Travel reviews by Family A from Scarborough
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
3
Countries visited
4
Lodges stayed in
24
Excursions taken
0
My Sep 2018 trip
Namibia and 3 other countries between 5 Sep 2018 and 2 Oct 2018
I would change a few things, with hindsight.
Erongo deserves at least two nights. Trust me.
Zimbabwe was a challenge. Getting in took ages. We did not feel at all welcome. I would advise staying in Zambia and travelling in to see the Falls.
As a general rule, lodges where you are able to go off road are better. The exception this rule is Chobe, just because of the scale of the wildlife experience that you are exposed to.
In future (God willing), I would transit through Jo'burg faster.
See you in a coupe of years, God willing.
I would be tempted by a lodge with perhaps more water based activities in the delta.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No.
Keep doing what you are doing."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer

The Residence
"The Residence review"
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa

Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"
We had booked to eat out both nights but the menu did look inviting."

Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
Would definitely stay there again."

Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo Wilderness Lodge review"
We loved it."

Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Our chalet was right on the edge of the waterhole but also right next to the sewage treatment hut. That was smelly ( I kept blaming the elephants but they were, on this occasion, innocent).
We saw the most extraordinary sitings. Lions killing a giraffe, 8 black rhinos in the waterhole.
The central restaurant was not great. Go early so the food is hot. It was a pain that you could not braai. The swimming pool was out of action the whole time we were there and had been for some time.
We had an excellent night drive."

Black Rhino
10+ sightings

Brown Hyena
1 sighting

Elephant
10+ sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Lion
10+ sightings

Oryx
10+ sightings

Spotted Hyena
10+ sightings

Wildebeest
10+ sightings

Zebra
10+ sightings

Mushara Bush Camp
"Mushara Bush Camp review"
Wonderful singing by the staff at supper."

Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"
Our timings were tight (very early flight) so did not give it full justice."

Muchenje Safari Lodge
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
When you arrive and they put the brakes on and you stop outside the lodge your heart keeps moving forwards over the absolutely stunning view across the Chobe River Valley. Stunning.
The rooms were wonderful with fabulous views over the valley. Our long day, with a boat rip and a 60km game drive was one of the best safari days we have had (15 lions, hundreds of elephants, buffalo, lechwe etc).
Our guide, Ali, was one of the very best we have had and set the standard for the rest of the trip.
Chobe is massive and so intimate encounters with animals are not what it is about but if you want to see dozens of hippos, hundreds and hundreds of elephants and thousands of buffalo in a vista that can take them, this is it.
We generally prefer to go to parks where you can go off road for more close up encounters but that seemed irrelevant here. We would gladly go there again."

Buffalo
10+ sightings

Elephant
10+ sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Hippo
10+ sightings

Lion
10+ sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Sable antelope
2 sightings

Wildebeest
3 sightings

Zebra
10+ sightings

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
"Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp review"
I would go back there in a heartbeat."

Elephant
10+ sightings

Giraffe
6 sightings

Hippo
10+ sightings

Lion
10+ sightings

Wildebeest
3 sightings

Zebra
4 sightings

Sandibe Safari Lodge
"Sandibe Safari Lodge review"
Our guide, KK was brilliant. Our drives along the border with Moremi were magical with animal life at every distance from near to far.
Wonderful braai in the middle of a salt pan. Murray, the Exec Chef was great and the food excellent.
Saw two honey badgers, porcupine and civet. And leopard!
The camp has a really good atmosphere. Very laid back but really comfortable."

Buffalo
4 sightings

Elephant
10+ sightings

Giraffe
10+ sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
6 sightings

Wildebeest
5 sightings

Zebra
7 sightings

Victoria Falls Hotel
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
We really enjoyed dinner in the Livingstone Room.
Excellent swimming pool.
Good job I am deaf because the roar of the constant helicopter traffic is a pain.
I did a fishing trip for a morning. Absolutely dreadful. The kit provided was poor and we effectively ran out of traces and pretty much had to stop. This was not cheap as I had to pay for the whole boat and i felt seriously ripped off."

InterContinental O.R. Tambo
"InterContinental O.R. Tambo review"
My Sep 2016 trip
South Africa between 24 Sep 2016 and 14 Oct 2016
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. Keep doing what you are doing and I will be back"
Arranged By Tracy Lederer

InterContinental O.R. Tambo
"InterContinental O.R. Tambo review"
It was exactly what we needed and we will use it again in the future."

