Travel reviews by Ms Grey Lourie from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
An amazing adventure
Namibia and 1 other country between 3 Nov 2007 and 17 Nov 2007
"Overall our holiday was amazing. The main issues were with various sectors booked through Expert Africa. Everything I confirmed myself went without a hitch.
I would certainly visit Namibia & Botswana again, they are both the most amazing places I have ever visited - however, to be brutally honest I am unsure whether I would use Expert Africa. Sorry !
Gwynneth was great - although we did have some, what I would call, major problems - particularly the error re booking Okaukuejo. Fortunately, we were still able to have the 2 nights we wanted, albeit on different dates. The upgrade to Villa Mushara was an utter disappointment and I shed several tears whilst there. The ventilation in particular was non existant - and for such a luxurious villa and the money guests would pay, this was unaceptable. Service fell short of the other lodges too - even the 'canteen' style restaurant at Okaukuejo would score higher for me personally.
Gwynneth's name does not appear in the list - however, Maruska did privide the original quotes."
I would certainly visit Namibia & Botswana again, they are both the most amazing places I have ever visited - however, to be brutally honest I am unsure whether I would use Expert Africa. Sorry !
Gwynneth was great - although we did have some, what I would call, major problems - particularly the error re booking Okaukuejo. Fortunately, we were still able to have the 2 nights we wanted, albeit on different dates. The upgrade to Villa Mushara was an utter disappointment and I shed several tears whilst there. The ventilation in particular was non existant - and for such a luxurious villa and the money guests would pay, this was unaceptable. Service fell short of the other lodges too - even the 'canteen' style restaurant at Okaukuejo would score higher for me personally.
Gwynneth's name does not appear in the list - however, Maruska did privide the original quotes."
Feedback response
Yes – here we made a mistake. There was a miscommunication between ourselves and our colleagues in Namibia about the dates of these traveller’s bookings in Etosha. As soon as we found the error, we called these travellers, and did our best to make alternative arrangements – some nights in another restcamp, and one day upgraded to the private Villa Mushara, with the extra cost paid by us.
We apologised for this, and did our best to ensure the minimum of disruption to the guest’s holiday. We were pleased to hear that these travellers had “an amazing holiday”, despite Villa Mushara being a disappointment. See the link below for details.
Lagoon Camp
"Fabulous experience at Kwando Lagoon"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Nov 2007
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Sadly … camps in Botswana can be often frighteningly costly these days!
Relative to the other accommodation places booked (in Namibia) for this particular trip, Kwando Lagoon Camp is by far the most expensive. It’s in one of Botswana’s top private reserves, and it includes not only accommodation and meals – but also a full spread of very exclusive guided activities, and most drinks.
So: yes! Kwando Lagoon is very expensive, when compared with most lodges in Namibia.
However, when it is compared to similar camps in Botswana, Lagoon’s costs are, in fact, very reasonable indeed.
Relative to the other accommodation places booked (in Namibia) for this particular trip, Kwando Lagoon Camp is by far the most expensive. It’s in one of Botswana’s top private reserves, and it includes not only accommodation and meals – but also a full spread of very exclusive guided activities, and most drinks.
So: yes! Kwando Lagoon is very expensive, when compared with most lodges in Namibia.
However, when it is compared to similar camps in Botswana, Lagoon’s costs are, in fact, very reasonable indeed.
Divava Lodge & Spa (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Divine Divava Lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Nov 2007
"Divava was a beautiful lodge located in an amazing location overlooking the river. Our chalet was spacious and modern and the lodge looked after us perfectly.
The only disappointing part of our stay was the fact that we were unable to take advantage of any of the beauty treatments, which was one of the main reasons for staying here between our game drives at other lodges.
We specifically chose Divava as it had beauty & spa treatments and this was something I wanted to take advantage of during our stay as it was my birthday. Expert Africa did send a list after I requested more info on the treatments - however, on arrival we were advised by the spa that the beauty treatments were not available and therefore I was unable to pamper myself on my birthday ! The only treatment we did use was the 1/2 body massage.
Please could you investigate why this was not advised to us prior to our stay - as although we made the best of everything and had a relaxing stay, I did feel extremely disappointed that these services were not available to us."
The only disappointing part of our stay was the fact that we were unable to take advantage of any of the beauty treatments, which was one of the main reasons for staying here between our game drives at other lodges.
