Travel reviews by Ms V from Medford
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
1
Excursions taken
0
My Apr 2014 trip
Zimbabwe between 9 Apr 2014 and 12 Apr 2014
"see other comment section"
Camp Hwange
"camp hwange feedback"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Apr 2014
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
Expert Africa are sorry that these guests didn't enjoy their stay at Camp Hwange. We have responded fully to them, and wanted to note a few general points here too:
Camp Hwange is not a luxurious lodge - nobody has ever claimed that it is; we recommend it for exceptional guiding and a great wilderness experience.
These travellers felt that Camp Hwange was poor value compared with South Africa's Sabi Sands area. We feel that these two areas offer such widely contrasting experiences that direct comparisons are difficult to draw. In general, South Africa's reserves are much smaller; the animals and environment are more managed; densities of visitors are much higher; and game viewing is more predictable, sometimes to the point of being controlled.
In retrospect, we should have talked to these travellers rather than just accepting this booking over e-mail. Had we done so, we would have explained that nowhere in Hwange offers a Sabi Sands experience - thus this was the wrong trip for these travellers. We're sorry that we didn't insist on at least one telephone conversation before we accepted this booking.
Camp Hwange is like many other lodges in southern Africa: laundry won't accept underwear for cultural reasons - but washing powder is provided.
These guests were very unlucky with weather and the game. This year (2014) Hwange had very heavy, late rains that continued into April, when these travellers visited. This made it unseasonably cold and wet, and the game viewing was difficult. These guests did see game, including elephant and lion, but the viewing wasn't as good as they, or we, would have expected - even at this time of year.
Camp Hwange is not a luxurious lodge - nobody has ever claimed that it is; we recommend it for exceptional guiding and a great wilderness experience.
These travellers felt that Camp Hwange was poor value compared with South Africa's Sabi Sands area. We feel that these two areas offer such widely contrasting experiences that direct comparisons are difficult to draw. In general, South Africa's reserves are much smaller; the animals and environment are more managed; densities of visitors are much higher; and game viewing is more predictable, sometimes to the point of being controlled.
In retrospect, we should have talked to these travellers rather than just accepting this booking over e-mail. Had we done so, we would have explained that nowhere in Hwange offers a Sabi Sands experience - thus this was the wrong trip for these travellers. We're sorry that we didn't insist on at least one telephone conversation before we accepted this booking.
Camp Hwange is like many other lodges in southern Africa: laundry won't accept underwear for cultural reasons - but washing powder is provided.
These guests were very unlucky with weather and the game. This year (2014) Hwange had very heavy, late rains that continued into April, when these travellers visited. This made it unseasonably cold and wet, and the game viewing was difficult. These guests did see game, including elephant and lion, but the viewing wasn't as good as they, or we, would have expected - even at this time of year.
Now let us get to the game. ….We took two 5 hour drives and saw 3 impala and 2 jackels and some nice birds. When asked about lions they said the pride left almost a year ago and they have one male and two female somewhere. We did a walking tracking for 2 hours which was wonderful but no lion. When asked about Rhino they told us the Rhino are off limits to visitors. When asked about elephants they told us there is a bull elephant that we spent hours trying to find to no avail. When asked about Wildebeasts we were told they are at the other end of the park. An on and on and on. We were told it is hard to spot game because of the tall grass but in the last three weeks we have been to three game parks and all had tall grass and we saw many animals.
The worst part was it was cold and rainy. Everyone had to eat in three layers of clothes and a fleece. The firepit was outside but it was raining.there was no source of heat inside the boma so we couldn't sit in the lounge and relax and talk. There was no source of heat in our room so the only way we could get warm was to go to bed! Finally on the last night we suggested to the staff that they pull down the canvas to close off the open spaces. That cut the wind and cold a bit but meant we couldn't look out.
We do want to say the staff was wonderful, the food excellent and the guides great! Also, I understand we can't control the weather or the animals.I just went on in the above paragraphs to tell you how it was. I guess the big issue here is how much we paid for average accommodations. Everything I said above was just to tell you how it was. Even if weather etc was perfect the rate is way too high. It is possible that Zimbabwe is more expensive that South Africa or Kenya or Tanzania but not this much. Hopefully, it was an honest mistake and there will be a refund.
I do want to reiterate that staff, food, guides were all outstanding. On the last night the manager even gave us hot water bottles for our bed. also, the walking trips were great.
I do hope we can settle this to everyone's satisfaction We will be back in the US in 2 days.
One other thing. When in vic Falls we met several people who stayed at Little Mokoro (sp?) and because it was off season they were given 1/2 price !! Plus they saw huge prides of lion, Wildebeast, elephant etc."