Travel reviews by Siôn from Surrey
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
4
Countries visited
6
Lodges stayed in
17
Excursions taken
0
My May 2023 trip
Botswana and 2 other countries between 4 May 2023 and 18 May 2023
"Super trip, extremely well organized.
A meet and greet at every critical transfer point and I was well looked after throughout, especially when upset stomach occurred"
A meet and greet at every critical transfer point and I was well looked after throughout, especially when upset stomach occurred"
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Kwara Camp
"Days at Kwara"
4 nights
Arrived
5 May 2023
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Wild dog
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Lagoon Camp
"Lagoon Camp May '23"
3 nights
Arrived
9 May 2023
"A well situated camp with views of game across the river.
Well appointed with congenial, efficient staff. I enjoyed my stay immensely. Good food and well appointed accommodation.
The guide KB and spotter James were superb and we saw a fine collection of game and birdlife.
Three new species for me were a dwarf mongoose, aardwolf and spring hare and wildcat."
Well appointed with congenial, efficient staff. I enjoyed my stay immensely. Good food and well appointed accommodation.
The guide KB and spotter James were superb and we saw a fine collection of game and birdlife.
Three new species for me were a dwarf mongoose, aardwolf and spring hare and wildcat."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
4 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
7 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Chobe Princesses
"Chobe Princesses review"
3 nights
Arrived
12 May 2023
"A very enjoyable cruise on the Chobe River with a congenial group of other passengers.
The boat is well appointed, the crew were friendly and attentive to all our needs and has an excellent chef.
Tender trips with a very knowledgeable spotter give a good opportunity for game and bird sighting."
The boat is well appointed, the crew were friendly and attentive to all our needs and has an excellent chef.
Tender trips with a very knowledgeable spotter give a good opportunity for game and bird sighting."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Victoria Falls Hotel
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 May 2023
"The stay would have been excellent but I arrived suffering from a stomach problem and was unable to enjoy the best of the facilities."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Enjoyable trip to Kikeche Laikipia and Lewa House
Kenya between 10 Feb 2020 and 20 Feb 2020
"A thoroughly enjoyable trip to Laikipia and Lewa Downs, Comfortable accommodation,food and service with very friendly staff at each site. Guides very knowledgeable and with excellent eyesight at each location. 46 species of animal and 175 species of birds seen"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Four Points by Sheraton review"
1 night
Arrived
10 Feb 2020
"One night stay, comfortable room, good breakfast."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Kicheche Laikipia
"Very good 4 night stay at KiKeche Camp"
4 nights
Arrived
11 Feb 2020
"I thoroughly enjoyed Kikeche Laikipia. Attentive staff, excellent food, spacious comfortable tents with a view of the lake. The guide Josphat was an excellent spotter and had a good knowledge of the wildlife."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Lewa House
"Enjoyable 4 nights at Lewa House"
4 nights
Arrived
15 Feb 2020
"Lewa house is on a hill with excellent views of the savanna from the hobbit like cottages which are spacious and comfortable. Staff are charming and attentive. The guide Jimmy is an excellent spotter and has an extensive knowledge of the animals and birds and their habits. Would like to return given the opportunity."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Safari trip to Kenya/Tanzania
Kenya and 1 other country between 7 Jan 2019 and 18 Jan 2019
"An excellent safari trip to 3 camps which were in quite varied terrain.
Saw wide variety of game and birds, 30 mammals plus other species, over 90 bird species.
All the camps were comfortable and the people staffing them were delightful
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Quite happy with my experience so far"
Saw wide variety of game and birds, 30 mammals plus other species, over 90 bird species.
All the camps were comfortable and the people staffing them were delightful
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Quite happy with my experience so far"
Arranged By Richard Trillo
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
"A short overnight stay in a luxurious hotel "
1 night
Arrived
7 Jan 2019
"I arrived late to a good welcome.
The room was spacious, well appointed and the comfortable bed was enormous.
There was a breakfast with a good choice of dishes. There staff were friendly and very helpful."
The room was spacious, well appointed and the comfortable bed was enormous.
There was a breakfast with a good choice of dishes. There staff were friendly and very helpful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Rekero
"Rekero is a lovely camp in a super location"
3 nights
Arrived
8 Jan 2019
"Probably the best of the Asilia camps I have stayed. The location is ideal with views of the river with the hippos and also the wildlife on the other bank.
The weaver birds and kingfishers are a bonus. All the staff were friendly and helpful, particularly Peter and Stacey.
Nicholas the guide was exceptional, he had superb phenomenal eyesight and consequently our game drives were very successful. His knowledge of the ecology, wildlife and birds was extensive and I thoroughly enjoyed his company."
The weaver birds and kingfishers are a bonus. All the staff were friendly and helpful, particularly Peter and Stacey.
Nicholas the guide was exceptional, he had superb phenomenal eyesight and consequently our game drives were very successful. His knowledge of the ecology, wildlife and birds was extensive and I thoroughly enjoyed his company."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
6 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
10+ sightings
Spotted Hyena
4 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Namiri Plains Camp
"Excellent game drives at Namiri Plains."
3 nights
Arrived
11 Jan 2019
"A comfortable camp situated in the plains well East of Seronara.
As with the other camps, the facilities are good, the staff friendly and helpful, the tents and communal areas comfortable and the food good. My only reservation was that the light level at dinner was so low I could not see what I was eating, probably a function of the solar power so could be excusable.
Patena the guide was also a good spotter and knowledgeable about the game and birds.
All the game drives were very good indeed."
As with the other camps, the facilities are good, the staff friendly and helpful, the tents and communal areas comfortable and the food good. My only reservation was that the light level at dinner was so low I could not see what I was eating, probably a function of the solar power so could be excusable.
Patena the guide was also a good spotter and knowledgeable about the game and birds.
All the game drives were very good indeed."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
9 sightings
Eland
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
10+ sightings
Spotted Hyena
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Olakira
"Fine stay at Olakira"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Jan 2019
"There have been some improvements to to Olakira from when I stayed in the North 3 years ago but although there have been some staff changes there was a warm welcome and everyone was friendly and helpful, Goodluck the manager in particular.
The accommodation is comfortable, the food produced by chef John tasty and varied.
Rama the guide is well experienced and has good knowledge of the flora as well as the wildlife and birds. We had a great time together. There is a good varied terrain within distance of the camp and in January thousands of wildebeest and zebra and so also predators so that I gained a long list of mammals, birds and other wildlife."
The accommodation is comfortable, the food produced by chef John tasty and varied.
Rama the guide is well experienced and has good knowledge of the flora as well as the wildlife and birds. We had a great time together. There is a good varied terrain within distance of the camp and in January thousands of wildebeest and zebra and so also predators so that I gained a long list of mammals, birds and other wildlife."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
5 sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
10+ sightings
Spotted Hyena
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
My Tanzania trip, September 2015
Zanzibar and 1 other country between 31 Aug 2015 and 14 Sep 2015
"A trip of a lifetime. An altogether wonderful experience among the delightful people of Tanzania. I would recommend all the camps visited to see game of every description and be cosseted by the staff. Missed out on seeing a rhino so need to go back
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really, it all worked very well. Fishermans Tours were very helpful also"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really, it all worked very well. Fishermans Tours were very helpful also"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Lodge (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Great stay at Sanctuary Camp."
2 nights
Arrived
1 Sep 2015
"The camp has a good location foe easy access to the Crater. I was the only guest and had wonderful service. First time at a safari camp and was pleasantly surprised at how good the facilities were. Particularly liked the location among the acacia trees. An excellent camp overall with kind and attentive staff. Hamisi was a superb guide."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Dunia Camp
"Lovely time at Dunia Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
3 Sep 2015
"The best facilities of each of the camps I stayed in, probably because it is more of a permanent one. All the staff are lovely, Angel, the camp manager was particularly helpful.
Good food but too much to eat at times. Joshua, the guide was extremely good at spotting and had a wide knowledge of the game and ecology. Some of the roads were horrendous and we had to be rescued after being stuck in the mud.
We were very late back to the camp in the dark and much to the relief of Angel I said I was not worried about it."
Good food but too much to eat at times. Joshua, the guide was extremely good at spotting and had a wide knowledge of the game and ecology. Some of the roads were horrendous and we had to be rescued after being stuck in the mud.
We were very late back to the camp in the dark and much to the relief of Angel I said I was not worried about it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Olakira
"Enjoyable stay at Olakira Mara-Ndutu"
3 nights
Arrived
6 Sep 2015
"A camp with a superb location overlooking the Mara river. Again the service was excellent, the food extremely good and again they tried to feed me too much. The staff were excellent and tried to ensure we enjoyed our stay.
Olee the guide was particularly good and also had a wide knowledge of the game. I was sorry to leave the place. My only adverse comment is that the tent lighting was a bit inadequate compared with the other camps."
Olee the guide was particularly good and also had a wide knowledge of the game. I was sorry to leave the place. My only adverse comment is that the tent lighting was a bit inadequate compared with the other camps."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Dhow Palace Hotel
"Fine stay at Dhow Palace Hotel"
1 night
Arrived
9 Sep 2015
"A hotel with a Colonial feel about it and located conveniently in the older part of Stone Town. The staff were very helpful and the facilities good.
Unfortunately there was not enough time to use the swimming pool. The food was good. The hotel is muslim therefore teetotal."
Unfortunately there was not enough time to use the swimming pool. The food was good. The hotel is muslim therefore teetotal."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Chumbe Island Lodge
"Great snorkeling at Chumbe Island"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Sep 2015
"An interesting "eco" lodge with staff lovely, just like the Tanzanians on the mainland.
Bungalow 6 had a beautiful view of the sea, and coral. Good food and service again. The guides Matata and Chaga were excellent and very helpful with equipment for snorkeling and also had good knowledge about the island flora and fauna.
Great variety of fish and coral types when snorkeling.
Did not want to leave."
Bungalow 6 had a beautiful view of the sea, and coral. Good food and service again. The guides Matata and Chaga were excellent and very helpful with equipment for snorkeling and also had good knowledge about the island flora and fauna.
Great variety of fish and coral types when snorkeling.
Did not want to leave."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Dhow Palace Hotel
"Return to Dhow Palace"
1 night
Arrived
13 Sep 2015
"See previous comments. [Ed: see below!]
Staff again very helpful"
Staff again very helpful"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
The staff were lovely, so friendly and very helpful.
Stan, the guide and driver, Mike the spotter and Bibi the trainee guide all were very knowledgeable about the animals, birds and plants."