Travel reviews by Mr V from Birmingham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
5
Countries visited
5
Lodges stayed in
15
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2019 trip
Namibia between 17 Oct 2019 and 29 Oct 2019
Arranged By Tracy Lederer

Olive Grove
"My stay here"

Desert Rhino Camp
"My thoughts on this Safari experience "
I had the great fortune to see desert adapted lion on two separate consecutive drives—different animals as well. Again another drive produced five black rhino, including the opportunity to approach them on foot. Desert elephant were also seen and included a close encounter at a water hole.
The camp and the team which run it deserve praise; particularly as it is in the middle of nowhere. It is also the case that guests may experience some cultural aspects of the local people."

Black Rhino
7 sightings

Elephant
3 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Ongava Tented Camp
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
In Etosha, I was fortunate enough to have a good siting of honey badgers, and the drive also produced other animals.
The location of the camp with its own water hole is great; even saw a black rhino at the water hole as well as elephants.
I would stress that given it is a reserve, guiding has to be inventive, and my guide Sven, certainly was able to do so."

Black Rhino
3 sightings

Elephant
3 sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Lion
7 sightings

Oryx
10+ sightings

White Rhino
5 sightings

Wildebeest
10+ sightings

Zebra
10+ sightings

Onguma Tented Camp
"Onguma Tented Camp review"
However the camp itself is very well designed and very relaxing, and indeed modern in design, with very good service from the staff."

Black Rhino
4 sightings

Cheetah
5 sightings

Elephant
4 sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Lion
3 sightings

Oryx
10+ sightings

Spotted Hyena
2 sightings

White Rhino
2 sightings

Wildebeest
10+ sightings

Zebra
10+ sightings

Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"
I have to add that it is not the fault of the guesthouse, but there were 2 dogs continuously barking all night from the private house next door—this did not improver the atmosphere."
September 2017; safari review
Zambia between 10 Sep 2017 and 20 Sep 2017
Arranged By Claire Scott

Kaingo Camp
"excellent range of game"
The site of the camp was also appreciated on the banks of the river, with the hides providing an interesting focus.
Again if visited one must be prepared for photographers, as for understandable reasons the camp is promoted to this section of the market. They do not really get in the way."

Tafika
"Return to Tafika"
I do think that there is some restrictions as to where one can drive to view the game; the Salt Pan route appeared to have problems with mosquitos and tsetse fly and so visits were not frequent.
As usual the river though provided a pleasing focus, for sunsets.
Mona's food was excellent -- particularly lunch."
My Mar 2017 trip
South Africa between 15 Mar 2017 and 30 Mar 2017
Arranged By Claire Scott

Camps Bay Retreat
"Camps Bay Retreat review"

The Last Word Franschhoek
"The Last Word Franschhoek review"

Schoone Oordt Country House
"Schoone Oordt Country House review"

The Plettenberg
"The Plettenberg review"

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
My Oct 2015 trip
Botswana between 28 Oct 2015 and 5 Nov 2015
Please note the person who I booked with has left the firm. I have just selected a random to close this web site down."

Little Vumbura
"Review"
As usual there is potential tension between people who are on Safari for may be the first time and want to see "everything", and those who want a more leisurely and specific drive from the camp may be focusing on a couple of animals. An example overheard is the US couple who did not want to look at wild dog but insisted the guide went to see the lions. Perhaps it is a good idea to advise people they can book private drives for themselves."

Selinda Explorers Camp
"Walking at Selinda"
Indeed and I understand their position, as this was a "holiday of a lifetime" for them, the other people in the 4x4 were just interested in doing a "check list" of the animals they saw rather then wanting to appreciate Africa and the bush as a whole.
The good news was that when I expressed my concerns to the management, I was given a guide to go walking with, which I did, and also a seperate 4x4 for drives. This I felt was an excellent response.
The camp itself is a bit rustic, but it is build like a bush camp; it is I suppose my taste being a bit more luxurious than it was!"
My Jul 2013 trip
Malawi between 23 Jul 2013 and 31 Jul 2013
The natural beauty of the Reserve is again fantastic, and a rather different experience from other places in Africa."
Arranged By Claire Scott

Mkulumadzi Lodge
"Mkulumadzi Lodge review"
It can and does get cold in July - particularly in the evening. There is a slight problem with local people thinking--through RPS at Blantyre that they can pre book events to do, without any consultation with the lodge. Again apart from the weekend when the lodge was full of locals, for whom it is very popular, there were not a lot of other guests and so the atmosphere was a bit flat.
I would say though, Chris and Emma the lodge managers, and Jake, a relief manager, did their best to make sure the people present were happy."