Travel reviews by Mr V from Birmingham

"Slightly surprised the security checks which included a sniffer dog in the vehicle!

I understand the threat from Al-Shabaab in Kenya but others in my party thought it was over done. Possibly the security situation should be explained, although that might put off visitors."

"It was liked by my party because its small, and the staff were very friendly and Louise the manager was excellent.

The Conservancy in my view was a bit small, as the vehicle did come up against the perimeter fence. That said there were excellent sightings of lion on a recently killed Zebra, and two southern White Rhino males locking horns over a female.

This indeed is the place for Rhino, both Southern White and Black Rhino. There is also the opportunity to go and set the last two remaining Northern White Rhino.

The food here was excellent, although I am not so sure about the fence round the camp."

"The camp was in a nice open situation, although the tent furnishings were sparser than the sister camp in Laikipia. I consider that the camp is a little too large, now with 9 tents, including 2 family tents. Dining is now split into three separate areas. It’s all a bit remote from a normal safari experience. However Peter, the acting manager, was the lynch pin front of house role, which he knew back to front. He made sure everybody felt welcome.

I have criticism of the Conservancy policy of allowing 5 vehicles next to animals; its gone up from 3, and it does lead in my view to harassment. It’s a pity the guides think it necessary that everyone has the same experience. Our guide David was excellent and knowledgeable; he arranged a walking safari, and indeed was sensitive to the request not to follow the other vehicles and do something different.

The unrestricted landscape and views were great. Again animal sightings were good, including lion hunting, two magnificent male lions, a Cheetah family and an elusive leopard."

"Wonderful beach front setting, accommodation was carefully thought out by the Swedish owners and fitted in with the setting especially the African furniture and created the ethos for a relaxing stay.

Snorkelling trip was excellent.

Staff were very accommodating and thoughtful throughout, went the extra mile, for example getting in a specific type of wine when requested I would describe this as a luxury boutique lodge rather than hotel as a hotel would have a wider menu."

"The pool area is small; there is not enough space for seating. My room (number 9) was rather spartan though with plenty of room. The staff were ok. I would have appreciated a more relaxing experience. I understand the other Olive Grove next door offers a better experience."

"This camp was the highlight of my holiday. Expert guiding in a desert environment which was stunning. This though is not an experience for those who are on a first time safari and want to see lots of animals. Although I was incredibly lucky in my experiences—see below, there are few animals given the desert, and they are hard to locate.
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."

"This was a good experience, with impressive guiding. The private reserve is well managed and has a very good functioning ecosystem. Lion,elephant black and white rhino were encountered along with various antelopes such as hartebeast, kudu, springbok, impala, as well as zebra in the reserve. I also saw a caracal, which was slightly unusual
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."

"I consider this reserve did not seem to have the variety of animals that Ongava had, and the guiding was not so professional generally. I consider it was inappropriate to have four vehicles in a crowded space next to a lioness. Although my guide was enthusiastic and could explain what was being seen around the drive, this was not to the standard i had experienced at the previous two camps. That said, the drive into Etosha itself, was a good one, and the demand for lions by other guests was met.

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

"On arrival I was given the same room as my previous occupancy, which I have already commented on. However I wanted to eat in the restaurant at 7-45 pm, this was queried as being “late”, so I changed to 7-15pm. Fine, although the staff closed up the guesthouse around 8pm, and went home. I was left eating my desert with the night watchman! I appreciate that I was the only guest at dinner (the rest of the occupants had opted for taxis to take them out), and it was a Sunday, so that the staff wanted to be with their families, but I did feel neglected. I was also told that the restaurant was “expensive”.

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."

"The concentration of game to view was really impressive; this is the place for Leopard sightings! I thought the camp was well organised, and the guiding pretty good. Derek Shenton personally guided on our walk in the bush. My daughter and boyfriend considered their experience as great; large pride of lion, aformentioned leopards (8), wild dog, hippo fights; all seen, and much more.

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."

"Again there is impressive guiding as usual; the important part is continuity at the Coppinger's camp. It is really impressive that the key staff are still present from my first visit 9 years ago. The store of experience and knowledge must be almost without challenge. I suppose this is shown by the number of returnees after their previous experience.

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."

"I have stayed at this residence on a number of occasions; location is very good. The menu at dinner now does not change, which gives consistency possibly at the expense of innovation. It's quite a restfiul place."

"Thought this was an excellent place to stay, with free alcohol and faculties to use (swimming pool). The decor and general maintenance was of a high standard."

"The owner was over anxious to please "he patrolled" the dining room; was unclear about whether the alcohol was free; he insisted that a bottle of wine of which a glass had been taken be paid for. The room was rather dark and gloomy. However dinner was very good"

"This was a good experience; my partner has a problem with her hip, and the first room provided did not have a walk in shower, However after complaint to the management we were upgraded to a junior suite. I would caution travellers to check the faculties they have booked; part of the hotel needs an upgrade. That said the position and helpful staff were very good."

"Now this is part of a managed game park; it is not a proper safari in a National Park because the animals are managed for the purposes of conservation. Although an impressive size for its type, there is obviously a limit on animal numbers but they are in a natural location. This really caters for people new to a safari experience, and who want reasonably assured animal sightings in relative comfort. It cannot be compared to say South Luangwa in Zambia. It worked well for my partner whlo is only interested in the margins of the safari experience--she was able to see the "Big Five"."

"This was a slick professional camp which would be expected from Wilderness given their huge operation.

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."

"I wanted to come to this camp to walk in the bush, however it seemed to me that the camp rather focused on 4x4 drives, as walking was not offered to me when I arrived. I asked my guide about walking but he had injured his knee, and the other people in my vehicle were not really interested in walking.

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!"

"The lodge was fine, but I think that generally people should know that they are not necessarily going to see all the game they may think they are, given the developing situation in the reserve. Also they should realise that Malawi is hilly!

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."