Travel reviews by Mssrs RMN/AT from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
A memorable and wonderful three weeks
Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 27 Oct 2019 and 20 Nov 2019
It was a very memorable and exciting three weeks, at a very hot time of year and in a year of terrible drought in Botswana and Zimbabwe."
Arranged By Claire Scott

Gomoti Plains Camp
"Gomoti Plains Camp review"

Buffalo
Many sightings

Cheetah
1 sighting

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Hippo
Many sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
Many sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings

Sable Alley
"Wonderful wild dogs"
We had a good guide, though not as good as Carl at Gomoti, and we failed to see either of the antelope. But we did have several viewings of three different packs of dogs including one family of 18 at very close range, so tat was a real treat.
The accommodation was excellent and the ambience very good. We had one day of rain when the temperature dropped from 40 to 20, but that'd to the bonus of the Termite Emergence, which was very exciting, so long as you are prepared for clouds of large flying beasties while eating dinner!!"

Buffalo
Many sightings

Elephant
Many sightings

Giraffe
Many sightings

Hippo
Many sightings

Lion
Many sightings

Spotted Hyena
Many sightings

Wild dog
Many sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings

Old Drift Lodge
"good for relaxation"
The Falls of course are a draw, but I would say this is a place for a quick rest before the rigours of a real safari camp, and that's why we were there. Being upside the main town is certainly a plus. We had a good guided walk, and learned a lot abut the bush, without seeing very much.
The river cruise is a bit tame."

Verney's Camp
"Poorly managed"
The extreme drought did not help, as the pool was emptied because the elephants had got to it. It should have been possible to make a pool more elephant proof, as had been done at Little Makalolo for example. They emphasised the flexibility of the timetable which frankly did not help. Everywhere else has a very clear timetable, and for good reason. Flexibility is a mistake. The service standards were well below par, especially the staff in the main camp central area, but we did have a good guide.
The game viewing was good and the elephants almost too o abundant and very stressed and noisy! A highlight was a very long day trip to the entrance village at Hwange, where we visited the school and met teachers and staff. After nine hours on the road, this was the first time we were not greeted by staff with a cold towel on our return. That happened several times after other game drives. We also visited our guide's home village which was also fascinating."

Little Makalolo Camp
"A superb camp"
We had a really excellent guide, Leo(!) and all the camp staff were most charming and helpful. The highlight, once again for us, was a visit at breakfast time of a small pack of wild dogs, three adults and six pups, to feed on a dead elephant who had died overnight just in front of camp.
We watched them for 90 minutes and were delighted to observe them at such close quarters. We had some excellent game drives and saw leopard, bush baby, genet and, finally , eland to add to our tally overall."

Buffalo
Many sightings

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
10+ sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Hippo
Many sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
7 sightings

Roan antelope
7 sightings

Sable antelope
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wild dog
9 sightings

Wildebeest
Many sightings

Zebra
Many sightings

The Constantia
"Exceptional"
Restaurants were booked, taxis arranged to get to them, routes and maps given out, the car washed, tea brought to our room. We seem to have an upgrade to a pool room which was huge , with a large sunny terrace and part of a private pool. The gardens are wonderful and the whole place very quiet.
Very highly recommended"

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge
"A marvellous experience, despite the weather"
That did not stop us having a beach walk and a fynbos walk and learning so much from the team. The management is expert and very friendly and the food was probably the best of all the camps we stayed at, despite its remoteness. I would recommend three nights if possible.
We did see whales and dolphins, but not in great numbers. This is the end of the season for them the locality."

The Last Word Franschhoek
"a good central base"
We had booked a pool room, and did not get one, but in fact I think the upstairs room we did get was a better bet. There is a small upstairs terrace which gets afternoon/evening sun, although it wasn't easy to get a lounger! The breakfast arrangements are well below the standards of Constantia, although the menu was identical and the staff by no means so polished.
Having said all that, it was a fine base for us to finish our stay. We could have done with more help with places to walk. The surrounding scenery is quite beautiful but working out how best to have a really good walk was not easy."
The accommodation was good, but in the heat we missed a ceiling fan as opposed to a standing fan. The place was very quiet. The game was excellent and we were very lucky to see cheetah at close range. Also porcupine and honey badger birth by day and by night.
Excellent lion viewings close to the camp, with seven young cubs"