Travel reviews by Dr B from Canada
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
14
Excursions taken
0
Finally my Apr 2022 trip twice deferred due to COVID
Namibia and 2 other countries between 2 Apr 2022 and 26 Apr 2022
From the beginning in Windhoek to end at Stanley's camp our trip exceeded expectation. The only hiccup was in Swakopmund due to the weather and a health issue that was efficiently dealt with at a local Medical Clinic. Neither of these were in any way related to the organization of the trip by Tracy our brilliant Expert Africa organizational wizard.
The highlights of the Namibian section of the trip were Andersson's camp in the Ongava Reserve beside Etosha National Park. It was a true privilege to be so close to wild White Rhino. All three of us are keen photographers so the hide beside the watering hole was fantastic for capturing closeups of the visiting wildlife, including numerous birds. The second was Sesriem and the visit to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. We stayed at the Hoodia camp, outside the gates to the park which meant we were unable to see the sunrise at the dunes, however watching the changing light on the dunes as the sun rose was still a fantastic experience. This location was also one of the best for astrophotography - no light pollution, no airplane light trails and clear Milky Way shots over the surrounding mountains.
Next was Victoria Falls, we experienced two evenings of torrential rain and thunderstorms, which was very unusual. We still took some great shots of rainbows in the mist of the Falls and went on an early morning river cruise - a fantastic experience. When visiting the falls make sure you have good rain gear (you can hire some from the local pedlars at the gates to the Falls) you will get soaked when the Falls are in full flood - we had 90% capacity and the viewing points above #8 were like being in a shower.
Botswana was all about wildlife and lived up to it's reputation we saw all of the big 5 several times and had fantastic sightings of leopard and at Stanley's watched a pride of lions prepare for an impala hunt. We missed the event as we had to leave for the airstrip - it's impossible to predict what wildlife will do but it was a great way to end our last day on safari.
In the circumstances of this trip I think Tracy did a brilliant job of juggling bookings that had initially been made in 2019 to work in 2022. The only glitches we had were due to the companies Expert Africa work with and most probably due to the speed with which travel ramped back up after the pandemic."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer

Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"

Andersson's at Ongava
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
The location in the private reserve allowed us to see game we would have missed in Etosha National Park due to the recent heavy rainfall that had dispersed most of the animals across an unusually green landscape. There were many highlights, close encounters with elephants and white rhino - it was truly amazing to sit and watch a family of rhino close up.
The Lodge has a ground level hide adjacent to the watering hole that was excellent for watching/photographing wildlife. Our guide, Bono, was brilliant at finding both mammals and birds. The design of the expansive rooms is excellent and the swing chair on the deck great for relaxing and watching for wildlife. The staff at the Lodge were excellent and the food was plentiful with a good variety of dishes at diner.
A resource we felt was almost overlooked was the brilliant Research Centre, the display in the main area is excellent and very informative and we feel should be an important part of the experience at the Lodge."

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Lion
1 sighting

White Rhino
Many sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings

The Stiltz
"The Stiltz review"
We had a 3 bedroom lodge, the setting is fantastic, however be ready for cold and damp. The staff were friendly and the breakfasts excellent.
It’s possible to book local tours and get recommendations for local restaurants at the main office, both were excellent.
We enjoyed the Tug restaurant and would go again."

Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
The rooms are well designed if a little lacking in storage space, with a large outside shower/bath area. The main lodge has a great terrace and pool area beside a small stream.
Meals are served in a dining area surrounding a central fire. There was a limited choice at dinner.
The manager/owner Thomas is very friendly and informative, and the staff are very good.
The sundowner experience is very enjoyable and the day’s excursion to Sossusvlei a must."

Oryx
Many sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"

Ilala Lodge
"Ilala Lodge review"
The large terrace area fronting the building has the restaurant at one end with pools for children and adults next to a bar area. The bar area was a great place to sit and enjoy a drink and take in the view.
The staff were friendly, efficient and the food was excellent. There was an activities office where we could book a number of different excursions. We took the early morning birdwatching cruise on the Zambezi which was excellent. A visit to the Victoria Falls is also a must."

Duba Explorers Camp
"Duba Explorers Camp review"
The individual tented rooms are well spaced with outer decks overlooking the stream and at the time we visited a grassy area visited by elephants, eland and hippos. Breakfast is served as part of the morning game drive.
Evening meals are taken at a communal table on the large deck at the main lodge and there is a large fire pit to sit around before dinner and share stories. There is a cute plunge pool set up on the back of an old truck that is great for cooling down in.
Our guide, Zac, was excellent finding animals and birds. Excellent sightings of leopard, lion, giraffe and elephants."

Buffalo
Many sightings

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Hippo
Many sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
Many sightings

Little Vumbura
"Little Vumbura review"
The balcony area of the rooms overlook a small lake and you can relax and watch the birds/hippos/elephants. Very attractive communal area, lounge with plenty of seating, an elevated library area, a fire pit seating area over water and a good curio shop. The swimming pool area is off to one side.
Food very good using local herbs and spices and introduced each day by the chefs.
Our guide Sam was a good spotter and we saw a good variety of game. Excellent birding with large number of species seen including: kingfishers, barbets, several species of eagle, woodpeckers, herons and water birds"

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Hippo
Many sightings

Leopard
Many sightings

Lion
Many sightings

Sable antelope
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings

Stanley's Camp
"Stanley's Camp review"
The food was excellent and staff friendly and efficient. Our guide, Temo, was excellent and we saw outstanding game and birds.
Sun downers at hippo pools were brilliant and the last night we saw an Aardvark as we returned to the camp an amazing experience. On a previous visit in 2015 the variety of wildlife was limited, this time we had excellent viewings of lion, leopard, hyena, elephants, giraffe etc. One of the best camps for wildlife on this visit.
Did great short helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta."

