Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs W from Canada

"The ilala lodge was a comfortable place to stay and close to Victoria Falls. Being in a town, there were banking facilities, which was convenient to get local currency for the days ahead.

The restaurant served very good food and the rooms were very clean and looked over an area where elephants would wander. The Falls were a bit too far to walk, so a taxi is recommended. While there, we booked a ride on an elephant which was so exciting and received a paper with the elephant's footprint which we will frame. The staff at the lodge were friendly and helpful."

"The rooms at Muchenje were very comfortable and clean. A mosquito netting was placed around our bed by the staff before we went to bed. The managers - Gee and Cathie, were always available to answer any questions and our guides , Nick and Rambo were quite knowledgeable when out on our treks. The meals were delicious and eating with the guides was a great way to learn more about the area. There are rest areas and seating on large wooden platforms from which the enormous flood plain can be viewed. There is a small pool where we have seen pictures of an elephant who sometimes comes for a drink. Very exciting.

The game drives were into the Chobe National Park where we went on early morning drives (6:30!) which was the best time to see the animals out and about and around the water areas. After returning from our morning treks, we would have a lovely lunch and then a rest period and then out again for a late afternoon drive, returning to the lodge by 7:00 pm. On way back in the late afternoon we would stop by one of the water areas for a sundowner - snacks and drinks. Our three days there was very enjoyable and we would certainly recommend this lodge."

"The Kwando Lagoon Camp was directly on the Kwando River which then feeds into the Chobe River; and the accommodations were quite large and sumptuous. The bath and shower area was large with an outside private shower and a bath tub where you could relax and watch the river and the sun. The manager B.K. was very helpful and the chef Kim and her staff served delicious meals in a large open area.

The bed was huge and the front of the room had chairs to rest in after a busy day, and there was a balcony in the front where we would sometimes surprise a critter who then slid into the river.

This camp had wonderful food and lots of it. After our late afternoon drive, there was a fire pit where the guests would take their refreshments and talk about their day. This camp was not restricted to a National Park so when out on a game drive the guides would suddenly veer off through the bush if they spotted something we would like to see. The vehicles were large and held up to six people. We went on a river cruise where we saw elephants and hippos and other animals drinking at the river's edge. Lots of elephants! We enjoyed this camp very much."

"This was the last camp of our visit to Africa and somehow we managed to save the best for last. We arrived at the camp after arriving in a bush plane, driving 50 minutes through sand roads and water which sometimes came into the vehicle. Apparently, the water was coming down from Angola from the rains in December. We were treated to songs from the staff which was so beautiful. The very friendly managers of the camp were Jake and Shelley and they were always there to help with anything and just to chat.

That evening a hyena came around the camp smelling the food for dinner; he is a regular visitor. The next morning we left the camp and there were 14 wild dogs just in the driveway. We followed them for a bit and then they disappeared into the bush. A rare sighting. Our guides were T.T. and Colin and they were quite knowledgeable about the animals and birds. They spotted leopard tracks and we followed him for a while; such a magnificent animal; another unusual sighting during the day.

In the evening while we were at dinner, the ladies came into the room and turned on the bed warmers. Ahh. One evening we went for a ride on a mokoru, with a guide poling the canoe along the waterways among the tall reeds. Very peaceful and relaxing. We stopped for a light snack and went back to the camp for dinner. The food again was exceptional as it has been in each camp. There was a small shop which sold locally made products which in turn goes back into the community.

The highlight of our visit to this camp was our Elephant Experience which is run by Doug and Sandi Groves. They have taken care of three elephants for the past 25 years and these are booked through a private tour operator. It is a not- for- profit organization which brings awareness for the elephant and humans. We walked with the elephants and took pictures of them with us. A delicious lunch was arranged by Stanley's Camp while we were there in the bush. Our last night there was spent with a special dinner and the very thoughtful Shelley and Jake. We listened to the hyenas and elephants bellowing in the bush. A fabulous camp and we would certainly return."