Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs F from Thailand
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
2
Excursions taken
0
Great overall trip
Tanzania between 21 Dec 2013 and 28 Dec 2013
"Everything worked out really well. We appreciated that the camp managers knew our itinerary, took personal interest in knowing us and remembering who we are. So each evening when discussing the next day, they knew our names, what tent we were in, what we'd done that day, what our options were for the next day, etc.
We would recommend that both camps encourage their guides and drivers to communicate a bit more with their passengers, especially after they stop and talk to drivers of other vehicles........they regularly stop and talk briefly with passing drivers, and we assume they ask what that driver has seen, etc - which is absolutely fine to do. But by far the majority of times they stopped, chatted, and moved on without telling us whether they'd gleaned any useful information from the other car. Of course they could have told us anything as we don't understand Swahili anyway!
But coming from a Customer Service background myself, I would consider it not very good practice to stop and talk with friends in a language that my customer can't understand, and then not explain anything to my customer afterwards.
Similarly one of our drivers seemed to use his mobile phone to make a lot of calls one day - I know the drivers talk between themselves by phone sometimes, but these were longer calls than just passing on information to another driver - and again is a bit disrespectful when you're 'on duty' and supposed to be concentrating on driving and looking for game for your customers.
Sometimes we felt that they were just shooting the breeze and a bit disinterested (which maybe they were!) - but we paid good money for the safaris, and the guys may need an occasional reminder about what good customer service means in the culture of their customers!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I mentioned in the camp reviews - both camps provided very adequate torches and bug spray, and some bug repellent too, so there was no need for us to have carried those ourselves. (I haven't kept the Expert Africa letter, but from memory I think these were things you recommended we carry).
The 15kg baggage allowance for the small planes, and "small baggage holds" was also not a problem......it was a lot more relaxed on all 3 flights than we imagined it would be from reading Expert Africa's letters!
The tipping policy is confusing. Obviously cultures are different, but we found that your advice of "$10 per person per day" doesn't adequately explain it.
Each camp had a general tip box for all staff at the camp (which staff at Mdonya reminded us about on the day we were leaving!), but then we were told the drivers and guides had chosen not to be part of that system.......and so the obvious hope/expectation is that we'll also tip the drivers and guides personally.
So does the suggested $10 per person per day mean we give $10 to the driver per day, plus $10 to the guide per day? And is that for each customer to give this, or just each group? (i.e. per couple/family)
Personally I wish that tip expectations were done away with altogether. It would be nice if we could be assured that each member of staff is paid a decent wage out of what guests pay for their stay, and that we truly feel no obligation to tip......and then we can tip people when we think they've done something really good.
It frustrates me that we pay a lot of money for a holiday, but there is a clear expectation that we'll actually pay more when we get there as well!"
We would recommend that both camps encourage their guides and drivers to communicate a bit more with their passengers, especially after they stop and talk to drivers of other vehicles........they regularly stop and talk briefly with passing drivers, and we assume they ask what that driver has seen, etc - which is absolutely fine to do. But by far the majority of times they stopped, chatted, and moved on without telling us whether they'd gleaned any useful information from the other car. Of course they could have told us anything as we don't understand Swahili anyway!
But coming from a Customer Service background myself, I would consider it not very good practice to stop and talk with friends in a language that my customer can't understand, and then not explain anything to my customer afterwards.
Similarly one of our drivers seemed to use his mobile phone to make a lot of calls one day - I know the drivers talk between themselves by phone sometimes, but these were longer calls than just passing on information to another driver - and again is a bit disrespectful when you're 'on duty' and supposed to be concentrating on driving and looking for game for your customers.
Sometimes we felt that they were just shooting the breeze and a bit disinterested (which maybe they were!) - but we paid good money for the safaris, and the guys may need an occasional reminder about what good customer service means in the culture of their customers!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I mentioned in the camp reviews - both camps provided very adequate torches and bug spray, and some bug repellent too, so there was no need for us to have carried those ourselves. (I haven't kept the Expert Africa letter, but from memory I think these were things you recommended we carry).
The 15kg baggage allowance for the small planes, and "small baggage holds" was also not a problem......it was a lot more relaxed on all 3 flights than we imagined it would be from reading Expert Africa's letters!
The tipping policy is confusing. Obviously cultures are different, but we found that your advice of "$10 per person per day" doesn't adequately explain it.
Each camp had a general tip box for all staff at the camp (which staff at Mdonya reminded us about on the day we were leaving!), but then we were told the drivers and guides had chosen not to be part of that system.......and so the obvious hope/expectation is that we'll also tip the drivers and guides personally.
So does the suggested $10 per person per day mean we give $10 to the driver per day, plus $10 to the guide per day? And is that for each customer to give this, or just each group? (i.e. per couple/family)
Personally I wish that tip expectations were done away with altogether. It would be nice if we could be assured that each member of staff is paid a decent wage out of what guests pay for their stay, and that we truly feel no obligation to tip......and then we can tip people when we think they've done something really good.
It frustrates me that we pay a lot of money for a holiday, but there is a clear expectation that we'll actually pay more when we get there as well!"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Lake Manze Adventure Camp
"Great Safari at Lake Manze"
3 nights
Arrived
22 Dec 2013
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Mdonya Old River Camp
"Great safari at Mdonya Old River Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
25 Dec 2013
"Great game drives here - although being in the National Park you're restricted to the roads and are not allowed to go off-road looking for animals. Having said that, we really appreciated that our driver was willing to go off-road a couple of times when we had a good sighting to get closer to.
