Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs M from Weymouth
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
7
Lodges stayed in
27
Excursions taken
2
Trip of a lifetime
Kenya and 4 other countries between 24 Jun 2019 and 7 Aug 2019
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well."
Arranged By Richard Trillo
Tau Pan Camp
"Great place to start our trip"
Splash Camp
"New camp, great rooms - very comfortable"
Game viewing was superb and we were privileged to see a pack of wild dogs at their den and 10 puppies - these are very endangered animals facing extinction, so it was great to see them. Mr T and Matt were great at knowing exactly where to find the wildlife.
Amazing to hear an elephant eating the tree outside our room in the middle of the night."
Waterberry Zambezi Lodge
"A haven of peace and tranquility"
Great staff and wonderful food."
Chongwe River Camp
"Wonderful views of the river and hills beyond"
The camp is in a great position on the river bank with all tents having great views of wildlife that wander through the camp and in the river. A choice of game drives or on the river in the boats, always so much to see as found by the guides and trackers.
With no moon, the night drives were spectacular with views of the planets and stars that are just not visible in populated parts of the world, and a first for me, three sightings of satellites and the International Space Station - the wildlife was good too!!
The camp staff and food were superb - a great stay. Thanks to Tom, Hugo and owner Chris."
Victoria Falls Hotel
"Colonial style but bedrooms were dated"
Great view down to the bridge over the Zambezi. Food was good with plenty of choice.
We were there for only one night before an early morning departure, the hotel seems to cater for the masses and is not a place we would have wanted to stay for longer"
Camp Hwange
"Great camp for wildlife"
Super guides Moses, Changa and Shaun who knew just where to go for the best wildlife viewing, a highlight was a herd of 25 elephants of all ages ranging from tiny babies to big bulls all wallowing in a mudpool and squirting mud and water over themselves."
Amalinda Lodge
"Fantastic location, amazing rooms in rocks"
We had our first sight of a white rhino due to the persistence in searching by "Bones" our guide, with the help of a couple of park rangers, unfortunately the rhino had been dehorned, supposedly to prevent it from being poached.
Great views from Cecil Rhodes grave.
The highly polished concrete floors in the rooms mean that it's very easy to slip and fall - which my wife did!!!"
Ilala Lodge
"Peaceful haven in busy Victoria Falls"
A nice place to rest between safari camps, short walk to the falls and the bridge.
Shops are very touristy and nothing special, lots of begging and you felt a little uneasy if you ventured off the main street, there were guards and police in evidence.
Main drawback to Victoria falls is the constant noise of helicopters and microlights in the sky all day long
A highlight was the early morning breakfast cruise in the Ilala Lodge's own boat, lots of elephants, crocodiles and birds to see."
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
"Massive security checks to get in hotel"
The hotel is in a very freight type commercial and unattractive part of the airport, the security checks just to get through the gates and then again through the front door of the hotel were something we've never experienced before, but once inside, the hotel is superb."
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
"Wonderful views when the mist clears"
The crater is quite amazing in its size and the amount of big game and birds that are there, the view from the hotel on the crater edge is spectacular when the early morning mist burns off.
We managed to see our first leopard standing in the mist beside the track as we left on our last day."
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
"Truely amazing place, wonderful game viewing"
16 Jul 2019 • All-day excursion
The crater is quite amazing in it's size and the amount of big game and birds that are there, the view from the hotel on the crater edge is spectacular when the early morning mist burns off.
We managed to see our first leopard standing in the mist beside the track as we left on our last day.
Olakira
"Olakira review"
Although the camp moves twice a year depending on the migration, you would never know as it looks permanent.
Great food and accommodation as always with these safari camps, the staff and guides are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive for your every need.
Our guide Eustace was superb in getting prime positions for the Mara crossing in competition with the many other safari vehicles jostling for a view.."
Rekero
"Another wildebeest migration river crossing"
So much wildlife to see on the game drives, BUT also in camp. We decided to forgo the morning drive and stay in camp to walk round and photograph birds, flowers, insects, crocs and a lion.
A highlight was the sight of 5 cheetahs strolling in different directions towards a very large herd of wildebeest, gradually splitting the herd till they isolated their victim. We did not see the kill as the action was moving away from us, however after a very fast drive to the other side of the kill we were able to get many close up photographs of the 5 cheetahs eating their meal. Interestingly a spotted hyena tried several times to creep up on the cheetahs to steal the meal but he was chased off - outnumbered."
