Travel reviews by Mr R & Mrs M from UK

"This hotel was only chosen as a stopover.

However it was a pleasant place to pass two nights in between flight and train. The helpful staff organised a trip to the Voortrekker Monument and to the Union Buildings.

This lifted our stay to a different level because of a very informative and charming guide."

"Both of us were suffering from nasty colds during the journey so that may well have coloured our opinion as we were were not appreciative of either the food or the wine.

Everything was very well organised and the staff were friendly and could not have been more helpful, bringing us cold remedies and ginger and lemon tea. Although the train was very elegantly furnished and comfortable, we think the Eastern Orient Express was better.

The actual journey is not the most picturesque so we think we will give Rovos Rail another try and take the Pretoria to Victoria Falls journey next time."

"We enjoyed everything about our stay on the Waterfront, including the hotel, the restaurants within walking distance, and having the red buses to take us into the city and surrounds.

A highlight of the stay was a privately organised trip to Groote Schuur Estate which has been the home of many South African leaders since Cecil Rhodes. This trip was guided by a very knowledgeable guide called Najwaa Francke. I am this sure this visit would interest other Expert Africa clients interested in the history of Southern Africa."

"Great location right on the cliff path.

It would have been even more spectacular if it had been the whale season.

Hermanus itself was rather anonymous, but we enjoyed walks on the cliff path and also three excellent second hand book shops."

"Beautifully restored buildings, interesting coast line and birdlife all combined to give us a very enjoyable stay.

The staff were very helpful and charming and our guide on the birding walk very knowledgeable and likable.

The restaurant was very congested but we understand another one is under construction."

"Excellent hotel, although it seemed to lack the personal touch in comparison with other places, even the V and A where a personal touch would not have been expected.

We preferred the old part of Knysna town, particularly the three museums. Our visit coincided with a book festival where we attended an interesting talk about Smuts and Churchill given by Richard Steyn.

An unexpected mini “Hay Festival” !"

"We had an excellent stay here which we wished could have been longer 2 days could have been 3 or 4 .

The staff were very friendly which seemed to be contagious as all the guests mixed and led to a party atmosphere. Maybe it helped that we were all Brits! It is a very good idea to provide an opportunity for everyone to sit round the table together.

Interesting walk to an amazing bird sanctuary and monkey sanctuary provided exercise and entertainment."

"Another excellent stay which could have been longer.

The farm tour by Koos was very interesting, as was the tour by Ben at the Show Farm.

Our own tour of the town was interesting and we really needed another day to explore the town and it’s fascinating history."

"We stayed at MONTAGU VINES instead of GALENIA which had suffered a recent fire.

Lovely accommodation with very friendly, attentive owners. It was interesting to explore the town and then tour the Robertson winelands. In the evenings, there were good restaurants within walking distance.

Note that most of them have to be booked in advance which was done efficiently by our hosts."

"Everything about Babylonstoren lived up to expectation except the food. Starters were light and delicious, but a lamb main course was tough and sinewy. After choosing pannacotta for dessert, a plate was placed in front of me with three scoops of ice cream decorated clumsily with shards of meringue. No explanation was offered and when I pointed out it was not pannacotta, the waitress agreed and removed it. A more senior waitress returned and again placed it in front of me saying that pannacotta was not available. I refused it. The attitude was that I should be appreciative of whatever was put in front of me.

I know that this sounds petty after the event and we did not complain to the management at the time, but it gave the impression that the demand for a table was so high that they didn’t have to bother. The restaurant was not full. The suggestion that one has to book 6 weeks in advance for a table in the restaurant may be wishful thinking. We successfully self-catered the second night with food bought in their farm shop !

Having said all that, our cottage was amazing with a huge bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen. We must also mention the amazing bookcase in our accommodation which was stocked with excellent books many by South African writers and this added to our enjoyment of Babylonstoren. The gardens were delightful, the buildings picturesque, and apart from dinner, we had a wonderful stay."

"Excellent, very well run hotel with lovely rooms on a fantastic beach.

A place to relax, watch the bird life and walk on the beach, have a very good meal in the restaurant, then retire to bed, lulled to sleep in the glow of the wood burning stove! Not that it was really essential as the minimum night time temperature was briefly 14 degrees !

Very good restaurants within walking distance too."

"This is one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in.

Immaculate, elegant surroundings which are given a very personal touch by very charming, helpful staff."

