Travel reviews by D&K from New York City

"I chose 54 on Bath and we were quite happy with everything about it. The staff were very welcoming. The food in the restaurant was really good.

If someone is looking for a more local cultural experience, another hotel might be a better choice. (This one could have been located anywhere.)"

"Excellent, high end accommodations. Very special and lovely place. Unparalleled location right along the Zambezi waterfront. Staff were very friendly, attentive,helpful.

We were impressed by the number of excellent vegetarian choices at the restaurant, even more so by contrast with the menu at Cassia Restaurant at Ilala Lodge.

The rooms at Palm River were well-appointed and very comfortable having a balcony that looked out on the Zambezi! The communal areas (which are covered but open to the outdoors) were very comfortable and inviting.

The shuttle buses are available on demand to go to Vic Falls town, not on a limited basis. The drivers were very nice and accommodating. Easy transfers to and from Cassia Restaurant.
The hotel put us in touch with a local operator for a one day excursion to see the Zambia side of the Falls and Livingstone which we found very worthwhile

Please urge your guests to use his services and see the Zambia side and Livingstone on a day trip!"

"First of all, Kennedy welcomed us as though he had known us for years and he was always available to assist us.

Our guide, Raphael, was so accommodating, knowledgeable, easy to be with and skilled. each outing was a total pleasure and we learned so much, even though we had done a water safari before in Selous, Tanzania.

We especially enjoyed the walk that we asked to do with him across the island to see the Zambezi river (which might not be for everyone but suited us perfectly.) we passed by the health clinic, the school (which was closed) and a village. It took about 45 minutes each way.

Food was delicious and lovely and they were adept at catering to vegetarian needs.

The accommodations were not fancy but quite comfortable, the bed was wonderful and there was plentiful hot water and a large bathroom. We appreciated the provision of mosquito spray in the room.

It was fascinating to have the experience of a private boat and guide at Ichingo compared with the group water safari experience we had later at Muchenje Lodge in Botswana. Each was fascinating in its own way and well run."

"The staff and management did everything they could to welcome us and make us feel comfortable.Our chalet was lovely with extraordinary views. The fact that there are no phones in the chalets and a strict rule that guests are not to walk around after dark to and from the lodge, can be a little limiting but didn't affect us.

The food was plentiful and creative, though it was surprising that there wasn't much fish served. Vegetarian options were very good and clearly marked.

There are 3 areas in activities where we would suggest some improvements:

1) it would have been helpful to know what ALL the activities options were (dawn safari, afternoon safari, night safari, all day water safari followed by land safari, village visit, mokoro ride). Instead the Lodge seemed to plan how we would do the various options based on what was easiest or best for them or their guides.

In our case, we did the full day (11 hours: dawn safari, breakfast, water safair and land safari through Chobe Nat Park) because we thought it was the only way it could be done.
Instead it became clear that there were other options (doing a second water safari with lunch).

2) We had the lodge arrange a late afternoon mokoro trip for us which was great and peaceful. No one told us about that option and had we not read about it ourselves, we would have missed this experience. No one suggested that we bring money to tip the mokoro guide who was not part of the Lodge. (We wound up leaving the tip in an envelope for him at the Lodge.)

3) The Lodge needs a better, more hygenic bathroom option before and after the water safari as there are no bathrooms on the boat and the bathroom at the marina is terrible. We're aware that Muchenje management has been trying to get the government department to make the marina bathroom better. Muchenje did switch to using the satisfactory bathroom at the Chobe National Park entrance, 15 minutes from the water safari boat started and ended (and that was fine)."