Travel reviews by Caracal party from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
12
Excursions taken
0
Namibia a great African destination
Namibia and 1 other country between 13 Jun 2008 and 4 Jul 2008
"Just to say we are all back from our trip to Africa and we had a terrific time, saw some fabulous animals and birds.
As a country I think it is probably the best in Southern Africa to visit as it has terrific game viewing, contrasts in scenery, friendly peoply, a feeling of safety and all at a reasonable price.
Suggestions for improvement:
Just keep doing what you are doing altthough it might be worth telling clients about the potential upgrade on Air Namibia as it is not necessarily offered, we found out about it through Trip Advisor or a similar site.
But overall thanks for a great holiday"
As a country I think it is probably the best in Southern Africa to visit as it has terrific game viewing, contrasts in scenery, friendly peoply, a feeling of safety and all at a reasonable price.
Suggestions for improvement:
Just keep doing what you are doing altthough it might be worth telling clients about the potential upgrade on Air Namibia as it is not necessarily offered, we found out about it through Trip Advisor or a similar site.
But overall thanks for a great holiday"
Arranged By Tracy Lederer

Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Wonderful camp among the hills of Erongo"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Jun 2008
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good

Okonjima Bush Camp
"Africat in style"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Jun 2008
"Okinjima Bush Camp was as lovely as ever again with good food and very good guiding, they really do run both a professional and friendly operation there.
Do go on all the activities as we saw great Cheetah and Leopard, and go to the night hide for the Porcupine (but wrap up very warm in winter)"
Do go on all the activities as we saw great Cheetah and Leopard, and go to the night hide for the Porcupine (but wrap up very warm in winter)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Okaukuejo Camp
"Wonderful waterhole in Etosha"
2 nights
Arrived
18 Jun 2008
"Okaukuejo was good good, much better appointed than we expected, the service was friendly and efficient.
The food in the restaurants was pretty good, a buffet, so lots to eat, and the local school children gave a singing and dancing performance which added to the atmosphere.
But the big plus of Okaukuejo is the waterhole, which is great. We spent a very happy evening eating sandwiches we made for ourselves and drinking abottle of wine. We saw numbers of elephant, game animals and black rhino.
During the day you can drive yourself around Etosha."
The food in the restaurants was pretty good, a buffet, so lots to eat, and the local school children gave a singing and dancing performance which added to the atmosphere.
But the big plus of Okaukuejo is the waterhole, which is great. We spent a very happy evening eating sandwiches we made for ourselves and drinking abottle of wine. We saw numbers of elephant, game animals and black rhino.
During the day you can drive yourself around Etosha."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Good

Halali Camp
"Lovely quiet waterhole in middle of Etosha"
1 night
Arrived
20 Jun 2008
"Halali was very good, much better appointed than we expected with good service and a very good meal in the restaurant.
The waterhole is a little quieter than Okaukuejo but still worth time sitting in the evening, we saw a lovely family of elephant drinking."
The waterhole is a little quieter than Okaukuejo but still worth time sitting in the evening, we saw a lovely family of elephant drinking."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Average

Onguma Forest Camp
"Very well run lodge near Etosha"
1 night
Arrived
21 Jun 2008
"Etosha Aoba Lodge is lovely (and we saw a Caracal on the way into the lodge in late afternoon), very well run by a young German couple who manage the place.
the food was excellent and they were very helpful (gave me internet access for a reasonable cost), we had a Kudu join us at the waterhole for breakfast."
the food was excellent and they were very helpful (gave me internet access for a reasonable cost), we had a Kudu join us at the waterhole for breakfast."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Nkwazi Lodge
"Friendly riverside lodge"
1 night
Arrived
22 Jun 2008
"Nkwazi Lodge is more rustic lodge but very friendly and comfortable and we had a lovely sundowner cruise and a very pleasant evening chatting with the owner."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good

