Travel reviews by Mr I from Abergavenny
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
My Sep 2024 trip to Zambia
Zambia between 6 Sep 2024 and 20 Sep 2024
"very good but the experience was less that hoped for because of the drought."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Latitude 15
"Latitude 15 review"
1 night
Arrived
6 Sep 2024
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Lion Camp
"Lion Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
7 Sep 2024
"A very good camp, well run by the managerial team and excellent guides.
A very good choice for both experienced and novice safari goers."
A very good choice for both experienced and novice safari goers."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Puku Ridge
"Puku Ridge review"
4 nights
Arrived
11 Sep 2024
"An excellent camp.
The siting and staff were top class as were the rooms and the food. Located overlooking a waterhole added interest especially since the area was suffering its worst drought since records began."
The siting and staff were top class as were the rooms and the food. Located overlooking a waterhole added interest especially since the area was suffering its worst drought since records began."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Chiawa Camp
"Chiawa Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2024
"This camp did not live up to its billing - the water levels were so low that neither the river transfers nor the river activities were possible.
Also not sure that a new guide for each activity is best - it didn't really suit us.
These apart, the camp was excellent!"
Also not sure that a new guide for each activity is best - it didn't really suit us.
These apart, the camp was excellent!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
The water levels along the Zambezi have been unusually low over the past two weeks, which is a combination of the recent very dry weather as well as the Kariba Dam gates not being opened to allow more water flow. We are very sorry that this has impacted these travellers' recent stay at Chiawa.
Sightings report
Tanzania 2019
Tanzania between 1 Oct 2019 and 14 Oct 2019
"We had an excellent holiday. Well planned and executed.
Where there were unforeseen difficulties they were swiftly overcome."
Where there were unforeseen difficulties they were swiftly overcome."
Arranged By Jessica Plumb
Southern Sun Dar
"One night stay at Southern Sun"
1 night
Arrived
1 Oct 2019
"Suitable place for a stopover."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Siwandu
"Fab safari at Siwandu"
4 nights
Arrived
2 Oct 2019
"It was lovely to return to Siwandu and it was made more special by our request for our previous guide being granted.
Some improvements had been made to the camp in the four years that have passed since our last visit.
We had heavy rains towards the end of our visit and they coped well maintaining our safari programme. Also despite the airstrip being closed due to flooding, suitable arrangements were made for our onward flight."
Some improvements had been made to the camp in the four years that have passed since our last visit.
We had heavy rains towards the end of our visit and they coped well maintaining our safari programme. Also despite the airstrip being closed due to flooding, suitable arrangements were made for our onward flight."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Ikuka Safari Camp
"Ikuka at Ruaha"
4 nights
Arrived
6 Oct 2019
"The location of the camp afforded fantastic views of the valley, however, it was 45 minutes from the airstrip. More importantly, each drive required a 30 minute journey through sparsely populated areas before any sightings could be expected. This extended the already long safari time, especially on the morning drive.
It should be made clear to travellers that they can expect to share game drives with one or even two other couples as the norm with no consideration of shared interests or stage of their stay. We had a bad experience in this regard but when queried with the manager, he was quick to resolve it. Furthermore, there was a huge difference in the two guides we experienced, though both were very knowledgeable, one was very passive, almost disinterested, whereas the other was passionate and engaging."
It should be made clear to travellers that they can expect to share game drives with one or even two other couples as the norm with no consideration of shared interests or stage of their stay. We had a bad experience in this regard but when queried with the manager, he was quick to resolve it. Furthermore, there was a huge difference in the two guides we experienced, though both were very knowledgeable, one was very passive, almost disinterested, whereas the other was passionate and engaging."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Ras Kutani, Tanzania (this camp has since closed)
"Beach break at Ras Kutani"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Oct 2019
"Though ideally situated on the beach, it requires a 1 and a half hour car journey, mostly on metalled roads, however there were sections of very rough roads, making passage uncomfortable.
Once there our stay was very relaxing and exactly what we needed and hoped for."
Once there our stay was very relaxing and exactly what we needed and hoped for."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Staff went the extra mile when asked to fix an issue with my luggage."