Aardvark
1 sighting

Buffalo
Many sightings

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Leopard
Many sightings

Lion
Many sightings

Sitatunga
Many sightings

Spotted Hyena
Many sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings
A truly amazing Safari
Botswana between 28 Feb 2015 and 9 Mar 2015
Even though I gave some negative comments, I truly believe if Vumbura renews the furnishings and improves their maintenance it will be a Premium camp. The location and wildlife were some of the best on the trip, also the managers were really trying to do their best in a changing situation in the midst of construction.
I don't intend to let the attitude of the managers at the Savute Safari Lodge affect my enjoyment and memories of the time I spent there, I met some interesting and friendly guests at the lodge and saw great wildlife and the third guide OB was one of the better guides of the trip. Travelling as a single person has it's challenges and I know that, it was the unexpected contrast with how I had been treated at the other camps that made it such an unpleasant surprise.
All in all it was a great experience and I would repeat it tomorrow if I had the chance!"

Kalahari Plains Camp
"A safari like no other"
Highlight the sleep under the stars, took advantage of this two nights and saw the Milky Way rotating over head. The main lodge is comfortable with a small bird bath and water hole in the distance so in between meals and game drives it’s an inviting place to hang out."

Vumbura Plains
"Outstanding sightings at Vumbura Plains"
I would say the camp is now in the Classic category rather than Premium. Although the size of the rooms is impressive the fittings are dated and in bad repair (stained cushions, filthy outdoor furniture) and the plunge pool looked like a health hazard, stained and uninviting. It was also curious that at many times (afternoon tea especially) there were more staff than guests, yet when a thunderstorm rolled through it was one of the managers who came round to wind down the blinds (I couldn’t figure out how to do it as the mechanical winder was hidden away) so the room furniture, floors, steps and some of my gear was drenched, luckily nothing irreplaceable.
That said the wildlife is outstanding and our guide Ron was brilliant at finding the lions, we also saw leopard and cheetah as well as wattled cranes and a selection of raptors. Would highly recommend for the wildlife and I am thinking about visiting little Vumbura on a second trip."
In this effort they have sectioned off the camps, room by room until all of them receive a new thatched roofs as well as replacing all 1.6 km of boardwalk. This was arranged purely in accordance to availability of rooms. They acknowledge however that housekeeping should have picked up on the state of the furniture both outdoors and indoors and are looking into this and make sure it does not happen again. After the completion of each of the chalets renovations Wilderness have replaced almost all décor and specifically those that were marked or unsightly. The pools have also been overhauled and repaired one by one. So hopefully with all these completed renovations and refurbishments Vumbura Plains is now looking very smart. We will be keeping a close eye on this and will have someone out to see the camp in the near future.

Stanley's Camp
"Elephants at Stanley's camp"
Highlight definitely the morning with the elephant walk, and an evening ride in a mokoro. Wildlife limited however had a great time watching a breeding herd of elephants. The staff and managers were friendly and very helpful, with a great sense of humour, we had a great time. The meals were excellent with varied foods.
The gift shop was the best of the entire trip and it was a pity I was only half way thorough."

Savute Safari Lodge
"Mixed experience at Savute Safari Lodge"
The lodge itself and the rooms are excellent and the wildlife around the re-flowing channel varied and interesting. Just a pity about the management and unfriendly staff."
Desert & Delta were extremely apologetic that this guest did not feel welcome at the camp. They explained that it was certainly not normal practice to move guests between guides, and they have let the camp know that this is not acceptable. The camp explained that the movement between guides was in order to try and give this traveller a better experience. Desert & Delta acknowledged that this intention obviously did not come across. The original guide spoke to management as he was worried that this traveller had been put in a vehicle with avid birders, and he thought she would have a better time with guests who were interested in a broader game viewing experience, this meant a further change in guide on the second third day in order to allow this guests viewing experience not to be interrupted when the guide dropped off clients at the airstrip.
They acknowledge that the camp staff obviously didn’t go about this in the right way and a lack of communication between the staff with the guest lead her to feel like an 'inconvenient parcel'. For this they are extremely apologetic. Clear communication with guests is something that the operators are constantly working on and continual training is undertaken to improve this for future travellers.

Xigera Safari Lodge
"Mokoro rides at Xigera"
Must be an excellent location when the waters are high, the wildlife was excellent and we saw the elusive Pell’s fishing owl. I would consider returning to see the lodge in it’s watery version."
The staff are friendly, efficient and very helpful. The location is great for accessing the exit routes from the city if you are on a self drive holiday. The food and wine are excellent and breakfast is particularly enjoyable eaten in the courtyard by the pool.
Lovely rooms with bath and separate shower behind bedding area."