Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs T from Shropshire

"We stayed here just before and just after our safari into Zimbabwe. It has very pleasant rooms which overlook a lawn that is open to the National Park and there were warthogs and mongooses walking past only feet from our patio door. It was the ideal place to prepare for a safari, and a delight to return to to wash off that safari dust and return to the real world!

The breakfasts were delicious and offered a lot of variety, although I was at a loss as to find marmalade for my toast! Not that this was really a problem as there was a wide range of dishes available.

There was also free internet here although on arrival it seemed to be somewhat temperamental. Something quite common in Africa. The staff were very helpful and accommodating with regard to staying a little after check out time and looking after bags etc.

The location is excellent. Very convenient for both the Falls and the shops and it is right next door to the banks and post office."

"At first sight I felt that this lodge looked a little scruffy, but that soon changed as we went into the lounge area and deck above the pan, and also when we were shown our tent. It was very roomy, even having a dressing room area in addition to an enormous open air bathroom and toilet. Washing looking out over the pan was amazing and although there was no electricity apart from solar powered lights in the tent, a lot of thought had gone into making sure that there were other alternatives. We did find having our own torch useful for toilet visits in the night though rather than using the large lantern.

The food was excellent and we ate as a group with the staff who often had to interrupt the meal to spotlight the game appearing at the water hole, and we certainly saw a lot of game there. In fact the amount of game visiting the pan throughout the day almost made it unnecessary to go on a game drive! Also the game, particularly the elephants came within feet of the decking with apparently no awareness of our presence. This was an excellent experience.

The game drives and guides here were excellent and had a high level of knowledge of both animals and birds.

The only thing to be aware of here is that this camp is in thorn scrub area in the main, but it makes an excellent combination with a waterfront camp by the river.

One other thing to be aware of is that they allow young children here. On our visit there was an 8 year old and 3 year old. The former being no problem, but the 3 year old disrupted the night game viewing and we were glad we had had our first night in peace to see the leopards etc as the constant use of the spotlight by the 3 year old, plus his enthusiastic voice were not conducive to peaceful game watching in the evening. I have taken young children on safari myself and agree it is a very valuable experience for them but when it affects other guests, as it did here, I feel clients should be made aware that this could happen. Most other places I have been have a lowest age limit of 8 years."

"Goliath Safaris is, amazingly, a temporary camp, totally dismantled each year, and bearing this in mind the attention to detail in the tents, bar and lounge area is superb and makes this location even more perfect. It overlooks the Zambezi and the colours and sunsets here are stunning.

There is a large Apple Core tree shading the communal area, and this is full of birds at certain times of day. On either side of the camp the river banks are alive with Carmine Bee Eaters, and there is a resident Vundu fish adjacent to the lounge area which comes to be fed, as well as the local hippo who wanders nearby.

The food offered here is excellent, particularly the evening meals which are served around a large table with all the guests seated formally and lead by Stretch Ferreria.

The tents are well appointed with an excellent hot outdoor shower and have electricity until 9 pm. The only downside is the charging facilities for cameras etc which is more limited, especially if the camp is full and everyone wants to charge their gadgets at the same time. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff here.

The game drives and walks are amazing and are personally led by Stretch and his team, all of whom have excellent knowledge of both animals and birds. We particularly enjoyed the walks led by Stretch, who stopped at nothing to try and find the things we wanted to see. He also leads walks which take you safely and professionally to within feet of elephants etc.

The camp also offers canoe trips down the river which we particularly enjoyed and the fishing is not to be missed either.
We just wish we had had longer."

"I have already written at length about Ilala at the start of our safari. [Ed: See below!]

It is an excellent place to end a safari, being calm, clean and a great place to adjust back to reality."