Travel reviews by Dr Rox from Cairns city
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
9
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2022 trip
Botswana and 1 other country between 1 Oct 2022 and 16 Oct 2022
"The trip was amazing.
This is our second safari with Expert Africa and we will book again with you when we return.
Our experiences with Kwando Safaris have been outstanding, not only because of the quality of their concessions, but most especially because of their wonderful staff. The guides are fabulous and there is a real sense of teamwork and enjoyment at their lodges."
This is our second safari with Expert Africa and we will book again with you when we return.
Our experiences with Kwando Safaris have been outstanding, not only because of the quality of their concessions, but most especially because of their wonderful staff. The guides are fabulous and there is a real sense of teamwork and enjoyment at their lodges."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Old Drift Lodge
"Old Drift Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Oct 2022
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Poor
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We put these comments to the lodge and The Old Drift’s General Manager came back to us to say that they were sorry to hear that our travellers had been were disappointed by aspects of their stay with us. They added:
“We try hard to keep our food fresh and high-quality and this has led us to breakfast being a cold buffet with fruit, pastries cold meat selection and cheeses, plus a cooked, plated breakfast to order.
Then for both dinner and lunch, we have an à carte menu with a selection of starters, mains and desserts. We’ve flagged the comments from these guests to our Executive Chefs attention for them to address.
I’m sorry if there was any impression that our drinks are restricted in any way: they’re not. We have a barman stationed at the bar at all times and waiters on service at all times.
As you are aware, we not only arrange ‘included’ camp activities, such as walks, cruises and drives, but we also facilitate a wide range of ‘external’ activities, which are available offsite in and around Vic Falls. We try hard to arrange everything when and where requested by every guest, but the logistics take some coordination. We’re sorry if our organisation appeared confused in this case; clearly we need to improve this, and we will.”
“We try hard to keep our food fresh and high-quality and this has led us to breakfast being a cold buffet with fruit, pastries cold meat selection and cheeses, plus a cooked, plated breakfast to order.
Then for both dinner and lunch, we have an à carte menu with a selection of starters, mains and desserts. We’ve flagged the comments from these guests to our Executive Chefs attention for them to address.
I’m sorry if there was any impression that our drinks are restricted in any way: they’re not. We have a barman stationed at the bar at all times and waiters on service at all times.
As you are aware, we not only arrange ‘included’ camp activities, such as walks, cruises and drives, but we also facilitate a wide range of ‘external’ activities, which are available offsite in and around Vic Falls. We try hard to arrange everything when and where requested by every guest, but the logistics take some coordination. We’re sorry if our organisation appeared confused in this case; clearly we need to improve this, and we will.”
Senior Africa Specialist
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lagoon Camp
"Gets better with every visit"
4 nights
Arrived
3 Oct 2022
"This is our second trip to Lagoon and it is our favourite lodge.
We experienced an amazing array of wildlife and thoroughly enjoyed the stories (which are a mixture of myth and truth) as well as the extraordinary skills of our guide Spencer. He known the inside thinking of the animals and we just loved it.
The food is very good and the staff attentive to all needs. The setting of the lodge by the Kwando River allowed us to view hippo, lechwe, all manner of birdlife as well as elephants crossing the river from the Lodge itself. Fishing was offered and we saw bream and catfish being caught.
Amongst our sightings were multiple leopards (including a group of three), sable, roan and oribi antelope, honey badger, multiple wild dog sightings as well as all the usual animals."
We experienced an amazing array of wildlife and thoroughly enjoyed the stories (which are a mixture of myth and truth) as well as the extraordinary skills of our guide Spencer. He known the inside thinking of the animals and we just loved it.
The food is very good and the staff attentive to all needs. The setting of the lodge by the Kwando River allowed us to view hippo, lechwe, all manner of birdlife as well as elephants crossing the river from the Lodge itself. Fishing was offered and we saw bream and catfish being caught.
