Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs R from Picton, NZ
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
15
Excursions taken
0
Welcome to Africa Trip
Namibia and 2 other countries between 1 Jun 2019 and 28 Jun 2019
"A-MA-ZING absolutely amazing. It was way better than I expected and a great experience.
I was surprised by the beauty of the landscape in Namibia despite its dryness. It was easy to travel around, the people were so helpful at our accommodation places and the camping was a great experience. It worked well interspersing a couple of days camping between the lodges and everything that your company organised went to plan.
The planning was meticulous with lots of essential and background information provided to ensure we had a successful trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Adding the timing of the afternoon game drives/activities at the various lodges may be helpful as we missed some."
I was surprised by the beauty of the landscape in Namibia despite its dryness. It was easy to travel around, the people were so helpful at our accommodation places and the camping was a great experience. It worked well interspersing a couple of days camping between the lodges and everything that your company organised went to plan.
The planning was meticulous with lots of essential and background information provided to ensure we had a successful trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Adding the timing of the afternoon game drives/activities at the various lodges may be helpful as we missed some."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Villa Violet
"Comforable Villa Violet"
1 night
Arrived
1 Jun 2019
"Very clean and comfortable , helpful staff secure parking and good breakfast."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sesriem Campsite (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Sesriem Campsite Experience"
2 nights
Arrived
2 Jun 2019
"Hot water system needs to be improved as it ran out. Also could do with more hooks on the door to hang clothes while showering.
The campsite was very good with a shade tree."
The campsite was very good with a shade tree."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Service
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Barkhan Dune Retreat
"Stay among the rocks @Barchan Dune Retreat"
1 night
Arrived
4 Jun 2019
"Very friendly hosts who aimed to please us and provide a good service.
Unfortunately the water for the shower was cold but otherwise the room was very comfortable.
We were advised to travel up to the nearby Spreetshoogte Pass to watch the sunset which was well worthwhile."
Unfortunately the water for the shower was cold but otherwise the room was very comfortable.
We were advised to travel up to the nearby Spreetshoogte Pass to watch the sunset which was well worthwhile."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Meerkat
1 sighting
Zebra
5 sightings
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Jun 2019
"Very comfortable rooms and good facilities.
Excellent breakfast where the host met us and answered our many questions about Namibia."
Excellent breakfast where the host met us and answered our many questions about Namibia."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Madisa Campsite (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Madisa Campsite experience"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Jun 2019
"A nice campsite set among some beautiful rocks.
New managers were very friendly and helpful. Good pool. We needed to heat the fire for longer to get the water hot enough but a great experience and lovely setting."
New managers were very friendly and helpful. Good pool. We needed to heat the fire for longer to get the water hot enough but a great experience and lovely setting."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Activities
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Grootberg Lodge
" Grand view at Grootberg"
1 night
Arrived
9 Jun 2019
"Interesting drive up to the lodge but a magnificent view from the lodge (and pool) when we got there.
Very good evening meal. Staff were helpful and friendly. Arrived too late for us to do activities so saw no animals there.
Other guests reported zebra sittings and there was evidence of that near the buildings in the morning."
Very good evening meal. Staff were helpful and friendly. Arrived too late for us to do activities so saw no animals there.
Other guests reported zebra sittings and there was evidence of that near the buildings in the morning."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Opuwo Country Lodge
"Opuwo Country Lodge experience"
1 night
Arrived
10 Jun 2019
"Entrance area at gate needs to be tidied up to make it look more attractive as well as better signage as its not until you drive through this area and around the back of the hill that this beautiful lodge is revealed. Amazing views and good service.
We didn't do any drives so saw no animals."
We didn't do any drives so saw no animals."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Omarunga Camp (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Omarunga Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Jun 2019
"Beautiful setting other than the crocodiles in the river which was very close.
Some sort of barrier along the bank would provide a sense of security. Hot water was an issue one night when there was a bigger number of people there.
Himba visit was very interesting and the guide was very informative."
Some sort of barrier along the bank would provide a sense of security. Hot water was an issue one night when there was a bigger number of people there.
