Travel reviews by Mr I from Combs

We very much appreciate these travellers’ comments and will certainly inform future travellers of an approximate meeting time. In the past we have spent time looking at the best possible way of making the arrangement for getting to Nxamaseri as efficient as possible. In general these work well however unfortunately in this instant, this was not the case - which is of no consolation to these travellers but is hopefully reassuring for those who plan to visit in the future.

Generally our instructions for meeting the team from Ichingo Chobe Lodge work well for our clients and for the Lodge. We are sorry that, because of the rain, this was not the case in this instant.

We put these comments to Lee, Camp Kwando’s manager, who appreciated the feedback, and apologised that these travellers felt that their stay was just ‘average’ – as he aims for much better.

Lee tells us that the team member who shows new guests to their rooms usually follows a ‘set procedure’ to explain to the guests their meal times, activities, and how the camp is run – and there’s always a chance for questions. He’s not sure why these travellers seem not to have had this, and hence why they didn’t know how the place worked. Whatever the reason, he’s sorry that this was the case.

He tells us that the management and staff here normally make a point of leaving the guests alone, without interrupting them. He’s sorry that these guests perceived their ‘hands-off’ approach to guests as being indifference – and assures us that this isn’t the case.

Lee explained to us that his team all have different duties – and that’s why a member of the bar staff was called from the kitchen to make a drink. The guide, Eli, introduced himself during dinner because one of his duties is to find out what activities each guest would like to do during the next day.

Lee was also sorry that these travellers felt that they didn’t have anywhere relaxing to sit. He commented that the camp usually accommodates up to 30 people, so there are a number of places to sit around the lodge. Our two travellers were the only people in camp at the time, and he’s sorry that they felt there was no space for them in the lounge. That said, he has discussed this with his team, and reminded them that they should vacate seats when guests come through.

Lee was appalled to learn that the guide, Eli, had smoked on an activity with guests; he agrees that this is totally unacceptable, and he has “dealt with it accordingly”.

Getting staff to camp for work can often be an issue in Africa. Lee explained to us that Camp Kwando doesn’t have the resources to provide transport to and from work for all of its staff, and that some, like the guide John (not David – there’s been a mix-up with names here), do live two hours’ walk away. They assure us that the situation is clear when people apply for jobs with the camp.

Lee told us that their policy was to lay on transport when it is raining heavily, or for any staff that work late – and that the small ‘night shift’ is always taken home after work. (In this case, for example, these travellers returned late to the lodge after their afternoon drive, and hence the manager drove John home.) We realise that such a long walk may seem (and probably is) difficult … but we’re pleased to hear that this lodge has a clear policy, which is broadly similar to many safari lodges.

Lee apologised if he, or anyone else in his team, seemed rude then these travellers checked out. He was disturbed by this comment, as he feels that he and his team do care about both their staff and guests alike. He was at pains to advise us that whilst Camp Kwando does aim to leave guests to themselves, he and his team aren’t unfriendly – and would always like to be viewed as approachable.

Arno and Estelle informed us of the change of telephone number during this travellers trip, but unfortuantely after they had visited Nhoma Camp. Unfortunately this was too late for these travellers, but all information was updated in December to show the new number for any future travellers.

Marc Pampe, Mushara’s owner, replied that he used to spend 24/7 at the lodge, whereas now he’s only there for 12 hours a day. He’s trained up his staff, and handed them a lot of responsibility; he feels that most of his guests like this. He’s pleased that the lodge has changed this way over the last few years.

We are sorry that these travellers felt that Mushara lacked ambiance; they specifically asked to stay here because of their previous experience. Mushara has changed in the last four years; it’s now more like a smart, small hotel than an informal, personal lodge. This suits some, but not others. We’d usually have lengthy discussions with our travellers about the pro’s and con’s of where to stay – but in this case we didn’t discuss Mushara much; perhaps we should have.

These travellers report that other at the lodge had stomach upsets. Marc comments that nobody mentioned this to him or his staff. As this didn’t affect our travellers, it’s difficult for us to make any comments here.

We’re told by Marc that the lodge doesn’t put food out for birds or squirrels. In fact, both their check-in information sheet and also a note on each outside table urge guest not to feed the birds and squirrels. Unfortunately, many guests do still feed the animals – and hence the problem. Marc assures us that he’s looking at how to reinforce this message without harming the wildlife.