Travel reviews by Mrs T & Mrs I from Berks
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
3
Excursions taken
0
A magial experience
Zambia between 13 Jun 2011 and 22 Jun 2011
"We would go back to Tena Rena and Nsefu.
We were delighted with the unexpected support during our flight transfers and were looked after very well."
We were delighted with the unexpected support during our flight transfers and were looked after very well."
Tena Tena
"Luxury camp in wild safari"
3 nights
Arrived
13 Jun 2011
"All staff extremely helpful, consciencious, thoughtful and friendly under Battina's expert management."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Nsefu
"Magic in the Bush"
3 nights
Arrived
16 Jun 2011
"Our guide Braston was happy to accommodate all our requests. He was charming and thoughtful as were all the local guides and staff at the camp.
Regretabbly the hostess Lucy did not seem to have the gravitas that her position demanded. She lacked professionalism and was on occassions discourteous. We had a real issue with our visit to the African village and hopefully we will be able to discuss this with you Ellie.
(Watch out for the new marketing in the RobinPope brouchure published in August!!!)"
Regretabbly the hostess Lucy did not seem to have the gravitas that her position demanded. She lacked professionalism and was on occassions discourteous. We had a real issue with our visit to the African village and hopefully we will be able to discuss this with you Ellie.
(Watch out for the new marketing in the RobinPope brouchure published in August!!!)"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
Robin Pope Safaris (RPS) tell us that they haven’t had any other complaints about Lucy this season. However they assured us that they would look into the matter, talk to Lucy and try to ensure that this kind of feedback is never repeated.
In regards to the village visit, the problem seems to have been a miscommunication. They asked Lucy if they should take anything to donate to Kawaza Village. She said, ‘no, just go and enjoy the experience’. However, they felt rude and guilty departing without leaving any donation or gift.
Until our conversation, they didn’t realise that when Kawaza Village takes in guests – the cost automatically includes a donation which partly goes to Kawaza, and partly to Project Luangwa. This is a far-reaching project which helps many villages, including Kawaza, and is supported by many of the Luangwa’s safari operators. (And, in addition to this, Expert Africa always refunds all of its commission on Kawaza bookings to Kawaza’s school fund at the end of the year.)
Nor were they told that RPS recommends that any donations are given to Project Luangwa – so the benefit can be spread amongst many local villages. Lucy and the RPS team have now discussed how they can make this clearer for future travellers. We’re sure that if this had been explained properly, these travellers wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable. Expert Africa, and the RPS team including Lucy, will try to do this much more clearly in future.
To read more about Project Luangwa click here.
In regards to the village visit, the problem seems to have been a miscommunication. They asked Lucy if they should take anything to donate to Kawaza Village. She said, ‘no, just go and enjoy the experience’. However, they felt rude and guilty departing without leaving any donation or gift.
Until our conversation, they didn’t realise that when Kawaza Village takes in guests – the cost automatically includes a donation which partly goes to Kawaza, and partly to Project Luangwa. This is a far-reaching project which helps many villages, including Kawaza, and is supported by many of the Luangwa’s safari operators. (And, in addition to this, Expert Africa always refunds all of its commission on Kawaza bookings to Kawaza’s school fund at the end of the year.)
Nor were they told that RPS recommends that any donations are given to Project Luangwa – so the benefit can be spread amongst many local villages. Lucy and the RPS team have now discussed how they can make this clearer for future travellers. We’re sure that if this had been explained properly, these travellers wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable. Expert Africa, and the RPS team including Lucy, will try to do this much more clearly in future.
To read more about Project Luangwa click here.
Islands of Siankaba
"Doom and gloom in the tent"
3 nights
Arrived
19 Jun 2011
"Accomodation was dismal, dark, dreary and depressing and looked unclean.
The new managers were overly ingratiating.
Our trips on the Zambesi were memorable and without fault. Two nights would have been sufficient. We would definitely not return."
The new managers were overly ingratiating.
Our trips on the Zambesi were memorable and without fault. Two nights would have been sufficient. We would definitely not return."
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location
Poor
Service
Good
Activities
Average
Rooms
Poor
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
The rooms at Islands of Siankaba were being refurbished when these travellers stayed, and the lodge was sorry that they were not able to give them one of the new rooms. Since their stay in June, the refurbishments have been completed; they tell us that this has made the rooms feel much brighter and more modern.