Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs J from Chepstow
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
9
Excursions taken
0
Kafue and South Luangwa Sep 2024
Zambia between 4 Sep 2024 and 18 Sep 2024
"We enjoyed a fantastic trip.
Kafue was new to us, then we went back to south Luangwa for our fourth visit.
The safari lodges were all of a high standard, although Ila was not really our sort of place, as it seemed more like a hotel than a traditional safari lodge.
The guides make the trip, and the wildlife viewing and standard of guiding was superb, especially in south Luangwa."
Kafue was new to us, then we went back to south Luangwa for our fourth visit.
The safari lodges were all of a high standard, although Ila was not really our sort of place, as it seemed more like a hotel than a traditional safari lodge.
The guides make the trip, and the wildlife viewing and standard of guiding was superb, especially in south Luangwa."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Latitude 15
"Latitude 15 review"
1 night
Arrived
4 Sep 2024
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Ila Safari Lodge
"Ila Safari Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Sep 2024
"Ila is a relatively large lodge, with more of the feel of a hotel than a traditional safari lodge. For example, meals are eaten at individual tables, rather than all together with other guests. We had a lunch on the solar powered boat, but this was our only experience of the electric vehicles.
Our guide (who was excellent) had arranged for us to have our afternoon activity on the boat on the river, but this was cancelled at short notice as a large group seemed to be given preference over us by the manager. This was disappointing and not handled well. (No apology from the manager - and it was not our guide's fault).
Seeing this part of Kafue was interesting, but the amount and variety of wildlife was somewhat limited, so that if it was someone's first experience of a safari, they might be a bit underwhelmed.
Although Ila couldn't be faulted for food, accommodation, guiding etc, we felt it lacked the atmosphere and 'soul' of a smaller camp, which is our preference, and we would not visit again."
Our guide (who was excellent) had arranged for us to have our afternoon activity on the boat on the river, but this was cancelled at short notice as a large group seemed to be given preference over us by the manager. This was disappointing and not handled well. (No apology from the manager - and it was not our guide's fault).
Seeing this part of Kafue was interesting, but the amount and variety of wildlife was somewhat limited, so that if it was someone's first experience of a safari, they might be a bit underwhelmed.
Although Ila couldn't be faulted for food, accommodation, guiding etc, we felt it lacked the atmosphere and 'soul' of a smaller camp, which is our preference, and we would not visit again."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Chisa Busanga Camp
"Chisa Busanga Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
7 Sep 2024
"We enjoyed our stay at Chisa very much, but with the caveat that once again (as with Ila) we had very little use of the electric vehicles that are the unique selling point of Green Safaris.
The 'nest' rooms are a bit of a novelty, but the view out to the waterhole and beyond was expansive. The staff made a great virtue of being welcoming and very friendly, and we really felt we were valued as guests.
We saw most of the large antelopes that Busanga is known for, and which we had not seen anywhere before. We also saw cheetah for the first time, as well as many lions. We were impressed that our guide managed to find a secretary bird, which was one of our hoped for sightings - although we hadn't really expected it to happen.
Our guide was great with the large animals, although as keen birders, we felt that ornithology probably wasn't his strongest subject.
The atmosphere in the camp was great, and we enjoyed our evenings with the other guests."
The 'nest' rooms are a bit of a novelty, but the view out to the waterhole and beyond was expansive. The staff made a great virtue of being welcoming and very friendly, and we really felt we were valued as guests.
We saw most of the large antelopes that Busanga is known for, and which we had not seen anywhere before. We also saw cheetah for the first time, as well as many lions. We were impressed that our guide managed to find a secretary bird, which was one of our hoped for sightings - although we hadn't really expected it to happen.
Our guide was great with the large animals, although as keen birders, we felt that ornithology probably wasn't his strongest subject.
The atmosphere in the camp was great, and we enjoyed our evenings with the other guests."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Kaingo Camp
"Kaingo Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
10 Sep 2024
"This was our third visit to Kaingo, which is one of our favourite places anywhere. The location on the river is superb, the guiding second to none, and the camp has a lovely atmosphere.
This area of south Luangwa is very special, with something to see round every bend, and few other safari vehicles. Our only caveat is that the rooms are very hot. If the wall mounted fans could be replaced with the new ceiling fans as at Mwamba, it would make a difference to sleep quality.
Chappie was our guide for the whole of our stay at Kaingo and Mwamba. As with all the Shenton's guides, he was highly knowledgeable, personable and we developed a great rapport. We were educated and entertained in equal measure."
