Travel reviews by Mrs A from Kornhall
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
Perfectly Planned, Excellent Trip
Namibia between 8 Apr 2016 and 18 Apr 2016
"We are happier and richer with our Namibia experience.
Although it was not an easy task for Megan and later Tom because we booked fairly late and many of the camps were fully booked but they managed excellently and we got just the type of camps we wished for, the distance between the camps for self-drive was ideal.
Everything worked just like clockwork, only pleasant surprises. Many thanks to both Megan and Tom for outstanding job!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just a feed back about using Tracks4Africa Namibia map on our Ipad. We downloaded the map at home to be used off-line (no roaming) in Namibia than used it together with the traditional map provided and found the two to be very good and cheap combination. (Our Garmin had broke on a previous trip and we didn't want to buy a new one) The GPS of the Ipad (or Iphone) was accurate for us to be able to see where we are, plan and see if we are heading the right direction. We can safely recommend to use it together with a map.
Route to Damaraland Camp: the pick up point was NOT marked out on the map and had to call the camp for advice (and we later found that we could have driven all the way up to the camp as the road was almost better than the main gravel road).
The route from Anderson's Camp to Mundulea was NOT marked out at all on the map provided by Wilderness Safaris. We asked the staff at Anderson's Camp and they pointed out the tarred road (Otjiwarongo and up to Otavi). In retrospect, may be, starting early enough, we could have driven through Etosha and then turned South to Tsumeb and Otavi instead and still made it to Mundulea by 14:30. IF driving through Etosha to the East then turn South is an possible alternative to get to Mundulea I wish Expert Africa had pointed out for us and we could have planned that day differently.
About guides on nature or game drives; Most of them drive and stay too closely to the animals, less than five meters to lions or ten meters to elephants for example. We experienced this both on our Botswana and in Namibia trips ( Wilderness Safari's camps). Probable reasons; previous guests asked them to get closer or they do it in the hope of more tips, or just show off. But most of visitors have binoculars and good cameras they should not insist. In fact it is far more exciting to watch game from some distance and the animals tend to stay longer, too. Guests and guides alike need to be informed and/or reminded about a recommended (regulated?!) distances to be kept ."
Although it was not an easy task for Megan and later Tom because we booked fairly late and many of the camps were fully booked but they managed excellently and we got just the type of camps we wished for, the distance between the camps for self-drive was ideal.
Everything worked just like clockwork, only pleasant surprises. Many thanks to both Megan and Tom for outstanding job!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just a feed back about using Tracks4Africa Namibia map on our Ipad. We downloaded the map at home to be used off-line (no roaming) in Namibia than used it together with the traditional map provided and found the two to be very good and cheap combination. (Our Garmin had broke on a previous trip and we didn't want to buy a new one) The GPS of the Ipad (or Iphone) was accurate for us to be able to see where we are, plan and see if we are heading the right direction. We can safely recommend to use it together with a map.
Route to Damaraland Camp: the pick up point was NOT marked out on the map and had to call the camp for advice (and we later found that we could have driven all the way up to the camp as the road was almost better than the main gravel road).
The route from Anderson's Camp to Mundulea was NOT marked out at all on the map provided by Wilderness Safaris. We asked the staff at Anderson's Camp and they pointed out the tarred road (Otjiwarongo and up to Otavi). In retrospect, may be, starting early enough, we could have driven through Etosha and then turned South to Tsumeb and Otavi instead and still made it to Mundulea by 14:30. IF driving through Etosha to the East then turn South is an possible alternative to get to Mundulea I wish Expert Africa had pointed out for us and we could have planned that day differently.
About guides on nature or game drives; Most of them drive and stay too closely to the animals, less than five meters to lions or ten meters to elephants for example. We experienced this both on our Botswana and in Namibia trips ( Wilderness Safari's camps). Probable reasons; previous guests asked them to get closer or they do it in the hope of more tips, or just show off. But most of visitors have binoculars and good cameras they should not insist. In fact it is far more exciting to watch game from some distance and the animals tend to stay longer, too. Guests and guides alike need to be informed and/or reminded about a recommended (regulated?!) distances to be kept ."
Arranged By Tom Morris
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Perfect start of our first Namibia trip"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Apr 2016
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Camp Kipwe
"Blessed with good guides"
1 night
Arrived
10 Apr 2016
"Beautifully designed, intimate, well maintained luxury camp, an oasis in the desert among the boulders. Excellent in every way.
Especially noteworthy is our guide on the nature drive, Taffy (not sure about spelling his name). Not only knowledgeable but wonderfully passionate about the area, eloquent and a person fun to be with. Taffy shows and teaches (!) love and respect for the desert adopted Elephants and we are glad vi had the privilege to visit the Elephants with him.
