Travel reviews by Dr & Mrs S from Cheshire

"The hotel in general we rate as good, unfortunately the food that we had for dinner was poor"

"We have stayed several times at Tafika, and it is always excellent.

One of us now has mobility problems, and the staff were universally expert in making everything run as smoothly as possible."

"This is our fourth stay there, and everything was up to the usual standard.

Slight disappointment that the Chifungulu channel was closed for canoeing, but that's down to low water levels and nothing the camp could do."

"We've travelled across much of southern and eastern Africa, and Tafika remains our favourite destination with just the right combination of professional excellence and family friendliness.

Thanks (again) for the birthday cake and serenade."

"Good hotel and location for a few days to start our holiday"

"Leeu House is a new venture, and is beautifully appointed, with excellent and attentive staff. The breakfasts were excellent, though the evening meal we had on our arrival was rather ordinary.

There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."

"Schoone Oordt is a Victorian House, and is beautifully furbished with vintage furniture.

The breakfasts are very good!

There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."

"Excellent location overlooking open countryside.

We very much enjoyed the communal evening dining. It was very nice to meet and talk with other guests.

Service was particularly good, even by South African standards

There are many steps throughout the property, and it is certainly not wheelchair friendly, and could be a problem for someone with limited mobility."

"Sausage Tree is a very professionally run camp. Knowledgable guides, and attentive staff. The owner, Jason, has made a few changes since out last visit two years ago, all for the good so far as I can tell.

The guaranteed private guiding (i.e. just you and your guide in each vehicle) is new, and works well (of course, you need to decide if that is what you want).

One suggestion to the camp. There are a number of places which have fairly steep concrete steps: from the main area of each tent to the bathroom, and around the main communal area. For guests who are a little unsteady on their feet, like me, simple hand rails would improve safety and security."

"We have stayed several times at Tafika (and at many other safari camps through Africa), and it is top of our list.

One of the few owner managed camps still in the Valley, John, Carol and Bryan generate a warm and professional atmosphere, ably assisted by Heather and Rhona, and all the other camp staff.

The aircraft operated by Tafika and which took us from Lower Zambezi is strongly recommended. It may cost a bit more than ProFlight, but it cuts almost a day's travel down to an hour and a half.

We particularly appreciate that all the guides are local, often from the nearby village, and having often started in the kitchen or as tea bearers, have developed and passed their guiding exams.

Thank for a great stay - especially the hippos at Hippo Bend, and the mating leopards (not guaranteed!)"

"Used at the beginning and end of trip. Located mid-way between Kilimanjaro and Arusha airports"

"Well managed camp, as were all the Asilia camps we stayed in. Good location, with views of game from the rooms."

"Lemala is in an excellent location, right on the crater rim. However, everything else was below standard from what we have come to expect in African lodges.

It is worth staying there for the location alone and early morning access to the crater. However, go with modest expectations."

"Dunia camp is well run, with excellent and friendly staff.

A particular gold star for fixing the bucket showers for us. We are both rather short, and couldn't reach the shower to turn it on and off. We were given a crate to stand on - but that was a bit hazardous. We mentioned this to the camp manager the next morning, and by the time we returned from the game drive they had rigged up a couple of chains that worked perfectly! I call that customer focus."

"This is a camp with a difference! Rubondo island is a national park on an island in Lake Victoria. Other than some park rangers, you are the only people on the island. It is essentially a piece of rain forest, and radically different from places such as the Serengeti.

The owners (Asilia) have obviously made a major investment here. The cabins and public areas are all new and excellent, and the location on a small sandy bay facing the sunrise is also great.

However, this is not a safari camp. There is wildlife on the island, but you are most likely to see bushbuck and sitatunga, and some birds. There is also walking, and some good fun fishing to be had for Nile perch. The history of the Park is unusual - Google it to find out more.

We think it made a good final stop for the holiday, for two or maybe three days. Given a choice between Rubondo and Zanzibar I would choose Rubondo every time."

"Good comfortable stopover for one night"

"Good relaxing stay in a very well managed camp. Variety of activities welcome, and the closeness of the river a definite plus in hot September weather.

Having expressed an interest in birding, we were allocated a guide (Prisley) with excellent birding skills."

"Another most enjoyable stay at Tafika. Very welcoming, good guiding and excellent food.

Thanks again to the Coppingers (all three of you!), Bryan, Heather, Rhona and all the staff."

"Stayed for one night after arriving on the Emirates flight in the afternoon. Good option."

"Busanga Bush Camp is a small, friendly and well managed camp, with excellent guiding from Isaac.

There is certainly good game viewing on the Busanga Plains, but it is more widely spread than in some other reserves. We very much enjoyed our stay, but would probably not recommend BBC for a first time safari.

The helicopter transfer in was fun. We didn't know that, when staying for three nights or more, a complimentary balloon ride is included. Too bad we couldn't go because of the wind, but it would have been a selling point."

"Just a great place to stay: the location, guiding, food and above all the welcoming atmosphere makes this a great place to spend a few days. Many thanks to John, Carol, Brian, Heather, Rhona and all the staff for an excellent time (and for teh surprise birthday cake!)

It's fantastic to be in the Nsefu sector, and see great game and hardly ever another vehicle. Microlighting another highlight (five lions on one side and two leopards on the other - doesn't get much better than that (not guaranteed of course!)"

"We could not fault the organisation and the facilities at Nkwali. However, compared to the days when Jo and Robin were hands on, and there were only Nkwali, Tena Tena and the mobiles, the lodge seems somehow souless.

The relatively long drive either to the main gate or to the pontoon seemed more of a drawback than in the past - in part becasue there seemed to be less activity on the drive than in the past (though this could of course be chance)"

"Simply a lovely lodge. John and Carol (together with Heather and Rhona, and the other staff) create just the right combination of professionalism and relaxation. (Compare our comments on Nkwali)"

"On the plus side, the reception was extremely professional and friendly, and the room was large and comfortable.

Less positively, the food was poor and given the location and time of arrival there is little alternative. We seemed to be left entirely to our own devices in the morning"

"Isaac (Zulu) an absolutely first rate guide. Support staff all very good, too."

"Isaac (Zulu) an absolutely first rate guide. Support staff all very good, too.

But tented rooms, even with "double skin" roofs, very hot"

"Very impressed with what the Coppingers offer at Remote Africa. Tafika is a lovely camp, relaxed but also serious about what they are doing. Microlight flights offer a different dimension dimension - highly recommended.

At Tafika, best food we've had in the Valley - and that is saying something!"

"Mixed experience.

The "Albida Suite" is very good. Excellent accommodation, and a good concept. But - they do need to keep to that concept, and not invite others in the camp to dine, as happened on our second night.

We were not very impressed with our guide ("Leve" ?): he didn't see a lot and ended by dropping us at Sausage tree at 9.00am, which caused some consternation.

Logistics leave a bit to be desired (plerase call if you want more details)

We asked for a walk, and were told that "ZAWA don't allow walks because the elephants are beoming too skittish". But no problems at Sausage Tree - over to you."

"We have known about Sausage Tree for quite a while (this is our sixth time in Zambia).

Our first visit, and honestly couldn't fault it

Very highly recommended"