We specifically chose Divava as it had beauty & spa treatments and this was something I wanted to take advantage of during our stay as it was my birthday. Expert Africa did send a list after I requested more info on the treatments - however, on arrival we were advised by the spa that the beauty treatments were not available and therefore I was unable to pamper myself on my birthday ! The only treatment we did use was the 1/2 body massage.
Please could you investigate why this was not advised to us prior to our stay - as although we made the best of everything and had a relaxing stay, I did feel extremely disappointed that these services were not available to us."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We were very sorry about this indeed. We knew of this traveller’s request for treatments, and in fact got a list of treatments from the lodge, and passed it onto the traveller. Hence she was, very reasonably, expecting treatments to be available.
However … we didn’t know that they were currently without a therapist, and recruiting one! We, too, were very disappointed with the lodge over this – as we also expected that the list of treatments that they sent us would be available.
Divava have apologised to us, and this traveller, even offering free treatments if the traveller returns to Namibia … but we know this is of little consolation to this traveller now.
However … we didn’t know that they were currently without a therapist, and recruiting one! We, too, were very disappointed with the lodge over this – as we also expected that the list of treatments that they sent us would be available.
Divava have apologised to us, and this traveller, even offering free treatments if the traveller returns to Namibia … but we know this is of little consolation to this traveller now.
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Okaukuejo Camp
"Compact & bijou rooms at Okaukuejo"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Nov 2007
"Although pristine and modern, the rooms at Okaukuejo were very, very small. We had difficulty bringing both of our holdalls into the room - and with such high prices I would have expected more !!
This said - despite the extreme disappointment of finding out the wrong dates had been booked we were very pleases to be staying inside the NP"
This said - despite the extreme disappointment of finding out the wrong dates had been booked we were very pleases to be staying inside the NP"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Feedback response
We made a mistake over the dates for this booking – and so apologised, and did our best to make amends as soon as we found it, including an upgrade for these travellers for one night at our cost.
As many of the previous reviews here note, during 2007 the rest camps in Etosha National Park were fully refurbished. The restcamps now retain the huge advantage of their locations and waterholes, although service, quality and some details of the rooms remain issues.
With this refurbishment there was a big price rise. All our travellers need to be fully aware of these issues before they ask us to book Etosha’s restcamps – and factor it into their decisions.
As many of the previous reviews here note, during 2007 the rest camps in Etosha National Park were fully refurbished. The restcamps now retain the huge advantage of their locations and waterholes, although service, quality and some details of the rooms remain issues.
With this refurbishment there was a big price rise. All our travellers need to be fully aware of these issues before they ask us to book Etosha’s restcamps – and factor it into their decisions.
Mushara Lodge
"Sweat box - Mushara Villa !"
1 night
Arrived
16 Nov 2007
"Although we received an upgrade due to an error re dates, the Mushara Villa was a complete let down and not the wonderful end to our holiday that we expected.
Albeit the Villa being exquisite and more than we could want for a one night stay, I was very pleased that we only had 1 night to suffer.
Lack of ventilation was the problem. For such an amazing place, this was the worse nights sleep we had all holiday. For such a large villa, there was one very small air-con unit above the door and 1 ceiling fan above the bed, which was neither use nor ornament as no ventilation came through the mosquito netting.
Further disappointment was met the final morning when we were up bright and early to venture back into Etosha for sunrise, as the days previously had been too cloudy to take the best photos. The receptionist saw us, said good morning and watched us leave the lodge in our car. When we arrived at the exit gate to Mushara Lodge it was locked and we had to drive all the way back to reception to arrange for someone to unlock it - 20 minutes later, we had missed sunrise and the last chance of some amazing photos in Etosha. To say I was upset was an understatement. Needless to say, we will not be staying at Mushara again !
The final 2 anomalies came at breakfast when my partner asked for a cheese omelette and enquired whether they did bacon, the server said no, but offered ham. My partner said OK to this. The server then turned to the next table for their breakfast order and the guest asked for scrambled egg with BACON - to our utter amazement she said no problem. Is there some kind of double standard here - we were flabbergasted !!??!!
After breakfast we checked out and purchased 2 items from the gift shop, prior to leaving for Windhoek. We placed the items on reception along with the money. The receptionist did not take the money nor offer to wrap the goods. I stood around awkwardly for a few moments, before asking if the money was correct - she said yes without looking up from the computer, at this point I expected her to hand the goods to me, she did not, so I eventually picked them up and left - still without a bag. We did not return to reception, we just made our getaway as swiftly as possible. What a strange place.
