Travel reviews by The HBs from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
4
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
0
Our May 2025 trip
Botswana and 1 other country between 20 May 2025 and 1 Jun 2025
"The trip worked exactly as we had hoped. In putting together the trip, Anton took into account everything we had discussed such that no detail was overlooked and everything ran smoothly."
Arranged By Anton Walker
Dinaka
"Dinaka - friendly, knowledgable & efficient"
3 nights
Arrived
20 May 2025
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
10+ sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Kwara Camp
"Not quite up to Dinaka standard"
3 nights
Arrived
23 May 2025
"Our view of Kwara may be coloured by our very positive experience at our previous camp, Dinaka, and therefore should be seen in that light.
As an example, our arrival at both Dinaka and Kwara meant we needed to hurry in relation to the timing of the next game drive. At Dinaka this was handled in a relaxed manner whereas at Kwara we felt pressured to complete the arrival formalities to comply with the game drive timetable. The paperwork was clearly more important than familiarising us with the camp.
We acknowledge that guiding requires the skill of balancing the needs of all in the jeep, providing information, answering questions and allowing sufficient time for photographs and viewing game. In our case we felt our guide was, at times, following his own well worn formula and rather lacked empathy. Our tracker, however, was excellent on the Mokoro trip, responding to our specific requests and providing information.
Other than the games drives we very much enjoyed the boat trip and mokoro.
Special mention must go to Kay for arranging a bottle of champagne and gift for our wedding anniversary."
As an example, our arrival at both Dinaka and Kwara meant we needed to hurry in relation to the timing of the next game drive. At Dinaka this was handled in a relaxed manner whereas at Kwara we felt pressured to complete the arrival formalities to comply with the game drive timetable. The paperwork was clearly more important than familiarising us with the camp.
We acknowledge that guiding requires the skill of balancing the needs of all in the jeep, providing information, answering questions and allowing sufficient time for photographs and viewing game. In our case we felt our guide was, at times, following his own well worn formula and rather lacked empathy. Our tracker, however, was excellent on the Mokoro trip, responding to our specific requests and providing information.
Other than the games drives we very much enjoyed the boat trip and mokoro.
Special mention must go to Kay for arranging a bottle of champagne and gift for our wedding anniversary."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
4 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Sitatunga
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Lagoon Camp
"Cats, cats, cats"
3 nights
Arrived
26 May 2025
"Similar to Dinaka the staff are exceptionally welcoming and helpful, in a relaxed way. Our guide (Lucas) was engaging and knowledgable without overloading us with information, allowing us to enjoy the sightings and ask questions if need be. He worked well with our tracker (John) to ensure we found a wide variety of game . He also made a point of asking each of us in the jeep what we wanted to see and tried to accommodate us, mostly successfully.
The only non game drive activity was the walking safari, which was slightly disappointing because we received little information about our surroundings. The low water levels here prevented a boat trip.
Special mention to Bonnie and Pro for arranging a surprise private dinner and champagne for our wedding anniversary."
The only non game drive activity was the walking safari, which was slightly disappointing because we received little information about our surroundings. The low water levels here prevented a boat trip.
Special mention to Bonnie and Pro for arranging a surprise private dinner and champagne for our wedding anniversary."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
2 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Palm River Hotel
"A perfect end"
2 nights
Arrived
29 May 2025
"A perfect place to relax and recover from a very hectic schedule of 3 safari camps. Beautiful location and very friendly and helpful staff. Easy transfer to and from Victoria Falls, which is all we wanted at this point to round off our trip, so we cannot comment on other activities offered."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Tanzania trip September 2016
Tanzania and 1 other country between 14 Sep 2016 and 26 Sep 2016
"A very well thought out trip for which we received excellent advice from Expert Africa (James Denny). In particular, the order of visiting the camps was perfect in that, had we visited Mwagusi first the sheer volume of game in Ruaha may have led us to be a little disappointed in Selous. That said, our guide at Impala Camp was truly outstanding in that we saw more than others staying at the same time due to his patience and desire that we understood the animal behaviour. By spending time observing the animals with him, we saw the full story of a lion kill from them first being alerted to a wounded wildebeest to the kill itself and the subsequent family hierarchy in action for the "feast". Often we were the only observers of significant wildlife events which made it very special.
In addition the choice of camps suited us much better than, for example, the Serengeti. We wanted quiet and remote and that is exactly what we got, combined with plenty of wildlife action. A nice bonus is that both camps were better than we had expected, from facilities to food to service.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Our whole experience with Expert Africa has been excellent.
