experience Sky Beds but I don't think it detracted from our stay as Hyena Pan was a wonderful experience."
There was a freak storm about 24 hours after we arrived and we had to decide whether to go knowing that if it did rain we would have to relocate back to Hyena Pan in the middle of the night so we decided not to go and stayed at hyena pan for an extra night.
It was a shame not to experience Sky Beds but I don't think it detracted from our stay as Hyena Pan was a wonderful experience."
Excellent
Splash Camp
"Splash Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
20 Oct 2022
"Very comfortable accommodation.
Beautiful location.
Surrounded by wildlife.
Good food with communal dining.
Very helpful staff.
Excellent guide and tracker.
Saw a wealth of wildlife including many birds.
We were able to watch wild dogs hunting which was exciting and watched them eating a kill. We saw 3 different lion prides and a cheetah and a leopard.
Also went on a boat trip which we all enjoyed and a short mokoro excursion as water level was very low"
Beautiful location.
Surrounded by wildlife.
Good food with communal dining.
Very helpful staff.
Excellent guide and tracker.
Saw a wealth of wildlife including many birds.
We were able to watch wild dogs hunting which was exciting and watched them eating a kill. We saw 3 different lion prides and a cheetah and a leopard.
Also went on a boat trip which we all enjoyed and a short mokoro excursion as water level was very low"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
8 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
4 sightings
Sitatunga
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
4 sightings
Wild dog
2 sightings
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Muchenje Safari Lodge
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Oct 2022
"Completely different type of game viewing from previous 2 camps. Game seen more in herds and large numbers.
More game vehicles here than in Okavango Delta but we were expecting that and it wasn't a problem.
Beautiful view from Safari lodge.
Particularly nice swimming pool.
Lovely staff.
Communal dining and good food.
The owners were very present at the lodge and talked to the guests at mealtimes.
Again excellent guiding.
We watched lionesses stalking 2 warthogs though they didn't make a kill.
The vast herds of buffalo were particularly spectacular and elephants playing in the mud was also a memorable sight.
We went on a boat trip along the Chobe river which made for excellent wildlife viewing and was very relaxing.
Lodge owners arranged for Covid tests for children which were seamlessly added to the days programme and only took approx 20 mins and they took us back later in the day again without any major deviation so we could physically pick up the results.
The driver who took us to the crossing into Zimbabwe was very helpful and made sure we got in the correct queues etc."
More game vehicles here than in Okavango Delta but we were expecting that and it wasn't a problem.
Beautiful view from Safari lodge.
Particularly nice swimming pool.
Lovely staff.
Communal dining and good food.
The owners were very present at the lodge and talked to the guests at mealtimes.
Again excellent guiding.
We watched lionesses stalking 2 warthogs though they didn't make a kill.
The vast herds of buffalo were particularly spectacular and elephants playing in the mud was also a memorable sight.
We went on a boat trip along the Chobe river which made for excellent wildlife viewing and was very relaxing.
Lodge owners arranged for Covid tests for children which were seamlessly added to the days programme and only took approx 20 mins and they took us back later in the day again without any major deviation so we could physically pick up the results.
The driver who took us to the crossing into Zimbabwe was very helpful and made sure we got in the correct queues etc."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
4 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
Victoria Falls Hotel
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
3 nights
Arrived
25 Oct 2022
"Beautiful hotel.
Staff very helpful and welcoming.
Fabulous breakfast buffet.
Great swimming pool.
We tried the exclusive dining experience which was fun. Fortunately the men had trousers and shirts and I had a dress so we were allowed in!
Very comfortable rooms.
Falls themselves were stunning.
We very much enjoyed the helicopter ride over the Falls.
My younger son and I went zip wiring which was fun and particularly well run and my older son and my husband went white water rafting which they thoroughly enjoyed."
Staff very helpful and welcoming.
Fabulous breakfast buffet.
Great swimming pool.
We tried the exclusive dining experience which was fun. Fortunately the men had trousers and shirts and I had a dress so we were allowed in!
Very comfortable rooms.
Falls themselves were stunning.
We very much enjoyed the helicopter ride over the Falls.
My younger son and I went zip wiring which was fun and particularly well run and my older son and my husband went white water rafting which they thoroughly enjoyed."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
1 sighting
He managed to find a leopard with cubs on our first game drive followed by 2 sets of lion cubs and wild dogs!
Food was good and accommodation comfortable but not flashy. Described as "rustic" which I think is probably a good term for it.
We didn't go to Sky Beds due to risk of rain on that particular night. We did however visit the hide which was particularly memorable.
There was a drive through the Mopana forest from camp every time we went out for a game drive but actually we didn't find that a problem. It's not that far and we saw animals in the forest too.
Highlight was arriving and within minutes elephants walking right up to the lounge area - amazing!"