Travel reviews by Ms L from Boston
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
6
Countries visited
6
Lodges stayed in
21
Excursions taken
0
My Jul 2013 trip
Tanzania between 17 Jul 2013 and 28 Jul 2013
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Kwihala Camp
"Outstanding guiding at Kwihala Camp"
Beho Beho
"Beautiful camp and terrific staff"
The facilities are incredible and the food is fabulous. But what stood out most to me is the personal interest that the managers and guides and staff take in each guest. I could tell that it really mattered to each of them that I had the best experience possible at Beho Beho.
Special thanks to Rika, Werner, Herribert, Salum and Saningo for a great stay in a wonderful place."
My May 2012 trip
Zambia and 1 other country between 27 May 2012 and 9 Jun 2012
This was my fifth trip with Expert Africa, and every trip went perfectly. I have a lot of trust and confidence in Expert Africa and would highly recommend them to anyone considering a trip to Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Eight Reedbuck Hotel, Zambia (this camp has since closed)
"Eight Reedbuck Hotel review"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Matamanene Camp
"Matamanene Camp review"
It is a spectacular park, a very unique experience to be in a place so remote and untouched. Jason is a terrific guide. The camp is very comfortable and the baked goods were especially good.
I had a wonderful time, really enjoyed the camaraderie with the staff and other guests."
Eight Reedbuck Hotel, Zambia (this camp has since closed)
"Eight Reedbuck Hotel review"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Mkulumadzi Lodge
"Mkulumadzi Lodge review"
My chalet had a great view of the river and it was nice to fall asleep at night to the sound of the river. The chalet uses solar power and has electrical outlets, a mini fridge, and an air conditioning system for the bed. The main lodge area was very nice and the camp staff and hosts were very friendly and accommodating.
The game is less dense than in other parks I've visited, but I still had a wide range of sightings including several animals and birds that were new sightings for me."
Wonderful holiday in Mozambique
Mozambique between 27 Jun 2011 and 7 Jul 2011
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not at this time."
Explore Gorongosa, Mozambique (this camp has since closed)
"Relaxed like a champ at Explore Gorongosa"
The tents are very comfortable and well-appointed. There are solar-powered lights in the tents which were great for reading before bed. The beds have mosquito nets and cozy duvets. I slept very well during my stay. There is a pitcher and basin inside the tent. There is also a basin outside in the shower area, along with a bucket shower, with warm water for both available upon request. The toilet is of the non-flush variety, but I hardly noticed the difference. The common area is also very nice and dinner was typically served under a candle-lit chandelier.
I especially enjoyed the hospitality and camaraderie of the camp. Rob and Jos are very warm and friendly and they have done an amazing job with the camp. The guides and other camp personnel were great too.
I saw a wide variety of birds and game in the park (including some excellent lion sightings), but the volume of game is less than in other parks I've visited in Tanzania and Zambia. But I think that made the sightings I did have more special. The flora/terrain of the park is especially interesting because it is so varied. On a single drive you can see three or four different "looks" of the park. I particularly liked the fever trees and took a lot of photos of the markings on the bark.
I had a road transfer to the park from Beira and an air transfer to Indigo Bay. The road transfer takes about 3 hours, and while it was very interesting to see the countryside, it was nice to have an air transfer to my next destination.
I felt very privileged to visit Gorongosa NP and to see the progress being made by the restoration project. I think it is a very worthwhile destination and a great place to let go and enjoy what nature has on offer."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Anantara Bazaruto
"Lovely beach resort and spa"
As a head's up for other travelers, most of the activities are not included in the room rate and the activity fees are not nominal. The spa prices are comparable to the spa prices in the U.S. That said, I enjoyed the activities I did, particularly the day trip to Santa Carolina Island. I also enjoyed the spa service I had."
Amazing trip to Rwanda and Tanzania
Tanzania and 2 other countries between 20 Jun 2010 and 4 Jul 2010
From a practical standpoint, everything went smoothly, and from the moment I boarded the BA flight to Nairobi, I didn't have to give a thought to logistics, and was just able to relax and focus on the trip. This was my third trip with Expert Africa and I can't imagine using another travel agency. I really trust Expert Africa and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Macushla House
"Relaxing spot for an overnight layover"
Although it is not located in the immediate vicinity of the airport, it was not a very long drive to get there. Although I arrived fairly late at night, the kitchen staff was still able to make a snack for me.
