Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs H from Hampshire
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
4
Countries visited
7
Lodges stayed in
17
Excursions taken
0
First trip to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 28 Aug 2014 and 9 Sep 2014
We are starting to plan our next trip and Zimbabwe is at the forefront. The only point for Expert Africa is if they are routing people from Zimbabwe to Zambia by road at the bridge please take time out to see the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side, especially at this time of year, we didn't and this was a slight disappointment."
Vundu Camp
"Vundu Camp review"
Kanga Bush Camp
"Kanga Bush Camp review"
The main activity happened around the pan in the afternoon when there were no staff or guides around to identify birds etc. We must admit the camp was empty when we arrived and our first evening game drive we saw a leopard, and a small pride of lions with 3 young cubs, never to be seen again.
The camp is based on the pan, it is more for the first time traveller rather than an experienced traveller. We feel that 2 nights would be enough time there not the 3 that we did."
Camp Hwange
"Camp Hwange review"
The two other guides at the time George and Washington (yes really!) were always available to answer questions, between them they knew every bird, mammal, reptile, insect in Africa including the flat spiders in our room. This is a camp that we would go back to given the opportunity."
Tongabezi
"Tongabezi review"
A relaxing end to our holiday, food was excellent, the staff very attentive."
My Sep 2011 trip
Tanzania and 3 other countries between 3 Sep 2011 and 18 Sep 2011
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please really emphasis the damp and coldness of the mountains when going to Rwanda to see the gorillas, it is not so much as to what to wear when climbing but how to keep warm in the rooms as everything feels damp, also take a torch as the rooms can get dark as the generators are only on for certain times, can make reading difficult."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Palacina
"Palacina - The Residence and The Suites review"
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
"Gorilla Mountain View Lodge review"
You will feel cold and damp due to the region whether it is the dry season or not, so go prepared, having said that, seeing the gorillas makes up for any short comings and beyond. A little more attention to detail could make the difference."
Serena Hotel Dar
"Royal Palm Hotel review"
Was provided with a very early continental breakfast which was very much appreciated."
Impala Camp
"Selous Impala Camp review"
We had stayed in camps in Botswana and Zambia, this camp rates as one of the best, we felt very relaxed but sad to leave at the end. Thank you everyone at Selous Impala for making our stay so enjoyable."
Breezes Beach Club
"Breezes Beach Club review"
The food was good, although sometimes the service in the restaurants was slow.
It satisfied what we wanted for the end of our holiday, from a cold and damp mountain, to early mornings on safari, this gave us the relaxation that we needed for our five night stay."
Two Golden Leopards
Zambia between 10 Sep 2009 and 22 Sep 2009
We thought last years trip to Botswana would be hard to beat but our trip this year to Zambia has exceeded all our expectations and we haven't stopped smiling since. We met some great people and everyone connected with all the camps were very helpful, knowledgeable and always smiling. Can't wait to go back.
Suggestions for improvements:
Only negative comment to make would be the pick up on the morning of our return flight to UK, having paid for B&B could not take part in breakfast as restaurant opens at 5.30am at Taj Hotel and the company used to transfer us to the airport also picked us up at this time, whereas we could had made use of the shuttle bus service of the hotel, therefore allowing us time to enjoy a breakfast before the flight home."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Kaingo Camp
"Hides at Kaingo Camp"
The Carmine Bee Eaters were brilliant in colour, sound and activity, and not an experience that will be forgotten easily. Thank you to Derek and Jules and all the staff for the food, the service and the administration.
The game drives and guides were exceptional, each day provided more and more spectacular events ending with four lions confronting a hippo over the use of a tiny pool, (why lions would want to drink hippos bath water we've no idea)."
Mwamba Bushcamp
"Heaven with flies"
Maen was our guide for the majority of the trips out from the camp and did a fantastic job, one morning drive started with elephants and zebras, moved onto eight lions hunting two buffalo which they failed to bring down (buffalos can really run when they need to) then morning tea at the elephant crossing, all seen in perfect light which gave opportunity of fantastic photos."
Tafika
"Leopards at Tafika"
The game drives we went on were guided by either Brian or Alex and were superb, Brians twenty plus years of experience of guiding plus his knowledge of photography were certainly enhanced our game drives, that is not to take it away from Alex who also gave great drives.
In the last two days we saw 22 different lions and five different leopards on numerous occasions. The food was fantastic, service was excellent as was the administration, the camp that we look forward going back to in the future. The micro-light flight was one highlight in many during our stay at this camp.
The only thing missing was the leopard in the tree in day light, we did however have three in the tree at night, need to go back to get the day light shot."
Taj Pamodzi Hotel
"Taj Pamodzi Hotel review"
Best Holiday Ever
Botswana and 1 other country between 8 May 2008 and 21 May 2008
Our only problem now is how to follow this. It was a holiday of a lifetime and we are already trying to work out how to go back and challenge Expert Africa to find something better but we don't think they will."
Feedback response
This is a nice problem to have and it’s one that we’re pleased to face quite often: How to better a really amazing trip?
The answers different for every person, but we’d usually suggest that you resist the temptation to visit the same lodges again, whichever ones they are.
Then talk to us in detail about what you want, keep an open mind when listening to our suggestions, and try to book well ahead of time (11 months before you travel is ideal!).
Our aim will be to surpass your last trip – and we are pleased that we can often succeed!
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Selinda Camp
"Great start to holiday at Selinda Camp"
The food was plentiful and well prepared, house keeping was also good and facilities well maintained. The game drives continued at a high level only lions weren't seen during the three day period.
When the time came to leave we were really sad, Ella made sure everyone new was introduced to all other guests which made you feel very welcome and sitting around the camp fire helped getting to know everyone and talking about their drives that day."
Lagoon Camp
"Overall best Safari at Lagoon Camp"
Issac the manager was also our guide with Bede our tracker, the atmosphere of the camp was exceptional, no request was too much trouble.
The game drives were tailored to our requirements including an extra long game drive to see elephants in the south concession we also walked, fished and had an evening boat ride, the camp was regularly visited by baboons and after one game drive elephant tracks were seen on the path to our tent, this was confirmed the following day when the elephant turned up whilst we were there."
Kwara Camp
"Lions at Kwara Camp"
There were too many sorries due to housekeeping errors, unfilled water, promise of water bottles but not put in, room being prepared for new visitors when we were not leaving therefore the room not being available whilst it was being put back to original state, laundry then being returned wet due to error of room being vacated, being told that room would be put back to original state and that laundry would be dried but when told room okay to go back to, bed had not been returned to original state and laundry still there wet.
This did not retract from our stay we still loved the camp, it just reduced our opinion from excellent to good."
Tongabezi
"Relax at Tongabezi"
Our whole stay from beginning to end was exactly what we were after and that was total relaxation.
Did not want to leave."
During our stay there Nick got us to run and to climb trees albeit so he could take a photo of us at that point. All the staff were friendly, could not do enough to ensure our stay met our requirements. We loved the homely feel with simple facilities provided, please do not try to change to meet the luxury expectations of some customers, we love outside bathrooms."