"A very good hotel despite the rather cramped, suburban entrance. Lovely rooms, beautiful garden and good food."

"An adequate place to spend one night. Rather a dark, dreary room with an attractive patio.

The stay was enlivened by quite a good dinner at a restaurant a few doors down the street."

"A good place to stay for one night. Well-appointed room with place to park the car outside.

Friendly owner.

Excellent steak in town."

"Very attractive place to stop off. Good room, lovely setting on the river, friendly staff, good food."

"Very attractive rooms in a beautiful setting with well-kept gardens.

The Gondwana organisation knows its business with attention to detail and well trained staff.

Food perhaps did not match the otherwise high standard."

"We were disappointed that we could only stay one night here since we would have liked to see more of the farm.

However the owner was very enthusiastic and did his best in the short time available to describe the various projects operating.
As farmers we were fascinated by the farming venture.

Good food, delightful family."

"We had thought beforehand that it would have been possible to spend more time at Dabis, and therefore less here. However that was not possible.

The hotel was adequate, but not the best place to spend a day !"

"Fantastic place and "Terrible Thelma" an outstanding hostess.

Rather too much food in such hot conditions.

Limited activities so perfect just for two nights"

"The entrance is rather unattractive, but once inside the gates things improve.

Excellent, very well designed room with a place for everything including suitcases.

Friendly, interesting hosts, good food and great walking.

Hosts deserve support because they try hard and farming is very difficult in the drought conditions they are experiencing"

"Perhaps it was situated in wilderness at one time !

Now it is on the edge of an industrial area with the sounds of a forklift truck and angle grinder constantly in the background.

Adequate room with a ridiculously small bathroom.

Food was excellent but bar area was spoiled by a rather large dog running wild."

"Fantastic tented rooms in a lovely setting. Excellent guides.

Food good except for one over-cooked fish dish."

"Superb room and camp. Good food in lovely setting.

One day there seemed to be too many staff standing around doing nothing. The next day there were not enough.

We did not want to see the desert elephants, so there was not much to see or do. However we did go on the excursion to see the rock carvings."

"Very friendly family.

Unfortunately It was raining while we were there so it was not possible to explore the farm.
Food very good in a very welcoming atmosphere.

We would like to return in the dry season."

"Beautifully designed place but rather incongruous in the surroundings. Rather too "flash" for Etosha!

Outstanding guide, David, took us for a game drive where we saw cheetah.
The next morning, we had a short but enjoyable walk.

Some kind of railing is needed around the outside deck of the main building.
Someone fell 10 feet off the deck."

"We loved everything about this place. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and everything works.

Food was delicious, wonderful walks and excellent host.

We had an unforgettable experience watching a vet dart and tranquillise a giraffe, then remove a snare."

"Good place for a stopover."

"Great entertainment provided by the bushmen who were eager to show us everything while laughing and joking all the time. The local guide, Freddie, was excellent.

The camp was in need of renovation. For example, our toilet leaked continuously despite three complaints to the manager. He had only arrived back in camp the night before we arrived, so there seemed little preparation for guests. The owner arrived later.

A memorable stay in a substandard camp. However the food was good."

"This was not booked through Expert Africa but we have included our thoughts.

Excellent accommodation in a lovely setting. Able to walk unaccompanied with no dangerous animals. Good hides for game and bird watching. Good food, good staff, friendly manager. He was inexperienced in the hospitality business and could do with acquiring more social skills. But tried hard.

This is also a hunting farm but the very high standard of accommodation and the ability to to walk in the bush without fear of dangerous game make it ideally suited to non hunting guests"

"Another Gondwana lodge. Excellent accommodation and staff. Better cook than at Canyon lodge."

"We are not sure if the couple in charge were managers or owners. The lady was very friendly and helpful, the man was very off- hand. We had to ask both days for the "donkie" to be lit so that we could have hot water.

We arrived at midday, but were not offered lunch. Perhaps we should have asked, but we waited a couple of hours and then asked if we could have something to eat. We were given a packet of crisps. However when dinner was served in the evening, it was very good.

We were seriously outnumbered by the other German guests. We do not speak German, but the host made no attempt to make us feel more comfortable at the communal dining table."

"Excellent accommodation, service, food and setting.
Although many activities were offered we were happy much of the time just to sit on the terrace and watch the animals below.

Judy, "stand-in" manageress was wonderful

A great place for our last few days."