Travel reviews by Ms G & Mr D from Middlesex

"This was our 13th safari to Southern Africa, but our first camp after a 10 year break. Our hopes were high, but our expectations for Old Mondoro were surpassed.
The rooms were rustic in look but showed a great attention to detail in the layout and contents. Plus the bath with a view was the icing on the cake.
The location is excellent with the main area looking out onto the Zambezi and the rooms on to a creek off the main river. This creek is full of activity. One day we counted 34 elephants drinking, having mud baths or just socialising. There were also visits from baboons, warthogs, impala and waterbuck. It was much too interesting to have a siesta.
We arrived by plane at Jeki airport and the game drive started there - we were immediately greeted by 3 rollers performing and our drive to camp included a lioness and a leopard in a tree. During our stay we had 3 more daylight sightings of leopards. the activities are varied and we particularly enjoyed our walk with James and a spot of fishing on the Zambezi. A small downside on the drives is that some of the roads are corrugated and can be a bit uncomfortable if driving fast.
We loved our stay and if we go on another safari this would be on the list to visit again"

"We had visited Tena Tena in 1993 and been organised by Jo and guided by Robin Pope, so it was a hard act to follow. The camp is now in a different but still very special location.
The game drives were excellent with good sightings including elephants chasing wild dogs a definite first for us! It was unfortunate for us that you could only do 4 hour walks, not a shorter 2 hour that both of us could enjoy.
The tents were good but we didn't like the fact that you could see the next tent from the washing sinks area. It also seemed odd but not critical that there was nowhere to sit in the tent at night as the only chair was full of the cushions off the bed. The lighting is also very dim so their and our torches were very useful.
Jenny. our host, was particularly kind when I felt unwell. She also arranged a champagne sundowner on the banks of the Luangwa river to celebrate a wedding, an anniversary and birthday of the guests during our stay."

"Mwamba made us feel very at home. The thatched chalets and washing area including bucket showers very traditional but spacious with a bit of luxury - just what we enjoy. The setting of the chalets and other areas is beautiful and felt very remote. The camp included 3 hides at different levels above the waterhole and while we were there, a family of elephants were regular visitors together with impala zebra and baboons, plus stunning birds, such as Lilian's Lovebirds and Blue Waxbills. Two bushbucks roamed the camp eating the sausage tree flowers and drinking at the bird bath.
Craig and Lindy felt like old friends by the time we left as Craig had been to many of the places we had been and they planned to go to others. Lindy was was exceptionally kind and proactive when she managed to get me some appropriate antibiotics when I had a recurrence of an old illness. The guiding was good and it was interesting learning about the Mwamba-Kaigo, Mwamba-Kapanda and Hollywood prides (made famous on recent TV Programme.)
Mwamba and Kaingo are run by the same family and it is great to know that the fantastic food includes vegetables from their own plot in Mfuwe run by local people"

"The location of this camp is very good, being set along the bank of the Luangwa river. The wild animals obviously also think it is a good location as all the paths are used by anything from elephants to monkeys. Caution is required, but it is a great experience watching elephants walk past your chalet.
Our guide, Yoram, was excellent. His knowledge and tracking skills were amazing. We saw Lions and Leopard every day of our 4 day sojourn and it was great learning more about the Mwamba-Kaingo, Mwamba-Kapanda and Hollywood prides (made famous on recent TV Programme.) With the spotlight on the night drives, it was great seeing things like Civet, Genet, Porcupine, Honey Badger, Owls and even a chameleon, which he also found in daylight.
It was unfortunate for us that they could not arrange a 2 hour walk. It was always going to be tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. However we enjoyed going to the Hippo hide and the Carmen Bee-Eater hides, which were particularly good for photographs
Kaingo and Mwamba are family run and it was nice to see their big Garden in Mfuwe, providing work for locals. where the vegetables for all our wonderful meals are sourced .
Note to Expert Africa: The inside of the chalets are much the same as your current pictures, but the outside is very different, although it still has a thatch roof. The outside bath is also different and very special."