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Traveller reviews

Travel reviews by Mr C & Mrs M from Cheshire

Review Distribution

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Terrible

Total number of trips

3

Countries visited

5

Lodges stayed in

20

Excursions taken

1

Green Season Safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania between 29 Dec 2022 and 6 Jan 2023

Trip rating: Excellent
"We were very happy with all the arrangements made by Expert Africa which went according to plan.

As usual they were very professional, efficient and helpful ( even down to helping us get our luggage stored in Zanzibar!).

Basically nothing was too much trouble.

This was our first safari in the Green season and, as expected, we did not see as much wildlife as we have done previously but this did not detract from our enjoyment and it was worthwhile in order to see the parks in leaf.

A very enjoyable trip."

Arranged By Jessica Plumb


Impala Camp

Impala Camp

"Impala Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 29 Dec 2022
"I have to say that we were somewhat disappointed with Impala Camp. We felt it was lacking good management; there was little of the care, enthusiasm and pride that we have experienced in other camps; as an example we were not welcomed back from game drives with towels and drinks; there were no sundowners; although we knew in advance that we had to buy our own drinks this is not something that we have experienced before.

It seemed to have a feel to us of struggling to survive and was cutting corners in order to do so.

New Years Eve was another case in point of very poor management. There was a group of Tanzanians in to celebrate and a BBQ was set up for them (& us) and then after dinner (which was not very appetising) there was music and singing. We decided not to participate in this as we were going to be up at about 5.00am for a game drive and so went to bed.

Despite the fact that the camp was no where near full, this was all set up right outside our tent when it could so easily have been located elsewhere within the camp.

Additionally we were never asked if we wanted to have the BBQ in the first place."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average

Location
Good
Service
Poor
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Ikuka Safari Camp

Ikuka Safari Camp

"Ikuka Safari Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 2 Jan 2023
"By contrast we simply cannot speak highly enough of Ikuka; it was simply fabulous in every respect from start to finish - care, friendliness, expertise, pride in the camp, and the facilities that were provided.

This was almost certainly the best camp we have ever been in on safari. The managers, Tommy and Chevy, could not have done more to make our stay completely unforgettable. Everything was thought through in order to make the stay memorable. They and the staff were always there to see us off and to welcome us back, hot water bottles, hand warmers, water, drinks all provided as a matter of course.

Our guide Festo, equally, was fantastic both as a really knowledgeable and professional guide and also great company when out on game drives."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Overview

Zambia and 1 other country between 4 Oct 2016 and 20 Oct 2016

Trip rating: Excellent
"We had a fabulous trip. it was all we had hoped for and went without a hitch.

It seems that it is standard practice in safari camps to eat 'family style', hosted by members of the camp staff. On talking with other guests at both camps we nearly all agreed that we would have preferred to eat separately. We realise that this is not something that Expert Africa can control but maybe worth passing on to the camps that you deal with.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

A little more clarity on visas would have helped. I was told that for Malawi we could get visa on arrival but your literature advises to get it in advance. In the event we went for 'on arrival' and it was no problem.

Also a little more clarity of what airport taxes we would need to pay would have saved a call or two to your office to find out."

Latitude 15

Latitude 15

"Lovely 1 night stay"

1 night Arrived 5 Oct 2016
"Lovely boutique hotel. Close to the airport.

Friendly staff and really good food."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe River Camp

"Chongwe River Camp"

4 nights Arrived 6 Oct 2016
"Great Camp in all ways but what we particularly enjoyed was the variety of activities on offer. We especially enjoyed the river safaris and canoeing.

All the staff did everything possible to ensure all guests were able to have their preferences met and overall it was a really fun place to be."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Tena Tena

Tena Tena

"Tena tena Camp"

4 nights Arrived 10 Oct 2016
"This small camp is in a great location and there is a high concentration of game.

Guiding was excellent. Walking safaris on offer but we chose not to do one so spent our time on game drives."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa

"The idyllic Kaya Mawa"

5 nights Arrived 14 Oct 2016
"Kaya Mawa is an absolutely outstanding place.

We just loved everything about it from staff to service to location to activities.

Would definitely seriously consider returning here."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

My Aug 2011 trip

Namibia and 1 other country between 28 Aug 2011 and 23 Sep 2011

Trip rating: Excellent
"The trip as a whole was wonderful. Everything went smoothly despite being in Africa!!

Driving in Namibia is really straightforward and the distances were not a problem at all.
Everybody very friendly.

We went mainly for the scenery and landscapes and were not disappointed.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We stopped at Tsumeb by chance which was a lovely town. Maybe you could make suggestions to your clients for 1 or 2 hr stops in nice places along their route to wander around or for lunch.

