Travel reviews by Dr S. from Melvin Village

"Sept 27+28: Lovely resort within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park. Surreal to see impalas and monkeys all over the lawns and zebras drinking at the pool! Grounds are beautiful - there is a little nature trail with hide to watch birds in a small lagoon. Easy walk to the Zamibian side of Victoria Falls with free access to the park. Falls were completely dry but still interesting. Baboons grooming and walking right by you on the walkways.

Lots of security and staff who would walk with you or drive you in a golf cart to the gate entrance to the park or to the sister resort Royal Livingstone. Easy walk to the Royal Livingstone, except for having to share the sidewalk with giraffes! Beautiful sunsets over the Zambezi from the Royal Livingstone.

Breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious - staff were very friendly. I did walk over the bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls. Park entrance was $30USD. More people trying to sell you things on the walk over, which was a bit farther than I thought, but completely doable. The Falls were spectacular though and worth the hike!

I also walked into Victoria Falls, which has a lot of shops and restaurants whereas the Avani and Royal Livingstone are not near the commercial center of Livingstone. I would definitely recommend staying at the Avani!"

"Sept 29+30: Well organized pickup at Mfewe airport then 40 minute drive to Nkwali Camp in time for dinner at 8pm. Delicious food, lovely accommodations, dinners served by small lagoon where resident hippo sleeps or chomps on vegetation. Baboons and monkeys wander around as well as mongoose families and all sorts of birds.

Small pool overlooking the lagoon was perfect. Rooms are beautiful with an open air feel to the bathroom area, which was well stocked with amenities, insect repellent and bug spray. Breakfast served overlooking a bend in the Luangwa River where hippos lounge in the water and elephants can be seen crossing over.

My first game drive greatly exceeded my expectations - lion pride resting under tree after kill, hyenas and vultures at the kill, pack of wild dogs resting after their kill, plus large herd of water buffalo crossing the road, elephants, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, impalas, puku, crocodiles, hippos. Spectacular!"

"5 hour transfer to the first Mobile camp, swatting at tsetse flies and rolling up and down windows to try to keep them out the whole way! A fascinating drive nonetheless! Such a sense of remoteness! The camps are set up with large army tents, drop toilets with toilet seats, bucket shower - which was supplied with shampoo/soap and hot water for the end of the day! Not glamping but very comfortable.

Wake up at 5 as the water basin outside your tent was filled with warm water - breakfast (toast, porridge, fruit, cereal, coffee/tea) was served 5:15-6 and then off on a morning walk, usually 4-5 hours and 6-8 miles. Not strenuous but certainly uneven footing. Mostly single file behind the Ranger with his gun - Louis, guide - Jason, the 6 of us and Geoffrey, the teabearing bringing up the rear. It was amazingly different from the game drives - much more tracking, listening, smelling and watching from afar.

After delicious lunch, we would take a cool off dip in the Mupamadzi river before siesta. Tea t 3:30 then off on another walk at 4 for a few more miles before being met by the camp team, who set up sundowners with drinks and chairs, then drove us back to camp. Dinner at 8 was incredible, given the primitive cooking/kitchen facilities. We stayed at 3 different camp sites, saw leopards 3 times, snuck across the river to see some wild dogs, followed and found lions resting, had starring contests with water buffalo, startling warthogs and piglets out of their den and being very cautious around elephants that we stumbled upon. Plus all kinds of birds - owls, hawks, eagles, rollers, too numerous to recall! It was an incredible experience!

Advice: bring shirts that are army green/brown/grey - most of us had brought very light colored clothing which sticks out like a bleached white animal skull out in the bush! Guide and host lent me more appropriately colored shirts so I blended in a bit better!"

"After the 5 hours drive back from the Mobile walking safari, and a short pole driven boat crossing, it seemed like a return to civilization - ice cubes! Another beautiful camp on a bend in the Luangwa River with excellent food and a small lagoon by the deck with a hide as well, for watching elelphants, giraffes, baboons, antelope, warthogs coming down for a drink or mudbath!

Game drives felt strange after the mobile safari - to get so close to the animals again. But so much more interesting after seeing them out in the bush in more remote surroundings. Night drives were again terrific - lions drinking prior to going out on a hunt, hippos getting up on land for their night time foraging, genets, bushbabies, cameleons. And then back to camp for another delicious dinner.

As with the other camps, mosquito netting was perfectly arranged by staff and insect repellent/bug spray was always available and on return to camp, we were always greeted by the camp host with cool washclothes!"

"My Emirates flights were postponed a day - Lucy Copson from Expert Africa was right on it and gave me a few options, being able to book me at the Luangwa River Camp for another great experience. The transfers between camps were always like an additional game drive and timed so that you didn't miss any meals or scheduled game drives.

Another beautiful camp with more delicious food. Lovely two tiered swimming pool that, once I vacated, the baboons could come enjoy their afternoon drink! Game drives started and ended with an intense river crossing up and down the steep river bank. The Land Cruisers used are such reliable beasts and the guides are superb drivers! There were never more than 4 people in a vehicle either which was appreciated.

Got up close to a big male lion sitting by his recent kill and saw lots of giraffes, elephants, and a nice bachelor herd of kudu as well. Perfect end to my first safari! Smooth transfer back to the airport with assistance getting checked in. I would highly recommend the Robin Pope camps and the advice/assistance of Expert Africa!"