Travel reviews by Mr & Miss S from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
12
Excursions taken
0
Really enjoyable holiday
Namibia between 14 Apr 2017 and 29 Apr 2017
The only downside was Zebra River Lodge - i strongly suggest you drop this accommodation.
Hoodia, Kipwe & Erongo were our highlights.
Two very minor points on your itinerary:
1) I think Hoodia directions are wrong - to be fair it is wrongly located on a number of maps; and
2) Be aware that Kipwe does not provide a laundry service (we had planned to use it but no service exists)."
Galton House
"Good"
Zebra River Lodge
"Poor"
We were given one of the new rooms - slightly further away from the lodge. It was so new that there was no furniture in a large room - nothing so all our bags, clothes etc could only be left on the floor . The mosquito nets were still to be delivered which was not good given there were quite a few insects about. We complained three times that there was zero hot water - nothing was done about it but no one gave us any update either.
This is really not a good lodge - by far the worse place on our trip.
[Ed: As part of a brief email exchange about this with these travellers, they commented further:
Zebra River Lodge – we liked the place – its just that the management of it seemed inept to be honest. The local staff were lovely and helpful but the place is not at all well run at the top in my view. Easily overcome I’d imagine."
- Firstly, they were sad that the guests hadn’t complained immediately, to any of the lodge team, whilst at the lodge. (Apparently the owner, Mr Jean Pierre Rambert, was present during their stay.)
- They assured us that all rooms were fully furnished when these travellers stayed here, although apologised for the lack of mosquito nets, which had been delivered late. They assured us that they had explained this to these travellers.
- They assured us that they always do their best to accommodate all guests needs – and that the lodge was full when these travellers visited.
We understand that within the last year Zebra River Lodge has had a change of ownership. We have built up a great relationship with the former owners over a number of years and we hope that the experience of these travellers is an isolated one.
We will keep a close eye on feedback coming back from further travellers to this lodge and will not hesitate to stop recommending it if we think it is not up to standard.
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Superb"
Cannot fault this place at all. Top service."
Sea Breeze Guesthouse
"OK"
Camp Kipwe
"Excellent"
Room cleaning was a little basic we thought and the camp would benefit from there being more of a 'host' manager. However it is a great place that we thoroughly enjoyed."
Okaukuejo Camp
"Average"
Previous rainfall meant there was no activity at the waterhole! The camp is fine is a little basic - the game drive was not brilliant due to a fairly unprofessional guide we thought."
Onguma Forest Camp
"Very good and comfortable"
Waterhole activity was good and the guides were really good. Very pleasant staff"
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Excellent"
Lovely tented rooms with loads of space and generous outdoor decks/seating. Guided walks were free and well staffed. Very good food. The whole design and ambience of the camp is superb - we were welcomed by Dhow (manager?) who was an excellent host.
A really nice place."
East Africa and Zanzibar
Tanzania and 1 other country between 9 Feb 2012 and 24 Feb 2012
Advice from your agent was helpful and informative.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Don't go to Stone Town!"
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Ruaha River Lodge
"Ruaha River Lodge review"
- Accommodation spacious and clean, pretty location.
- Some game drives felt a bit rushed but generally good.
- Picnics worried us slightly - food not chilled and was stored in plastic containers which were hot and sweaty by lunchtime. We did have upset stomachs one night which I'm sure was as a result of this.
- Lack of electricity was quite annoying 6pm - 10pm.
- More comfortable chairs/loungers to sit on balcony would be good.
- Food generally good - plentiful and lots of vegetables"
Impala Camp
"Selous Impala Camp review"
- Accommodation was amazing (we had Tent 1) and I would go back tomorrow which, considering I've never camped and have always flatly refused to go on a camping holiday, is a huge achievement on their part!
- Staff could not do enough to help and were very attentive.
- Food was delicious and beautifully presented.
- Game Driver (Mpogo) was fabulous at finding interesting things for us to see.
Loved it, loved it, loved it..."
Matemwe Beach Village, Zanzibar (this camp has since closed)
"Matemwe Beach Village review"
- The room was dreary and we had ant invasions.
- The rusting bars on the window and rusting mozzie mesh on the door didn't help to improve the look of the room.
- Staff a bit too laid back in terms of service, but always polite.
- Restaurant food was excellent. Breakfast & lunch very good. BBQ/Curry night food was just OK.
- More loungers/shade by the pool would be helpful.
- More hammocks on the beach would be nice.
- Tidying up the overgrown vegetation and having a general tidy up/raking the sand to be level inside the beach huts to be able to lie on the bed comfortably would be to it's advantage.
- Supplying sun loungers on the beach that were not falling to pieces would also be a plus.
- Beach uncrowded and scenic
- Water warm and we had high tide every day so were able to swim
- Tea/coffee at sunrise a nice touch but never enough tea, coffee, cups, spoons etc!!!!!
- Very relaxing few days"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Tembo Hotel
"Tembo Hotel review"
We had a room that was next to a very noisy generator that was on all night. Next morning I immediately asked to be moved and they seemed very un-surprised by the fact. Our second room was ok.
Stone Town is filthy and has no buildings, sights, activities or cultural interest of note to encourage anyone to visit it. I would never recommend anyone to go there and wished we had been advised to travel to the airport from Matamwe.
Being next to the sea was a slight plus. The amount of debris and litter washed up and just left on the beach was not pleasant."
If i went to Namibia gain i would skip this stay and drive a couple of hours out of windhoek personally."