Ndhovu Safari Lodge
"A warm welcome in the Caprivi"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Jun 2008
"Ndhovu Lodge was absloutely delightful, again quite rustic but with such a warm and firiendly atmosphere.
Horst was lovely and took us out for a very long trip to the Caprivi Game park, and one afternoon we self drove around Mahango park and saw terrific Sable and Roan. I have to say we were very sad to leave the atmosphere of Ndhovu."
Horst was lovely and took us out for a very long trip to the Caprivi Game park, and one afternoon we self drove around Mahango park and saw terrific Sable and Roan. I have to say we were very sad to leave the atmosphere of Ndhovu."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Camp Kwando
"Wonderful location, poor service"
3 nights
Arrived
25 Jun 2008
"Camp Kwando was a very disappointing camp. It is a beautiful spot and has enormous potential but the service had 'gone to absolute pot'. Our understanding is that the manager has changed recently and about ten days ago all the good staff walked out. Other than the guide Yilly the others hadn't a clue. Here is a list of the little things that add up to a very bad impression:
This was the only lodge that did not greet us with a welcome drink, in fact we arrived and Ramona said welcome I will explain everything and kept us standing while she told us how the place operated, namely electricity only on at 10 am off at 1pm then on 6-9. Water on at 6am off later in the morning back on at 6pm off later. So you cannot really have hot water and electricity at the same time when you need it.
She then tried to take us to the ordinary chalets and we had to insist on the Treehouses that we had booked.
Our Treehouse had no bedside lights so when the electricity was on we had to switch the lights off the other side of the room. There was no alternative lighting (most lodges give torches when there is limited electricity - obviously we had our own but shouldn't have needed to at a so called good lodge.)
Our room was also missing a curtain over the door which was at the side, so when one of the staff wandered up to the lodge there was no privacy and on one occasion we were both changing. We were told that the curtain had been stolen from the laundry but as there was no curtain rail that was a lie.
Our friend's room had no bath plug, we were told this was stolen as well.
You couldn't drink the water but we were not provided with water in the room.
The beds were never turned down and there were certainly none of the niceties evident at other lodges such as hot water bottles, notes or sweets on the beds. Similarly the covers on the windows were not rolled up or down as you might expect.
The food was not very good, one bizarre example was a stuffed savoury pancake which had sugar in the pancake batter! More importantly while there, one of our party became ill and because of the nature and speed of his symptoms and the fact that other people in the camp were ill we are pretty sure it was food poisoning.
The serving staff had very poor English and it was difficult to order anything special (or even a glass of wine)
The timing of breakfast was poor so a seven o'clock breakfast on our last day was not laid out at all until 7.20 and when our order for eggs was taken it came back wrong.
Overall I would say the place is about to implode. We did talk to both the so called manager and the owner who was there. I am not sure they really understood or listened. However, again I would stress that the guide was very good and he rescued the situation for us, otherwise it would have been a really bad stay and the only one that was three nights."
This was the only lodge that did not greet us with a welcome drink, in fact we arrived and Ramona said welcome I will explain everything and kept us standing while she told us how the place operated, namely electricity only on at 10 am off at 1pm then on 6-9. Water on at 6am off later in the morning back on at 6pm off later. So you cannot really have hot water and electricity at the same time when you need it.
She then tried to take us to the ordinary chalets and we had to insist on the Treehouses that we had booked.
Our Treehouse had no bedside lights so when the electricity was on we had to switch the lights off the other side of the room. There was no alternative lighting (most lodges give torches when there is limited electricity - obviously we had our own but shouldn't have needed to at a so called good lodge.)
Our room was also missing a curtain over the door which was at the side, so when one of the staff wandered up to the lodge there was no privacy and on one occasion we were both changing. We were told that the curtain had been stolen from the laundry but as there was no curtain rail that was a lie.
Our friend's room had no bath plug, we were told this was stolen as well.
You couldn't drink the water but we were not provided with water in the room.
The beds were never turned down and there were certainly none of the niceties evident at other lodges such as hot water bottles, notes or sweets on the beds. Similarly the covers on the windows were not rolled up or down as you might expect.
The food was not very good, one bizarre example was a stuffed savoury pancake which had sugar in the pancake batter! More importantly while there, one of our party became ill and because of the nature and speed of his symptoms and the fact that other people in the camp were ill we are pretty sure it was food poisoning.
The serving staff had very poor English and it was difficult to order anything special (or even a glass of wine)
The timing of breakfast was poor so a seven o'clock breakfast on our last day was not laid out at all until 7.20 and when our order for eggs was taken it came back wrong.