This area of south Luangwa is very special, with something to see round every bend, and few other safari vehicles. Our only caveat is that the rooms are very hot. If the wall mounted fans could be replaced with the new ceiling fans as at Mwamba, it would make a difference to sleep quality.
Chappie was our guide for the whole of our stay at Kaingo and Mwamba. As with all the Shenton's guides, he was highly knowledgeable, personable and we developed a great rapport. We were educated and entertained in equal measure."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
Many sightings
Mwamba Bushcamp
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Sep 2024
"There's only one place better than Kaingo, and that is Mwamba!
Our second visit, and the new lodges are a huge success. The overhead fan, which is virtually silent was a game changer for sleeping, and the veranda was a lovely place to relax and watch the birds and animals in the afternoon.
Emma and the staff are friendly and attentive, and the guiding was first class (see our review of Kaingo). Of course, there is a lot of overlap in the areas visited between Mwamba and Kaingo, but always the chance of seeing something new or exciting. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is nowhere quite like the Mwamba bar for a drink before dinner. Chandeliers in the bush!
The last waterhole hide is a special place for watching and photographing all creatures great and small, furred and feathered.
We love this place."
Our second visit, and the new lodges are a huge success. The overhead fan, which is virtually silent was a game changer for sleeping, and the veranda was a lovely place to relax and watch the birds and animals in the afternoon.
Emma and the staff are friendly and attentive, and the guiding was first class (see our review of Kaingo). Of course, there is a lot of overlap in the areas visited between Mwamba and Kaingo, but always the chance of seeing something new or exciting. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is nowhere quite like the Mwamba bar for a drink before dinner. Chandeliers in the bush!
The last waterhole hide is a special place for watching and photographing all creatures great and small, furred and feathered.
We love this place."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
Many sightings
Our Sept 2023 trip
Zambia between 11 Sep 2023 and 24 Sep 2023
"Our third safari with Expert Africa.
Excellent help and advice from Lucy."
Excellent help and advice from Lucy."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Latitude 15
"Latitude 15 review"
1 night
Arrived
12 Sep 2023
"After the long flights from London & Doha, a leisurely break at Latitude 15 turned out to be a good start to our holiday. Friendly, helpful staff. After some rest, an afternoon swim and a poolside Mosi beer kicked off the holiday spirt. We stayed here to avoid the risk of a delayed incoming flight missing the connection to Mfuwe."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Shawa Luangwa Camp
"Shawa Luangwa Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
13 Sep 2023
"We were a little disappointed that all of the safari drives and the walking safari were on the other side of the river. We were expecting these to be in the Nsefu sector and this was a significant factor in choosing the camp.
However, the camp staff and set up were excellent as was the food. Our guide, Jack, was very knowledgeable and personable. He took on board our particular interest in birds.
The electric vehicles used for the safari drives were a great feature, so quiet."
However, the camp staff and set up were excellent as was the food. Our guide, Jack, was very knowledgeable and personable. He took on board our particular interest in birds.
The electric vehicles used for the safari drives were a great feature, so quiet."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
Many sightings
Kaingo Camp
"Kaingo Camp review"
5 nights
Arrived
16 Sep 2023
"Our first visit to Kaingo was in 2010. We had to go back!
The position on the river sells it on its own. However, the overall package of the chalets with viewing decks, the communal deck etc, gave options in the down time between drives/walks and meals.
The staff were warmly engaging, friendly, attentive and nothing was too much trouble.
Yoram was a first class guide. Great with spotting and identifying birds as well as predicting what was likely to happen next at times; such as when he set us up way ahead of 3 distant bull elephants and we just waited for them to approach almost up to the vehicle. So many sightings of leopards, lion and also wild dogs."
The position on the river sells it on its own. However, the overall package of the chalets with viewing decks, the communal deck etc, gave options in the down time between drives/walks and meals.
The staff were warmly engaging, friendly, attentive and nothing was too much trouble.
Yoram was a first class guide. Great with spotting and identifying birds as well as predicting what was likely to happen next at times; such as when he set us up way ahead of 3 distant bull elephants and we just waited for them to approach almost up to the vehicle. So many sightings of leopards, lion and also wild dogs."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Mwamba Bushcamp
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Sep 2023
"Mwamba was a delight. A lovely, small camp with a very relaxed feel and excellent staff. A bull elephant nearly joined us at the dinner table"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
It is an attractive, comfortable and convenient place to stay before or after the main holiday.
We love the witty photographs dotted around the public areas."