Travel reviews by Dr CB & Dr MB from Tring
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
14
Excursions taken
1
Botswana 2024
Botswana and 1 other country between 7 Sep 2024 and 21 Sep 2024
"A fantastic trip. It was so good that it will be almost impossible to better or even equal it in future (we will try though and you will have a very hard job!)
Tracy was great at arranging everything and we really can't think how they could have been better.
All of the holiday arrangements and documentation were correct and complete. Many thanks to all of the Expert Africa team involved but especially Tracy."
Tracy was great at arranging everything and we really can't think how they could have been better.
All of the holiday arrangements and documentation were correct and complete. Many thanks to all of the Expert Africa team involved but especially Tracy."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Ilala Lodge
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Sep 2024
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
Many sightings
Ra-Ikane River Cruise
"Ra-Ikane River Cruise review"
8 Sep 2024 • All-day excursion
A very pleasant evening with drinks and snacks. We saw small groups of elephants and hippos, several crocodiles and various birds but of course that has since been overshadowed by what we encountered in Botswana.
The cruise finished at the sister hotel, Palm River, so we stayed there for an excellant meal and were then driven back to our hotel. We preferred the style of building at Ilala Lodge and thought it was better situated for visiting the Falls.
The cruise finished at the sister hotel, Palm River, so we stayed there for an excellant meal and were then driven back to our hotel. We preferred the style of building at Ilala Lodge and thought it was better situated for visiting the Falls.
Lagoon Camp
"Lagoon Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Sep 2024
"We had a great time at Lagoon camp. Our accomodation right by the lagoon was ideal. It was wonderful to wake in the early morning to the bellowing of the hippos.
.......it was extremely hot throughout our holiday 39-40 degrees and I found the 3-4 hour evening game drives at both lodges exhausting. We were expected to eat as soon as we returned around 8pm, rarely time to wash or have pre dinner drinks.
On our mobile camp we returned by 6.30, were given warm water for washing and ample time to sit by fire for a drink. I much preferred this."
.......it was extremely hot throughout our holiday 39-40 degrees and I found the 3-4 hour evening game drives at both lodges exhausting. We were expected to eat as soon as we returned around 8pm, rarely time to wash or have pre dinner drinks.
On our mobile camp we returned by 6.30, were given warm water for washing and ample time to sit by fire for a drink. I much preferred this."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
1 sighting
Botswana Private Mobile Safari
"Botswana Private Mobile Safari review"
5 nights
Arrived
12 Sep 2024
"The favourite part of our holiday.
Sleeping in a tent in a clearing in the bush was amazing once we were assured that visits from lions or elephants during the night would not be a problem as long as we stayed inside our tent!
Having a private guide and a staff of 5 to set up the camp and cater to our every need was great. The food they prepared with limited equipment was incredible, especially the three course candle-lit evening meals.
On game drives we could stop whenever and for as long as we wanted to observe the animals and take photographs, (Charles took over 4000 photographs during our holiday!)
Andrew made exceptionally good gin and tonics for a sundowner!"
Sleeping in a tent in a clearing in the bush was amazing once we were assured that visits from lions or elephants during the night would not be a problem as long as we stayed inside our tent!
Having a private guide and a staff of 5 to set up the camp and cater to our every need was great. The food they prepared with limited equipment was incredible, especially the three course candle-lit evening meals.
On game drives we could stop whenever and for as long as we wanted to observe the animals and take photographs, (Charles took over 4000 photographs during our holiday!)
Andrew made exceptionally good gin and tonics for a sundowner!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Kwara Camp
"Kwara Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
17 Sep 2024
"Overall a great experience."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
The trip of a life-time
Namibia between 12 Sep 2019 and 1 Oct 2019
"What a great trip. Superbly organised by Expert Africa (thank you Tracy). It was well worth organising a private and exceptionally nice driver (thank you Ronnie) as we were able to cover an enormous distance in great comfort (an 8 seater Land Cruiser with A/C and a fridge just for the 2 of us).
We saw and understood much more by having our own guide than we would have done if we had guided ourselves. We were spared the problems of driving on relatively poor roads and the anxiety of coping with possible punctures and breakdowns.
With hindsight we wonder whether it was worth the very long journey to Fish River Canyon. Yes it was amazing but unless you have arranged to walk the canyon, you see only a limited part of it from the rim.
We also wonder whether an entire day at a diamond mine that wasn't working was worth the bother.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We think that your organisation and service was fantastic. Well done and thank you."
We saw and understood much more by having our own guide than we would have done if we had guided ourselves. We were spared the problems of driving on relatively poor roads and the anxiety of coping with possible punctures and breakdowns.
With hindsight we wonder whether it was worth the very long journey to Fish River Canyon. Yes it was amazing but unless you have arranged to walk the canyon, you see only a limited part of it from the rim.
We also wonder whether an entire day at a diamond mine that wasn't working was worth the bother.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We think that your organisation and service was fantastic. Well done and thank you."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Villa Violet
"Great place to start"
1 night
Arrived
13 Sep 2019
"A nice clean place with a very helpful land lady.
Her recommendation for local restaurants was brilliant."
Her recommendation for local restaurants was brilliant."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Plains Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
14 Sep 2019
"We really enjoyed staying here.
It was obviously of some concern to the staff though that no photographs which showed animals in enclosures were taken. We're not sure why if everything was as above-board as it appeared to be!"