Kicheche Valley
"Great location, good views of game from camp"
Our guide Johnson wore Masai traditional dress and was very knowledgeable where to find the wildlife and the highlight was to see a pair of lions mating every 10 minutes or so, they keep this up for several days!!!
On our last night Marietta and Brandon arrange a private dinner outside our tent to celebrate Janet's birthday - a very nice gesture from the camp."
Lewa Wilderness
"Amazing camp, fantastic view from room"
The trip to the farm going past the stables was well worth a visit, they are virtually self sufficient for food.
Game drive viewing was great, both white and black rhinos were seen - including Elvis who had been hand reared many years previously - friendly chap who came right up to the vehicle.
Francis was our Masai guide - in Masai dress of course."
Asha Boutique Hotel
"Right on the beach - great location"
This was a great place to relax and unwind after 5 weeks of safaris in 5 African countries - glad we chose to come here rather than a large resort hotel.
Staff all very friendly and helpful."
The Emakoko
"Amazing to be so close to Nairobi"
The pickup from the airport and transfer to camp was so well organised, it was a game drive in its own right when we arrived as soon as we passed through the park gates.
We were only here for one night, but this camp is worth a longer stay.
Great food and accommodation - and the rock hyrax love to eat the roses!!!!!"
My Nov 2012 trip
Namibia and 1 other country between 6 Nov 2012 and 28 Nov 2012
We would recommend a larger car than a Toyota Aygo, even though everyone said it could and indeed it did see us through the journey, a 4X4 with higher ground clearance and sand road capability would have been very desirable. With a small car, we were scraping gravel a lot of the time.
Cape Town, Primi Royal Boutique at Camps Bay, highly recommended as an option.
We stayed at some lovely locations and met some wonderful people as chosen by Expert Africa, thank you and well done.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None, you're doing a great job, keep at it."
Feedback response
These travellers have put a selection of their photographs from this trip on FLICKR - you can find them here. Their advice is:
1) Click on the link at the top of the page.
2) Click on the "slideshow" button at the top of the page.
3) Click on the "show Info" button when the slideshow loads to see each photo description.
4) Click on the "fullscreen" button at the bottom right hand corner of the screen to get the best view.
5) SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW
Own arrangements SA (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"4 days in Cape Town"
A good base for visiting Cape Town, the winelands and Cape of Good Hope. Having a satnav certainly made it easier driving through Cape Town.
Lots of really good restaurants in Camps Bay. Do make a visit to "The Cod Father" restaurant, you chose various pieces of raw fish from the slab, it's weighed to determine the price and then cooked for you, it actually worked out to be a very cheap but very tasty meal, highly recommended."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Ndedema Lodge
"2 nights at Ndedema Lodge"
Our room was lovely with period furniture, the bathroom massive. A relaxing beer in the shady garden on arrival. Pool available though we did not use it.
Wilma organised our trip to the Rooibos estate the next morning and pointed us to the rock art trail for the afternoon.
Breakfasts were eaten in the garden from a substantial choice laid out inside. Long chats with Wilma and Johan who were excellent hosts making for a most enjoyable stay in Clanwilliam."
Annie's Cottage
"Annie's Cottage - 1 night"
Long chat with Pet Trumplemann at breakfast who thrives from meeting and talking to guests."
Canyon Lodge
"Canon Lodge - 2 nights"
Wonderfully laid out with lots of green grass and trees, a veritable oasis in the desert, with the lodges dotted about blending in with the massive boulders. The pool at the edge of camp has a fantastic background of the wide open vastness of Namibia.
Drive to the Fish River Canyon next day with lots of wildlife sightings, then the "OH WOW" , just look at that view over and down into the Canyon! I'm now going to buy a "fisheye lens" for my camera!
The food in the restaurant at Canon Lodge was excellent."
Sinclair Guest Farm, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Sinclair Guest Farm - great family dog"
The next fuel on the map was at GOAGEB but the reserve light came on 30km before we got there. The garage was derelict, no fuel for another 30km at BETHANIEN!!! We just made it and fueled up thankfully.
A very warm welcome from Mildred, Hanalore's newest recruit, who provided us with a most welcome cold beer. Tea at 4 pm with Hanalore who loves talking to her visitors, then a walk to the mine with the dog leading, unfortunately he led us in the wrong direction so we decided to visit the old copper mine the next day before we left, well worth the 6km walk.
