Travel reviews by Dr & Mrs S from Cheshire
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
9
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
29
Excursions taken
0
Another most enjoyable trip
Zambia between 26 Aug 2023 and 8 Sep 2023
All the connections worked as they should, and there were no glitches on the way.
Tafika is our favourite destination in Africa, and we were very pleased to be back there."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Latitude 15
"Latitude 15 review"
Tafika
"A great place to stay"
One of us now has mobility problems, and the staff were universally expert in making everything run as smoothly as possible."
Our Zambian safari September 2017
Zambia between 9 Sep 2017 and 23 Sep 2017
Not mentioned above, but the "meet and greet" at Lusaka on arrival is always welcome and reassuring"
Arranged By Amanda Bond
Sausage Tree Camp
"Another excellent stay"
Slight disappointment that the Chifungulu channel was closed for canoeing, but that's down to low water levels and nothing the camp could do."
Tafika
"Our favourite lodge"
Thanks (again) for the birthday cake and serenade."
Our trip in early March
South Africa between 27 Feb 2016 and 12 Mar 2016
It was hard to believe how inexpensive South Africa is, compared with other "winter sun" destinations"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Vineyard Hotel
"Vineyard Hotel review"
Leeu House (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Leeu House review"
There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Schoone Oordt Country House
"Schoone Ood="
The breakfasts are very good!
There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."
Hog Hollow Country Lodge
"Hog Hollow Country Lodge review"
We very much enjoyed the communal evening dining. It was very nice to meet and talk with other guests.
Service was particularly good, even by South African standards
There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."
A very enjoyable trip
Zambia between 1 Sep 2015 and 15 Sep 2015
The usual excellent service from Expert Africa.
The "meet and greet" at Lusaka is also very welcome: departure tax pre-paid, and being ushered into the VIP channel saves any anxiety.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No - keep up the good work!"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Sausage Tree Camp
"A very well run camp"
The guaranteed private guiding (i.e. just you and your guide in each vehicle) is new, and works well (of course, you need to decide if that is what you want).
One suggestion to the camp. There are a number of places which have fairly steep concrete steps: from the main area of each tent to the bathroom, and around the main communal area. For guests who are a little unsteady on their feet, like me, simple hand rails would improve safety and security."
Tafika
"Our favourite camp!"
One of the few owner managed camps still in the Valley, John, Carol and Bryan generate a warm and professional atmosphere, ably assisted by Heather and Rhona, and all the other camp staff.
The aircraft operated by Tafika and which took us from Lower Zambezi is strongly recommended. It may cost a bit more than ProFlight, but it cuts almost a day's travel down to an hour and a half.
We particularly appreciate that all the guides are local, often from the nearby village, and having often started in the kitchen or as tea bearers, have developed and passed their guiding exams.
Thank for a great stay - especially the hippos at Hippo Bend, and the mating leopards (not guaranteed!)"
Northern Tanzania July/August 2014
Tanzania between 20 Jul 2014 and 3 Aug 2014
We found the game viewing rather disappointing compared with Zambia and Botswana, with which we are more familiar, in that the wildlife was often very distant from the roads and made photography and observing behaviours less satisfactory.
Although we had to actually book the flights ourselves, the suggested routing of Manchester/Amsterdam/Kilimanjaro worked very well."
Feedback response
This traveller has also written a detailed report with some excellent photos online : http://safaritalk.net/topic/13161-northern-tanzania-july-august-2014/
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Onsea House
"Overnight / day room"
Oliver's Camp
"Excellent base for Tarangire"
Lemala Ngorongoro
"Disappointing stay in excellent location"
It is worth staying there for the location alone and early morning access to the crater. However, go with modest expectations."
We’re heading out to Lemala Ngorongoro ourselves in November 2014, so we’ll be sure to thoroughly investigate the issues raised here.