I know we needed to stop at / near Swakopmund because of length of journey from Sossus to Kipwe but apart from the kayaking which we enjoyed the town did nothing for us. So easy to be wise after the event but 1 night here and an extra one at Wolwedans or Okonjima would have been a much better use of time for us."

Olive Grove

Olive Grove

"Very Friendly and comfortable hotel"

1 night Arrived 29 Aug 2011
"very friendly; great food."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

"Fantastic Location"

1 night Arrived 30 Aug 2011
"Fantastic place and people.

Would recommend 2 nights for future guests not 1 as we had."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Canyon Lodge

Canyon Lodge

"Life among the boulders"

2 nights Arrived 31 Aug 2011
"We really enjoyed our stay here. All staff very friendly. All very good but we probably prefer slightly smaller places."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Wolwedans Dune Camp

Wolwedans Dune Camp

"Simply the best"

2 nights Arrived 2 Sep 2011
"Quite simply the very best!!!

3 nights next time please!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sossus Dune Lodge

Sossus Dune Lodge

"Great to be in the park"

2 nights Arrived 4 Sep 2011
"Surprised at no air conditioning in such a new camp. However very good overall and being within the park is really worthwhile. Did not use their activities.

Staff very helpful and friendly especially regarding the shuttle service."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Sam's Giardino

Sam's Giardino

"Good but quirky"

2 nights Arrived 6 Sep 2011
"Very good actually. Food of course was excellent. We were just recommended a wine for our meal; no wine list. Perhaps we should have asked but rather surprised that we had been given a £40 bottle of wine!

Lovely garden"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Kayaking with seals

Kayaking with seals

"A great fun morning"

7 Sep 2011 • Morning excursion

We had a super morning. Jeanne is a lovely person and very knowledgeable. She made the whole experience very enjoyable.
Excellent
Camp Kipwe

Camp Kipwe

"Great spot for desert adapted elephants."

2 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2011
"A great camp and plenty on offer to do. The desert adapted elephant activity very well worthwhile.

We did other things ourselves and it was easy from here. Again staff very friendly and knowledgeable."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp

"Remote or what!"

2 nights Arrived 10 Sep 2011
"Another excellent camp.

We were there for as purpose and not disappointed."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Okaukuejo Camp

"Great waterhole for game viewing."

1 night Arrived 12 Sep 2011
"The camp looks pretty grim but in fact the chalets are spacious and very well equipped and pleasant inside.

Food was really not very good at all and we had to ask for the wine list several times before they arrived and then another wait for the wine and water.

Breakfast also very poor.

Staff did not seem to care as in the other camps."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location
Excellent
Service
Poor
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Poor
Mushara Bush Camp

Mushara Bush Camp

"A lovely camp with lots of walks."

1 night Arrived 13 Sep 2011
"We only had 1 night here but it's a really lovely camp.

However I'm not sure what you would do here for longer other than go into Etosha."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Okonjima Bush Camp

Okonjima Bush Camp

"This camp has everything."

1 night Arrived 14 Sep 2011
"Fantastic in all respects. We wished we had had 2 or even 3 nights here because it is so good and there is so much to do,
The View rooms (which we had) are much better than the garden rooms

The guides are amongst some of the very best."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Olive Grove

Olive Grove

"Wow!"

1 night Arrived 15 Sep 2011
"We were given an upgrade to a suite in the newly opened sister hotel. Absolutely fantastic.

Doubtless done so that we could report back to you! or is that a bit cynical? Anyway it was much appreciated."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Somalisa Camp

Somalisa Camp

"Great for elephants."

4 nights Arrived 16 Sep 2011
"We feel that Somalisa is distinctly 'well worn' and that seems to be reflected by the owners who are expanding and updating. Unfortunately we had a tent that wasn't new or modernised even though at least 1 other Expert Africa guests were in a new tent.

For 3 days we had to ask at least twice for the water for our shower even though we had agreed a time; so service didn't overimpress.

We were also unlucky I suppose with game given that we were there for 4 nights and saw no hyena, leopard, rhino, only 1 solitary lioness and only cheetah on our transfer back to V Falls.

There seems to be no flexibility in activities. Every day it's just the same old game drives round the same roads at the same times. Compared to our other camps and previous safaris we were not hugely impressed with the quality of guiding although the 2 guides we had were both knowledgeable and pleasant."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average

Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Poor
Ilala Lodge

Ilala Lodge

"Great small atmospheric hotel"

2 nights Arrived 20 Sep 2011
"2 great days here. a lovely way to finish our holiday. Would recommend this to anyone.

Brilliant location for the falls and all activities can be booked at the hotel and include transfers."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent

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