Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs F from Surrey
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
My big birthday trip 2025
Namibia between 9 Apr 2025 and 20 Apr 2025
"This was our third trip organised through Expert Africa and we were delighted with your service.
We were very happy with Kwessi Dunes (trip highlight), Mowani Camp (awesome views, the best food) and GocheGanas is a little gem. If we had more time, we would have stayed a little longer in Swakopmund - beautiful city!
The only camp that we felt a bit underwhelmed by was Ongawa Lodge. The reasons are:
1. We were not told upfront of costs for Etosha and Ongawa gane drives - the manager mentioned that game drives were not included but failed to disclose prices, which were not shown in the room either
2. The game drives in Ongawa follow a set route and in three drives, we pretty much saw the same views/animals. Other camps use their land to show different sites. This felt too little for NAM1,500 per person/per drive
3. The Etosha Game drive is very expensive at NAM2,500 per person and it lasts only 3h
4. We were given our bill after breakfast on last day. We scan the bill and paid since we were in a rush. The bill felt excessive so we asked for breakdown and found out that we were overcharged for Etosha Game drive by NAM5,000. The manager was not particularly graceful in handling with this mistake - we had to recount days spent and activities per day before the mistake was acknowledged. They were unable to do the refund so we are now waiting to see if this come through this week.
I hope the comments above are useful and thank you once again for your help,
Rute & James"
We were very happy with Kwessi Dunes (trip highlight), Mowani Camp (awesome views, the best food) and GocheGanas is a little gem. If we had more time, we would have stayed a little longer in Swakopmund - beautiful city!
The only camp that we felt a bit underwhelmed by was Ongawa Lodge. The reasons are:
1. We were not told upfront of costs for Etosha and Ongawa gane drives - the manager mentioned that game drives were not included but failed to disclose prices, which were not shown in the room either
2. The game drives in Ongawa follow a set route and in three drives, we pretty much saw the same views/animals. Other camps use their land to show different sites. This felt too little for NAM1,500 per person/per drive
3. The Etosha Game drive is very expensive at NAM2,500 per person and it lasts only 3h
4. We were given our bill after breakfast on last day. We scan the bill and paid since we were in a rush. The bill felt excessive so we asked for breakdown and found out that we were overcharged for Etosha Game drive by NAM5,000. The manager was not particularly graceful in handling with this mistake - we had to recount days spent and activities per day before the mistake was acknowledged. They were unable to do the refund so we are now waiting to see if this come through this week.
I hope the comments above are useful and thank you once again for your help,
Rute & James"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
GocheGanas
"GocheGanas review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Apr 2025
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Giraffe
6 sightings
White Rhino
3 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
Kwessi Dunes
"Kwessi Dunes review"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Apr 2025
"Kwessi Dunes camp is very comfortable, stylish and in a superb location. Amenities are excellent, food is plentiful, varied and very tasty.
The opportunity to sleep under the stars is a highlight and the night sky is awe inspiring. Unfortunately, the moon was a full moon when we stayed so it's too bright to see the full splendour of the night sky. Recommendation would to be check the moon phases to take this into account when scheduling.
Our guide Elias was very knowledgeable, professional and had a very sunny disposition which made our game drives and trip to the dunes even more enjoyable."
The opportunity to sleep under the stars is a highlight and the night sky is awe inspiring. Unfortunately, the moon was a full moon when we stayed so it's too bright to see the full splendour of the night sky. Recommendation would to be check the moon phases to take this into account when scheduling.
Our guide Elias was very knowledgeable, professional and had a very sunny disposition which made our game drives and trip to the dunes even more enjoyable."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Strand Hotel
"Strand Hotel review"
1 night
Arrived
13 Apr 2025
"The Strand Hotel has a fabulous location and superb sea views. Very modern, stylish and conventional.
We arrived hungry so we had a late lunch at the hotel's fish and seafood restaurant. The menu was vast and we had such a wonderful meal that we decided to return there for dinner on the same day!
We thoroughly enjoyed the cool air as a respite from the heat of the desert and it was lovely walking around the town enjoying the mixture of new and old architecture."
We arrived hungry so we had a late lunch at the hotel's fish and seafood restaurant. The menu was vast and we had such a wonderful meal that we decided to return there for dinner on the same day!
We thoroughly enjoyed the cool air as a respite from the heat of the desert and it was lovely walking around the town enjoying the mixture of new and old architecture."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Mowani Mountain Camp
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Apr 2025
"Mowani camp has possibly one of the best spots for a sundowner in Africa. The views are exquisite and the set-up is very good indeed.
The camp is well looked after, beautiful views from the chalet, communal areas and restaurant. Chalet accommodation is very stylish and comfortable.
In terms of game viewing, the highlight is undoubtably the desert adapted elephants, a pleasure to see these wonderful, gentle giants.
We also saw rock hyrox in camp (twice) and an array of birds of prey."
The camp is well looked after, beautiful views from the chalet, communal areas and restaurant. Chalet accommodation is very stylish and comfortable.
In terms of game viewing, the highlight is undoubtably the desert adapted elephants, a pleasure to see these wonderful, gentle giants.
We also saw rock hyrox in camp (twice) and an array of birds of prey."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Ongava Lodge
"Ongava Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
16 Apr 2025
"Camp facilities are comfortable, albeit a little dated (eg. instant coffee/tea only in the room). Views from restaurant and chalets are superb.