Amongst our sightings were multiple leopards (including a group of three), sable, roan and oribi antelope, honey badger, multiple wild dog sightings as well as all the usual animals."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
5 sightings
Lion
10+ sightings
Pangolin
1 sighting
Roan antelope
3 sightings
Sable antelope
10+ sightings
Spotted Hyena
10+ sightings
Wild dog
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Splash Camp
"Marvellous visit to the rookery"
3 nights
Arrived
7 Oct 2022
"This was a return visit and as before we experienced a wide range of wildlife sightings and very much enjoyed the Lodge staff services, food and facilities.
As with our last visit, we received visits to the Lodge by animals, including (this time) elephants and wild dogs. There are also lots of birds to be seen in the large trees around the Lodge. We witnessed wild dogs hunting on two occasions and were unlucky not to see the final kill.
The lodge is very comfortable and food /drink quality very good. The staff are very helpful and friendly. The highlight of our visit to Splash was the visit to the bird rookery on the river cruise. Maribou, yellow billed and open beaked stork all raising their chicks together. Completely changes the superficial view of maribou as being ugly. Not to be missed."
As with our last visit, we received visits to the Lodge by animals, including (this time) elephants and wild dogs. There are also lots of birds to be seen in the large trees around the Lodge. We witnessed wild dogs hunting on two occasions and were unlucky not to see the final kill.
The lodge is very comfortable and food /drink quality very good. The staff are very helpful and friendly. The highlight of our visit to Splash was the visit to the bird rookery on the river cruise. Maribou, yellow billed and open beaked stork all raising their chicks together. Completely changes the superficial view of maribou as being ugly. Not to be missed."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Leopard
Many sightings
Wild dog
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Botswana Private Mobile Safari
"Botswana Private Mobile Safari review"
5 nights
Arrived
10 Oct 2022
"A mobile safari is a glamping trip with special experiences associated with the greater proximity with the surroundings and wildlife. Andrew drives slowly through the areas we visited giving plenty of time to do your own spotting.
Yes there is a drop toilet and a bucket shower, but there is also excellent three course dinner well cooked and served on tablecloth, by the fire. We experienced nocturnal visits from a lion in camp, and also heard all the action of a kill by lions adjacent to the camp, including galloping of zebra, braying of the zebra and the roars of the lion. Not seeing anything added to the experience.
Andrew is a compassionate and interesting guide, and driving through Moremi National Park instead of flying over it gave us a different viewpoint on the Okavengo."
Yes there is a drop toilet and a bucket shower, but there is also excellent three course dinner well cooked and served on tablecloth, by the fire. We experienced nocturnal visits from a lion in camp, and also heard all the action of a kill by lions adjacent to the camp, including galloping of zebra, braying of the zebra and the roars of the lion. Not seeing anything added to the experience.
Andrew is a compassionate and interesting guide, and driving through Moremi National Park instead of flying over it gave us a different viewpoint on the Okavengo."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Sable antelope
3 sightings
Wild dog
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Thamo Telele
"Thamo Telele review"
1 night
Arrived
15 Oct 2022
"The rooms are really beautiful at this lodge located just outside of Maun.
It is a nice place to stay away from the town which seems a little too busy and unattractive as an introduction to Botswana. The giraffe program is interesting but the walk was guided rather than independent.
The food is average and the pool needed servicing when we were there, but overall it's a good place to stay before or after a safari."
It is a nice place to stay away from the town which seems a little too busy and unattractive as an introduction to Botswana. The giraffe program is interesting but the walk was guided rather than independent.
The food is average and the pool needed servicing when we were there, but overall it's a good place to stay before or after a safari."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
My first safari surely the first of many
Botswana and 1 other country between 19 Feb 2019 and 2 Mar 2019
"The experience was far better than I ever expected.
Most special was the professionalism of guides, trackers and hospitality staff. It is hard to imagine how excellently they provide for an action packed, special individual experience in such a remote area where water, power and stores have to be provided, along with clean sheets, hot showers, three course home cooked meals and an astounding variety of drinks.
The hospitality was warm and genuine, the safaris professionally run with extremely knowledgable guides who were patient with our ignorance and generously shared their love of the bush: THANK YOU POSTER, VINCE, VASCO,KT, BALE AND GOMES.
We cannot wait to get back on another safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The dress code advice was a little deceptive as people dressed as they pleased. Many travellers had small "wheelie bags" which you advised were not permitted. As we travelled from Australia via multiple large airports, the lack of wheelable luggage was a downside so perhaps this needs an update?
HOWEVER, I thought the whole trip was very good value for money despite the high dollar cost, and would recommend it highly to other travellers. I cannot wait to do another trip and would definitely go back to Lagoon and Okavango delta, but would prefer a smaller lodge than Splash.
The organisation at Splash was not as good as the other 2 camps. Staff seemed not yet comfortable with dealing with the larger numbers and the "style" of the lodges with the turnover of guests and numbers of cars going every which way doesn't seem to work as well with the bigger groups, so I would be keen to find out about new Kwara. I would return to Tau Pan in a different season when the waterhole attracted more wildlife.
The food deserves a special compliment: fresh, home made flavours, served imaginatively and I just love the pre-dinner announcement.
FINALLY, I just loved the boat trip at lagoon with the bar service on the bank for sundowners with the hippos. Same as the bar on the floodplain at Splash. Special luxury experiences which I will always remember.
Your staff is amazing. Genuine, friendly, knowledgeable, professional and open to discuss Africa, poachers, politicians, animals and have a joke with the guests. I love them all. Hope to be back soon."
Most special was the professionalism of guides, trackers and hospitality staff. It is hard to imagine how excellently they provide for an action packed, special individual experience in such a remote area where water, power and stores have to be provided, along with clean sheets, hot showers, three course home cooked meals and an astounding variety of drinks.
The hospitality was warm and genuine, the safaris professionally run with extremely knowledgable guides who were patient with our ignorance and generously shared their love of the bush: THANK YOU POSTER, VINCE, VASCO,KT, BALE AND GOMES.
We cannot wait to get back on another safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The dress code advice was a little deceptive as people dressed as they pleased. Many travellers had small "wheelie bags" which you advised were not permitted. As we travelled from Australia via multiple large airports, the lack of wheelable luggage was a downside so perhaps this needs an update?
HOWEVER, I thought the whole trip was very good value for money despite the high dollar cost, and would recommend it highly to other travellers. I cannot wait to do another trip and would definitely go back to Lagoon and Okavango delta, but would prefer a smaller lodge than Splash.
The organisation at Splash was not as good as the other 2 camps. Staff seemed not yet comfortable with dealing with the larger numbers and the "style" of the lodges with the turnover of guests and numbers of cars going every which way doesn't seem to work as well with the bigger groups, so I would be keen to find out about new Kwara. I would return to Tau Pan in a different season when the waterhole attracted more wildlife.
The food deserves a special compliment: fresh, home made flavours, served imaginatively and I just love the pre-dinner announcement.
FINALLY, I just loved the boat trip at lagoon with the bar service on the bank for sundowners with the hippos. Same as the bar on the floodplain at Splash. Special luxury experiences which I will always remember.
Your staff is amazing. Genuine, friendly, knowledgeable, professional and open to discuss Africa, poachers, politicians, animals and have a joke with the guests. I love them all. Hope to be back soon."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Victoria Falls Hotel
"Glorious grand old hotel"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Feb 2019
"Gracious old building with wonderful old photos and evocative items from its history.
Great view from neat and attractive gardens. Excellent service from staff and well furnished rooms decorated in Art Deco.
Really enjoyed staying here and wished we had more time here to relax and absorb the restful atmosphere"
Great view from neat and attractive gardens. Excellent service from staff and well furnished rooms decorated in Art Deco.
Really enjoyed staying here and wished we had more time here to relax and absorb the restful atmosphere"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Lagoon Camp
"Top service safari at Lagoon "
3 nights
Arrived
21 Feb 2019
"The beautiful position by water channel full of hippos and water lillies is enhanced by atmospheric thatched bungalows which are endowed with a bathroom with bathtub, comfy leather chairs and a cool breezy deck where one can view kingfishers, hippos and other daily life on the river. Heaven!
