Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs E from Cornwall

"Although we have been to Zimbabwe previously this was our first trip at this time of year. We knew it would be cold but were unprepared for just how cold. We had taken a jacket and sweater as recommended but needed a much thicker jacket, hat, gloves and scarf as it was extremely cold in the morning. The camp was first class. Shane and her team made us most welcome, our accommodation was comfortable and the food appetising. The guiding with Washington and Moses was some of the very best we have had in Africa. Walking safaris were a first for us and tracking a bull elephant at close quarters was an experience that will live with us forever. The game was thinner on the ground which was to be expected at this time of year but we did have some memorable sightings including 8 hyena feasting on a rather smelly elephant carcass."

"The Victoria Falls Hotel is iconic set in beautiful gardens overlooking the spray from the falls. It is still recovering from the economic impact of Covid and we were made most welcome by the staff. Inevitably there were some shortages but this did not impact on the enjoyment of our stay. The falls in full flood were a sight to behold and we definitely needed our waterproofs."

"We had a hiccup at the start of our visit to Gomoti Plains when we were unable to land at the airstrip. What could have been a disaster became an unexpected highlight of our trip. MackAir were amazing and within an hour we had landed at Maun and were airborne in a private helicopter on our way to camp. This camp is a community run concession and the staff were both professional and friendly. The food was delicious and the staff entertainment was enthusiastic and extremely entertaining. We saw lions, lions and more lions. Three brothers were resident on the concession and one was engaged in a romance during our visit affording us all much entertainment. The other two brothers paid us a visit in camp and ran across our path as we made our way for lunch. Our excellent guide was extremely knowledgeable and always managed to find us an interesting sighting including a female cheetah and her three cubs."

"Whilst waiting at the airstrip for some more guests to arrive were were lucky enough to see two sable that had to be chased away to enable the plane to land. This is a sophisticated camp in a beautiful setting overlooking a large waterhole occupied by numerous hippo which kept us entertained day and night. The food and service were first class and we were very well looked after. On day one animal sightings were a bit thin but this was more than made up for on days two and three. We were privileged to be able to watch a pack of wild dogs interacting with a small group of wildebeast in the morning and during the afternoon drive we came across 4 lionesses and their cubs. On our last morning we spent a truly memorable hour or so very close to these cubs watching them play and feed with their mothers. What a wonderful way to end a fantastic trip celebrating our silver wedding anniversary."

"Whilst not luxurious Galton House was good value and provided everything that we needed for our first and last nights in Namibia.

The staff were helpful and professional and were flexible providing us with a light evening meal on arrival and the sandwiches we fancied on our last night."

"We loved this lodge in a beautiful location, the sundowner walk, an excellent dinner under the stars and the early morning walk with Petros."

"This camp met our needs to explore Etosha and whilst perfectly nice didn't light our fire.

Our tip would be not to bother with a guide because Etosha is totally accessible by self drive and the guide can't take you anywhere that you can't go yourself."

"A remote yet fantastic location right in the bush. Watching a female white rhino and her calf at the waterhole whilst having dinner was a magical experience only topped by watching a pride of ten lions including a lioness feeding her four cubs.

This camp ticked all our boxes."

"Doro Nawas was a revelation. Being able to wheel our huge bed out onto the balcony and sleep under the stars was an incredible experience not to be missed.

The excursion down the dry riverbed in a four wheel drive landrover was an adventure in itself and finding elephants was the icing on the cake. We would have liked another night here."

"We knew this accommodation was going to be basic however the location on the Skeleton Coast made it all worthwhile. Our trip here fulfilled a long held childhood dream.

The drive from Damaraland to Terrace Bay was spectacular as was the subsequent drive to Swakopmund along the Skeleton Coast and we are so pleased we included it in our itinerary. Cape Cross to see the seals is a must."

"This comfortable guest house is ideally situated to explore Swakopmund on foot.

The owners were very helpful and managed to book tables at The Jetty and The Tug restaurants even though it was the weekend. Tip if you want to shop avoid the weekend as most shops close by Saturday lunchtime. The museum is worth a visit."

"A stylish lodge in a beautiful location. We took the guided trip to Sossusvlei which was amazing.

Our charming guide was very knowledgeable about the unusual wildlife and holding the web of a white lady spider that he had dug up from the sand was incredible. A visit to the largest sand dunes in the world and the dead vlei is not to be missed."

"The quality of this accommodation was a real disappointment and the worst we had during our eighteen days in Namibia. The room looked as if it hadn't been upgraded since the sixties and was very basic. We didn't receive much of a welcome when we arrived and dinner was poor.

We felt that the owner had lost interest and was just going through the motions. We had coffee at the small hotel in Helmeringhausen and wished we had used that as an overnight stop on our way to Fish River Canyon"

"This lodge is in a stunning location that takes your breath away and was one of the highlights of our trip.

We chose not to do the guided tour having spent the previous day in the car and did one of the recommended walks around the rim of the canyon and are so pleased that we did."

"We had a dune room which was beautiful and in a stunning location.

However we felt this was the most commercial of the places that we had stayed in and the attitude of some of the staff was noticeably worse than we had come to expect during our trip."

"As before [Ed: see below]"