Camp staff is super friendly and polite, albeit service can be a little slow - which for guests leaving, is not helpful.
Excursions to Etosha park are very easy - as Ongawa lodge is literally next to one of the park entrances.
Lodge offers morning game drives in Etosha that are quite pricey - if you have a vehicle, it is best to drive yourself as the park has very well signposted routes.
Ongawa Lodge also charges for game drives in the reserve, these can quickly add up.
We visited at the end of a particularly rainy season so grasses were very tall and vegetation dense. We were still able to see lots of rhinos, elephants, giraffes and the larger antelopes.
There is an interesting exhibition about Ongawa Reserve and conservation efforts at the Andersen's Camp - we discovered this by accident and it is well worth a visit - maybe this can be better advertised by the staff in other lodges within the private reserve."
Camp staff is super friendly and polite, albeit service can be a little slow - which for guests leaving, is not helpful.
Excursions to Etosha park are very easy - as Ongawa lodge is literally next to one of the park entrances.
Lodge offers morning game drives in Etosha that are quite pricey - if you have a vehicle, it is best to drive yourself as the park has very well signposted routes.
Ongawa Lodge also charges for game drives in the reserve, these can quickly add up.
We visited at the end of a particularly rainy season so grasses were very tall and vegetation dense. We were still able to see lots of rhinos, elephants, giraffes and the larger antelopes.
There is an interesting exhibition about Ongawa Reserve and conservation efforts at the Andersen's Camp - we discovered this by accident and it is well worth a visit - maybe this can be better advertised by the staff in other lodges within the private reserve."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Lion
8 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
White Rhino
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Amazing first family safari trip
Kenya between 29 Dec 2022 and 8 Jan 2023
"Amazing first family safari trip. Jessica provided great advice and organised a wonderful trip for us. We were so fortunate to see the big 5 in a single trip!
The plan to start in Laikipia to see Rhino and the superb scenery then moving to Masai Mara, where game is more abundant but scenery less varied was a great call.
The choice of camps also worked very well. Lewa Safari camp is larger, more facilities and activities so a gentle introduction to safari for our kids, their first safari trip, followed by Encounter Mara - more rustic but absolutely charming. Loved the Eco focus on both camps too.
Our kids, girl (nine) and teen (twelve) absolutely loved it and are now truly bitten by the safari & Africa bug.
Big Thank You to Jessica & Expert Africa colleagues and the wonderful guides and camp staff at Lewa Safari Camp and Encounter Mara.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Loved the guide book and travel wallet. Thank you
Maybe prepare a list of guide books on animals and add to your pack? We asked Jessica and got some great suggestions.
Really useful info re travel insurance as most companies sneakily avoid giving their clients adequate cover."
The plan to start in Laikipia to see Rhino and the superb scenery then moving to Masai Mara, where game is more abundant but scenery less varied was a great call.
The choice of camps also worked very well. Lewa Safari camp is larger, more facilities and activities so a gentle introduction to safari for our kids, their first safari trip, followed by Encounter Mara - more rustic but absolutely charming. Loved the Eco focus on both camps too.
Our kids, girl (nine) and teen (twelve) absolutely loved it and are now truly bitten by the safari & Africa bug.
Big Thank You to Jessica & Expert Africa colleagues and the wonderful guides and camp staff at Lewa Safari Camp and Encounter Mara.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Loved the guide book and travel wallet. Thank you
Maybe prepare a list of guide books on animals and add to your pack? We asked Jessica and got some great suggestions.
Really useful info re travel insurance as most companies sneakily avoid giving their clients adequate cover."
Arranged By Jessica Plumb
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"
1 night
Arrived
29 Dec 2022
"Good place to rest & reset prior going onto safari trip."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Lewa Safari Camp
"Lewa Safari Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
30 Dec 2022
"Fabulous camp. We were very fortunate to have Tom, Lewa’s head guide that made all game drives super interesting - keeping even our kids, aged 9 and 12 engaged even when there bush was quiet.
Camp facilities were very good. Food was varied, abundant and tasty. Nice bar and fire place for after dinner.
lovely little spa - a rare treat in the a safari holiday."
Camp facilities were very good. Food was varied, abundant and tasty. Nice bar and fire place for after dinner.
lovely little spa - a rare treat in the a safari holiday."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
10+ sightings
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Eland
6 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
3 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Spotted Hyena
7 sightings
White Rhino
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Encounter Mara
"Encounter Mara review"
4 nights
Arrived
3 Jan 2023
"Beautifully hidden camp. Only way to spot it is to look for the Wi-Fi mast. Stylish main tent and super comfortable, spacious family tent
Great location, the game viewing platform doubles up as lunch/dinner venue at times.
Food is delicious and healthy - a nice bonus.
Game drives were superb - so much wildlife and our guides Nickson abd Daniel were so determined to give us the opportunity to see Leopard and Cheetah which we succeeded!"
Great location, the game viewing platform doubles up as lunch/dinner venue at times.
Food is delicious and healthy - a nice bonus.
Game drives were superb - so much wildlife and our guides Nickson abd Daniel were so determined to give us the opportunity to see Leopard and Cheetah which we succeeded!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
4 sightings
Eland
10+ sightings
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
8 sightings
Spotted Hyena
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Game viewing was very good too and we enjoyed a wonderful Spa treatment."