Reviews of Thamalakane River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
59 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Thamalakane River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs B
N Hants
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 23 Jun 2013
"good for one night again. lovely location by river. food was good. had a late arrival and an early start the next day so did not have much time there."
See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs O
California
"Past its prime"
2 nights Arrived 20 May 2012
"Rooms were not clean. Furniture inside and outside of the rooms were not maintained. If I knew the area, I would have left.
Restaurant staff were not very knowledgeable regarding menu items. They also didn't seem to care when I pointed out that the squirrels were standing in the jars of cereal while eating same. The office tried to give us a room with a smaller bed than what we were supposed to be getting and argued when we refused it.
It is physically beautiful on the river, but there were too many negatives to enjoy our stay there." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 12n in Namibia
Restaurant staff were not very knowledgeable regarding menu items. They also didn't seem to care when I pointed out that the squirrels were standing in the jars of cereal while eating same. The office tried to give us a room with a smaller bed than what we were supposed to be getting and argued when we refused it.
It is physically beautiful on the river, but there were too many negatives to enjoy our stay there." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Terrible
Rooms:
Terrible
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We forwarded these guests' comments to Thamalakane. They informed us that since these travelers visited, new managers have arrived at the lodge and made significant changes. Systems have been put in place to ensure consistency and to maintain the excellent standards that guests have come to expect.
These changes include introducing a through room check procedure whereby every room is inspected on arrival and random spot checks are carried out, with all information being documented, some furniture has already been repaired and further new furniture is planned. For the restaurant, the new management has trained the staff on the menu to increase their knowledge. The food is now covered and an eye kept on it to ensure then animals do not come into contact with it. Hopefully these measures will ensure that the issues experienced by these guests do not happen again.
With regards to the bed size - these clients were unhappy with their standard room on arrival and opted for a new room. Expert Africa apologises if these clients' room expectations were too high and will ensure that room types are properly discussed in future.
These changes include introducing a through room check procedure whereby every room is inspected on arrival and random spot checks are carried out, with all information being documented, some furniture has already been repaired and further new furniture is planned. For the restaurant, the new management has trained the staff on the menu to increase their knowledge. The food is now covered and an eye kept on it to ensure then animals do not come into contact with it. Hopefully these measures will ensure that the issues experienced by these guests do not happen again.
With regards to the bed size - these clients were unhappy with their standard room on arrival and opted for a new room. Expert Africa apologises if these clients' room expectations were too high and will ensure that room types are properly discussed in future.
Mr H
Wiltshire
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 23 Mar 2012
"friendly helpful staff and manager , food very good , one small problem with the fan in the chalet was fixed quickly and without fuss.
allowed my son to keep his motorbike there whilst we were in moremi. a great place to relax before heading into the delta." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
allowed my son to keep his motorbike there whilst we were in moremi. a great place to relax before heading into the delta." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs M
Wiltshire
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 16 Sep 2011
"This worked very well for a night before going home.
Comfortable, delightful outlook onto the river and good food." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Comfortable, delightful outlook onto the river and good food." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
6
Whangarei
"Stopover in Maun"
1 night Arrived 3 May 2011
"Thamalakane River Lodge is maybe a 10-15 min drive from Maun. It's a nice place to stay as an overnight stopover.
The rooms were comfortable, but the shower area is not particularly private. The dining area and deck overlooking the river are pleasant. Food and service good. Staff helpful.
Pool was average and could do with a clean. Would have used it if it hadn't looked so uninviting, as it was very hot." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 5n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The rooms were comfortable, but the shower area is not particularly private. The dining area and deck overlooking the river are pleasant. Food and service good. Staff helpful.
Pool was average and could do with a clean. Would have used it if it hadn't looked so uninviting, as it was very hot." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 5n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mrs A
London
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 29 Apr 2011
"I spent the last night of my holiday here. The location is lovely, the staff were friendly and service was good and I would certainly recommend it."
See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Texas
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 29 Jan 2011
"The rooms have no good lighting, not direct sunlight or lamps. It had a dark and gloomy feel. It was also so far from the city center that we felt it was too much of a bother to go into town. Decor needs updating. However, the staff were great at the office, and we had a pleasant meal at the restuarant.
The transportation service from Maun airport to the hotel and back was excellent." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
The transportation service from Maun airport to the hotel and back was excellent." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Poor
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Ms M
Ottershaw
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 22 Oct 2010
"I only spent one night here but the room and bed were very welcome after a long trip by road! The staff in the restruarant were very attentive and looking out over the river was lovely.
The breakfast served on the morning I left was stone cold, that seriously needs addressing." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The breakfast served on the morning I left was stone cold, that seriously needs addressing." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Ms H
Kensington
"Excellent Thamalakane River Lodge"
1 night Arrived 2 Dec 2009
"I very much enjoyed my night in this restful lodge on the river at Maun, albeit some distance outside the town. It was great not to have to rush straight back to London after 9 nights in the bush.
Individual stone built bungalows with all modern comforts and an excellent restaurant in a great setting, with a pool. Very friendly staff and transfer from the airport all added to the convenience and comfort." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Individual stone built bungalows with all modern comforts and an excellent restaurant in a great setting, with a pool. Very friendly staff and transfer from the airport all added to the convenience and comfort." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
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Other lodges in Maun
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Thamo Telele
On the outskirts of Maun, Thamo Telele is set in a private game reserve with walking trails and a giraffe experience: ideal at the start or end of a safari.
Riley's Hotel
In the heart of Maun, about 3km from the airport, Riley’s makes a relatively reliable stopover for one night.