There is just one little remark; When we arrived in the afternoon it was 40 deg. Celsius and not long after there was fire burning by every room. There should be another, cheaper environment friendly alternative to fire to heat the water for showers in the summer; just a black container and/or pipes with water in and the sun would do rest."
Especially noteworthy is our guide on the nature drive, Taffy (not sure about spelling his name). Not only knowledgeable but wonderfully passionate about the area, eloquent and a person fun to be with. Taffy shows and teaches (!) love and respect for the desert adopted Elephants and we are glad vi had the privilege to visit the Elephants with him.
There is just one little remark; When we arrived in the afternoon it was 40 deg. Celsius and not long after there was fire burning by every room. There should be another, cheaper environment friendly alternative to fire to heat the water for showers in the summer; just a black container and/or pipes with water in and the sun would do rest."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Damaraland Camp
"Camp of the singing Desert Roses"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Apr 2016
"The camp is another true oasis in the desert and well worth more than two nights visit, we only wish we could stay longer. The perfectly charming yet utterly professional, mostly female, stuff made our stay here a most wonderful experience. These young ladies with all their accomplishments are a treasure and cannot be praised highly enough!
The camp itself is well situated in the landscape and the staff enhance the stay with bush breakfast on a hilltop at sunrise (a loo with a view included) and magical boma dinner after dark. We went on a guided walk on the first afternoon. The one hour uphill walk was worth every step as we were rewarded with a beautiful sunset and we learnt a few things along the way about the geology flora and fauna of this seemingly barren land. Surprise Boma-dinner and stargazing ended a fabulous day.
The nature drive to the riverbed was great next morning and we happened upon the desert adopted elephants fairly early. It was a great gathering of about 30 individuals, a breathtaking sight. We spent an hour or so in the vicinity, watching them feeding and then we turned back to the camp letting the elephants spend the rest of the day in privacy ( hopefully). Great and generous lunch waited for us and then we could enjoy the camps cool pool. Our guide was a little reserved at first but once we started to ask he revealed a broad knowledge of this unique place and even the stars."
The camp itself is well situated in the landscape and the staff enhance the stay with bush breakfast on a hilltop at sunrise (a loo with a view included) and magical boma dinner after dark. We went on a guided walk on the first afternoon. The one hour uphill walk was worth every step as we were rewarded with a beautiful sunset and we learnt a few things along the way about the geology flora and fauna of this seemingly barren land. Surprise Boma-dinner and stargazing ended a fabulous day.
The nature drive to the riverbed was great next morning and we happened upon the desert adopted elephants fairly early. It was a great gathering of about 30 individuals, a breathtaking sight. We spent an hour or so in the vicinity, watching them feeding and then we turned back to the camp letting the elephants spend the rest of the day in privacy ( hopefully). Great and generous lunch waited for us and then we could enjoy the camps cool pool. Our guide was a little reserved at first but once we started to ask he revealed a broad knowledge of this unique place and even the stars."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Anderssons Camp, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Anderssons Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Apr 2016
"The best is, of course, the view over the waterhole. There were several lions, and lots of game around both afternoons and evenings we were there so we found the lounge area really great. We chose not to use the underground hide as it was nicer to sit outside and we had our binoculars.
The sunset drive in the reserve was far too long, was not really enjoyable partly because the tracks on the flat land are very badly maintained full of potholes*. Partly because we actually saw far more game between the gate to the camp from our own vehicle and from the lounge. (*High piles of gravel were left on the tracks months ago but nobody bothered to distribute it on the tracks which badly need it, vehicles has to drive slalom between them.)
To be improved; the compressor for the water pump makes a terrible noise all day long so it needs to be insulated because it really spoils the wilderness feel. We drove past the compressor on the sunset drive and seen that not the slightest effort has been made to insulate it.
Interesting Camp Design, we did like it but we also understand this design makes it very challenging for the maintenance staff. Overall impression of the camp; felt a bit slouchy, the keen attention to details, timing and order which we normally see in Wilderness Safaris camps is missing. Outside the main area piles of building material, spades left as if someone started to make something and left suddenly, months ago. If it is a design feature we do not find it appealing.
The staff seemed tired or weary. Albeit, they did make an effort when we addressed them, so for us all was fine. Meals. We found it a bit heavy, over complicated dishes and unnecessarily large portions. The intention is all good but sometimes less is more."
The sunset drive in the reserve was far too long, was not really enjoyable partly because the tracks on the flat land are very badly maintained full of potholes*. Partly because we actually saw far more game between the gate to the camp from our own vehicle and from the lounge. (*High piles of gravel were left on the tracks months ago but nobody bothered to distribute it on the tracks which badly need it, vehicles has to drive slalom between them.)