The room was very comfortable and had a lot of character. The grounds were very nice as well."
Virunga Lodge
"Beautiful lodge, stunning location"
The bed was very comfortable with really nice linens. The bathroom had two sinks, a flush toilet, and a regular (non-bucket) shower. There was also 24 hour electricity in the rooms, and cool motion detector lights in the bathroom that were very handy if you needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. While it is a longer drive to the park headquarters than other lodges, I wouldn't let that discourage anyone from choosing this lodge, since the drive is so pretty and seems to go by very quickly anyway.
Patrick from Primate Safaris was a wonderful guide. I was traveling by myself and it felt almost like I had an older brother looking out for me. Patrick is very knowledgeable about the history and economy of Rwanda, and we had many very interesting discussions about public policy and economic development. I had read quite a few books about Rwanda before I visited, and my conversations with Patrick helped me connect a lot of dots and place everything I had learned in context - definitely a highlight of the trip. I would highly recommend Patrick as a guide."
Hotel des Mille Collines
"Hotel des Mille Collines review"
Serena Hotel Dar
"Royal Palm Hotel review"
Kwihala Camp
"Loved Kwihala Camp!"
The guiding at Kwihala was superb, among the best I've ever encountered. I happened to be the only guest in the camp for the three nights I was there, and Pietro and Fester both went with me on every drive. I learned so much about the park and the animals, and Pietro also had a lot of useful photography tips. The staff at the camp was terrific, too. I was not feeling well on the first day I was there, and Pietro oversaw what seemed like a very elaborate operation to make sure everything possible was being done to make sure I felt better. I really appreciated how well the camp took care of me. I would love to visit Kwihala again. Great camp, amazing park."
Impala Camp
"Selous Impala Camp review"
Barbara was a very gracious host, and I enjoyed getting to know her and also Mohammed, who was one of the servers.
I don't know if I would recommend Selous for a solo traveler. Each tent has its own table in the dining area, and each tent has its own guide and vehicle. While those amenities are advantageous for couples and families, I did miss the social element of dining in a group and going on game drives in a group."
Hyatt Regency Hotel
"My jaw dropped when I saw the room."
The bathroom was beautiful, the views were amazing, and the bed and furniture were very comfortable. Room service was surprisingly affordable."
My May 2009 trip
Zambia between 26 May 2009 and 4 Jun 2009
Matamanene Camp
"Matamanene Camp review"
The experience of the park is more subtle than other parks with more large game. Lots of birds, lots of flowers, and a really gratifying sense of freedom. The camp facilities are relatively basic, but the food and service were very good.
The flight to Kalabo had great views, and it was really interesting to drive through Kalabo."
Chongwe River Camp
"Chongwe River Camp review"
Caroline was very warm. The guides were all very good.
The range of activities was great. I went canoeing and fishing, and also on game walks and drives. The visit to Chongwe Falls was particularly fun."
Absolutely amazing trip
Zambia between 28 May 2008 and 7 Jun 2008
I have already informed my boss that I will be taking vacation time in June 2009."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Nkwali
"Nkwali"
Tafika
"Tafika"
My one criticism of Tafika is that the rooms had bed-sized mosquito nets rather than larger walk-in mosquito nets that could include a table and a little walking room. I found the walk-in nets more user friendly."
Big Lagoon Camp
"Crocodile"
The food, like at Tafika, was fantastic.
The rooms are less posh than at Tafika, which is not surprising since the camp is not vehicle accessible."
Chikoko Tree Camp
"Chikoko"
Beautiful location. On the night I was there, we could actually see stars reflected in the water."
But Kwihala's most notable feature is the quality of its guiding. This was my second visit to Kwihala, and again I found the guiding to be absolutely top-notch.
Thanks to Festo, Tony, Lorenzo and Pietro for an excellent visit with a lot of great sightings."