Travel reviews by Wallington from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
0
Windhoek- Caprivi - Livingstone
Namibia and 2 other countries between 4 Apr 2018 and 18 Apr 2018
"I bought this trip for my wife's 60th birthday and it was an inspired choice. We usually back-pack so this was exceptionally easy - especially the transfer at the Botswana - Zambia border. Note that the driver told me that I couldn't get a KAZA visa at this border crossing, mentioned in the very good Bradt guide you provided. This was not correct and we were issued one when I enquired. Great choice of lodgings and really loved Okajima, River Dance and Garden Lodge.
Josh clearly explained to me the type of trip we were booked on, particularly that we were not including some of the major game parks, so we were very clear on what we would be experiencing and he sent me a new map free of charge when we found a minor mistake on the first one.
I'm impressed with the service by both Expert Africa and your local agents. Your instructions/information are excellent.
Minor points are raised where applicable in the accommodation reviews, but they in no way spoilt our trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Other than the points raised above, no."
Josh clearly explained to me the type of trip we were booked on, particularly that we were not including some of the major game parks, so we were very clear on what we would be experiencing and he sent me a new map free of charge when we found a minor mistake on the first one.
I'm impressed with the service by both Expert Africa and your local agents. Your instructions/information are excellent.
Minor points are raised where applicable in the accommodation reviews, but they in no way spoilt our trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Other than the points raised above, no."
Elegant Guesthouse
"Pleasant"
1 night
Arrived
5 Apr 2018
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Great game drives and room."
2 nights
Arrived
6 Apr 2018
"We found everybody extremely helpful for a commercial operation like this. They were also very good in forwarding a bikini my wife had left behind.
Standard room had fantastic view of the bush.
I'm sure you know all about the place - but a special mention of our guide on the game drives - Daniel. Great knowledge and friendly."
Standard room had fantastic view of the bush.
I'm sure you know all about the place - but a special mention of our guide on the game drives - Daniel. Great knowledge and friendly."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Ghaub Guest Farm
"Beautiful location"
1 night
Arrived
8 Apr 2018
"A very friendly welcome. I've forgotten the name of the manager, but a lovely man.
We liked the option of Namibian food at breakfast.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during our one night stay so we were unable to walk the bush trails that we had been looking forward to."
We liked the option of Namibian food at breakfast.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during our one night stay so we were unable to walk the bush trails that we had been looking forward to."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
River Dance Lodge
"Beautiful location"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Apr 2018
"The rooms are beautifully positioned above the Okavango. About half an hour drive to the local game reserve, with an abundance of animals.
Owners very friendly and enjoy constructing original (very tasty) menus.
Although I enjoyed the sunset river cruise, there really wasn't a lot to see compared to the Chobe a few nights later - a couple of hippos and a crocodile.
However, it is a wonderful place to spend a couple of nights."
Owners very friendly and enjoy constructing original (very tasty) menus.
Although I enjoyed the sunset river cruise, there really wasn't a lot to see compared to the Chobe a few nights later - a couple of hippos and a crocodile.
However, it is a wonderful place to spend a couple of nights."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Kazile Island Lodge
"Great location but slightly unsatisfying"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Apr 2018
"Funny one this. The location is delightful and the tented rooms are fine. However, the staff seem somewhat undertrained and seem to be going through the motions, needing reminders on more than one occasion.
Guests should be aware that once they are on the island, they are pretty much there for the stay and that there is no-where to walk outside the property and not a lot to do - no pool.
The boat/truck game drive was enjoyable. and the guide was helpful but not exceptional.
* one big point - your directions to the property says that it is signposted from the road. It is not. As they are aware of this but have not rectified it, I'd speculate there may be some local difficulties. Please provide exact mileage from Kongola to assist people - there is a black and yellow sign to Samudumu Campsite at the turn-off."
Guests should be aware that once they are on the island, they are pretty much there for the stay and that there is no-where to walk outside the property and not a lot to do - no pool.
The boat/truck game drive was enjoyable. and the guide was helpful but not exceptional.
* one big point - your directions to the property says that it is signposted from the road. It is not. As they are aware of this but have not rectified it, I'd speculate there may be some local difficulties. Please provide exact mileage from Kongola to assist people - there is a black and yellow sign to Samudumu Campsite at the turn-off."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
We have heard back from the lodge regarding your comments on the staff and the service and they have taken this on board and commented that they employed all of their staff from the conservancy adjacent to Kazile as per their joint venture agreement, including the manager. Training individuals with absolutely no experience takes time and requires commitment. They have decided to bring in a new management couple as of late May and they are confident that they will have strong leadership in place in Kazile and that their program to continue the training and maintaining of standards will be successful.
Thank you for informing us of the error in our directions, we were under the impression that Kazile Campsite was signposted from the road, which indicated the turn off. However after contacting the lodge it is indeed the Samudumu Campsite which is signposted from the road and that plans are in place to erect a specific Kazile Island Lodge sign. We have updated this in our documentation to assist future travellers.
Thank you for informing us of the error in our directions, we were under the impression that Kazile Campsite was signposted from the road, which indicated the turn off. However after contacting the lodge it is indeed the Samudumu Campsite which is signposted from the road and that plans are in place to erect a specific Kazile Island Lodge sign. We have updated this in our documentation to assist future travellers.
Chobe River Lodge
"Brilliant place"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Apr 2018
"Both game drive and boat cruises were excellent. The Guide, John, is eager to share his extensive knowledge of game and birds and the owner (Gabi, I think) and the manager were engaging.
We very much liked sharing a dinner table with them and the other guests.
A bonus to have hippos on the lawn at night.
A great stay, so action packed that we didn't even have time to walk into Kasane.
* Our booking stated that we had a thatched cottage, (I only noticed this after we left), but were put into a terraced room. I can't say it made any difference to our enjoyment, just thought I'd mention it."
We very much liked sharing a dinner table with them and the other guests.
A bonus to have hippos on the lawn at night.
A great stay, so action packed that we didn't even have time to walk into Kasane.
* Our booking stated that we had a thatched cottage, (I only noticed this after we left), but were put into a terraced room. I can't say it made any difference to our enjoyment, just thought I'd mention it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Thank you for informing us about our room type description, I have updated this to avoid further confusion in the future.
Avani Victoria Falls
"Prime location"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Apr 2018
"I would put average, but you go there for access to the falls, which it delivers. Good pool and grounds.
Food and staff not brilliant except for the concierge. She was very helpful with flight check-ins and boarding pass printing - at no charge.
To be fair, the breakfast was fine. For dinner, very little of the menu was available and the standard was variable."
Food and staff not brilliant except for the concierge. She was very helpful with flight check-ins and boarding pass printing - at no charge.
To be fair, the breakfast was fine. For dinner, very little of the menu was available and the standard was variable."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
A good stop for our first night in Namibia. Plunge pool very welcome.
No adverse comments."