Nothing springs to mind as needing improvement which tells you a lot about the service you have provided to us."
In addition the choice of camps suited us much better than, for example, the Serengeti. We wanted quiet and remote and that is exactly what we got, combined with plenty of wildlife action. A nice bonus is that both camps were better than we had expected, from facilities to food to service.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Our whole experience with Expert Africa has been excellent.
Nothing springs to mind as needing improvement which tells you a lot about the service you have provided to us."
Impala Camp
"First safari experience at Selous Impala Camp"
4 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2016
"An excellent guide (Festo), a very engaging waiter (Victor) who was determined that we learn some basic Swahili which we found extremely useful as well as entertaining, and a delightful Masai escort (Njowe) in the camp.
Continuity of all the above staff who looked after us throughout our stay was a major factor in our enjoyment here, as was the range of different safari options each day - river, jeep and walking. We took advantage of all of them.
The reliable laundry service helped us keep our luggage to a minimum.
The dining experience was excellent. Moving us to different locations within the camp is a nice idea and the surprise champagne at sundown on our last game drive made it very special."
Continuity of all the above staff who looked after us throughout our stay was a major factor in our enjoyment here, as was the range of different safari options each day - river, jeep and walking. We took advantage of all of them.
The reliable laundry service helped us keep our luggage to a minimum.
The dining experience was excellent. Moving us to different locations within the camp is a nice idea and the surprise champagne at sundown on our last game drive made it very special."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Mwagusi Safari Camp
"Second safari experience at Mwagusi"
4 nights
Arrived
19 Sep 2016
"The size, layout and location of the Banda in which we stayed was excellent, overlooking the dry river bed with a variety of wildlife wandering around.
The creative dining arrangements whereby different locations away from the main dining area were used each evening (in the river bed and in the bush) is a brilliant initiative and very atmospheric.
All staff were both friendly and helpful and we liked the initiative whereby staff rotate through several of the front and back of house functions whilst training to be safari guides.
Laundry service was outstanding - very helpful to have and turnaround was extremely quick.
No hot water in the sink although plenty for showers. We understand that the solar power may not be able to cope with the provision of extra hot water to the sinks but it did make shaving slightly less pleasant."
The creative dining arrangements whereby different locations away from the main dining area were used each evening (in the river bed and in the bush) is a brilliant initiative and very atmospheric.
All staff were both friendly and helpful and we liked the initiative whereby staff rotate through several of the front and back of house functions whilst training to be safari guides.
Laundry service was outstanding - very helpful to have and turnaround was extremely quick.
No hot water in the sink although plenty for showers. We understand that the solar power may not be able to cope with the provision of extra hot water to the sinks but it did make shaving slightly less pleasant."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Serena Inn
"Serena Inn"
3 nights
Arrived
23 Sep 2016
"We were expecting 5 star luxury at Serena but we did feel it fell slightly short of our expectations. For example, the bath had chipped enamel and the shower head leaked until we fixed it temporarily. The wine list was limited and much was unavailable whilst we were there.
There were very few guests staying whilst we were there which did mean that the bar and restaurant areas were almost deserted and lacked atmosphere. Music was laid on in the early evenings but we found the wandering minstrels in the restaurant rather intrusive and more suited to a beachside tourist venue than a luxury hotel.
The staff were attentive but we felt a little overwhelmed at times by the sheer number of them. Very few were engaging which may be the culture of the hotel but as a result we did venture to outside venues for some drinks and snacks rather than stay on site.
The location is excellent and the swimming pool area is delightful."
There were very few guests staying whilst we were there which did mean that the bar and restaurant areas were almost deserted and lacked atmosphere. Music was laid on in the early evenings but we found the wandering minstrels in the restaurant rather intrusive and more suited to a beachside tourist venue than a luxury hotel.
The staff were attentive but we felt a little overwhelmed at times by the sheer number of them. Very few were engaging which may be the culture of the hotel but as a result we did venture to outside venues for some drinks and snacks rather than stay on site.
The location is excellent and the swimming pool area is delightful."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Our final evening was especially memorable, for several reasons: the staff singing and dancing and the very special surprise private dinner for our wedding anniversary.
The sheer variety of experiences (in our case, the sleepout and the bushman walk), aside from the game drives, makes this a particularly interesting camp."