Food was excellent both in the evening and breakfast the following morning."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Desert Homestead
"Desert Homestead for Sossusvlei dunes"
A warm and friendly welcome from the staff, the food was very good, both breakfast and evening. It was HOT there, so the pool was very welcome.
Marvellous day trip to Sossusvlei and the dunes, our guide was very knowledgeable and found and showed us things you would never have seen on your own, such as a Sidewinder snake and a White Lady spider that builds a silken trap with a lid under the sand. Champagne breakfast included in the trip, just for us two, wonderful.
Another word of warning for self drivers, BEWARE of sand roads ie. the D845 between the C27 and C19 just before Desert Homestead, we got bogged down to the axles in sand and had to dig ourselves out with the help of a passing 4X4 with a spade."
Sam's Giardino
"Beethoven - good meet and greet dog"
The Giardino was lovely, full of character, books and classical music. The gardens were wonderful, so relaxing, and Beethoven for company too.
The breakfast and evening meals were superb, definitely not worth going out in the evening looking for a restaurant."
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
"Wildlife galore with TurnstoneTours"
20 Nov 2012 • All-day excursion
We saw so much wildlife including a group of jackals, many types of seabird and of course the seals.
Amazing going up and down the dunes in the 4X4, we have the pictures to prove the seemingly impossible steepness of the descents!
Amazing to hear the hum of the sand in the dunes as the 4X4 was descending, engine off and only gravity taking us down in a long slide.
A really great day, highly recommended, not to be missed.
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"The Baboons at Erongo Wilderness"
Warm welcome by the staff and then shown to our very luxurious tent on a wooden platform with tremendous views to the massive rock formations populated by baboons.
Lots of dassies and various lizards of varying colours.
Food again was excellent both in the evening and breakfast.
An amazing night, the baboons were screaming and seemed as though the were at the side of the tent, however the night guards were there making sure that none breached the camp perimeter."
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo - good game viewing - poor camp"
Our views were NOT just ours, a glance at the visitor book in reception showed countless complaints of rude, incompetent, untrained and just couldn't care less staff.
The restaurant was total chaos, food mediocre and poorly cooked, of a standard that you would expect in a works canteen or school dining room. Tables are relaid as diners finish their meal, but the tablecloths are not changed and the next diners therefore have food stains to look at as they eat.
At an evening meal, a jackal came to within about 10 yards of people eating, begging for food, and although a small wall separated us from the animal, the staff took no action despite being asked to shoo the animal away. We had been warned to be very wary of wild animals that appeared to have lost their wariness of humans in view of the risk of rabies. This was not a pleasant experience.
We had to pay a N$500 deposit for our room key and check an inventory of the room contents and advise any discrepancies, there were none. On checking out, we had to wait in reception whilst the staff radioed through to the cleaning staff to check whether we had taken anything or whether the inventory was correct, before we were refunded our deposit. Highly demeaning!
Now to the good part, our self drives in Etosh were wonderful, we saw so many animals and have some great photographs to prove it. There had been quite a bit of rain, so there were no animals apart from jackals at the floodlit waterhole, they were drinking elsewhere.
Etosh IS GREAT, but steer clear of NWR. Trouble is that the camp IS right in the wildlife reserve and no other lodges are so well placed."
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima - our favourite camp"
Norman Victor our safari drive guide was knowledgeable and relentless in his hunt for us to see the leopard.
Food was excellent for all the meals.
As a last camp at the end of our African trip, Okonjima couldn't have been a better choice."
Own arrangements (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Kalahari Sands Hotel, Windhoek"
Kalahari Sands Hotel is right in the centre of Windhok on Independence Avenue, a big bustling hotel with a casino if you are that way inclined, but it was comfortable and the food was really very good indeed for a big hotel.
Time to see the local craft market over the road and the big shops in the shopping malls, the same the world over!
Parking was free in the attached multi-story, a boon as on street parking is not an option."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Vasco our guide and tracker Mishak were founts of knowledge on where the animals were likely to be found and Mishak's game walk describing how people lived in the Kalahari, found food and medicine and made fire was impressive.
The evening meal was announced in song by the waiters and kitchen staff, a truly amazing touch. The food itself was fantastic and we were never hungry - quite amazing for a bush camp.
Early morning game drive at 06.30am it was only 3C and with wind chill on the vehicles, it was COLD to say the least but by 2.00pm it was 31C. Bush babies were very much appreciated on one's lap.
A fantastic visit to Tau Pan"