Himba visit was very interesting and the guide was very informative."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Hobatere Lodge
"Hobatere Lodge and game drive"
1 night
Arrived
13 Jun 2019
"A very comfortable and relaxing place to stay with attentive and helpful staff. Excellent meal and great to be able to look out and see elephants drinking from the waterhole in front of the lodge. Samual, the guide we had for the drive was a very skilled driver and did his best to ensure we saw as many animals as possible.
I did wonder if there should have been bars or canvas on the side of the vehicle as we saw on some other vehicles to give us more protection from the lions?"
I did wonder if there should have been bars or canvas on the side of the vehicle as we saw on some other vehicles to give us more protection from the lions?"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Zebra
8 sightings
Okaukuejo Camp
"Exposed Okaukeujo Camp"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Jun 2019
"Very very dusty and very little shelter and water not that hot. But great being able to sit and watch the animals coming to the water hole in front of the camp.
Excellent pool and handy having a shop there. General surroundings in the camping area need to be tidied up. Lots of wildlife on the way to the camp and afterwards. (We travelled west to east)"
Excellent pool and handy having a shop there. General surroundings in the camping area need to be tidied up. Lots of wildlife on the way to the camp and afterwards. (We travelled west to east)"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Facilities
Good
Service
Good
Sightings report
Black Rhino
9 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Onguma Campsite (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Relaxing Onguma Campsite"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Jun 2019
"Very private sheltered campsite with good facilities though occasionally we could smell sewerage.
Helpful staff at reception and excellent food in dining room. Lodge area in attractive setting with water hole in front."
Helpful staff at reception and excellent food in dining room. Lodge area in attractive setting with water hole in front."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Waterberg Guest Farm (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Warerberg Guest Farm"
1 night
Arrived
18 Jun 2019
"Unfortunately we missed the afternoon game drive which would have been interesting but we did meet the manager pre dinner who was very helpful in answering our questions. We also met the owner the next morning who was very informative also. It may have been helpful to know what time the drives leave in advance so that we could plan accordingly.
Excellent room and shower as well as good food."
Excellent room and shower as well as good food."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Ilala Lodge
"Luxury Ilala lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Jun 2019
"Very pleasant stay in this comfortable lodge that has a lot of character.
Very attentive staff and excellent food and service in the dining room.
The icing on the cake was a pianist to entertain us during the evening meal, absolutely wonderful."
Very attentive staff and excellent food and service in the dining room.
The icing on the cake was a pianist to entertain us during the evening meal, absolutely wonderful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Chobe Elephant Camp
"Cheerful Chobe Camp"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Jun 2019
"Absolutely excellent staff who entertained us with native music one night and the second night they sang to us to come to dinner, very special.
Jeremy, our guide really looked after us well. Great game viewings, boat trip along the Chobe river and picnic meals.
Rustic style accommodation with all the comforts including a hottie for cooler nights."
Jeremy, our guide really looked after us well. Great game viewings, boat trip along the Chobe river and picnic meals.
Rustic style accommodation with all the comforts including a hottie for cooler nights."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
7 sightings
Sable antelope
6 sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Mapula Lodge
"Magnificent Mapula"
3 nights
Arrived
23 Jun 2019
"Wow what a setting even without much water!. Really peaceful and attractive layout, very user friendly. Great caring staff who really added to the positive and relaxing experience we had here.
Our guide Glenn really worked on finding those elusive cats in such a large area and gave us plenty of time to get photos when we did find them. The guys who took us in the mokoras were friendly and knowledgeable and put us at ease with their expertise. B J and No No made us feel very welcome as did the rest of the staff. Food was amazing so thanks to the cook and his/her team.
Our only concern was the toilet that needed a bit of attention."
Our guide Glenn really worked on finding those elusive cats in such a large area and gave us plenty of time to get photos when we did find them. The guys who took us in the mokoras were friendly and knowledgeable and put us at ease with their expertise. B J and No No made us feel very welcome as did the rest of the staff. Food was amazing so thanks to the cook and his/her team.
Our only concern was the toilet that needed a bit of attention."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Sable antelope
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings