Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs M from Surrey
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
3
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
12
Excursions taken
0
My Jul 2014 trip
Zimbabwe between 24 Jul 2014 and 5 Aug 2014
"Our 7th trip to Africa and the 3rd with Expert Africa. Some real highlights, guides were second-to-none, but overall possibly our least favourite trip. Travelling time and stress to reach Zimbabwe was high (2 hours to get through flight connections at OR Tambo was not fun!). Some special game sightings, but we certainly felt there was less game than in other countries and that poaching was a major and growing problem. If we were to return, I'd want to look at a different route to get there. Having said that the light plane flights between camps were flawless, punctual and fun.
I would also say that the trip was not the best value of our trips."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Rhino Safari Camp
"Rhino Safari Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
25 Jul 2014
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Vundu Camp
"Vundu Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
29 Jul 2014
"Brilliant guiding here (Alistair Chambers). Highlights being a wonderful hour spent with wild dogs at their den with pups; a super walk to sit within yards of a lion and hyena and a hair-raising canoe trip down the Zambezi. We enjoyed the camp, although perhaps a little old-fashioned (needs a feminine touch?). A couple of glitches with regards to hot water and a game drive were handled properly"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Camp Hwange
"Camp Hwange review"
3 nights
Arrived
2 Aug 2014
"Very good game viewing and excellent guiding. The camp is up-to-date and well-run. We would have preferred to have one guide for the 3 days (we had a different one each of the 3 days and felt a little like spare parts to be added on to other groups)
Travel to and from the camp by road was long and tedious compared to some of the excellent flights we had between other camps."
Travel to and from the camp by road was long and tedious compared to some of the excellent flights we had between other camps."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Ruaha & Selous
Tanzania between 22 Oct 2011 and 30 Oct 2011
"We really enjoyed the trip - Our fourth visit to Africa and we wondered beforehand whether it could match previous trips - It certainly did.
The contrast between the two parks was stunning and the camps, although quite different in style, had the common thread that the guiding was brilliant.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps more explanation as to why the specific itineraries have been put together - e.g. Grant's Gazelle programme"
The contrast between the two parks was stunning and the camps, although quite different in style, had the common thread that the guiding was brilliant.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps more explanation as to why the specific itineraries have been put together - e.g. Grant's Gazelle programme"
Mdonya Old River Camp
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
23 Oct 2011
"Fabulous 3 night trip to Ruaha. Mdonya Old River Camp was excellent.
Our guides were outstanding, with the highlight being a "cat-trick" (lions, leopards and a cheetah) all on the same game-drive. The camp itself whilst not luxurious was comfortable, sociable and Sara, the manager was friendly, and quite determined that we should enjoy our stay.
We would certainly return - Perhaps in a "wet" season to see the contrasts."
Our guides were outstanding, with the highlight being a "cat-trick" (lions, leopards and a cheetah) all on the same game-drive. The camp itself whilst not luxurious was comfortable, sociable and Sara, the manager was friendly, and quite determined that we should enjoy our stay.
We would certainly return - Perhaps in a "wet" season to see the contrasts."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Impala Camp
"Selous Impala Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
26 Oct 2011
"We stayed at Selous Impala for 3 nights and really enjoyed the camp. Guiding was superb and varied (boat, vehicle, walking and fishing). Tents were very comfortable and the food was outstanding.
The camp & Selous were an ideal contrast (in wildlife and scenery) to our 3 night stay in Ruaha. I couldn't choose a favourite between Old Mdonya & Selous Impala - Very different camps, but both excellent. We'd gladly return!
Highlight was Wild Dogs - Our guide was determined that we should see them and he managed it!"
The camp & Selous were an ideal contrast (in wildlife and scenery) to our 3 night stay in Ruaha. I couldn't choose a favourite between Old Mdonya & Selous Impala - Very different camps, but both excellent. We'd gladly return!
Highlight was Wild Dogs - Our guide was determined that we should see them and he managed it!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Southern Sun Dar
"Southern Sun (formerly the Holiday Inn) review"
1 night
Arrived
29 Oct 2011
"Very good choice for a one night stay in Dar Es Salaam.
