Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs L from Chile
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
My September 2014 trip
Botswana and 1 other country between 7 Sep 2014 and 20 Sep 2014
"The chosen camps were perfect for the time of the year and the size of our group.
I would highly recommend Expert Africa as a trip organizer. I especially appreciated the book about Botswana that sent out in plenty of time before the trip."
I would highly recommend Expert Africa as a trip organizer. I especially appreciated the book about Botswana that sent out in plenty of time before the trip."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Linyanti Ebony
"Linyanti Ebony"
3 nights
Arrived
8 Sep 2014
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Selinda Camp
"Selinda Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
11 Sep 2014
"Selinda was to be a"wet camp" for us. From the protecting forests of Linyanti to the wide open spaces of Selinda was quite a contrast. The drive from the airport to the waters edge was a big change.
All the dry grass, some of it recently burned was a bit discouraging, but once we were on the water, the enchantment began. We were greeted by a large group of the staff all smiling and offering those delightful wet cloths to fresh up with. The young hosts were precious and we wish them all the best as they take on the role of being the general managers of a larger camp than Linyanti. The facilities were representative of the African experience and I appreciated the attention to detail.
I felt that we stepped back in time. We were a group of six thus we had the pleasure of having the vehicle to ourselves. I felt that the guide/tracker quickly felt part of our friendship and enjoy our company as much as we enjoyed his. Water in the bathtub was not abundant and it reminded me quickly how fragile the surrounding are, for guests, natives and wildlife. This camp was the one with the greatest infrastructure yet we missed the more informal aspects of the previous camp."
All the dry grass, some of it recently burned was a bit discouraging, but once we were on the water, the enchantment began. We were greeted by a large group of the staff all smiling and offering those delightful wet cloths to fresh up with. The young hosts were precious and we wish them all the best as they take on the role of being the general managers of a larger camp than Linyanti. The facilities were representative of the African experience and I appreciated the attention to detail.
I felt that we stepped back in time. We were a group of six thus we had the pleasure of having the vehicle to ourselves. I felt that the guide/tracker quickly felt part of our friendship and enjoy our company as much as we enjoyed his. Water in the bathtub was not abundant and it reminded me quickly how fragile the surrounding are, for guests, natives and wildlife. This camp was the one with the greatest infrastructure yet we missed the more informal aspects of the previous camp."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Shinde Camp
"Shinde Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Sep 2014
"It is unfair to compare but what I say is based on comparison with our previous two camps.
This camp seemed to be rundown and leaderless. The service seemed to be routine and we missed the large variety of foods the we have come to expect. Pierre was the temporary manager and he was like lighting bolt of energy, delightful, but contrasted with the ho-hum atmosphere by the staff.
We were lead to believe that Pierre was there to give the camp a facelift and the work was to start soon. I know that he will be successful, but my experience would lead me to not recommend this camp until the facelift is complete."
This camp seemed to be rundown and leaderless. The service seemed to be routine and we missed the large variety of foods the we have come to expect. Pierre was the temporary manager and he was like lighting bolt of energy, delightful, but contrasted with the ho-hum atmosphere by the staff.
We were lead to believe that Pierre was there to give the camp a facelift and the work was to start soon. I know that he will be successful, but my experience would lead me to not recommend this camp until the facelift is complete."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Poor
Facilities
Average
Little Tubu
"Little Tubu"
3 nights
Arrived
17 Sep 2014
"The location, staff, facilities and activities were outstanding. This camp, our last, made us desire to stay even longer than our three nights. We had the "place to ourselves" and we were pampered beyond belief.
Since we were the only guests - just three tents - we had a chance to talk freely and ask the questions that we had gathered during our stay in Botswana. We are so impressed with government programs and management of their country. In this camp we were introduced to a large variety of Africans from places nearby and from other countries who were articulate about their lives and their choice of professions and the training that was required. Each individual staff member at this camp were outstanding individuals yet managed to work as a highly skilled team.
Our deep appreciation to Botswana, the concessions and above all, the people that have been selected to run the camps."
Since we were the only guests - just three tents - we had a chance to talk freely and ask the questions that we had gathered during our stay in Botswana. We are so impressed with government programs and management of their country. In this camp we were introduced to a large variety of Africans from places nearby and from other countries who were articulate about their lives and their choice of professions and the training that was required. Each individual staff member at this camp were outstanding individuals yet managed to work as a highly skilled team.
Our deep appreciation to Botswana, the concessions and above all, the people that have been selected to run the camps."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
I was impressed with training that the staff imparted to us. Such bravery to stand in front of complete strangers and attend us with a shy and graceful attitude. We needed to adapt to the unusual hours and the rhythm of the food service helped immensely.
Safety information was imparted to us in a manner that encouraged us to obey at every moment especially at night and in the vehicle.
The setting is delightful and an entire array of wild animals during our stay proved to us that we were really in Africa. It was hard to say good-bye and set off to the next camp. We wish all the staff the best for may seasons to come."