It was obviously of some concern to the staff though that no photographs which showed animals in enclosures were taken. We're not sure why if everything was as above-board as it appeared to be!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Eland
6 sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Mushara Bush Camp
"Mushara Bush Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2019
"Really nice camp with great staff. The swimming pool was impossibly cold (as were others in Namibia). You almost needed a wet suit to use it!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
White Rhino
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Safarihoek Lodge
"Safarihoek Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
17 Sep 2019
"What a great place to stay. The view from our room was fantastic. A pity that we didn't have the opportunity to visit the water hole that we could see in the distance.
Our room was amazing and we felt very pampered here.
The game drive was fine when our private driver took us but the driver that was provided by the lodge was poor. He appeared to think that he was in a formula 1 race (we had 2 such drives with him). Quite honestly we felt unsafe and certainly uncomfortable with him. We know that other guests in the same vehicle felt the same."
Our room was amazing and we felt very pampered here.
The game drive was fine when our private driver took us but the driver that was provided by the lodge was poor. He appeared to think that he was in a formula 1 race (we had 2 such drives with him). Quite honestly we felt unsafe and certainly uncomfortable with him. We know that other guests in the same vehicle felt the same."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Safarihoek are very sorry to hear that these travellers felt unsafe and uncomfortable on their game drive. This is not how they would like their visitors to feel. We understand that the guide drove fast on the game drives to get to various sightings, including to a lion. They were some distance from the sighting, so the guide checked with the guests about driving to try and get to the lion sighting, but realises he drove too quickly in hindsight. Safarihoek acknowledge that the guide driving too fast impacted on these travellers’ experience, and they have apologised for any inconvenience and discomfort caused.
Southern Africa Manager
Sightings report
Black Rhino
Many sightings
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Many sightings
Pangolin
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
White Rhino
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Sep 2019
"Really nice lodge with great staff and an amazing view.
I'd like to stay there again and again!"
I'd like to stay there again and again!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
3 sightings
Swakopmund Guesthouse
"Swakopmund Guesthouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Sep 2019
"Pretty basic accommodation with a small room. Not much to say about it otherwise. It was clean"
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Average
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Poor
Food
Good
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Sep 2019
"A really nice lodge with staff who really did to seem to care about their guests"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
1 sighting
Nest Hotel
"Nest Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
25 Sep 2019
"The hotel is right by the sea but pretty boring and in a pretty boring town.
The room was fine and clean and the food in the restaurant good. The pool was closed all the time we were there for no apparent reason."
The room was fine and clean and the food in the restaurant good. The pool was closed all the time we were there for no apparent reason."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Average
Service
Good
Facilities
Poor
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Feedback response
The General Manager, Ulf, at the Nest Hotel has specifically asked us to post his response to this review in its entirety, which we are adding below, as requested. Expert Africa would also like to add that we tend to find that some people love the slightly quirky nature of Lüderitz, while for others it is slightly less interesting. Even within our team there are quite polarised views about it!
The response from the Nest Hotel:
‘Thank you for posting your feedback on your stay at our award-winning four-star hotel directly on the rocks and the sea with its own private tidal beach and walk-on jetty – unique in Namibia. I am pleased that you found our service and food offerings good. The vast majority of our guests love our “on the rocks and sea” location. During the last five years, we have carried out a N$Multimillion renovations programme which has attracted highly positive feedback. All our beds are extra-long (2.0metres/6ft6”). Our outdoor heated swimming pool is always open but due to intense evaporation, we have a pool cover installed which can quickly be removed. (two notices around our pool advising our guests to ring a bell that is connected to our Reception).
Please take note: Lüderitz is the founding “mother city” (1883) of Namibia and is rich in German Art Nouveau architecture and is included in leading and reputable tour operator Namibia programmes. Furthermore, the average length of stay is two nights in order to enjoy the many tours and attractions on offer.’
The response from the Nest Hotel:
‘Thank you for posting your feedback on your stay at our award-winning four-star hotel directly on the rocks and the sea with its own private tidal beach and walk-on jetty – unique in Namibia. I am pleased that you found our service and food offerings good. The vast majority of our guests love our “on the rocks and sea” location. During the last five years, we have carried out a N$Multimillion renovations programme which has attracted highly positive feedback. All our beds are extra-long (2.0metres/6ft6”). Our outdoor heated swimming pool is always open but due to intense evaporation, we have a pool cover installed which can quickly be removed. (two notices around our pool advising our guests to ring a bell that is connected to our Reception).
Please take note: Lüderitz is the founding “mother city” (1883) of Namibia and is rich in German Art Nouveau architecture and is included in leading and reputable tour operator Namibia programmes. Furthermore, the average length of stay is two nights in order to enjoy the many tours and attractions on offer.’
Southern Africa Manager
Canyon Roadhouse
"Canyon Roadhouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Sep 2019
"A really quirky place to stay. Relatively small and basic rooms but quite adequate and with air conditioning that worked well.
A relatively simple and small choice of meals but well cooked. I would go again."
A relatively simple and small choice of meals but well cooked. I would go again."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
"Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
29 Sep 2019
"Amazing room.
The restaurant was average but adequate. Generally good service"
The restaurant was average but adequate. Generally good service"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Sightings report
Oryx
4 sightings
Our room was superb (we were upgraded) with views out over the grounds where we were entertained by elephants pushing over trees!
Breakfast was great with a fantastic choice of food and lots of fresh coffee.
We enjoyed the sunset river cruise and had the opportunity to have an evening meal at the sister hotel."