Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs H from Macclesfie
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
My Mar 2019 trip
Zambia and 1 other country between 24 Mar 2019 and 14 Apr 2019
"Just what we had hoped for.
Although there were only two other guests in the camps on two out of our 10 nights, we still received dedicated and outstanding service at all three camps; making us feel quite special. Experiencing two National Parks and three camps was just the right mix of variety for us. Staying 3 or 4 nights in a camp seemed optimal.
Having been on other safaris later in the year it is clear more wildlife sights are likely in the dry season, but the greeness and the dust-free air of April made the challenge of finding the animals a worthwhile counterbalance."
Although there were only two other guests in the camps on two out of our 10 nights, we still received dedicated and outstanding service at all three camps; making us feel quite special. Experiencing two National Parks and three camps was just the right mix of variety for us. Staying 3 or 4 nights in a camp seemed optimal.
Having been on other safaris later in the year it is clear more wildlife sights are likely in the dry season, but the greeness and the dust-free air of April made the challenge of finding the animals a worthwhile counterbalance."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
La Petite Ferme
"La Petite Ferme comments"
3 nights
Arrived 25 Mar 2019
"See below"
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Vineyard Hotel
"Vineyard Hotel review"
3 nights
Arrived 28 Mar 2019
"see below"
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Protea Hotel Livingstone
"Protea Hotel Livingstone review"
1 night
Arrived 31 Mar 2019
"see below"
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa
Sausage Tree Camp
"Sausage Tree Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived 1 Apr 2019
"Best managed, most enthusiastic, most activities, great facilities, most friendly of the three camps we visited.
Even though we were the only two guests the four nights we were there, no effort was spared in making us welcome and we had the added advantage of getting some of the staff to join us at meal time --- it made it feel more like a family gathering than a guest/host relationship."
Even though we were the only two guests the four nights we were there, no effort was spared in making us welcome and we had the added advantage of getting some of the staff to join us at meal time --- it made it feel more like a family gathering than a guest/host relationship."
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Luangwa River Camp
"Luangwa River Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived 5 Apr 2019
"Camp facilities are looking a little tired and vehicles a bit old.
The new guide was very knowledgeable about all wildlife but had not yet developed the art of tracking and locating them.
Food was excellent."
The new guide was very knowledgeable about all wildlife but had not yet developed the art of tracking and locating them.
Food was excellent."
Average
Location
Average
Service
Good
Activities
Poor
Rooms
Average
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Poor
Sightings report
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Zebra
2 sightings
Chinzombo
"Chinzombo review"
3 nights
Arrived 8 Apr 2019
"An excellent camp with an outstanding guide, but a bit overpriced.
The bar prices for premium brands is totally over the top and unjustified.
If cost is not a factor, a marvellous camp to visit."
The bar prices for premium brands is totally over the top and unjustified.
If cost is not a factor, a marvellous camp to visit."
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Like most camps in Zambia, Chinzombo's Full Board rates are inclusive of all standard / local drinks. All premier spirits, wines and champagnes cost extra. These guests bought 'Glenfiddich 26 years old Excellence' which Chinzombo sell for $40 a shot. Chinzombo have explained that they purchased the bottle in South Africa for ZAR 6,099 (approximately $430) at the beginning of 2018. When importing alcohol from SA, it is subjected to a duty rate of 25%, as well as VAT, clearing fees and handling, procurement freight charges and then further transport costs to get it from Lusaka to Mfuwe. By the time it sits on the bar, the camp has usually ended up paying at least double what the bottle was bought for. Hence, the additional charges for imported and premium drinks - which we understand they often make a loss on, or barely break even.
Senior Africa Specialist
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
7 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
10+ sightings