Travel reviews by Ms P from Tennessee

"I was met at the airport by a Pioneer Camp driver who was a welcome sight after a long and anxious journey. Once we arrived, I was quickly checked in and taken to my chalet which was exactly as described.

I enjoyed a nice afternoon around the grounds and the evening was spent at the open lodge area talking with other travelers and later eating a nice meal. It was a casual and very enjoyable atmosphere. The night became extremely cold but there was ample bedding so it was not a problem. Breakfast was also good and I was picked up at my chalet and taken to the airport promptly.

This camp delivered exactly what I was expecting. Although it wasn't a luxury lodge, it was a very comfortable and inviting place to spend my first night in Zambia."

"My expectations were that Nkwali would simply be a nice beginning for the real bush safari that was to come with camps later in my itinerary. Having read that this area was more crowded and less authentic feeling than areas farther north, I was happily surprised to discover that my expectations were far from the truth.

The game drives were great and rarely did I see another vehicle with the exception of painted dogs interacting with hyenas who had stolen their kill. We were the first car there but another three later joined us. All were very quiet and unobtrusive, so it was not a problem. I also saw other spotlights on occasion during the night drives, but this was not a big negative as far as I was concerned.

The guiding was excellent and I was fortunate to have a very experienced guide, Kiki, who was also the camp manager. I was quite lucky because for three game drives, I was the only passenger. Those drives with Kiki were a highlight of the entire trip.

The accommodations were nicer than I had expected. There were no negative aspects at all with regards to the rooms. If there was a negative, it would have to be that the food was not always to my liking and there were no other options if you didn't like a particular dish. There was a meat, a starch, and a vegetable, so if you didn't like the meat for instance, there wasn't something else to fill up on because servings were of a particular portion not of your own choosing. That said, it certainly wouldn't prohibit me from choosing to stay again at Nkwali, or any of the Robin Pope Camps."

"I loved Tafika.

The camp itself suited me well because it was a simple, unpretentious place. The staff were warm and welcoming and were friendly without seeming phony. Through the luck of my timing, the game viewing was good, but not excellent while I was there. Luckily, I enquired about the availability of a village visit as soon as I arrived and learned that a visit that afternoon would be my only opportunity. I was so glad I asked, because the village visit was a trip highlight for me. Understandably, they don't want the visits to become a common occurrence, so if it if of particular interest, make sure to ask when you first arrive.

I wasn't to keen on having two tables set for meals and being assigned to a certain table. This happened for two meals and I had been looking forward to dining with a family I had met at a previous camp. I still had an enjoyable meal with nice people, so it wasn't a problem, just not what I would have preferred.

The food was the best of my trip. There were plenty of options and most dishes were self serve so I could choose my own portion sizes. I loved the camp location and the breakfasts by the river.

My chalet was number 1 which would not be my first choice unless the weather is quite hot. It is completely in the shade, so is a bit on the dark side but would be a plus during the hot summer months. The lack of electric plug ins was no issue as there were plenty of outlets for charging in the dining area. The bathroom facilities were very nice and hot water was plentiful. I do hope that the micro light is repaired as I had so looked forward to that activity.

Tafika is a lovely and well run camp and all the staff were really great."

"There is so much to love about Tena Tena. The location, the guides, Cristobel, and the tents were all superb. There was a certain ambience at this camp that held the most appeal to me. Everyone seemed very happy and relaxed while still remaining professional and safety minded.

This was my second stay at a Robin Pope camp, so I knew generally what to expect. As a solo traveler, I felt that the staff here went a bit farther to make me feel welcome and included in the conversations and activities. Cristobal managed to get my torn backpack repaired in between game drives.

The tents were wonderful and spaced far enough apart for a reasonable amount of privacy. The bar attendants paid close attention to the guests preferences and all the staff seemed to genuinely want each guest to be happy. I believe Cristobal came from a local village and I was eager to speak with her about her life, customs, and desires for the future. She was the only "home grown" hostess, and I really enjoyed interacting with her. I hope to return one day to my new favorite camp in Africa."

"This camp was nice, as were all the camps I visited. It was, however, just a notch below the others in terms of rooms, activities, and ambience. This is certainly not a complaint but because the other camps were so beyond wonderful, this one was "only" very good. I have tried to temper my feelings because it was the my last camp and had a lot to live up to in terms of my expectations.

The rooms were nice, but a tad awkward with semi circular steps down the the outdoor bathroom and very limited space for luggage. There was shelving, but no luggage rack, which would have been appreciated. The camp layout was a bit odd with the bar and tea area at one end of camp and the dining area at the other. I felt that after sundowners, the next goal was a slow return to camp rather than really trying to find leopard, lion, or other wildlife.

That may be an unfair opinion; maybe the two nights I was there were just quiet. I was excited to see a porcupine at a close distance. One particular highlight was the Mongolian Barbeque they served for dinner one night. Another nice touch was the Pimms and lemonade that Susanah made with plenty of fruit garnishments. In all, I really did enjoy the Nsefu."