Travel reviews by Ms R from Rotherhithe
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
11
Excursions taken
1
Brilliant!
Namibia between 1 Aug 2016 and 15 Aug 2016
Liz was extremely helpful, and went beyond the call of duty to answer inane questions so that our trip was as enjoyable as it possibly could have been. The car hire was seamless, as were the flights, and every single one of our accommodations was excellent. No surprises at all!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
All was outstanding - thank you Liz and the team for another memorable trip."
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Olive Grove
"Good central Windhoek base"
BullsPort Lodge and Farm
"Good stopover location"
Food is communally served and home style cooking is provided. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and set in a genuinely desert environment with no neighbours for miles around.
We found the owners exceptionally helpful and friendly, and would recommend Bullsport to anyone looking to break up their journey."
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Perfect location to explore the dunes"
That said we had an excellent time - a spacious cabin with the opportunity to sleep under the stars, a great viewing platform over the waterhole with regular Oryx and Springbok plus the food and service - exemplary with the Kudu steak being the highlight!
We did excursions out to the dunes, plus some wildlife drives (where we saw African Wild Cat), a balloon ride and our guide Mathew was great too."
Ballooning in the Namib Desert
"Thoroughly recommended!"
5 Aug 2016 • Morning excursion
We were lucky to be able to go on the day we had scheduled, as sometimes if there is too much or not enough wind the ride will be postponed - so try and give yourselves a couple of days. The champagne breakfast by the dunes following the dune ride itself was a great experience too.
Sam's Giardino
"Tranquil haven in the heart of Swakopmund"
Sam was a great host, regularly checking up on us as well as introducing us to his (massive) dog Beethoven. This was without doubt one of the best breakfast sets we had in Namibia - particularly the game salami and cheese selection. Staff were attentive and professional, while our room was big and specious. The wifi was a bonus too - something you don't always get in your Namibian accommodation.
Though we only really discovered it on our last morning, Sam's garden is beautiful - sun loungers, a nice pond and a really relaxed feel. Another bonus is they don't cater for groups, something any independent traveller in Namibia will appreciate and understand!"
Doro Nawas
"Outstanding hospitality in remoteness"
Anyway, the accommodation was great with large spacious rooms where the beds being on wheels allow you to move them onto your verandah for a night under the stars - thoroughly recommended! Housekeeping were exemplary with turndown service each evening and immaculate rooms.
Staff here were outstanding, obviously working very hard and making all guests trips nice and special. We had lovely food too - first night being a barbecue in the bush, followed by a nice three course meal in the restaurant the next evening. The whole place is set atop of a hill, overlooking the barren desert landscape.
A special place with attentive staff - no wifi though (not a bad thing to be honest)."
Little Ongava
"Outstanding in every respect!"
Blommie and Tobias made sure we were totally pampered throughout, with lovely lunches and evening meals to the backdrop of a waterhole where we saw Black Rhinos, Lions, Eland, Kudu, Oryx and Black-faced Impalas. Incredible stuff! Plus the evening visits from Porcupines uniquely combine 5* luxury with nature. An outrageously beautiful place.
Our rooms, well, were absolutely outstanding. Superbly finished with an outside small pool and a couple of decks for sun loungers. Immaculate and massive too - plus with plenty of reading material too. Yes of course we visited the surrounding Ongava Game Reserve where we had three separate sightings of Lions, both Black and White Rhinos too along with a whole host of other game and birdlife."
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Brilliant stay"
Erongo's staff were superb too - particularly the guide Emmanuel who had a real passion for the local landscape and wildlife, and the safari drive and sundowner in a nearby cave is recommended. Birdlife and mammals were great too - don't miss the early morning feeding at the restaurant of hundreds of Rosy-faced Lovebirds."
River Crossing
"Lovely end to our holiday"
There is a nice swimming pool and decking area to relax, and rooms were spacious with everything we needed. Food was excellent too, with great game steak the obvious highlight. Though this isn't centrally located in Windhoek, don't let this put you off - it is such a small distance to travel in for a day/evening trip and this was a lovely place to spend the last night of our holiday."
Memorable and exactly what we wanted
Botswana and 1 other country between 22 May 2015 and 31 May 2015
The safaris, food, ambience and accommodation - all absolutely spot on and thank you so much for the help in organising everything for us. We will definitely be back in Africa over the next year or so, and when we plan it we'll be in contact. Thank you Chloe for being someone who knew the countries we were visiting inside out - so often you do the research yourself, then speak to someone at a company who then knows less than you do. This certainly wasn't the case here!
We have some fantastic wildlife (especially bird photos) from the holiday (taken with professional Canon lenses) so if you want any for the website/future Bradt travel guides please let us know.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, not at all. However, as Richard is a birdwatcher (and bordering on OCD keen) he did spot a mistake in the Bradt travel guide that you could pass on! The Spoonbill photograph is actually an African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) and not Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) as per the book!"
Feedback response
No, not at all. However, as Richard is a birdwatcher (and bordering on OCD keen) he did spot a mistake in the Bradt travel guide that you could pass on! The Spoonbill photograph is actually an African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) and not Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) as per the book!
Machaba Camp
"Fantastic safari at Machaba Camp"
The safari experience was out of this world. Small groups, excellent guides who get to know what you're after quickly too. So with three nights and 2 Cheetahs, 4 Leopards, 7 Lions plus a pack of Wild Dogs it was truly exceptional. Easily the best safari experience of our trip - we were lucky with the Cheetahs though as some guides who'd been there over two year hadn't seen them before. Fantastic for photography too!"
Xigera Safari Lodge
"Great place for a wet safari"
Food was plentiful, lovely and in a very scenic restaurant overlooking the small channel. Three course evening meals including local specialities such as Kudu as well as brunches and high tea. Boat trips and Makoros are what it's all about - enjoyed the Okavango and its scenery, it's tiny frogs and wonderful birdlife. With guides Des and Keem we were able to find Pel's Fishjng Owl and they both knew the wildlife and the history of the data very well."
Islands of Siankaba
"Lovely setting on the Zambezi"
Had a great cycle ride around the nearby village which is were we saw the true Africa. The staff were extremely polite, the food was high quality and the rooms themselves (and we had the honeymoon suite) were lovely - views overlooking the Zambezi (and the sunrise) was something that we won't forget.
Mokoros, sunset cruises and a half day to Victoria Falls - all superb."
The Olive Grove is also close to some decent restaurants too, either a quick drive or taxi away (we were advised not to walk after dark despite the area being really nice and seemingly trouble free)."