On arrival at the airstrip, we were surprised (but happy) that we had a full day game drive immediately, and didn't arrive back at the camp until late afternoon.
Both days our driver (Francis) stopped about 10-15 minutes before getting back to camp to ask us what we wanted to do the next day - we felt awkward and uneasy both times.....knowing that at the previous camp (Lake Manze) the manager had made such arrangements with us each evening before supper. We didn't understand why Francis was "pressuring" us to decide before even getting back to camp and giving us all the options - don't know if it was his personal initiative (trying to ensure we stayed with him each day?) or what he'd been told to do.......but we didn't really appreciate it.
Food was exceptional - good choices, and good vegetarian options as well - it probably helped that the managers were eating vegetarian as well! All meals in camp were family-style around a large/long table - sometimes it would be nice to have individual tables for those of us who are more introverted! (Maybe alternate between family-style, and individual??)
On arrival at camp (every time - even from game drives) we were greeted with welcome drinks which was a nice touch. The manager (Marco - Italian) was very friendly and relaxed. He gave a good introduction, but was more informal/relaxed. He didn't have the same 'professional' approach as the managers at Lake Manze; but he was very friendly. Mary (other manager, who we met later) seemed more organised!
Tent and bathroom was very well set-up and equipped. Despite heavy rain most days, the camp continued, meals served, etc. Very impressed.
Again, a good quality torch and bug spray was provided in the tent - so we didn't need to bring our own.
Lots of animals passed through camp while we were there - good close-up sightings.
In your literature, it said all drinks at Mdonya are additional cost and not complimentary - that is not accurate. Bottled water was complimentary on all game drives at Mdonya while we were there, and drinking water was always provided in our tents in a flask. The only time we would have been charged for water is if we had chosen to drink bottled water in the camp rather than the water provided in our tent. At meal times, drinking water was always provided on the table.
Tea and coffee in the morning before game drives was also complimentary."
On arrival at the airstrip, we were surprised (but happy) that we had a full day game drive immediately, and didn't arrive back at the camp until late afternoon.
Both days our driver (Francis) stopped about 10-15 minutes before getting back to camp to ask us what we wanted to do the next day - we felt awkward and uneasy both times.....knowing that at the previous camp (Lake Manze) the manager had made such arrangements with us each evening before supper. We didn't understand why Francis was "pressuring" us to decide before even getting back to camp and giving us all the options - don't know if it was his personal initiative (trying to ensure we stayed with him each day?) or what he'd been told to do.......but we didn't really appreciate it.
Food was exceptional - good choices, and good vegetarian options as well - it probably helped that the managers were eating vegetarian as well! All meals in camp were family-style around a large/long table - sometimes it would be nice to have individual tables for those of us who are more introverted! (Maybe alternate between family-style, and individual??)
On arrival at camp (every time - even from game drives) we were greeted with welcome drinks which was a nice touch. The manager (Marco - Italian) was very friendly and relaxed. He gave a good introduction, but was more informal/relaxed. He didn't have the same 'professional' approach as the managers at Lake Manze; but he was very friendly. Mary (other manager, who we met later) seemed more organised!
Tent and bathroom was very well set-up and equipped. Despite heavy rain most days, the camp continued, meals served, etc. Very impressed.
Again, a good quality torch and bug spray was provided in the tent - so we didn't need to bring our own.
Lots of animals passed through camp while we were there - good close-up sightings.
In your literature, it said all drinks at Mdonya are additional cost and not complimentary - that is not accurate. Bottled water was complimentary on all game drives at Mdonya while we were there, and drinking water was always provided in our tents in a flask. The only time we would have been charged for water is if we had chosen to drink bottled water in the camp rather than the water provided in our tent. At meal times, drinking water was always provided on the table.
Tea and coffee in the morning before game drives was also complimentary."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
The manager (Phil) greeted us on arrival at the camp, and gave a good introduction to the camp and explaining how everything works, activity options, etc.
The tents were well equipped, very comfortable, and good views over the plain/lake. A good quality torch/flashlight was provided in each tent, as well as bug spray and bug repellent (so no real need to bring your own from home!).
Meals were fine - considering the locations and basic facilities, the meals were good. We stayed at Ruaha (Mdonya Old River) as well, and thought the food there was even better than Lake Manze (more variety, and more veg); but having said that we have no complaints about the Lake Manze food.
Staff were very friendly.
Really enjoyed the variety of activities - did both a morning and evening boat ride (excellent), as well as morning and evening game drives. Decided not to do the all-day drive - felt it would be too long and hot.
The drivers and guides were fine - we didn't have the same driver or guide for all drives, so didn't get as much of a rapport with any of them as some guests. Comparing the drivers we had, we felt Zahora was the best in terms of ability/confidence of driving; and we never felt he was trying to impress/get a tip as you sometimes felt from others.
One of our guides appeared a bit disengaged at times, but we mentioned that in a note we left with Phil when we left.
We also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere. Each evening all the guests would gather in the lobby area for drinks/snacks and the managers would confirm what our plans were for the next day. They were very accomodating and allowing for leaving at various times for drives etc - making the most of our time there. Both managers were very friendly. We loved the view from our tent and lobby - amazing that animals were frequently wandering nearby. The Masai 'guards' were always around to escort you back to your tent when needed just in case there were elephants or other animals near.
Appreciated that in Phil's (manager) introduction he mentioned that tips are not required.
One of the things we appreciated about game drives in Selous is that you can drive off the main roads - in fact you can drive anywhere - so can look for and follow animals a lot easier than you can in the National Parks."