Travel reviews by The Golden Monkeys from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
Yet Another Expert Africa Triumph
Tanzania and 2 other countries between 4 Jul 2008 and 20 Jul 2008
"Absolutely fabulous.
High expectations given Steve's major milestone, met in every single way. A perfect excuse to come back for the Migration.
We would recommend the combination of Rwanda and Tanzania to anyone. It is eminently do-able.
Suggestions for improvement:
None - excellent as usual. Intending to remain one of your many satisfied regular clients. Thank you so much."
High expectations given Steve's major milestone, met in every single way. A perfect excuse to come back for the Migration.
We would recommend the combination of Rwanda and Tanzania to anyone. It is eminently do-able.
Suggestions for improvement:
None - excellent as usual. Intending to remain one of your many satisfied regular clients. Thank you so much."
Arranged By Claire Scott

Macushla House
"Short Stay at Macushla House"
1 night
Arrived
5 Jul 2008
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Service
Good

Virunga Lodge
"Just made it to Virunga Lodge"
4 nights
Arrived
6 Jul 2008
"Again, a qualified rating, given that we were actually accommodated in the Jack Hannah Cottage at Mountain Gorilla's Nest Lodge (MGNL) for the first two nights, owing to a Primate Safari's 'upgrade', for what they informed us was a result of overbooking (and no room available) at Virunga for the nights of 5th and 6th.
Although situated in the grounds of what is now a tired and largely unoccupied lodge complex, the Cottage was absolutely fantastic. We had three permanent staff - chef, waiter and housekeeper - and lived in sheer opulence for the two days and nights. The MGNL is a very short drive to the park HQ, so was actually better situated and convenient than Virunga, at approx 0.75 hour. It's fair to say that we lived very well at the Cottage - absolutely no complaints whatsoever - but then again, it wasn't part of the original package.
Virunga Lodge - for the night of the 7th & 8th only, was very comfortable and, rather spookily, largely unoccupied for our limited time there. The service was excellent and the location breathtaking - the rooms and facilities extremely comfortable.
Our evening meal (served in the main dining room) was very good for the 7th and superb for the 8th, by which time we were the only guests in the whole Lodge (!) and were able to dine and subsequently breakfast on the 9th in the central lounge area next to the fire. Again, a unique experience brought about by circumstances.
The Gorillas themselves defy description. The organisation by Primate Safaris seamless and without fault. Rwanda is stunning in its scenery and vibrancy. This will not be our only visit to the country, although from what we learn (the Jack Hannah Cottage is available for rent at $2000 per day??), we would certainly revisit Virunga Lodge in view of our experience."
Although situated in the grounds of what is now a tired and largely unoccupied lodge complex, the Cottage was absolutely fantastic. We had three permanent staff - chef, waiter and housekeeper - and lived in sheer opulence for the two days and nights. The MGNL is a very short drive to the park HQ, so was actually better situated and convenient than Virunga, at approx 0.75 hour. It's fair to say that we lived very well at the Cottage - absolutely no complaints whatsoever - but then again, it wasn't part of the original package.
Virunga Lodge - for the night of the 7th & 8th only, was very comfortable and, rather spookily, largely unoccupied for our limited time there. The service was excellent and the location breathtaking - the rooms and facilities extremely comfortable.
Our evening meal (served in the main dining room) was very good for the 7th and superb for the 8th, by which time we were the only guests in the whole Lodge (!) and were able to dine and subsequently breakfast on the 9th in the central lounge area next to the fire. Again, a unique experience brought about by circumstances.
The Gorillas themselves defy description. The organisation by Primate Safaris seamless and without fault. Rwanda is stunning in its scenery and vibrancy. This will not be our only visit to the country, although from what we learn (the Jack Hannah Cottage is available for rent at $2000 per day??), we would certainly revisit Virunga Lodge in view of our experience."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good

Umubano Kigali Hotel, Rwanda (this camp has since closed)
"Novotel Kigali Umubano review"
1 night
Arrived
10 Jul 2008
"A good standard chain hotel - ideal for our night stopover between the Gorillas and transfer to Tanzania.
Clean and efficient, with good rooms and very reasonable buffet-style menu. Vast amount of choice & well cooked. Pool looked clean but we didn't avail.
Spent an early evening through to an 0500 departure - which just about satisfied all our needs for a 'regroup' between experiences. Very handy for Kigali airport and stacks of electrical sockets for recharging various batteries!"
Clean and efficient, with good rooms and very reasonable buffet-style menu. Vast amount of choice & well cooked. Pool looked clean but we didn't avail.
Spent an early evening through to an 0500 departure - which just about satisfied all our needs for a 'regroup' between experiences. Very handy for Kigali airport and stacks of electrical sockets for recharging various batteries!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa

Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp
"Excellent safari at Nomad Serengeti Camp"
4 nights
Arrived
11 Jul 2008
"As with any safari camp, Nomad had actually moved the camp northwards to catch the by then all but completed migration - happening some 5-6 weeks previously we were told - leaving a good few thousand game lagging behind in a state of confusion / reverse migration owing to the rains and continuing unsettled weather.
The move resulted in a long transfer / extended game drive of some 6 hours, leaving us pretty whacked out following such an early departure from Kigali that morning - we didn't get to camp much before 4:30pm so weren't in much of a state for any evening activity save for a sundowner.
The rest of the time was, however, fantastic. All clients enjoyed the sole use of a private safari 4x4 and guide, which was just what we wanted and made the whole experience more rewarding. The staff were among the best we have experienced and the level of service and food quality, given the mobile nature of the camp and its support, were exemplary.
The camps are relayed between sites - the next passed us wrapped up in the back of three trucks one afternoon - but from the quality of the fixtures and the time taken in presentation, the tents and recreational areas would rival many permanent sites. You just can't beat a hot bucket shower at the end of a packed game drive. It felt like, indeed was, an authentic bush camp. A top experience."
The move resulted in a long transfer / extended game drive of some 6 hours, leaving us pretty whacked out following such an early departure from Kigali that morning - we didn't get to camp much before 4:30pm so weren't in much of a state for any evening activity save for a sundowner.
The rest of the time was, however, fantastic. All clients enjoyed the sole use of a private safari 4x4 and guide, which was just what we wanted and made the whole experience more rewarding. The staff were among the best we have experienced and the level of service and food quality, given the mobile nature of the camp and its support, were exemplary.
The camps are relayed between sites - the next passed us wrapped up in the back of three trucks one afternoon - but from the quality of the fixtures and the time taken in presentation, the tents and recreational areas would rival many permanent sites. You just can't beat a hot bucket shower at the end of a packed game drive. It felt like, indeed was, an authentic bush camp. A top experience."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
To explain this in further detail … the Nomad Serengeti Camp is a semi-mobile safari camp. This means that it usually moves several times a year, to try to shadow the migration. This year (2008), the Serengeti wildebeest migration has been at least a month earlier than normal – ahead of its usual schedule!
Hence the camp’s managers decided, at very short notice, to move this camp further north, in order to get closer to the herds of the migration, which had moved far to the north of the camp’s original site.
We were only told of this a few days before these travellers arrived in the Serengeti and so, unfortunately, we were unable to change their flights into the park. So they landed at an airstrip near to the camp’s original site, and had a longer drive than originally planned to reach the camp’s new location. That’s why they were understandably tired on arrival!
Hence the camp’s managers decided, at very short notice, to move this camp further north, in order to get closer to the herds of the migration, which had moved far to the north of the camp’s original site.
We were only told of this a few days before these travellers arrived in the Serengeti and so, unfortunately, we were unable to change their flights into the park. So they landed at an airstrip near to the camp’s original site, and had a longer drive than originally planned to reach the camp’s new location. That’s why they were understandably tired on arrival!

Pole Pole
"Heaven on Earth at Pole Pole"
6 nights
Arrived
15 Jul 2008
"It's a pity that your classification - and the English language - only goes as far as 'excellent', as Pole Pole ticked the top boxes for everything and made Steve's 50th a truly memorable experience. Pole Pole is exemplary - for us, just the right combination of small resort, beautifully designed & furnished 'barefoot luxury'. The diving activity / snorkelling is of a professional standard and other activities are conducted effortlessly and by friendly staff.
Of particular mention is the food, which excels at every meal in quantity and diversity and is THE best we've eaten anywhere on our travels. The team, under the managership of Maura, are at the top of their game and a real asset to the resort.
The team's efforts on the night of Steve's 50th - the wine, service and the birthday cake - showed a true attention to detail and a natural friendliness, which made the day so special. We're so pleased we stayed for 6 nights - it gave us the chance to totally relax after such an exciting travel experience in perfect surroundings.
A 5-star resort worthy of the highest praise."
Of particular mention is the food, which excels at every meal in quantity and diversity and is THE best we've eaten anywhere on our travels. The team, under the managership of Maura, are at the top of their game and a real asset to the resort.
The team's efforts on the night of Steve's 50th - the wine, service and the birthday cake - showed a true attention to detail and a natural friendliness, which made the day so special. We're so pleased we stayed for 6 nights - it gave us the chance to totally relax after such an exciting travel experience in perfect surroundings.
A 5-star resort worthy of the highest praise."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Place was clean and nicely decorated - bed was mercifully comfortable. Owners had waited up and were welcoming and attentive - even at delayed 1130 pm arrival owing to diabolical road transfer (appaling road conditions and traffic jam). On reflection, the place is a little too far removed from Nairobi Airport to provide a relaxing short stopover between flights.
Breakfast choice was varied and good standard, given the early hour. It was always going to be a night-stopover, but in the circumstances perhaps an airport-adjacent room would have sufficed. A shame we weren't able to enjoy more of Macushla."