Travel reviews by Mr D & Mrs J from IOW
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
A memorable and interesting trip
Namibia and 2 other countries between 7 Oct 2016 and 27 Oct 2016
"The arrangements generally worked clockwork and all the places we stayed were well worth visiting.
Apart from the mishaps in respect of the car (see earlier) the other thing worth mentioning is the problem of the border crossing from Botswana to Zimbabwe. We apparently arrived at a peak time, but queuing for over 2 hours in the sun to pay $55 dollars for a visa was infuriating - all the more so because it was obvious that virtually every transfer agent except ours had a special arrangement with the clerks issuing the visas.
We lost count of the number of times transfer agents would go to the front of the queue with wads of passports and forms. We were, literally, the last in the queue at the point we left, even though many people arrive after us. I'm not sure of the answer - probably either they should crack down on petty corruption or you should get a different agent?"
Apart from the mishaps in respect of the car (see earlier) the other thing worth mentioning is the problem of the border crossing from Botswana to Zimbabwe. We apparently arrived at a peak time, but queuing for over 2 hours in the sun to pay $55 dollars for a visa was infuriating - all the more so because it was obvious that virtually every transfer agent except ours had a special arrangement with the clerks issuing the visas.
We lost count of the number of times transfer agents would go to the front of the queue with wads of passports and forms. We were, literally, the last in the queue at the point we left, even though many people arrive after us. I'm not sure of the answer - probably either they should crack down on petty corruption or you should get a different agent?"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Waterberg Camp
"Pretty good for a Govt camp, excellent game"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Oct 2016
Terrible
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Terrible
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Roy's Restcamp
"Very good stay"
1 night
Arrived
10 Oct 2016
"A quirky and memorable place.
An interesting hide for viewing game."
An interesting hide for viewing game."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
"A pleasant little camp"
3 nights
Arrived
11 Oct 2016
"The camp and its location very good.
Average game viewing opportunities, though the river trip and our own self drive in Mahango were excellent. The final access road to the camp is about 2km long and very sandy and difficult in places - we got bogged down and needed a push twice.
Ideally we should have had a high clearance vehicle or 4WD, though this was the only place in the trip where it was a problem."
Average game viewing opportunities, though the river trip and our own self drive in Mahango were excellent. The final access road to the camp is about 2km long and very sandy and difficult in places - we got bogged down and needed a push twice.
Ideally we should have had a high clearance vehicle or 4WD, though this was the only place in the trip where it was a problem."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Nambwa Tented Lodge
"A stunning tented camp, but so-so service"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Oct 2016
"The facilities are stunning - very large tents with all facilities, and game pretty good in the surrounding area. But our stay was marked by two things:
the fire - there was smoke in the air when we arrived, and it developed as the afternoon progressed. We went on the sunset river cruise, but that was cut short to return because of fears the fire would engulf the camp. As we returned there was an intense bush fire raging just across the river channel from the camp, and evacuation was being considered. I think it was only the efforts of the staff working to divert the firs that saved the camp.
there was no proper camp manager at that time, and although the young F&B manager and head guide were doing their best the organisation and service did not match the quality of the facilities.
We'd definitely go back, but we'd probably take a fire extinguisher!"
the fire - there was smoke in the air when we arrived, and it developed as the afternoon progressed. We went on the sunset river cruise, but that was cut short to return because of fears the fire would engulf the camp. As we returned there was an intense bush fire raging just across the river channel from the camp, and evacuation was being considered. I think it was only the efforts of the staff working to divert the firs that saved the camp.
there was no proper camp manager at that time, and although the young F&B manager and head guide were doing their best the organisation and service did not match the quality of the facilities.
We'd definitely go back, but we'd probably take a fire extinguisher!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Poor
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Facilities
Excellent
Muchenje Safari Lodge
"A very good lodge"
3 nights
Arrived
17 Oct 2016
"This was our second visit and it didn't disappoint."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Gorges Lodge
"A lovely lodge, but little to do but relax"
3 nights
Arrived
20 Oct 2016
"A beautifully located lodge and well run and friendly.
But few activities offered, though a visit to Vic Falls and surrounding area always interesting.
Our driver Conrad was excellent."
But few activities offered, though a visit to Vic Falls and surrounding area always interesting.
Our driver Conrad was excellent."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Camp Hwange
"Excellent"
3 nights
Arrived
23 Oct 2016
"Perhaps the highlight of the trip. Lovely facilities and excellent service.
The highlight was the foot safaris with Julian - tracking lions on foot and walking to watch elephants and buffalo in the river was an amazing experience.
We'd love to go back."
The highlight was the foot safaris with Julian - tracking lions on foot and walking to watch elephants and buffalo in the river was an amazing experience.
We'd love to go back."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Victoria Falls Hotel
"A fascinating place"
1 night
Arrived
26 Oct 2016
"A place we had to visit, and facilities definitely grand and attractive.
Dinner in the Livingstone Room was a highlight - except the mosquitoes lurking under the table!"
Dinner in the Livingstone Room was a highlight - except the mosquitoes lurking under the table!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
A long cold drive to the plateau in the morning, but worth it for the game."