Londolozi Founders Camp
"Londolozi Founders Camp review"
Londolozi had been very highly recommended by some close friends but there are few times in life when you can genuinely say "exceeds expectations".
Best memories? The leopards? The Big 5 game drive ( yep, the lot, in one drive). Hunting with wild dogs, almost as one of the pack?
The food was wonderful.
Next visit being planned as we write."
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa

Ocean Eleven
"Ocean Eleven review"
Breakfasts were excellent. The welcome was great and the rooms are delightful."

The Last Word Franschhoek
"The Last Word Franschhoek review"

Victoria & Alfred Hotel
"Victoria & Alfred Hotel review"
Namibia holiday
Namibia between 6 Aug 2010 and 23 Aug 2010
The distances and the challenges of the roads were greater than I expected. The sheer scale of the country amazed us. The contrast between so many different areas meant that it was like having several different holidays in one. We have travelled in Kenya and South Africa in the past and apart from Windhoek, felt completely safe.
Kayaking with Cape fur seals, the balloon flight and tracking leopards were really top ten experiences. Tracking the desert adapted elephants was also very special.
Etosha was difficult to get a handle on because it is so vast. We had a fabulous leopard sighting where a big male leopard had taken to some shade under the solar panel that was powering the water pump for the waterhole. It eventually rolled off the platform and started stalking an impala but did not complete the attack and then we had to leave.
Lodge staff were very helpful especially at Doro Nawas and Okonjima. I cannot recommend Okonjima enough. It was fabulous.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You could be a little more honest about the distances involved. If I had been fully aware of the 300km I was going to do I might I have tweaked it a bit. In truth, I cannot complain and will be happy to use you again for our next trip to Tanzania in 2012........!"
Feedback response
Namibia is a vast country and sometimes there are long drives between lodges. We encourage our travellers to take regular breaks when driving and not to try to drive too far in one day. For reference, the distances and driving times involved are listed on page 17 of our brochure.

Elegant Guesthouse
"Welcome start to trip at Elegant Guesthouse"
Would be happy to start or finish a safari here."

Kulala Desert Lodge
"Kulala Desert Lodge"
The setting is fantastic. The rooms were very comfortable and the welcome was warm and friendly. I cannot fault their care. Specifically we were advised to crack on with our planned activities (balloon flight and trip to Sossusvlei) as the weather was closing in. Thank Heavesn we did as everything was cancelled th next day. The balloon flight is a must. We have ballooned across the Serengeti and frankly this was better. The pilots were superb and amazingly skilled. A top ten lifetime experience.
The DeadVlei was amazing. A bit like an early Star Trek set or an artists installation. Also, the dunes were heaving with life. Beetles, lizards, butterflies etc.
To be honest, I was not looking forward to this part of the trip much but I was astonished. It was a magical place to visit."

Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse"
We did quadbiking, sandboarding, kayaking with Cape Fur seals and shark fishing from the beach. It was fantastic fun and our children loved it. Swakopmund was amazing.
The restaurants were first class, especially the Tug. They have no concept of portion control and two standard main courses would have fed all 5 of us. It was useful to just settle for three nights before the next leg. The distances are vast and you need to pace yourselves. Thank you for your advice on this."

Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas"
The legal waiver you are asked to sign on arrival is a bit much and I noticed that nobody else had signed it. I appreciate that there are risks to being in Africa but the hosts must take some responsibility as well as the guests.
The maintenance man did sort out a puncture for me very quickly and efficiently.
The swimming pool was rather green and not useable."

Anderssons Camp, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Anderssons Camp"
The night drive was also very good with an excellent encounter with lions and a very rare sighting of African Wild Cat."
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa

Mushara Bush Camp
"Mushara Bush Camp"
The pool was excellent and the tents very comfortable and well appointed."

Okonjima Villa
"Okonjima Villa"
Hearing cheetahs purr was very special and tracking a leopard with telemetry on our last afternoon is one of the most exciting things I have ever done.
The food was fabulous and I would happily eat at Martin's restaurant every night."
Food was good and the setting was great. Loved the koi pool.
We had an excellent tour of Jo'burg on the second day with a very helpful driver.
Fabulous massage. I would go back for that.
If there had not been a plumbing problem I would be a lot more positive. I appreciate these things happen."