To be improved; the compressor for the water pump makes a terrible noise all day long so it needs to be insulated because it really spoils the wilderness feel. We drove past the compressor on the sunset drive and seen that not the slightest effort has been made to insulate it.
Interesting Camp Design, we did like it but we also understand this design makes it very challenging for the maintenance staff. Overall impression of the camp; felt a bit slouchy, the keen attention to details, timing and order which we normally see in Wilderness Safaris camps is missing. Outside the main area piles of building material, spades left as if someone started to make something and left suddenly, months ago. If it is a design feature we do not find it appealing.
The staff seemed tired or weary. Albeit, they did make an effort when we addressed them, so for us all was fine. Meals. We found it a bit heavy, over complicated dishes and unnecessarily large portions. The intention is all good but sometimes less is more."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Mundulea Reserve
"Grand and Unique Camp in Noble Simplicity"
3 nights
Arrived
15 Apr 2016
"To anyone who longs to fill a trip to Southern Africa with true substance and depth I would say; do not hesitate, go to Mundulea. We had seen some of that greatness the country has to offer to visitors and we were already happy with that when we arrived to Mundulea and our expectations were high but there were only pleasant surprises. With Bruno’s passionate and guidance we could observe and steadily absorb our surrounding, which is nothing less than a visionary man’s grand and unique project to return the former farmland to the indigenous wildlife and vegetation.
The facts, the tales, the myths and history of the rocks, the mountains and deep caves, the flora and fauna of the area were looked at from every possible angle and only the guests interests decided how deeply any subject came to be explored. Engaging conversations by the camp fire and at dinner were thoroughly enjoyable as we moved from earliest geological time through human history to today’s problems and hopes.
We could fill pages with praise but suffice to say we left the camp happier and wiser.
As for lodging; True bush camp is designed with simplicity and recycling as guidelines but also with excellent taste. Very comfortable and practical, everything you need is there and you are very well protected from any sorts of potentially dangerous creatures while resting.
Meals are mostly from locally produced or home made ingredients and skillfully prepared on the open fire which adds to the unique ‘Experience Mundulea’. Especially appreciated were the freshly baked delicious bread and the big bowl of salad for lunch- exactly what one wants on a hot day. Dinners; varied, well prepared and tasty, game or bird or vegetarian. Even the water from their own spring has a remarkably good flavour ."
The facts, the tales, the myths and history of the rocks, the mountains and deep caves, the flora and fauna of the area were looked at from every possible angle and only the guests interests decided how deeply any subject came to be explored. Engaging conversations by the camp fire and at dinner were thoroughly enjoyable as we moved from earliest geological time through human history to today’s problems and hopes.
We could fill pages with praise but suffice to say we left the camp happier and wiser.
As for lodging; True bush camp is designed with simplicity and recycling as guidelines but also with excellent taste. Very comfortable and practical, everything you need is there and you are very well protected from any sorts of potentially dangerous creatures while resting.
Meals are mostly from locally produced or home made ingredients and skillfully prepared on the open fire which adds to the unique ‘Experience Mundulea’. Especially appreciated were the freshly baked delicious bread and the big bowl of salad for lunch- exactly what one wants on a hot day. Dinners; varied, well prepared and tasty, game or bird or vegetarian. Even the water from their own spring has a remarkably good flavour ."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
The camp is beautifully situated on a hillside, We stayed in a tent with a fantastic view with sunset, so we could have our own private 'sundowner' for there is even a minibar. The tent is excellently designed, aim to give every possible comfort with a very beautiful bathroom and all practical equipment for our convenience was there. All well maintained, Welcoming, great staff, very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, everyone, not just the guides.
They all keen to make our stay enjoyable - and it really was. We did two guided walks which were greatly enjoyable as our guide was keen to point out and tell all about the rocks, the plants, the trees and all small and bigger creatures we happened to see. And we did see quite a lot of wonderful birds, quadrupedals, like Dik-diks, Kudus etc. The walks are well designed, perfectly well described, clearly marked out and we found it very easy to follow on the two occasions when we chose to go on our own.
Meals. Their muesli is exceptional and coffee is wonderful (these make at least my day) and so is their full English breakfast. The setting for outdoor dinner is wonderful as the view is over the waterhole which one night had a most beautiful little furry visitor; a larger genet. The dinners were well composed and we had the best cooked game ever here . They even had wine from the nearby Kristall Kellerei which was really great as we could not visit the winery.
We had some nice surprises as we drove through the reserve; lots of giraffs, zebras and springbok sightings."