Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs H from Kent

"This was a perfect place to chill after a long journey from UK and while waiting for the following day’s flight to Mfuwe.

Although on the outskirts of Lusaka, it had the feel of being in the bush and our chalet was much like a typical chalet in a game reserve (though obviously minus the animals).

There would not be much to do for a period longer than a night unless you had your own vehicle.

Very relaxing vibe, friendly staff and great food. A perfect way to start off the trip."

"We had a brilliant stay here. The lodge is well located away from most other lodges and overlooking a lagoon near the Luangwa river.

On game drives we were able to drive through the Luangwa river into the park proper, thus avoiding having to drive for 30 minutes to the main gate. We had some amazing sightings, and our guide Solomon was superb. We saw lions close up on almost every drive, as well as several leopard sightings. We were lucky enough to see a lion kill of a buffalo, with the herd still sticking around distressed.

The lodge food was on the whole excellent, with the only gripe being the main course of the evening meal which tended to be dry and a little unappealing. All staff were very attentive and efficient, with special mention for Kolo and Betty. Our cabin was perfect - a good size with a veranda overlooking the lagoon where there was plenty of wildlife to watch.

The public areas of the lodge were very attractive looking and very comfortable and welcoming."

"This was everything a bush camp should be - with a wild, remote feel and the camp structures generally made of reed/thatch. This was about 3 hours drive from Kafunta down a remote track. Our cabin was completely open, both from above and out towards the Luangwa river and noisy hippos. The only thing stopping inquisitive visitors at night were a set of steps and a flimsy low door - perfect.

Martin was a brilliant camp manager and guide.

The only issue was that the other guests didn’t want to do walking safaris, meaning we had to plead for these. Thankfully it worked out fine and we were able to do 2 great morning walking safaris, including walking from this camp to Three River Camp, about 10 km away.

We had some excellent sightings on our evening drives, including the sight of a large lion pride getting very agitated at the presence of another pride nearby. The camp was very efficiently managed, just like its parent lodge, Kafunta. Food was excellent and meal times were friendly, with guests sitting together and hosted by the camp manager."

"This is a brilliantly located camp, right on a river bend with far reaching views, and the camp itself teeming with wildlife, in particular elephants.

As with Island Bush Camp, we had a problem in getting walking safaris as all the other guests wanted drives. This was sorted up to a point, with one afternoon walk offered.

Other than that, it was a great place, brilliantly run by TJ and the game drives guided by Andrew were fantastic, with a highlight being spending 2.5 hours watching a leopard with a very recently killed impala. In the cabins (we had Kudu), we particularly enjoyed the elevated star room (a sort of annex to the main cabin) which gives great game viewing by day, and sleeping under the stars at night. Overall the cabin seemed quite heavily constructed for a bush camp, though this just reflects a personal preference for simple materials in bush camps.

Camp meals were excellent (everyone ate at one table) as was the overall organisation and vibe, and the common areas were a delight."

"This was a perfect place to chill after 8 days of game drives/walks at South Luangwa.

Very luxurious establishment right on its own private beach with its own airstrip. Our cabin was huge and exceptionally well equipped, with views out to Lake Malawi.

Food in the restaurant was very good, with a decent choice on the menu, and very flexible eating hours. Staff were attentive and always helpful.

Curiously the place was probably less than a quarter full. Canoes and snorkelling equipment (complementary) came in very useful.

There wasn’t a lot to do outside the resort without any transport, but that was fine for a 2-3 day stay."

"While lacking some of the frills of typical South Luangwa lodges, this was nevertheless a very solid and well run operation. It was spectacularly located, right on Shire river, with individual cabins facing a lagoon which connects to the river.

Fiona, the camp manager, was very efficient and attended to all our needs. Meals were excellent quality, all served in the attractive common area. There was also a nice little swimming pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Our cabin was a good size, with solar lighting, and a veranda giving close views of wildlife on the lagoon. We were lucky to be allocated our own dedicated guide (Chipundu), which meant we could choose exactly what type of game activity we wanted.

We ended up with 1 river safari, 2 walking safaris and 3 game drives. We had some good sightings including cheetahs, lion, sable antelopes, and a porcupine very close up during a walking safari.

Generally, while the landscape around the river is green and attractive, it is very barren and spartan away from the river - partly due to elephant damage, we were told. Liwonde national park seems to be on the up after a difficult past and will be a strong highlight of any visit to Malawi."

"The lodge is situated at about 1500m elevation on a hillside about halfway up the Zomba plateau, surrounded by verdant vegetation and a much fresher climate than Liwonde, where we had come from. The owners, Tom and Petal, were extremely attentive hosts and the meals were outstanding. The guests sit around one table for meals, so plenty opportunity to compare notes on trip itineraries etc.

Our room with en suite were perhaps a little on the basic side (certainly compared with others on the trip, but then the price was significantly lower), and quite dark after sunset despite the solar lamps.

The lodge has lovely gardens and plenty of character, and is very convenient for a hike to the top of Zomba plateau, which gives great views."

"Excellent location, right on the banks of the Luangwa river, with elephant, giraffe and hippo free just to wander through the camp as they please.

This was quite a large camp/lodge by the standards of others in the area, but you wouldn't know it as the friendliness of the staff, and the way they went out of their way to make us feel at home, gave the place quite an intimate feel.

