Travel reviews by Pandc from Evesham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
Fantastic trip despite the airlines!
Kenya and 1 other country between 23 Aug 2019 and 9 Sep 2019
As advised we were prepared to get our visas at the airport. We were met on the run way by a shouting official, eventually determined he wanted our visa. He took our passports while we waited for the luggage which did not appear.
In the visa office we presented the visa forms provided by yourselves which were rejected, with a lot of shouting, and new cards were presented to us to fill in. The official asked my husband what we were doing in Mozambique, replying ‘tourist’ he shouted that we could have our visas after everyone else. After issuing visas to at least 2 other people who arrived after us we got our visas. Full finger prints were taken, photographs taken, our money was checked for fakes! We definitely got the feeling we were being treated as badly and as slowly as possible.
Another point to make is that the immigration clerks who were issuing the visas were very incompetent, almost ruining my husbands passport. Can I advise that anyone's travelling via Nampula does not try to get their visas at the airport. If they don’t live near London then get a visa company to do it for them and pay extra.
After all this drama we then had the 4 hour journey to Nuarro all in the dark.
Another point is that we were expecting to pay $30 each exit from Mozambique. No money was requested.
Another note regarding visas. We had not booked our return flights on the same ticket so needed to retrieve our luggage in Nairobi and re-enter the airport. This was easily done at the visa desk, a transit visa was issued for $20 each."
Feedback response
We were delighted to hear these travellers had enjoyed their trip so much, despite their airline problems and their poor welcome into Mozambique. Just before they travelled, the visa policy changed, requiring a "letter of invitation" from the hotel you're staying at. Nuarro Lodge was very helpful, and provided a letter immediately. Immigration officers are generally polite, if not always efficient or welcoming. We sought advice from our partners in Mozambique about lobbying to make visitors' arrival a more efficient and welcoming process and we understand that process is ongoing.
Arranged By Richard Trillo
Laikipia Wilderness
"Somewhere different at Laikipia Wilderness"
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
2 sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Offbeat Mara
"Wonderful welcome!"
We were met at the camp by Jennifer the camp manager and a group of staff. The tent was very comfortable and the bush shower was great. The loo was a bit smelly and difficult to flush.
The comfort and design of the communal areas was lovely and the atmosphere on the camp was very friendly. The food at dinner was disappointing, although lunchtime salads were good and bush breakfasts were fine.
Great game watching, although the design of the vehicles meant it was a little difficult to communicate with the guide. Joseph was very interesting and knowledgable regarding the problems with the local community and farming/game viewing."
Cheetah
4 sightings
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Hippo
3 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Spotted Hyena
6 sightings
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
Kicheche Valley
"What a fantastic camp!"
Although we found the 3 course meals a bit excessive they were very nice. The bush breakfasts were the best we’d had.
The view from our tent was so good we could have stayed there all day! We both had massage treatments which were excellent and very welcome after 5 days Safari. Naboisho is a great conservancy. Wildlife was easy to see and find and we had some great encounters, including leopard viewing in sight of our tent. We spent a lot of time watching lions which was amazing. The night game drive was the low point with very little to see and quite a lot of light pollution from the villages.
We would certainly stay at a Kicheche camp again."
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
4 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
3 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
4 sightings
Spotted Hyena
4 sightings
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
Nuarro Mozambique
"Very beautiful and very remote."
Very lovely lodge. Great atmosphere and friendly people. Comfortable chalet with hot water and very private, the eco loo is amazing and really does not smell.
Diving and snorkelling was excellent although the there are only small fish but lots of them and lovely colours. Very good, very well run dive centre.
Whale watching most mornings from the breakfast table. Good food considering where we were.
The journey from Nampula is fairly arduous especially at night.
Great yoga classes. A tailor visits the lodge if you would like something made. The lodge is very involved in supporting the local village.
The visit to the village was enjoyable and interesting."
We had gone there to see wild dogs and although we had to go on to the neighbouring farm to see them (via a river crossing in a small boat!) and pay $50 each, we spent an evening and a morning watching them hunt and socialise. Fantastic!
Great guiding from Steven and Mgambe.
Lovely settings for sundowners. Great bush dinner. Comfortable tents with good hot water for showering.
We had hoped to fly camp one night but the weather was not suitable also to do a walking Safari but the government were checking all the rifles and had removed the camp rifles!"