Dunia Camp
"Dunia camp"
A particular gold star for fixing the bucket showers for us. We are both rather short, and couldn't reach the shower to turn it on and off. We were given a crate to stand on - but that was a bit hazardous. We mentioned this to the camp manager the next morning, and by the time we returned from the game drive they had rigged up a couple of chains that worked perfectly! I call that customer focus."
Rubondo Island Camp
"Rubondo Island - a camp with a difference."
The owners (Asilia) have obviously made a major investment here. The cabins and public areas are all new and excellent, and the location on a small sandy bay facing the sunrise is also great.
However, this is not a safari camp. There is wildlife on the island, but you are most likely to see bushbuck and sitatunga, and some birds. There is also walking, and some good fun fishing to be had for Nile perch. The history of the Park is unusual - Google it to find out more.
We think it made a good final stop for the holiday, for two or maybe three days. Given a choice between Rubondo and Zanzibar I would choose Rubondo every time."
My Sep 2013 trip
Zambia between 15 Sep 2013 and 29 Sep 2013
Arranged By Claire Scott
Taj Pamodzi Hotel
"Taj Pamodzi Hotel review"
Sausage Tree Camp
"Sausage Tree Camp review"
Having expressed an interest in birding, we were allocated a guide (Prisley) with excellent birding skills."
Tafika
"Tafika review"
Thanks again to the Coppingers (all three of you!), Bryan, Heather, Rhona and all the staff."
Another very enjoyable trip
Zambia between 13 Sep 2012 and 26 Sep 2012
Taj Pamodzi Hotel
"Good place for a relaxed one-night stay"
Busanga Bushcamp
"Enjoyable stay"
There is certainly good game viewing on the Busanga Plains, but it is more widely spread than in some other reserves. We very much enjoyed our stay, but would probably not recommend BBC for a first time safari.
The helicopter transfer in was fun. We didn't know that, when staying for three nights or more, a complimentary balloon ride is included. Too bad we couldn't go because of the wind, but it would have been a selling point."
Tafika
"(Another) great stay at Tafika"
It's fantastic to be in the Nsefu sector, and see great game and hardly ever another vehicle. Microlighting another highlight (five lions on one side and two leopards on the other - doesn't get much better than that (not guaranteed of course!)"
My May 2012 trip
Zambia between 19 May 2012 and 28 May 2012
The ground agents made our progress through immigration on the way out and check-in on the way home, quick and easy"
Nkwali
"Nkwali review"
The relatively long drive either to the main gate or to the pontoon seemed more of a drawback than in the past - in part becasue there seemed to be less activity on the drive than in the past (though this could of course be chance)"
Tafika
"Tafika review"
Eight Reedbuck Hotel, Zambia (this camp has since closed)
"Eight Reedbuck Hotel review"
Less positively, the food was poor and given the location and time of arrival there is little alternative. We seemed to be left entirely to our own devices in the morning"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Most enjoyable
Zambia between 21 Sep 2007 and 6 Oct 2007
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:"
Big Lagoon Camp
"Excellent walking safari"
Chikoko Tree Camp
"Excellent safari at Chikoko"
But tented rooms, even with "double skin" roofs, very hot"
Tafika
"Excellent - very friendly camp"
At Tafika, best food we've had in the Valley - and that is saying something!"
Chongwe River Camp
"OK - but not perfect"
The "Albida Suite" is very good. Excellent accommodation, and a good concept. But - they do need to keep to that concept, and not invite others in the camp to dine, as happened on our second night.
We were not very impressed with our guide ("Leve" ?): he didn't see a lot and ended by dropping us at Sausage tree at 9.00am, which caused some consternation.
Logistics leave a bit to be desired (plerase call if you want more details)
We asked for a walk, and were told that "ZAWA don't allow walks because the elephants are beoming too skittish". But no problems at Sausage Tree - over to you."
Sausage Tree Camp
"Absolutely first rate"
Our first visit, and honestly couldn't fault it
Very highly recommended"