Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs K from Brockley
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
0
Great Honeymoon
Botswana and 1 other country between 23 Apr 2012 and 13 May 2012
"Overall an excellent trip with some nice added extras from the camps as they knew it was our honeymoon.
Nick at expert africa did a great job organising everything, especially considering the changes caused by Air Seychelles dropping their long haul flights."
Nick at expert africa did a great job organising everything, especially considering the changes caused by Air Seychelles dropping their long haul flights."
Tau Pan Camp
"Lions close by at Tau Pan Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
24 Apr 2012
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Baines' Camp
"Luxury at Baines' Camp"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Apr 2012
"We had the vehicle to ourselves at Baines', which was great. Our guide was very good and knowledgeable, though it did seem that our tracker was just there for the ride. Good sightings of lions and wild dogs. Nice pool, away from the main camp.
Star beds are great - sleeping under the stars with hippos grunting all around you is quite an experience!
Food was exceptional, with lots of choice. Staff were very friendly. We also loved the nice touches of drinks on arrival back to camp and the watercolour painting set in the room!"
Star beds are great - sleeping under the stars with hippos grunting all around you is quite an experience!
Food was exceptional, with lots of choice. Staff were very friendly. We also loved the nice touches of drinks on arrival back to camp and the watercolour painting set in the room!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
We were delighted to read that these guests had a great time at Baines Camp. With regards the comment on the tracker we thought it important to mention that whilst a few camps in Botswana do indeed employ professional trackers to spot and track game, others take with them on drives what are known as escort guides.
We went back to Sanctuary regarding this point made by these guests and they came back to us with the following explanation:
Thank you for the positive feedback and the observation re the tracker. In NG32 the "tracker" is not a "tracker" as we normally understand it, but what is called an "escort guide" who represents the communities, to ensure Sanctuary (Baines parent company) are adhering to their rules etc.
Part of our standard guest briefing includes an explanation of the role of the escort guides, that is they are not employed by Sanctuary but are community trust employees. We will advise the managers to underpin this to guests, in the briefings
We are happy to hear that Sanctuary have reiterated the importance of correctly and adequately explaining the role of escort guides to guests and are satisfied that this will be better communicated to guests in the future.
We went back to Sanctuary regarding this point made by these guests and they came back to us with the following explanation:
Thank you for the positive feedback and the observation re the tracker. In NG32 the "tracker" is not a "tracker" as we normally understand it, but what is called an "escort guide" who represents the communities, to ensure Sanctuary (Baines parent company) are adhering to their rules etc.
Part of our standard guest briefing includes an explanation of the role of the escort guides, that is they are not employed by Sanctuary but are community trust employees. We will advise the managers to underpin this to guests, in the briefings
We are happy to hear that Sanctuary have reiterated the importance of correctly and adequately explaining the role of escort guides to guests and are satisfied that this will be better communicated to guests in the future.
Little Kwara (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"So much wildlife at Little Kwara"
2 nights
Arrived
29 Apr 2012
"Little Kwara was definitely our favourite camp in terms of wildlife sightings - we saw loads of lions, elephants, a crocodile, a porcupine, giraffes and much more. Our guide, Dutch, and tracker, Mike, were the best of our trip - and went out of their way to find wildlife for us - we had several rather exciting rides!
The camp itself is a bit less luxurious than some of the others, but absolutely fine (although an indoor shower would be good!)"
The camp itself is a bit less luxurious than some of the others, but absolutely fine (although an indoor shower would be good!)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Lagoon Camp
"Disappointed at Lagoon Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
1 May 2012
"After an amazing time Little Kwara, we were left quite disappointed by Lagoon Camp. The camp itself is wonderful, and the rooms are beautiful and were the most luxurious we stayed in! Elephants wandering through the camp every day made for some exciting trips to breakfast/dinner!!
Unfortunately, our game drives were very disappointing. We pretty much saw more wildlife in camp than on the drives, and it didn't seem like the guide was interested. Every time we saw fresh tracks of something interesting they seemed to be heading the other way and never once did we turn and follow them! The vehicle also broke down twice. In addition, our schedule was adjusted owing to another member of our group wanting to do a different activity, without us being consulted, which meant that we missed out on game drive time.
On the plus side, the boat trip along the river was fantastic - we've never seen so many hippos and it was a very relaxing way to see things!"
Unfortunately, our game drives were very disappointing. We pretty much saw more wildlife in camp than on the drives, and it didn't seem like the guide was interested. Every time we saw fresh tracks of something interesting they seemed to be heading the other way and never once did we turn and follow them! The vehicle also broke down twice. In addition, our schedule was adjusted owing to another member of our group wanting to do a different activity, without us being consulted, which meant that we missed out on game drive time.
On the plus side, the boat trip along the river was fantastic - we've never seen so many hippos and it was a very relaxing way to see things!"
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Poor
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa, Seychelles (this camp has since closed)
"Great stay at Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa"
3 nights
Arrived
5 May 2012
"Room was fantastic with good views over the sea.
Resort itself is small but was nice and relaxing for a few days, and has the option to take snorkels and kayaks out.
Good snorkelling by one of the beaches. Good choices at the buffet (though don't bother with the cookie making "activity" - as you just watch someone else make cookies!)"
Resort itself is small but was nice and relaxing for a few days, and has the option to take snorkels and kayaks out.
Good snorkelling by one of the beaches. Good choices at the buffet (though don't bother with the cookie making "activity" - as you just watch someone else make cookies!)"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Bird Island Lodge
"Close to nature at Bird Island Lodge!"
3 nights
Arrived
8 May 2012
"Snorkelling around Bird Island was fantastic and there's a good wildlife tour round the island. Giant tortoises wandering round as well.
Food quite simple but very tasty, with lots of fish dishes.
Rooms were simple but fine, though we had a few more wildlife visitors than we had hoped for!"
Food quite simple but very tasty, with lots of fish dishes.
Rooms were simple but fine, though we had a few more wildlife visitors than we had hoped for!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Constance Ephelia Resort
"Great activities at Constance Ephelia Resort"
2 nights
Arrived
11 May 2012
"Our room here was huge and amazing, and the facilities of the resort were fantastic - you can take out kayaks, pedalos, snorkelling gear, windsurfs etc, and there are lots of pools to choose from so we usually had one to ourselves!
Huge amount of choice at dinner, though it can get busy in the buffet restaurant at peak times."
Huge amount of choice at dinner, though it can get busy in the buffet restaurant at peak times."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
All the staff were very friendly and the food was fantastic - especially the roast chicken! Great view of the watering hole from breakfast, and lions passed through the camp on several occasions (once only a few metres away from our room!)
Day trip to Deception Valley is worthwhile, though it is a long day. Bushman walk also very entertaining and informative - definitely recommended."