The safaris were as exciting and varied as one could wish with lions, elephants, a profusion of birdlife, hippos and antelope including red lechwe, impala, kudu etc. Very impressed by the large numbers of hippos. Didn't see wild dogs, but not for want of trying. The staff were exceptional, their cheerful teamwork reflecting genuine enjoyment of their lovely camp.
Cannot fault the experience here and will be my top priority to come back."
The safaris were as exciting and varied as one could wish with lions, elephants, a profusion of birdlife, hippos and antelope including red lechwe, impala, kudu etc. Very impressed by the large numbers of hippos. Didn't see wild dogs, but not for want of trying. The staff were exceptional, their cheerful teamwork reflecting genuine enjoyment of their lovely camp.
Cannot fault the experience here and will be my top priority to come back."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Tau Pan Camp
"An oasis in the Kalahari "
3 nights
Arrived
24 Feb 2019
"This is luxury in the desert. Comfort in a spacious private chalet with a million dollar view of the Tau Pan, and having a cool swimming pool in a desert are just a terrific experience.
Naturally, there is not the profusion of wildlife that there is in wetter areas, but we saw numerous gemsbock (oryx), lions, springbok, steenbok and red haartebeast. There is a great variety of birdlife, including vultures and raptors. We had a fleeting glimpse of the legendary honey badger. Leopard tracks abounded and sightings occured immediately before and after our visit, guaranteeing a return in the future.
As this camp is located in a national park, safari drives are restricted by the necessity to keep to the road, but still plenty of new and different landscape to enjoy."
Naturally, there is not the profusion of wildlife that there is in wetter areas, but we saw numerous gemsbock (oryx), lions, springbok, steenbok and red haartebeast. There is a great variety of birdlife, including vultures and raptors. We had a fleeting glimpse of the legendary honey badger. Leopard tracks abounded and sightings occured immediately before and after our visit, guaranteeing a return in the future.
As this camp is located in a national park, safari drives are restricted by the necessity to keep to the road, but still plenty of new and different landscape to enjoy."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Splash Camp
"Each day a new wonder!"
4 nights
Arrived
27 Feb 2019
"Great profusion and variety of wildlife especially zebra in a great variety of lovely landscapes. Huge variety of bird life. Great waterhole in front of the camp. wild dogs visited the camp and made a kill in front of the waterhole but was at night.Saw a cheetah hunting,stalking and capturing and ostrich. Elephants drinking, playing and grazing right in front of the lodge.
This camp is quite large, and some cabins have limited view of the waterhole and are quite a hike to the dining area. More guests mean that it wasn't always possible to talk to all the guests, so not as intimate and friendly as the other camps we stayed at (Lagoon and Tau Pan). Mokoro experience very controlled, but boat cruise to the lagoon compensated. Modern decor and new cabins lack the luxury feel of thatched roof, dark rich timber and leather furniture, but not here to stay in the room.
The safaris were wonderful."
This camp is quite large, and some cabins have limited view of the waterhole and are quite a hike to the dining area. More guests mean that it wasn't always possible to talk to all the guests, so not as intimate and friendly as the other camps we stayed at (Lagoon and Tau Pan). Mokoro experience very controlled, but boat cruise to the lagoon compensated. Modern decor and new cabins lack the luxury feel of thatched roof, dark rich timber and leather furniture, but not here to stay in the room.
The safaris were wonderful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Cheetah
3 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wild dog
2 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
The menu was very simple, and this would be fine but the quality was average at best. There was an impression of restriction on drinks and the servings were small.
Organisation of activities was confused. The first afternoon we chose to not go on the river cruise because we were assured we could do the cruise the second afternoon. When the time came to go on the cruise, it seemed to be a surprise to everyone. We were advised that we could do the morning cruise on day of departure, but when the day came we were told that there was not time to do it.
The river cruise was definitely the highlight of the Lodge. The Victoria Falls walk was similar to the one that we did last year, but the breakfast at the Summit lookout was most enjoyable and views amazing. We received an intimate visit from elephants at our room which was a thrill. They drank the water from our plunge pool and were wonderful to watch."