Overall I would say the place is about to implode. We did talk to both the so called manager and the owner who was there. I am not sure they really understood or listened. However, again I would stress that the guide was very good and he rescued the situation for us, otherwise it would have been a really bad stay and the only one that was three nights."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Terrible
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Poor
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
We put these comments to Johan Liebenberg, the owner of Camp Kwando, who was very upset that these clients did not enjoy their stay here. He felt that there were faults from Camp Kwando’s side; he wanted to apologise that there where no welcome drinks and no bath plug.
Camp managers do change periodically, but given that the owner and assistant manager at this time (Johan and Ramona) were the same team who were here when Tracy, from Expert Africa, visited in September 2006 … we haven’t noted this as an issue here.
We are sorry that there was a communication error on the room type booked here. We had a Tree-house confirmed to us, but Camp Kwando had a chalet allocated by the reservations staff. We are investigating this at the moment to find out where the miscommunication occurred.
Like many camps in Africa, Camp Kwando informs guests, when they arrive, about how the lodge runs; about hot water, electricity, meal times, and things like that. This is an important briefing, although we are sorry that these clients were kept standing for it. We’d recommend that they ask to sit down and for a drink.
Camp Kwando is 140km from mains electricity and fuel is driven 280km for their generator. Like many remote camps, electricity runs for only a few hours every day. However, the generator runs from 10am to 1pm, and again from 6pm to 10pm. There is also hot water in the morning from 6am to 10am, and the lodge makes a fire again for hot water at 5pm, so that guests can shower until late evening.
All the staff at Camp Kwando are local – and we applaud this. Eight years ago, most of Camp Kwando’s staff did not know about taps or light switches, and certainly didn’t speak English. Now the camp relies on their skills; they generally communicate well in English, although it isn’t perfect – so we’re sorry that these travellers experienced language difficulties.
We were sorry that one of this party became ill during their trip, although we understand that one of them had an upset stomach when they arrived at Camp Kwando. Whilst such upsets are thankfully rare for our trips in Africa, they do occur – although in our experience, cases like this aren’t usually because of ‘food poisoning’ (ie: incorrectly stored or cooked food); they’re usually down to poor hygiene. Camp Kwando assure us that they maintain high standards of hygiene throughout their kitchen and lodge. Whatever the cause; we’re sorry it impacted on their trip.
Johan and Ramona felt that they, and Camp Kwando’s staff, had tried hard to help these travellers when problems were raised, but he commented about these travellers that “when you are so unhappy, nothing in the world will help.”
We’re sorry that this was the case, but are reassured by Johan – as we believe that he has learnt valuable lessons for the future from this episode.
Camp managers do change periodically, but given that the owner and assistant manager at this time (Johan and Ramona) were the same team who were here when Tracy, from Expert Africa, visited in September 2006 … we haven’t noted this as an issue here.
We are sorry that there was a communication error on the room type booked here. We had a Tree-house confirmed to us, but Camp Kwando had a chalet allocated by the reservations staff. We are investigating this at the moment to find out where the miscommunication occurred.
Like many camps in Africa, Camp Kwando informs guests, when they arrive, about how the lodge runs; about hot water, electricity, meal times, and things like that. This is an important briefing, although we are sorry that these clients were kept standing for it. We’d recommend that they ask to sit down and for a drink.
Camp Kwando is 140km from mains electricity and fuel is driven 280km for their generator. Like many remote camps, electricity runs for only a few hours every day. However, the generator runs from 10am to 1pm, and again from 6pm to 10pm. There is also hot water in the morning from 6am to 10am, and the lodge makes a fire again for hot water at 5pm, so that guests can shower until late evening.
All the staff at Camp Kwando are local – and we applaud this. Eight years ago, most of Camp Kwando’s staff did not know about taps or light switches, and certainly didn’t speak English. Now the camp relies on their skills; they generally communicate well in English, although it isn’t perfect – so we’re sorry that these travellers experienced language difficulties.
We were sorry that one of this party became ill during their trip, although we understand that one of them had an upset stomach when they arrived at Camp Kwando. Whilst such upsets are thankfully rare for our trips in Africa, they do occur – although in our experience, cases like this aren’t usually because of ‘food poisoning’ (ie: incorrectly stored or cooked food); they’re usually down to poor hygiene. Camp Kwando assure us that they maintain high standards of hygiene throughout their kitchen and lodge. Whatever the cause; we’re sorry it impacted on their trip.
Johan and Ramona felt that they, and Camp Kwando’s staff, had tried hard to help these travellers when problems were raised, but he commented about these travellers that “when you are so unhappy, nothing in the world will help.”
We’re sorry that this was the case, but are reassured by Johan – as we believe that he has learnt valuable lessons for the future from this episode.

