Travel reviews by Mr R & Mrs M from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
33
Excursions taken
0
AFRICA 18 February and March
South Africa between 21 Feb 2018 and 24 Mar 2018
We enjoyed everything, but the one thing that stands out is the charm, the efficiency and the helpfulness of all the staff everywhere. Well done South Africa! Come here and teach us a lesson.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
well done Tracy keep up the good work !"
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
131 on Herbert Baker Boutique Hotel (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"131 on Herbert Baker Boutique Hotel review"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Rovos Rail (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Rovos Rail review"
Everything was very well organised and the staff were friendly and could not have been more helpful, bringing us cold remedies and ginger and lemon tea. Although the train was very elegantly furnished and comfortable, we think the Eastern Orient Express was better.
The actual journey is not the most picturesque so we think we will give Rovos Rail another try and take the Pretoria to Victoria Falls journey next time."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
"Victoria & Alfred Hotel review"
A highlight of the stay was a privately organised trip to Groote Schuur Estate which has been the home of many South African leaders since Cecil Rhodes. This trip was guided by a very knowledgeable guide called Najwaa Francke. I am this sure this visit would interest other Expert Africa clients interested in the history of Southern Africa."
Abalone Guest Lodge (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Abalone Guest Lodge review"
It would have been even more spectacular if it had been the whale season.
Hermanus itself was rather anonymous, but we enjoyed walks on the cliff path and also three excellent second hand book shops."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
De Hoop Opstal
"De Hoop Opstal review"
The staff were very helpful and charming and our guide on the birding walk very knowledgeable and likable.
The restaurant was very congested but we understand another one is under construction."
St James of Knysna
"St James of Knysna review"
We preferred the old part of Knysna town, particularly the three museums. Our visit coincided with a book festival where we attended an interesting talk about Smuts and Churchill given by Richard Steyn.
An unexpected mini “Hay Festival” !"
Hog Hollow Country Lodge
"Hog Hollow Country Lodge review"
The staff were very friendly which seemed to be contagious as all the guests mixed and led to a party atmosphere. Maybe it helped that we were all Brits! It is a very good idea to provide an opportunity for everyone to sit round the table together.
Interesting walk to an amazing bird sanctuary and monkey sanctuary provided exercise and entertainment."
Mooiplaas Guesthouse
"Mooiplaas Guesthouse review"
The farm tour by Koos was very interesting, as was the tour by Ben at the Show Farm.
Our own tour of the town was interesting and we really needed another day to explore the town and it’s fascinating history."
Montague Vines Guesthouse (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"MONTAGU VINES "
Lovely accommodation with very friendly, attentive owners. It was interesting to explore the town and then tour the Robertson winelands. In the evenings, there were good restaurants within walking distance.
Note that most of them have to be booked in advance which was done efficiently by our hosts."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Babylonstoren
"Babylonstoren review"
I know that this sounds petty after the event and we did not complain to the management at the time, but it gave the impression that the demand for a table was so high that they didn’t have to bother. The restaurant was not full. The suggestion that one has to book 6 weeks in advance for a table in the restaurant may be wishful thinking. We successfully self-catered the second night with food bought in their farm shop !
Having said all that, our cottage was amazing with a huge bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen. We must also mention the amazing bookcase in our accommodation which was stocked with excellent books many by South African writers and this added to our enjoyment of Babylonstoren. The gardens were delightful, the buildings picturesque, and apart from dinner, we had a wonderful stay."
Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel
"Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel review"
A place to relax, watch the bird life and walk on the beach, have a very good meal in the restaurant, then retire to bed, lulled to sleep in the glow of the wood burning stove! Not that it was really essential as the minimum night time temperature was briefly 14 degrees !
Very good restaurants within walking distance too."
Cellars-Hohenort
"Cellars-Hohenort review"
Immaculate, elegant surroundings which are given a very personal touch by very charming, helpful staff."
South Africa, Namibia & Botswana
Namibia and 2 other countries between 31 Jan 2017 and 11 Mar 2017
Very enjoyable and effortless driving between lodges. We covered 5,000 km in the rainy season with no problems. The twin cab Ford Ranger was perfect.
