Travel reviews by Mr g from Illinois, USA
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
3
Excursions taken
1
aug. 2015 botswana and victoria falls
Botswana and 1 other country between 13 Aug 2015 and 21 Aug 2015
"An outstanding travel experience.
As a rather independent traveler, I rely on travel literature to plan itineraries rather than merely "purchase" a pre established tour such as those offered by Abercrombie and Kent. With regards to Botswana, I read the Bradt Travel Guide authored by Chris McIntyre and found it to be most informative, especially in the descriptions of the various private concession areas and of the myriad of camps within the concessions. Being directly affiliated with Expert Africa led me to contacting your company and I was put in contact with Nick Hobbs.
Over many months, Nick and I had numerous interactions both by email and on occasion by telephone. In all instances, I found Nick to be very responsive and his personal knowledge of Botswana obviously helpful in narrowing down which camps I ultimately selected.
Having completed our holiday, I can report that every required travel reservation/connection---air from Joberg, ground to zambia hotel, scheduled excursions within zambia, ground/boat/air connection to botswana camps was effected without any problem. And the safari camp experiences was consistent with the written or verbal guidance provided by Expert Africa personnel. And, while this was a most expensive holiday, prices quoted by Expert Africa were competitive with other inquiries I made prior to selecting Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Expert Africa literature was very informative and helpful.
A minor suggestion-- while gratuity guidance for guides and camp staff is covered. I would add some guidance re ground transportation personnel --- for example, is a gratuity expected for the people providing the ground transportation from Zambia airport to hotel; or, from Zambia hotel to Botswana border; or, the Mack air porter who takes your bags to the small aircraft at Kasane? ( The cost for the ground/private air is included in the aggregate amount paid to Expert Africa but it is vague whether or not an additional gratuity is ""expected"".)
As a traveler, my preference would be, to specifically state in you literature that a gratuity for these incidental services is not expected (and if necessary, add a few dollars/pounds to your fees to the traveler to cover these incidentals)."
As a rather independent traveler, I rely on travel literature to plan itineraries rather than merely "purchase" a pre established tour such as those offered by Abercrombie and Kent. With regards to Botswana, I read the Bradt Travel Guide authored by Chris McIntyre and found it to be most informative, especially in the descriptions of the various private concession areas and of the myriad of camps within the concessions. Being directly affiliated with Expert Africa led me to contacting your company and I was put in contact with Nick Hobbs.
Over many months, Nick and I had numerous interactions both by email and on occasion by telephone. In all instances, I found Nick to be very responsive and his personal knowledge of Botswana obviously helpful in narrowing down which camps I ultimately selected.
Having completed our holiday, I can report that every required travel reservation/connection---air from Joberg, ground to zambia hotel, scheduled excursions within zambia, ground/boat/air connection to botswana camps was effected without any problem. And the safari camp experiences was consistent with the written or verbal guidance provided by Expert Africa personnel. And, while this was a most expensive holiday, prices quoted by Expert Africa were competitive with other inquiries I made prior to selecting Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Expert Africa literature was very informative and helpful.
A minor suggestion-- while gratuity guidance for guides and camp staff is covered. I would add some guidance re ground transportation personnel --- for example, is a gratuity expected for the people providing the ground transportation from Zambia airport to hotel; or, from Zambia hotel to Botswana border; or, the Mack air porter who takes your bags to the small aircraft at Kasane? ( The cost for the ground/private air is included in the aggregate amount paid to Expert Africa but it is vague whether or not an additional gratuity is ""expected"".)
As a traveler, my preference would be, to specifically state in you literature that a gratuity for these incidental services is not expected (and if necessary, add a few dollars/pounds to your fees to the traveler to cover these incidentals)."
Avani Victoria Falls
"met expectations"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Aug 2015
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool
"a great experience, although a bit pricey"
14 Aug 2015 • Morning excursion
A great way to get close to Victoria Falls. The process ( from departure at the Robert Livingstone Hotel, boat to the Island, "tour" of the Falls, guiding those (not us) taking in Devils Pool, the breakfast, and return) was well organized, the various staff were friendly, helpful and informative, and the breakfast meal was excellent.
Excellent
Lagoon Camp
"authentic camp experience deep in the bush"
3 nights
Arrived
15 Aug 2015
"an outstanding safari camp experience, which met or exceeded our high expectations. Located adjacent to a lagoon tributary with no "fences", wildlife, especially elephants, literally would pass thru the camp day or night -- during one evening we could hear an elephant munching/ consuming a small palm tree adjacent to our detached room.
Th Kwando Lagoon staff were very friendly and helpful and seemed genuinely interested in maximizing the guest experience. All of the meals were served a large table where all of the guests and guides ate together to share the day's experiences. This enabled the guests to interact with the other guides as well as the specific guide "assigned" to us for the drives.
On the drives, the various guides worked extremely well together (via radio contact) so that key wildlife sightings e.g. wild dogs with cubs, lion prides etc by one vehicle were quickly communicated to the other guides so that the other vehicles could participate in the viewings also. A tracker was utilized at this camp (the other camps we visited did not utilize a tracker) which appeared to increase the likelihood of a wildlife citing. My impression of this camp was that wildlife sightings were the number 1 priority of the camp as the guides seemed relentless (in a good way) in this pursuit."
Th Kwando Lagoon staff were very friendly and helpful and seemed genuinely interested in maximizing the guest experience. All of the meals were served a large table where all of the guests and guides ate together to share the day's experiences. This enabled the guests to interact with the other guides as well as the specific guide "assigned" to us for the drives.
On the drives, the various guides worked extremely well together (via radio contact) so that key wildlife sightings e.g. wild dogs with cubs, lion prides etc by one vehicle were quickly communicated to the other guides so that the other vehicles could participate in the viewings also. A tracker was utilized at this camp (the other camps we visited did not utilize a tracker) which appeared to increase the likelihood of a wildlife citing. My impression of this camp was that wildlife sightings were the number 1 priority of the camp as the guides seemed relentless (in a good way) in this pursuit."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Chitabe Lediba
"excellent small camp with abundant wildlife"
3 nights
Arrived
18 Aug 2015
"Another excellent safari camp experience. Camp facilities, food,and guides were all top notch with plentiful wildlife sightings everywhere. This was also an unfenced camp so wildlife could appear at any;;time, and sometimes did. Guides were very experienced and capable, and radio contact with the other guides (including the guides at the larger Chitabe camp) facilitated wildlife viewing for all guests within this private concession. At this camp, I also participated in two safari "walks", which added to the bush experience ( although not as a substitute for a drive because of the limited area that could be traversed in the time available).
Trackers were not utilized at this camp; however, I did not feel that this detracted from the ability to view wildlife."
Trackers were not utilized at this camp; however, I did not feel that this detracted from the ability to view wildlife."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Wildlife cited while strolling included baboon families (en route to Victoria Falls viewing area), zebra, giraffe and impalas. A member of the grounds staff was extremely helpful in walking us to the area where the zebra and giraffe were grazing.
The entire hotel staff ( reception staff, security people, grounds staff, wait staff) were extremely friendly, helpful when needing assistance, and appeared sincere in their efforts to provide outstanding service to the hotel guests. Hotel rooms were clean, and while not luxurious, were very adequate and met our expectations. The breakfast provided as part of the room cost very extensive and food quality was good/excellent.
We had a late evening snack (no dinners because of other scheduled activities outside the hotel property) at poolside which was good/excellent. We had a snack at the pool one afternoon--service was a little slow but this was only a very minor inconvenience."