Nxamaseri Lodge
"Wonderful island lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Jun 2008
"Nxamaseri Lodge was wonderful and the new manager Cat is terrific, it was a total contrast to Kwando [Ed: this refers to Camp Kwando, their previous stop] and we again felt like welcome guests, even friends.
The birding and boat trips were excellent but don't expect any big game because it is right among the reeds and delightful for that."
The birding and boat trips were excellent but don't expect any big game because it is right among the reeds and delightful for that."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good

Kalahari Arms Hotel
"An efficient stop in the Kalahari"
1 night
Arrived
30 Jun 2008
"Kalahari Arms hotel was fine, actually better than expected, comfortable and clean rooms with space and OK food. But there is absolutely nothing to do there except go to the supermarket and stay in the hotel."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Poor
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average

Kalahari Bush Breaks
"Wasrm welcoming lodge in Kalahari"
1 night
Arrived
1 Jul 2008
"Kalahari bush Breaks was terrific, again we were made to feel really welcome, the design and setting of the place was lovely and the game viewing was much better than we expected.
We had a great time driving ourselves around the 4-wheel drive route and had good sitings. The food and wine were excellent."
We had a great time driving ourselves around the 4-wheel drive route and had good sitings. The food and wine were excellent."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent

Rivendell Guesthouse
"A basic guesthouse"
1 night
Arrived
2 Jul 2008
"Rivendell Guest House was a terrible disappointment. They had emailed us when in the Caprivi to say there was a double booking and was it all right for our day room to have shared facilities. We didn't think we could say anything but yes. However, we did not know what we were saying yes to. When we checked in our room (no 1) was fine if basic, but Ralph and Sandra's (no 3) was very small with barely anything between the bedroom and the toilet and bath area.
When we were shown the room we were supposed to have as a day room it was a three bedded dorm type room and the facilities were shared with at least eight people (in fact more I think). This place is really not much better than a back packer's hostel and we were staggered that you have it on the list. It seems totally out of keeping when there are so many options in Windhoek. Anyway we kicked up such a fuss about the day room that they let us keep No 1 until 4pm."
When we were shown the room we were supposed to have as a day room it was a three bedded dorm type room and the facilities were shared with at least eight people (in fact more I think). This place is really not much better than a back packer's hostel and we were staggered that you have it on the list. It seems totally out of keeping when there are so many options in Windhoek. Anyway we kicked up such a fuss about the day room that they let us keep No 1 until 4pm."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
We put these comments to Dave Cartwright, the owner and manager of Rivendell Guesthouse, who appreciated the feedback; he takes all comments very seriously. He wanted apologised that these travellers felt that their stay was a disappointment to them – as he aims for much better.
Dave apologised again for the mistake regarding the double-booked day-room. These travellers were informed, in advance, of the error and agreed to the room change. (The room offered wasn’t a dorm, and did have its own sink and towels. Its bathroom was across the corridor, and they would have had this to themselves for the time that they were there.)
When it became apparent, on their arrival, that the room was not acceptable to these travellers, Dave immediately informed them that they could stay in the day room of their choice (no.1), and again apologised for the inconvenience. He also offered to find them alternative accommodation at a more luxurious guest house nearby, and transport them there himself, which they declined.
Rivendell Guesthouse is a small, simple but clean, and well run accommodation. Expert Africa uses this place when – as in this case – our travellers specifically request one of Windhoek’s lower-cost guest houses. It is by no means a luxury establishment, but is a good budget guest house, with a fair price tag to match.
Dave apologised again for the mistake regarding the double-booked day-room. These travellers were informed, in advance, of the error and agreed to the room change. (The room offered wasn’t a dorm, and did have its own sink and towels. Its bathroom was across the corridor, and they would have had this to themselves for the time that they were there.)
When it became apparent, on their arrival, that the room was not acceptable to these travellers, Dave immediately informed them that they could stay in the day room of their choice (no.1), and again apologised for the inconvenience. He also offered to find them alternative accommodation at a more luxurious guest house nearby, and transport them there himself, which they declined.
Rivendell Guesthouse is a small, simple but clean, and well run accommodation. Expert Africa uses this place when – as in this case – our travellers specifically request one of Windhoek’s lower-cost guest houses. It is by no means a luxury establishment, but is a good budget guest house, with a fair price tag to match.
It gives a real opportunity to walk rather than sit in a vehicle and we had a terrific guide (Classi) who talk four of us out walking and bird spotting."