Reviews of Thamalakane River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
65 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Thamalakane River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Dr C
Newmarket
"A warm welcome to Botswana from staff."
1 night Arrived 14 Apr 2015
"Friendly staff who went out of their way to make the first leg of this journey comfortable."
See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs E
Disley
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 31 May 2014
"pick up was prompt and all staff welcoming and friendly
room was very dark so used our torch to locate items in our cases, bed comfy, strange not to have a door to bathroom entrance, did not use outside shower as full of dead leaves, used the immense bath instead which is great but Lesley could have done with a step up to get in and out more easily due to restricted left leg movement
evening meal good and lots to choose from
informed our transfer flight was 07.40 so needed to leave at 07.00, but breakfast served from 06.30, but when we got there the staff were just arriving. they put out some fruit for us and provided juice and coffee after 20 minutes, but we had to rush off as toast was brought. we got to the airport to discover our flight was not due for over an hour, so just waited" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
room was very dark so used our torch to locate items in our cases, bed comfy, strange not to have a door to bathroom entrance, did not use outside shower as full of dead leaves, used the immense bath instead which is great but Lesley could have done with a step up to get in and out more easily due to restricted left leg movement
evening meal good and lots to choose from
informed our transfer flight was 07.40 so needed to leave at 07.00, but breakfast served from 06.30, but when we got there the staff were just arriving. they put out some fruit for us and provided juice and coffee after 20 minutes, but we had to rush off as toast was brought. we got to the airport to discover our flight was not due for over an hour, so just waited" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr F & party
Portugal
"Thamalakane River Lodge- Quite overnight stop"
1 night Arrived 7 Nov 2013
"We reached Thamalakane River Lodge at 16:30 after a long 8 hour/ 610 Km drive from Kasane. Although all tarred, the drive was long and monotonous. We stopped at one roadside picnic spot, for a quick lunch between Nata and Gweta, before getting off again to Maun. Some rain came, and a miracle just happened: suddenly the road was covered by dozens of thirsty animals (goats, donkeys, horses, cows), gathering around the pools of water on the road.
Thamalakane River Lodge was a perfect choice to relax and getting organized after such a long drive. The people were attentive and courteous." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana
Thamalakane River Lodge was a perfect choice to relax and getting organized after such a long drive. The people were attentive and courteous." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs E
Montana
"Stopover"
1 night Arrived 4 Sep 2013
"Just a stopping place on our travels. If we were staying any longer in Maun, this would have been a good place to stay."
See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Family K
London
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 17 Jul 2013
"We used this lodge as an overnight stop after arriving in Botswana.
The location is pleasant enough, and the grounds nicely landscaped. The staff were friendly and helpful, although the service in the restaurant was a little slow.
The highlight of our short stay was finding a hippo on the river bank 5 metres from one of our chalets when we walked back after dinner." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
The location is pleasant enough, and the grounds nicely landscaped. The staff were friendly and helpful, although the service in the restaurant was a little slow.
The highlight of our short stay was finding a hippo on the river bank 5 metres from one of our chalets when we walked back after dinner." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Mr & Mrs J
Australia
"Great place for a first stay in Botswana"
1 night Arrived 28 Jun 2013
"Spending my first night in Botswana by myself, was made easy by being collected and looked after at Thamalakane River Lodge. The out of town location looking over the river at sunset was divine, with my first taste of wildlife, squirrels, various birds, a hippo further down river and herds of the local cows swimming across the river to graze for the day.
The Jacana room was lovely and spacious with a great shower, and the staff very friendly and extremely helpful. A power outage in the area limited the evening menu, but theIr flexibility still offered a variety of meals and my tasty bream by candlelight made for a nice relaxed start to my holiday. Staying at Thamalakane was a great alternative to staying in Maun." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
The Jacana room was lovely and spacious with a great shower, and the staff very friendly and extremely helpful. A power outage in the area limited the evening menu, but theIr flexibility still offered a variety of meals and my tasty bream by candlelight made for a nice relaxed start to my holiday. Staying at Thamalakane was a great alternative to staying in Maun." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
N Hants
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 23 Jun 2013
"good for one night again. lovely location by river. food was good. had a late arrival and an early start the next day so did not have much time there."
See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs O
California
"Past its prime"
2 nights Arrived 20 May 2012
"Rooms were not clean. Furniture inside and outside of the rooms were not maintained. If I knew the area, I would have left.
Restaurant staff were not very knowledgeable regarding menu items. They also didn't seem to care when I pointed out that the squirrels were standing in the jars of cereal while eating same. The office tried to give us a room with a smaller bed than what we were supposed to be getting and argued when we refused it.
It is physically beautiful on the river, but there were too many negatives to enjoy our stay there." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 12n in Namibia
Restaurant staff were not very knowledgeable regarding menu items. They also didn't seem to care when I pointed out that the squirrels were standing in the jars of cereal while eating same. The office tried to give us a room with a smaller bed than what we were supposed to be getting and argued when we refused it.
It is physically beautiful on the river, but there were too many negatives to enjoy our stay there." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Terrible
Rooms:
Terrible
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We forwarded these guests' comments to Thamalakane. They informed us that since these travelers visited, new managers have arrived at the lodge and made significant changes. Systems have been put in place to ensure consistency and to maintain the excellent standards that guests have come to expect.
These changes include introducing a through room check procedure whereby every room is inspected on arrival and random spot checks are carried out, with all information being documented, some furniture has already been repaired and further new furniture is planned. For the restaurant, the new management has trained the staff on the menu to increase their knowledge. The food is now covered and an eye kept on it to ensure then animals do not come into contact with it. Hopefully these measures will ensure that the issues experienced by these guests do not happen again.
With regards to the bed size - these clients were unhappy with their standard room on arrival and opted for a new room. Expert Africa apologises if these clients' room expectations were too high and will ensure that room types are properly discussed in future.
These changes include introducing a through room check procedure whereby every room is inspected on arrival and random spot checks are carried out, with all information being documented, some furniture has already been repaired and further new furniture is planned. For the restaurant, the new management has trained the staff on the menu to increase their knowledge. The food is now covered and an eye kept on it to ensure then animals do not come into contact with it. Hopefully these measures will ensure that the issues experienced by these guests do not happen again.
With regards to the bed size - these clients were unhappy with their standard room on arrival and opted for a new room. Expert Africa apologises if these clients' room expectations were too high and will ensure that room types are properly discussed in future.
Mr H
Wiltshire
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 23 Mar 2012
"friendly helpful staff and manager , food very good , one small problem with the fan in the chalet was fixed quickly and without fuss.
allowed my son to keep his motorbike there whilst we were in moremi. a great place to relax before heading into the delta." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
allowed my son to keep his motorbike there whilst we were in moremi. a great place to relax before heading into the delta." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs M
Wiltshire
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 16 Sep 2011
"This worked very well for a night before going home.
Comfortable, delightful outlook onto the river and good food." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Comfortable, delightful outlook onto the river and good food." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
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Other lodges in Maun
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Thamo Telele
On the outskirts of Maun, Thamo Telele is set in a private game reserve with walking trails and a giraffe experience: ideal at the start or end of a safari.
Riley's Hotel
In the heart of Maun, about 3km from the airport, Riley’s makes a relatively reliable stopover for one night.