I have to say the upgrade to the villa was not worth whatever you had to pay and I would not stay there again!! A complete and utter disappointment."
Albeit the Villa being exquisite and more than we could want for a one night stay, I was very pleased that we only had 1 night to suffer.
Lack of ventilation was the problem. For such an amazing place, this was the worse nights sleep we had all holiday. For such a large villa, there was one very small air-con unit above the door and 1 ceiling fan above the bed, which was neither use nor ornament as no ventilation came through the mosquito netting.
Further disappointment was met the final morning when we were up bright and early to venture back into Etosha for sunrise, as the days previously had been too cloudy to take the best photos. The receptionist saw us, said good morning and watched us leave the lodge in our car. When we arrived at the exit gate to Mushara Lodge it was locked and we had to drive all the way back to reception to arrange for someone to unlock it - 20 minutes later, we had missed sunrise and the last chance of some amazing photos in Etosha. To say I was upset was an understatement. Needless to say, we will not be staying at Mushara again !
The final 2 anomalies came at breakfast when my partner asked for a cheese omelette and enquired whether they did bacon, the server said no, but offered ham. My partner said OK to this. The server then turned to the next table for their breakfast order and the guest asked for scrambled egg with BACON - to our utter amazement she said no problem. Is there some kind of double standard here - we were flabbergasted !!??!!
After breakfast we checked out and purchased 2 items from the gift shop, prior to leaving for Windhoek. We placed the items on reception along with the money. The receptionist did not take the money nor offer to wrap the goods. I stood around awkwardly for a few moments, before asking if the money was correct - she said yes without looking up from the computer, at this point I expected her to hand the goods to me, she did not, so I eventually picked them up and left - still without a bag. We did not return to reception, we just made our getaway as swiftly as possible. What a strange place.
I have to say the upgrade to the villa was not worth whatever you had to pay and I would not stay there again!! A complete and utter disappointment."
Terrible
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Terrible
Location
Good
Service
Terrible
Rooms
Poor
Food
Good
Feedback response
Clearly Villa Mushara didn’t suit these travellers – despite being one of the most luxurious places in the area, and despite us upgrading them to this for no extra cost.
This Villa has three sliding doors, a ceiling fan, windows which open, and each room has a sophisticated 4-speed air-conditioning unit. However, these travellers visited during a hot period – when even the best air-con units will take time to cool a big room. Mushara assures us that the air-con unit is working correctly, as so we assume that somehow it wasn’t set up correctly on that night. It’s not a problem that any of our travellers have had previously – and we’ve asked the lodge to try and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Each night Mushara’s main gate at is locked; to open again at sunrise the following morning. Each evening Mushara's staff ask each group of travellers during dinner if any wake up call, or any special arrangements, are needed for the following morning. If anyone wants to leave early the next morning, then usually the Mushara team open the gates early, in plenty of time. This system seems to have broken down for these travellers. We’re very sorry, as is Mushara – who have assured us that there won’t be similar problems in the future.
Similarly … the comments regarding the service at breakfast and in the gift shop have been taken very seriously by Villa Mushara, and looked into in detail. We’re sure that these were misunderstandings – and not part of any wider problem.
This Villa has three sliding doors, a ceiling fan, windows which open, and each room has a sophisticated 4-speed air-conditioning unit. However, these travellers visited during a hot period – when even the best air-con units will take time to cool a big room. Mushara assures us that the air-con unit is working correctly, as so we assume that somehow it wasn’t set up correctly on that night. It’s not a problem that any of our travellers have had previously – and we’ve asked the lodge to try and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Each night Mushara’s main gate at is locked; to open again at sunrise the following morning. Each evening Mushara's staff ask each group of travellers during dinner if any wake up call, or any special arrangements, are needed for the following morning. If anyone wants to leave early the next morning, then usually the Mushara team open the gates early, in plenty of time. This system seems to have broken down for these travellers. We’re very sorry, as is Mushara – who have assured us that there won’t be similar problems in the future.
Similarly … the comments regarding the service at breakfast and in the gift shop have been taken very seriously by Villa Mushara, and looked into in detail. We’re sure that these were misunderstandings – and not part of any wider problem.
Overall this was one of the highlights of our trip and we would most definitely visit again (once we have saved up more money or robbed a bank !!)"