Helpful staff (e.g. checking in online and printing boarding passes).
Comfortable rooms and good food"
Helpful staff (e.g. checking in online and printing boarding passes).
Comfortable rooms and good food"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Perakani
Zambia between 1 Aug 2009 and 13 Aug 2009
"Fabulous holiday, would recommend to anyone with a sense of adventure and an interest in wildlife. We have some great pictures to keep the memories alive.
Suggestions for improvements:
None, I think the fact that Anna knew the places well was crucial to choosing two of the smaller operators and gave us an exceptional holiday"
Suggestions for improvements:
None, I think the fact that Anna knew the places well was crucial to choosing two of the smaller operators and gave us an exceptional holiday"
Tafika
"Tafika review"
3 nights
Arrived
2 Aug 2009
"Arrangements ran smoothly, very welcoming atmosphere, despite the camp being full. We were lucky enough to see a lion kill and a leopard on the first evening during a drive with John Coppinger.
Food was of a very high standard, as was the accomodation. Microlight flight outstanding.
Guides (Alex) took a specific interest in what we wanted to see, and were extremely knowledgeable. We liked the way that there was a different "host" for each meal.
Would be very happy to return/recommend Tafika & Remote Africa"
Food was of a very high standard, as was the accomodation. Microlight flight outstanding.
Guides (Alex) took a specific interest in what we wanted to see, and were extremely knowledgeable. We liked the way that there was a different "host" for each meal.
Would be very happy to return/recommend Tafika & Remote Africa"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Big Lagoon Camp
"Crocodile Bushcamp review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Aug 2009
"Excellent walk to Crocodile, Cameron was a super guide who made us feel safe in the bush.
Crocodile camp was welcoming. Food was exceptional, considering the facilities. The camp was well supplied with a good team of porters.
Rooms were clean and comfortable with plenty of hot water."
Crocodile camp was welcoming. Food was exceptional, considering the facilities. The camp was well supplied with a good team of porters.
Rooms were clean and comfortable with plenty of hot water."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Chikoko Tree Camp
"Chikoko Tree Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Aug 2009
"Lovely location and we particularly liked the design of the tree houses.
Pattersons's food was up to the standard of Crocodile.
We enjoyed all of the walks and saw plenty of wildlife"
Pattersons's food was up to the standard of Crocodile.
We enjoyed all of the walks and saw plenty of wildlife"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Kaingo Camp
"Kaingo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Aug 2009
"Very good welcome from Derek Shenton (ferried across the river). Camp was full and there wasn't quite such a personal touch as at Tafika (we were probably spoilt)
Night drives were slightly disappointing, with less seen than at Tafika. Good drives during the day. Hippo hide was particularly good.
Rooms were comfortable and clean"
Night drives were slightly disappointing, with less seen than at Tafika. Good drives during the day. Hippo hide was particularly good.
Rooms were comfortable and clean"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Mwamba Bushcamp
"Mwamba Bush Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Aug 2009
"Good walk to Mwamba with Patrick - Very knowledgeable with a real african perspective. Food was of a very high standard (one of the best!) Young camp catering manager (Josh) was particularly enthusiastic and welcoming. His team worked hard to give us a memorable stay.
Tracking lions on foot with Meyam (super guide) & Gideon was a highlight of the entire trip. Night drives covered some of the same territory as Kaingo, but some good sightings at dusk.
Several animals in the camp (Elephant, hyena and leopard) but safety was an absolute priority"
Tracking lions on foot with Meyam (super guide) & Gideon was a highlight of the entire trip. Night drives covered some of the same territory as Kaingo, but some good sightings at dusk.
Several animals in the camp (Elephant, hyena and leopard) but safety was an absolute priority"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Pioneer Camp
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
13 Aug 2009
"Ok for one night, transfers were fine - good help with checking in online"
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Average
Service
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Beautiful location on the edge of the lake with game highlights being cheetah, lion and elephant and water birds"