Travel reviews by Dr M from Calgary
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
3
Excursions taken
0
Very satisfied first timers!
Botswana and 1 other country between 24 Apr 2016 and 2 May 2016
"Overall, we were very, very satisfied with our first safari.
The advice we received from Maruska at Expert Africa was spot on and prevented us from making common mistakes, such as trying to fit to many camps into our allotted time.
Communication with Expert Africa was always accurate and timely and all of the lodging, flights, and transfers were expertly organized and came off without a hitch. We would be happy to use their services again and we will recommend them to our friends and colleagues."
The advice we received from Maruska at Expert Africa was spot on and prevented us from making common mistakes, such as trying to fit to many camps into our allotted time.
Communication with Expert Africa was always accurate and timely and all of the lodging, flights, and transfers were expertly organized and came off without a hitch. We would be happy to use their services again and we will recommend them to our friends and colleagues."
Arranged By Maruska Adye-Rowe
Tubu Tree Camp
"Tubu: Friendly staff and expert guides"
3 nights
Arrived 24 Apr 2016
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Chitabe Camp
"Luxury in the Eastern Delta"
3 nights
Arrived 27 Apr 2016
"Chitabe has luxurious "tents" with a somewhat modern design. (We preferred the slightly more rustic style of Tubu Tree, but this is only a matter of personal taste!). Camp management and staff were all local people and all extremely warm, outgoing and accommodating.
On our final night in camp, they set up a surprise cocktail reception for our group out in the bush, which was a very nice touch. Breakfast food not quite as varied as at Tubu Tree, however the other meals were comparable and of very good quality. We enjoyed the fire pit at Chitabe as it is close to the main lounge area and therefore gets more use by guests compared to Tubu Tree.
Wildlife here was further from the camp and sometimes required 30 to 45 minutes of driving on rough road before spotting much in the way of animals (other than birds and impala). Elephants, zebra and giraffe were in small groups compared to Tubu Tree. However, the long drives were worth it given the abundance of baby animals were saw: leopard cubs, lion cubs, hyena cubs, as well as baby elephants and zebra!
We also saw a large pack of wild dogs which we would never have found without the expert tracking skills of our guide, Phinley. Phinley was a man of relatively few words, and you needed to actively ask questions if you wanted to get information from him. Each guide has there only style and he was more reserved, but no less knowledgeable, than our guide at Tubu Tree."
On our final night in camp, they set up a surprise cocktail reception for our group out in the bush, which was a very nice touch. Breakfast food not quite as varied as at Tubu Tree, however the other meals were comparable and of very good quality. We enjoyed the fire pit at Chitabe as it is close to the main lounge area and therefore gets more use by guests compared to Tubu Tree.
Wildlife here was further from the camp and sometimes required 30 to 45 minutes of driving on rough road before spotting much in the way of animals (other than birds and impala). Elephants, zebra and giraffe were in small groups compared to Tubu Tree. However, the long drives were worth it given the abundance of baby animals were saw: leopard cubs, lion cubs, hyena cubs, as well as baby elephants and zebra!
We also saw a large pack of wild dogs which we would never have found without the expert tracking skills of our guide, Phinley. Phinley was a man of relatively few words, and you needed to actively ask questions if you wanted to get information from him. Each guide has there only style and he was more reserved, but no less knowledgeable, than our guide at Tubu Tree."
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Ilala Lodge
"Location, location, location"
2 nights
Arrived 30 Apr 2016
"Very comfortable lodge in a great location.
Walking distance to the Falls on one side and to the shop and restaurants of the town on the other side. Right next to the bank machines and post office.
Friendly and accommodating front desk staff, and good food at the on site restaurant. As in all of the places we ate at in Zimbabwe, service in slow by American and European standards."
Walking distance to the Falls on one side and to the shop and restaurants of the town on the other side. Right next to the bank machines and post office.
Friendly and accommodating front desk staff, and good food at the on site restaurant. As in all of the places we ate at in Zimbabwe, service in slow by American and European standards."
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Our guide, TK, was knowledgeable and personable, and was the best guide we had during our trip. Great variety of animals spotted include two leopards, several lions, are moderate sized groups of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo. Also spotted crocodiles, hippos, and lots of impala and kudu. Game found very close to camp with minimal driving required before encountering wildlife.
Due to late arrival of flood water, no water activities on offer."