The following will be especially remembered
Dabis for the interest and the enthusiasm of the owner
Wolverdans for the situation and for the charm of Thelma
Vreugde for the friendliness of the family
Mundulea for everything about it
Nhoma for the humour of the bushmen
Ngoma for the lodge its situation and management"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Vineyard Hotel
"Vineyard Hotel"
Ndedema Lodge
"Ndedema Lodge "
The stay was enlivened by quite a good dinner at a restaurant a few doors down the street."
Annie's Cottage
"Annie's Cottage"
Friendly owner.
Excellent steak in town."
other arrangements (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Norotshama"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Canyon Lodge
"Canyon lodge."
The Gondwana organisation knows its business with attention to detail and well trained staff.
Food perhaps did not match the otherwise high standard."
Dabis Guest Farm
"Dabis Guest farm"
However the owner was very enthusiastic and did his best in the short time available to describe the various projects operating.
As farmers we were fascinated by the farming venture.
Good food, delightful family."
Hotel Helmeringhausen
"Hotel Helmeringhausen"
The hotel was adequate, but not the best place to spend a day !"
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
"Wolwedans"
Rather too much food in such hot conditions.
Limited activities so perfect just for two nights"
BullsPort Lodge and Farm
"Bullsport."
Excellent, very well designed room with a place for everything including suitcases.
Friendly, interesting hosts, good food and great walking.
Hosts deserve support because they try hard and farming is very difficult in the drought conditions they are experiencing"
Immanuel Wilderness Lodge
"Immanuel wilderness lodge."
Now it is on the edge of an industrial area with the sounds of a forklift truck and angle grinder constantly in the background.
Adequate room with a ridiculously small bathroom.
Food was excellent but bar area was spoiled by a rather large dog running wild."
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo"
Food good except for one over-cooked fish dish."
Camp Kipwe
"Camp Kipwe"
One day there seemed to be too many staff standing around doing nothing. The next day there were not enough.
We did not want to see the desert elephants, so there was not much to see or do. However we did go on the excursion to see the rock carvings."
Vreugde Guest Farm
"Vreugde"
Unfortunately It was raining while we were there so it was not possible to explore the farm.
Food very good in a very welcoming atmosphere.
We would like to return in the dry season."
Onguma The Fort
"Onguma"
Outstanding guide, David, took us for a game drive where we saw cheetah.
The next morning, we had a short but enjoyable walk.
Some kind of railing is needed around the outside deck of the main building.
Someone fell 10 feet off the deck."
Mundulea Reserve
"Mundulea"
Food was delicious, wonderful walks and excellent host.
We had an unforgettable experience watching a vet dart and tranquillise a giraffe, then remove a snare."
Roy's Restcamp
"Roys Restcamp."
Nhoma Camp
"Nhoma camp."
The camp was in need of renovation. For example, our toilet leaked continuously despite three complaints to the manager. He had only arrived back in camp the night before we arrived, so there seemed little preparation for guests. The owner arrived later.
A memorable stay in a substandard camp. However the food was good."
other arrangements (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Wildacker"
Excellent accommodation in a lovely setting. Able to walk unaccompanied with no dangerous animals. Good hides for game and bird watching. Good food, good staff, friendly manager. He was inexperienced in the hospitality business and could do with acquiring more social skills. But tried hard.
This is also a hunting farm but the very high standard of accommodation and the ability to to walk in the bush without fear of dangerous game make it ideally suited to non hunting guests"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Hakusembe River Lodge
"Hakusembe."
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
"Ndhovu"
We arrived at midday, but were not offered lunch. Perhaps we should have asked, but we waited a couple of hours and then asked if we could have something to eat. We were given a packet of crisps. However when dinner was served in the evening, it was very good.
We were seriously outnumbered by the other German guests. We do not speak German, but the host made no attempt to make us feel more comfortable at the communal dining table."
Ngoma Safari Lodge
"Ngoma."
Although many activities were offered we were happy much of the time just to sit on the terrace and watch the animals below.
Judy, "stand-in" manageress was wonderful
A great place for our last few days."
However it was a pleasant place to pass two nights in between flight and train. The helpful staff organised a trip to the Voortrekker Monument and to the Union Buildings.
This lifted our stay to a different level because of a very informative and charming guide."