Travel reviews by Mr JH from Switzerland

"Coral Lodge very good and excellently run - current Managers for the Ottos (Nelson & Sara Rato) excellent and you sense the dedication to training local staff all friendly and everyone helpful. Food and service excellent.

Good activities but their planning a bit haphazard. New Activities Manager just getting started so probably still getting up to speed. Incidentally once new Nacala Airport gets going this will reduce transfer time to about 30 minutes."

"Gorangoza Ntl. Park – we really enjoyed and while obviously the diversity of the species is not yet where it once was the Antelope herds were among best we have seen in many Africa trips. Sables in particular stunning. Elephants also good and on the up. Birding as advertised. If track system could be extended to North side of the lake that would enhance later dry season visits.

Explore Gorangoza Camp. Excellent for all who want a comfortable, well run Bush Camp. Just what we like and getting harder to find with trend to up market safari lodges. Ranger (Blessed) was outstanding and staff excellent. We had a temporary Camp Manager Paul. The South African couple left 6 to 9 months ago and the replacements left just before we arrived (the female half was from Lisbon and could not stand the isolation!) Paul, an experienced South African) had just arrived and obviously had everything under control so that was OK. But obviously eventual permanent replacements will be critical.

The road transfer from Beira was efficient & comfortable if tedious with all the trucks on the road – unless they find new fly in solution this will detract. Flight out as advertised to Benguerra & very pleasant."

"Very nice set up, staff friendly and helpful and enjoyed very much overall.

For up-market place food OK for us but not up to what is advertised. But just new F & B manager said he was working on it."

"This is one of best bush camps we have stayed at.

Well laid out on Zambezi, great management and staff who took care to always be of service without being obtrusive. Outstanding guiding with tremendous care to be informative and point out both the "Big" and the "Small". Diverse activities - walking, game drives and river trips with the excellent guiding, or relaxing in camp, made this camp a great experience with no reservations to recommend to others.

This is a camp that gives you an authentic feeling of the bush in Africa. Comfortable but not OTT."

"Having stayed at Tongabezi Lodge before the repeat was still a pleasure to experience the spectacular location and luxury.

Service and food perhaps a shade off last time (no fish on dinner choice for example) but still very good. Room service with Butler great and all staff very friendly. Pool not well maintained.

Dog House view could be improved with some with some judicious pruning of trees/bushes. Bathroom only limited surface space to place toilet articles and no real chest of drawers for fold up clothes storage. This could be improved.

For a lodge of this class top management attention to detail would benefit to really keep it excellent"

"Sindabezi was great with it island location and great layout.

Real delight to feel "alone on the river" and the morning and evening trips on the Zambezi were magic. Great birding but also some good game sightings.

Camp very well run, tents and facilities good and well maintained to give a bush camp feel with good comfort.

Managers and Staff friendly and working hard to make stay so nice. Guiding excellent with big effort to see and explain."

"Excellent well maintained camp. Good management, friendly staff.

That being said we felt that Kwando has got into such a routine at its Camps that the experience is almost "canned" . Guides were were good and knowledgeable but again feeling working to their programme rather than client. Focus on big stuff rather than trying to make all sightings interesting. If pushed then fully prepared to stop and explain e.g birds were low on Guide's totem pole; but next time again had to be stopped and asked.

I think Kwando really need to work on bringing back the individual experience taillored to client. 3 years ago at Kwara experience was completely different which is why we chose Kwando again and bit disappointed. (From fellow guests heard same about Kwara)"

"Well managed, friendly staff excellent facilities.

But as at Lagoon feeling that you fit into Kwando routine rather than individual experience. Guides very friendly and knowledgeable but again focus on big things rather than making all sightings an event. If stopped then guides very willing to explain but needed to be stopped again next time. Improved after we talked to Management about this.

Realise Guests put lot of pressure on Guides for "big things" but need to be sensitive to all clients interests. Kwando need to work on this."

"Excellent/helpful staff - nice bar and restaurant.

Nor everyone wants buffett so more focus on a la Carte would be better"

"Spacious clean, reasonably equipped self catering chaletss, well set out camp, friendly staff.

Good shop and Restaurant.

As Kagalgadi Transfrontier Park is essentially a self drive experience, which is what we wanted, the activities are not extensive but adequate."

"More basic than Twee Rivieren but excellent location in centre of park for self drive activities.

Minimal provided activities.

Friendly staff.
Clean basic chalet adequately provide for self catering.

Shop minimal except for basics but OK for remote location"

"A bit frayed at the edges but very adequate for overnight stay.

Coffee shop excellent. Staff very friendly and efficient.

Incidentally at Keetmanshoop we followed Bradt guide recommendation and ate at Desert Lodge - only bad meal we had on entire trip in frowsty surroundings!! Breakfast at Canyon Lodge very good"