Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs E from Surrey

"Very comfortable and well-appointed tented accommodation, helpful and friendly staff and excellent wildlife sightings, including dozens of elephants, some at very close quarters. The camp is well situated for exploring an area full of a variety of animals and birds, with very few visitors, so sightings are never crowded. David our guide was excellent, diligent in seeking out the more rarely seen animals, and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of wildlife. We were made to feel most welcome and would not hesitate to return."

"Great location beside the Zambezi, with animals - elephants, hippos, lions - coming right into camp. Wonderfully welcoming, helpful and friendly staff, led by our exceptional host, Sabasten. Tents were quite basic but very comfortable, with bucket showers available whenever we wanted. The food was excellent, provided by Derrick the chef and his assistants. Our guide, Cloud, was wonderful, very knowledgeable and friendly. He worked very hard for us to get the best experience from our safari, including having to pull our canoe in places as the river levels were so low. The canoe safari provided excellent viewing of hippos and elephants from a different perspective. We would not hesitate to return."

"We had 3 days to relax at Gorges at the end of our safari. We chose to stay here, a short drive from Victoria Falls, as we wanted a quiet environment, and we were very happy with our choice. The location is spectacular, above the Batoka Gorge, and the chalets are very comfortable, with a veranda overlooking the gorge. The manager, Chris, gave a most informative presentation on the Verreaux's Eagle, a pair of which nest every year within sight of the lodge. Sightings of the eagles were excellent. Our driver, Richman, was most helpful and very well-informed about the local environment. Staff were pleasant and friendly."

"We only had a few hours here before starting our safari.

The room was comfortable, breakfast good and staff friendly and helpful. The only reason we did not rate this as excellent was because of a check-in problem: they did not have our booking reservation when we arrived from the UK.

Eventually matters were resolved satisfactorily."

"We particularly enjoyed the variety at this camp, with water safaris being a major activity, as well as driving and walking. Our excellent guide, Gerard, was really knowledgeable about the area and enthusiastic and passionate about wildlife. He made every day varied, fun and interesting. Breakfasts in the bush were good and we found new spots each day for our sundowners - the sunsets over the river were beautiful. Moshi our boatman was also very knowledgeable and helpful. Birdlife was fabulous.

Viewing a stand-off between a leopard trying to guard its kill - an impala it had hauled up a tree - and a pride of lions on our second day was amazing. It resulted in the leopard running away, chased by a lioness. Fortunately, the leopard escaped unhurt, but did not return to its kill on the remaining two days of our stay.

The camp is spacious, with tents well separated from each other. Rooms were comfortable and spacious and the food was very good. Staff were very friendly, welcoming and helpful - nothing was too much trouble. Evans, our waiter, provided an excellent service every day."

"Kwihala is a very well-run camp in a great location on the (dry when we we visited) riverbank. Tents are spacious and well appointed. The bucket showers worked perfectly! The site is extensive, so each tent is well separated from others. Tam, the manager, is knowledgeable and experienced, and working with the team of guides and other staff, provides an all-round excellent safari experience. The food was really good, varied and of consistently high standard.

Highpoints - we arrived at the airstrip to be told that there was a pack of wild dogs which we really must see before being taken to the camp. After an exciting drive through the bush, we got there just in time to see them before they moved off from resting round a tree. As we had always wanted to see wild dogs, this close-up experience was perfect. Thanks to Michael and Charles for this amazing experience.

Our guide, Hamza, ably supported by Michael, was excellent and knowledge. He was determined to give us the best viewings possible. The two of them also provided us with the - entertaining, for us - spectacle of them rescuing another safari vehicle (from outside Ruaha) which had become bogged down in a riverbed. Good driving skills!

Ruaha provided excellent sightings of elephants, lions, a variety of antelope and wonderful birdlife."

"The Coffee House is a beautiful old building in the midst of busy and bustling Stone Town.

We were made extremely welcome by the manager, Salome, and her staff made us very comfortable. Our room was comfortable, large - and quiet. We only had one night there, before moving on to our next destination but we returned there a few days later for lunch. Food was excellent and the coffee is good too.

We enjoyed our breakfast with excellent views from the tower top terrace."

"Chumbe is a real escape from the mainland of Zanzibar. With only 7 cleverly designed, eco-friendly bungalows, it is quiet, beautiful and well-run - a real Indian Ocean paradise, with a difference.

Snorkelling on the coral reef was great, walking tours were interesting, particularly seeing the giant coconut crabs and fruit bats. Great beach, wonderful and varied food, friendly and professional service.

We really enjoyed our 2-night break here."

"Beautiful, very comfortable lodge in quiet location with long view towards the Falls. Very helpful and attentive staff who organised visits to Victoria Falls park, a helicopter trip and evening sunset cruise. We had two nights there and felt that an extra day would have been better to fully explore Livingstone and just enjoy the lovely surroundings.

The food was excellent."

"Great situation with comfortable and spacious rooms. Excellent guiding from Obi, with sightings of leopards, lions, many hippos, Nile crocodile, giraffes, zebras - everything we would have expected.

Food was excellent and could not be faulted."

"We very much enjoyed our stay in the historic, beautifully modernised rondavels at this camp. Outstanding views over the river and excellent location for enjoying the wide variety of animals that visit the camp or cross the river nearby. First-class guiding from Chilumba who was happy to share his extensive knowledge with us, whether walking or driving.

Excellent sighting of game, including leopards, lions (and lots of cubs), large herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebra, etc - everything we hoped for. Good bird watching too."

"Our second visit to Pumulani. Beautiful location, high above the lake, and excellent spacious accommodation with large bedroom and living area, plus views of the setting sun over the lake.

Staff are attentive, efficient and friendly. For us, the slight disappointment was the food which was not as good as on our last visit a year ago and not up to the standards we found at other locations on this trip. Hopefully, this was a temporary blip.

We enjoyed snorkelling, walking and kayaking."

"Wonderful accommodation and food, excellent and welcoming hosts. Guides very knowledgeable. Walks and game drives really informative and enjoyable.

Surprise lunch by the river one day, just for us, was great. Staff all really helpful and courteous. Nothing was too much trouble. For two nights we were the only guests and service remained superb. We can't fault our time spent there."

"Superb setting for the lodge. Beautiful spacious accommodation, lovely view over the lake. Food really good, excellent barbeque lunch one day by the lake.

Excellent host (Jake, who was temporary manager while Alex and Karien were on leave) who went to great lengths to make sure all our activities were well organised, i.e. snorkelling, dhow lake trips, walks, including village visit, and kayaking. All great fun and extremely informative, especially the village visit, where we also visited the village school. Guides and all staff were excellent, really welcoming and friendly. Overall, excellent level of service.

Only comment would be the lack of clothes hanging space in our chalet: there was only space for four hangers in total, which really wasn't enough for our clothes for our three different locations. The design of the hanging space could not allow for more hangers, a bit irritating. But a minor point overall."

"Excellent location, very helpful and courteous staff, one of the best breakfasts we've had anywhere.

Although we had a loft room it was very comfortable, spacious and well appointed."