There was a real restaurant, so we could eat what we liked, when we liked and with whom we liked. Guiding from Ed, our guide, was absolutely first class. This was probably the busiest part of the park, but we only saw 2 or 3 other vehicles on each 4 hour game drive.

Really good value for money too compared to some of the other lodges."

"Absolutely wonderful experience.

The camp was quite simply constructed, as a remote bush camp should be, but everything we needed was provided. The standard of service at the camp was extraordinarily good, especially considering that everything had to be carried in from the nearest river crossing.

The food in particular was wonderful, all cooked from fresh on site. The game walks were brilliant, a 4 hour walk at sunrise and a 2 hour walk late afternoon), brilliantly led by Alex, our guide and camp manager."

"Absolutely wonderful experience.

The camp was quite simply constructed, as a remote bush camp should be, but everything we needed was provided. The standard of service at the camp was extraordinarily good, especially considering that everything had to be carried in from the nearest river crossing. The food in particular was wonderful, all cooked from fresh on site.

The game walks were fantastic - we saw a leopard kill hidden away and were able to come back later and actually see the leopard. We also had a herd of buffalo pass in from of us at the same time as a herd of elephant were approaching from the side. And best of all, we came across a pride of 13 lion eating a freshly killed buffalo, or at least they were until they spotted us - a moment not for the faint-hearted! All thanks to our brilliant guide, Bryan."

"Nicely located away from the main town and backing on to the national park. There was a water hole viewable from the lodge, though it has to be said that game activity was limited while we were staying.

Our room was well appointed and staff were helpful at all times. The atmosphere was quite impersonal, due to high number of guests staying. Food at the restaurant could have been better, and was expensive. We had a much better experience when we ate in the bar on the following evening.

Overall, a good place to stay in what is inevitably an extremely touristy location."

"This was one of many lodges located on the banks of the Chobe river, and indeed it was possible to walk from the lodge through the verdant back gardens right to the river.

The atmosphere was friendly and informal, with guests sitting together with lodge staff members at a big table at meal times. Our room was pleasant, with a veranda overlooking the back garden.

The day activities consisted of a morning game drive and an afternoon river cruise. It has to be said that this area of Chobe National Park is very touristy, and neither of these activities felt like a wilderness experience. Nevertheless, we got some excellent sightings. And, most impressively, after we returned from a cruise, the lodge manager informed us that three male lions were relaxing at the roadside a few miles away. Without further ado, he personally drove a group of us to see them, and there they were in their full glory."

"We were in awe of the wonderful location of the lodge, accessible only through being taken by boat along a narrow waterway for about 3km from the designated parking area.

Andre, the owner, and his staff were very welcoming. Meals were buffet style, sat at individual tables. Sleeping cabins were ok, though a little basic and lacking in natural light.

We had a brilliant game drive in beautiful scenery (much greener than other areas we stayed) and we were treated to the sight of huge herds of elephant drinking at the ox bow lakes."

"This was one of a number of quality lodges situated on the banks of the Okavango river. Because of the proximity of the other lodges and nearby villages, this did not feel as much like a wilderness experience as some of the other lodges we stayed at.

Our game tent was very comfortable, light and airy and the restaurant was very good. We took a cultural visit to the local village, accompanied by a lodge guide who lives in the village and this was absolutely fascinating."

"This had a location to die for, on the banks of the Okavango river, several miles upstream from Rundu, and with Angola on the other side of the river.

We could not have been made more welcome - exceptionally friendly staff throughout. Although there wasn't a lot to do in the area, the lodge served as an excellent stopping off point between Etosha and the Zambezi region.

Nice accommodation in a hut with air conditioning."

"This camp is conveniently located about 10 minutes drive from the entrance to Etosha. Although presented as a bush camp, it actually had the feel and atmosphere of a boutique hotel, complete with colour coordinated mosquito nets in our tents.

The tents themselves were exceptionally well-appointed and the main buildings were beautifully designed. The place lacked a little in warmth however, with the staff appearing to be slightly hassled and over-stretched. Consequently, the service at the restaurant and barbecue was rather slow. It was nice being surrounded by bush and the tents were very well spaced apart for privacy."

"What this camp lacked in the personal touch and quality services, it more than made up for with its location inside Etosha national park and its floodlit waterhole. Here, we could sit in comfort for as long as we wished watching a procession of animals coming to drink at the water hole right under our noses.

Our cabin was nice, but the overall welcome and restaurant service were no better than average. The camp was very large, busy and not very attractive looking. But then that is reflected in the price, which is considerably less than the luxury lodges outside the park."

"Our expectations were not high based on previous reviews, but it was a very pleasant place to stay for 2 nights.

After having spent 2 weeks being unable to walk without the protection of a guide, it was liberating to be able to take a hike on our own up to the top of the plateau, from where there were magnificent views across a lodge chuck of Namibia. In contrast to the government run camp in Etosha, Waterberg was a nice size and staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful."

"We stayed here at the end of our trip before flying home the following morning. This small hotel was located in a quiet area on the outskirts of Windhoek and had a pool. Good for wiling away a few hours.

Friendly staff and nice public rooms and probably the best food we had in Namibia."