Travel reviews by Crooks from Bristol

"We thoroughly enjoyed what was our first experience of this kind of camp. The tents were warm, dry and comfortable; the camp was well run and the staff were outstanding.

This sort of safari gives you a clear feeling of really being in the wild: listening to the roar of the lions at night and hearing the pounding hooves of zebra as they stampede. At the same time the knowledge and care taken by all the staff gave us confidence in our safety.

We found it really impressive that the chef was able to produce such a range of high quality food on little more than a campfire. The menu was imaginative, the food delicious and well-presented.

At Nxai Pan the range of wildlife we saw was not large. Loads of zebra, wildebeest and springbok but only one sighting of any big cats. A variety of birds aplenty, though.

Travelling around the pans was interesting and we all enjoyed our visit to Baines Baobabs - a must.

Our journey from Maun was made in a torrential downpour of several hours and we arrived at the camp cold and wet. The camp - which had been set up in the dry the day before - was partly underwater and all very muddy. It is of particular credit to the staff team that they were able to manage this difficult situation and to provide us with such an enjoyable stay.

The campsite dried out over the next few days but we are now fully aware that Botswana in the rainy season can be very wet!

Andrew [The guide & host] was calm, patient and confident in the challenging circumstances of our journey to Nxai Pan in torrential rain. He coped well with the very difficult driving conditions where rutted roads and become tick with mud. He managed the team at the camp well.

He was a good host and an excellent guide. He provided interesting and informative context to what we were experiencing on the game drives. He listened to what we said and was able to use his great knowledge to answer our questions. At sundown he made a mean gin and tonic.

Even though he could have done some revision on the way to the airstrip when taking us to our onward flight, we would have no hesitation in travelling with him again!"

"Our guide, Alcho, and our tracker Sam, provided an excellent service and memorable game drives. They were both very knowledgeable, especially about birds. We particularly liked the way in which Alcho encouraged us to think about what we were seeing.

We experienced a wide range of wildlife in a variety of settings on our game drives.

Overall, comparing the standard of Mma Dinare to other Kwando lodges we have visited, it fell short. A few personal touches were lacking, such as providing everyone with a water bottle."

"All the staff - from the Camp manager, our guide (thank you, Ike), our tracker to the catering and domestic staff - were very welcoming and professional.

The food was very good and the accommodation was airy and comfortable. Lodges have interesting views over the river.

There are ample opportunities to see a good range of wildlife - animals, birds and plants - and Ike and our tracker James had a very broad range of in-depth knowledge from which we benefited.

As well as game drives we enjoyed our river boat cruise and our short walking safari. Ike and James were able to respond well to our game viewing requests."

"Staying at Splash Camp was a fantastic experience with plenty of up-close animal sightings (including around the camp itself). The staff were able to make us feel confident and safe at all times.

The food at Splash was particularly good.

The camp seems to be very well run and there is a very good atmosphere generated between guests and staff. Our needs and requests were responded to very well. We were lucky to have and excellent guide - Turlock - and tracker - Eric."

"The hotel and surroundings are having some renovation work carried out which was a little disruptive. Although efforts had been made to work around this disruption signage could have been better about revised arrangements (like how to get to the parking garage or access a working elevator). Staff were efficient and friendly enough and breakfast was good.

Check in and check out we're both well managed."

"Getting to Etosha Aoba was straightforward and the signposting in the property was clear. We received a warm and apparently genuine welcome.

The food was well cooked, presented and served in very impressive surroundings.

Our room was comfortable and the communal areas inviting. We didn't do any activities based around the lodge itself (choosing to spend our time in the Etosha National Park) but spotted the animals noted below during our drive through the Onguma grounds. Did dik also visited the waterhole overlooked by the dining terrace.

Although it was brief we enjoyed our stay here very much."

"Our stay at Mushara was short, arriving soon before dark and leaving for a long drive quite early the next morning. We did not do any activities in the grounds of Mushara apart from a brief stroll to the viewing hide (where we saw an oryx).

Staff were friendly and efficient. The room was very comfortable.

Our evening meal - in the Boma area - could have been better. Breakfast was good."

"This was the largest and busiest lodge we visited on our trip.

The location overlooking Angola and not far outside Rundu was good with interesting views across the river. The check in was well managed and our room was comfortable. The grounds of the lodge were well kept and easy to stroll in.

Our buffet evening meal included a singing and dancing performance by some of the lodge staff, some of whom appeared to be more enthusiastic than others about their participation."

"This was our favourite lodge on the trip. Arrangements for collection and transfer to the lodge were well managed and we received a warm welcome. The accommodation was good and excellently situated overlooking a tributary of the river. You feel close to nature and the wildlife around the lodge.

Our guide was very helpful throughout our stay. We enjoyed the activities we participated in particularly a trip to the nearby Tsolido Hills. There are excellent opportunities for spotting birds.

The atmosphere around the lodge was friendly and relaxing but the staff at the same time were professional and efficient. Meals are served at a communal table which can lead to good interaction between guests."

"The property was well sited overlooking the river and there were good opportunities to experience the wildlife. Signage to get to the lodge could be improved and the maps provided for self drive routes surrounding it were less than clear.

It is a shame that no drinkable water was provided free of charge but had to be purchased.

The check out was not well managed and there were discrepancies in the billing of couples in our group (of 3 couples) with some items finding themselves on the wrong bill."

"This lodge is in a very remote location, 23 kilometres from the nearest village down a sandy and rock strewn track. Our guide was at the meeting point in the village when we arrived: travel with him!

The Camp has a spectacular view across the flood plain to the river and into Botswana. There are good opportunities for wildlife and bird spotting. We enjoyed the activities we undertook, an early morning game drive and a river trip.

The meals were good. The staff were friendly and efficient - very eager to please.

It was quite an adventure to visit Jackalberry but one that was most worthwhile."