Travel reviews by Ms G from Sarnia
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
A dream trip to Africa
Tanzania and 1 other country between 15 Sep 2017 and 28 Sep 2017
"Our trip to Africa was a dream come true. It was better than I had anticipated. Staying at Lamai Serengeti was the highlight of our trip.
My husband and I do like to be active, so in retrospect 9 days of game drives was too much for us. Our backs were hurting us from inactivity. I, unfortunately, had not realized, that, of course, we wouldn't be doing much walking within our camps, due to the proximity of wildlife. We did do one walking safari, which was great. We had a second opportunity for a walking safari, but this was at Oliver's Camp where the tsetse flies were brutal, so we declined that opportunity.
As well, the drive down to the crater each day in Ngorogoro was not fun. Extremely bumpy and unbelievable dust. I guess in retrospect I should have asked more questions before we chose our camps. I am a "water girl" - we live on a lake and I am used to humidity, but not at all accustomed to extreme dry and dusty conditions. I just felt terrible the whole time I was at the crater.
Also, some days it was a little much to do a game drive upon arriving after a couple of flights. Travel days - in Africa, even though the flights were short, were tedious days as there was always a lot of waiting around. For instance, we would leave the camp at 8:30, perhaps an hour drive to the airport, then the flight wouldn't leave until 11am, etc."
My husband and I do like to be active, so in retrospect 9 days of game drives was too much for us. Our backs were hurting us from inactivity. I, unfortunately, had not realized, that, of course, we wouldn't be doing much walking within our camps, due to the proximity of wildlife. We did do one walking safari, which was great. We had a second opportunity for a walking safari, but this was at Oliver's Camp where the tsetse flies were brutal, so we declined that opportunity.
As well, the drive down to the crater each day in Ngorogoro was not fun. Extremely bumpy and unbelievable dust. I guess in retrospect I should have asked more questions before we chose our camps. I am a "water girl" - we live on a lake and I am used to humidity, but not at all accustomed to extreme dry and dusty conditions. I just felt terrible the whole time I was at the crater.
Also, some days it was a little much to do a game drive upon arriving after a couple of flights. Travel days - in Africa, even though the flights were short, were tedious days as there was always a lot of waiting around. For instance, we would leave the camp at 8:30, perhaps an hour drive to the airport, then the flight wouldn't leave until 11am, etc."
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
"Mountain Gorilla View Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2017
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Excellent
Kigali Serena Hotel
"Kigali Serena Hotel review"
1 night
Arrived
18 Sep 2017
"This was a beautiful hotel.
Just wish that we had spent more time there. We arrived around 6pm and left before 6am."
Just wish that we had spent more time there. We arrived around 6pm and left before 6am."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Lamai Serengeti
"Beautiful Lamai Serengeti"
4 nights
Arrived
19 Sep 2017
"This camp was even better than I thought a camp in the Serengeti would be. The staff were excellent (acting manager - Katie, Milton, Baracka, our guide - Emmanuel). The food was great. Once again, they did a great job of accommodating our vegan diets.
Our driver was highly knowledgeable and very courteous. He took care of us very well. We saw so many amazing animals thanks to Emmanuel's knowledge of the area and the behaviour of the animals.
The breakfast out in the plains every day was such a treat. Receiving tea and coffee in our room first thing in the morning was also very special.
We loved our time at Lamai! Thank you!"
Our driver was highly knowledgeable and very courteous. He took care of us very well. We saw so many amazing animals thanks to Emmanuel's knowledge of the area and the behaviour of the animals.
The breakfast out in the plains every day was such a treat. Receiving tea and coffee in our room first thing in the morning was also very special.
We loved our time at Lamai! Thank you!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Entamanu Ngorongoro
"Entamanu Ngorongoro review"
3 nights
Arrived
23 Sep 2017
"The camp was beautiful and the staff were very accommodating. Once again, our vegan diets were very well accommodated.
The only negative for me was the dust. We travelled to Entamanu near the end of the dry season. The dust going to and from the crater each day was almost unbearable for me. In fact I took a whole day off from game drives as I could not tolerate the long, dusty ride.
It was very windy when we were at Entamanu and we were awake a lot in the tent as our tent flapped constantly in the wind. Perhaps this location, if it is often windy, should have a more permanent structure, rather than the tents."
The only negative for me was the dust. We travelled to Entamanu near the end of the dry season. The dust going to and from the crater each day was almost unbearable for me. In fact I took a whole day off from game drives as I could not tolerate the long, dusty ride.
It was very windy when we were at Entamanu and we were awake a lot in the tent as our tent flapped constantly in the wind. Perhaps this location, if it is often windy, should have a more permanent structure, rather than the tents."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We're so pleased that these guests enjoyed their stay at Entamanu overall. However, dusty roads are very common at the end of the dry season, all around the rim of the Crater and we can appreciate how this would detract from the experience. We will endeavour to make travellers more aware of this fact during the booking process.
Unfortunately the wind in this location is an issue and the camp has taken many steps to try to mitigate its effects, although clearly they have further work to do if possible. The conditions of the camp's residency in the park are such that a permanent structure is actually prohibited, hence the tented nature of the camp. We are confident that the owners of Entamanu will continue to try to improve guests' experiences with respect to the wind and noise, and also ensure future travellers understand what to expect when staying here.
Unfortunately the wind in this location is an issue and the camp has taken many steps to try to mitigate its effects, although clearly they have further work to do if possible. The conditions of the camp's residency in the park are such that a permanent structure is actually prohibited, hence the tented nature of the camp. We are confident that the owners of Entamanu will continue to try to improve guests' experiences with respect to the wind and noise, and also ensure future travellers understand what to expect when staying here.
Innovation Manager
Oliver's Camp
"Oliver's Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Sep 2017
"Oliver's Camp was lovely.. The staff were very helpful.. The food was excellent.
The only negative was the over-abundance of tseste flies. At certain times of the day they were unbearable. Both afternoons that we were there we stayed in our tent the entire time to avoid these flies. We had done our best to avoid the colours that the flies are attracted to, and used bug spray, but none of this seemed to have any impact on the flies at all."
The only negative was the over-abundance of tseste flies. At certain times of the day they were unbearable. Both afternoons that we were there we stayed in our tent the entire time to avoid these flies. We had done our best to avoid the colours that the flies are attracted to, and used bug spray, but none of this seemed to have any impact on the flies at all."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
The food was excellent. We had lots of vegan options which was wonderful.
The staff were all very accommodating. The fact that we could rent gaiters (prior to trekking) was great. Perhaps knowing this prior to the trip would have been helpful as I wasn't sure whether or not to pack our gaiters - which would take up valuable suitcase space.
It was also wonderful that the staff cleaned our hiking boots after our very muddy trek!"