Travel reviews by The Digsters from UK

"Thamalakane River Lodge is about 30 Minutes drive from Maun airport, set right on the river in a quiet location. Grounds are lush and well maintained with a small swimming pool (we didn't use this).

The rooms are individual chalets that are set within the grounds and are spacious and comfortable, with drinking water provided, tea and coffee station and a large bathroom. Ours had a river view. There is a large dining deck and the night we stayed it was a buffet, which was varied and tasty.

We only stayed one night but as a stopover on the way to the Delta we couldn't fault it. The lodge picked us up and delivered us back to Maun airport for our flights. On time and professional."

"Duba Explorers is set in a superb location overlooking a river channel. This was populated by an ever changing cast of wildlife.

Transfer from the airstrip was by helicopter which was a real treat and a special way to arrive to a very warm welcome from the camp staff. The camp is accessed via a wooden bridge over the channel. There are only five 'tents' and ours was extremely spacious and well appointed with everything for traveller comfort being thought of, from iced water, hot water at the impressive tea station, fans, charging points, wifi, Swarovski binoculars to borrow, bathrooms and an enormous bathroom suite.

The deck overlooking the channel was very comfortable and shady. Food was exquisite from breakfast out on drives, lunch, afternoon tea and a choice of main courses for dinner. There is a quirky plunge pool and a resident Pels fishing owl for the birders! An extensive bar included local gins. Laundry service available and very quick to return items, Staff were very friendly and went out of their way to make our stay memorable including involving guests in celebrating Botswana Independence Day.

We had a private guide / vehicle for the two of us. I'm not sure if this is usual or just luck. The main disappointment with Duba for us was the guiding / wildlife experience. It was quite predator focused but then the tracking wasn't great and there was a lot of chasing around trying to reach sightings which made for a very uncomfortable driving experience on two occasions, shaking me up so much I was unwell and missed two game drives as a result. The guide seemed to be under pressure and reactive rather than proactive despite us saying we were very relaxed about game viewing (we have been on safari many times before and are not chasing sightings). This meant that we arrived late to sightings or missed them and it was apparent that they were not really achievable due to the large distances involved.

The landscape is varied and we saw a very large herd of buffalo but on the whole wildlife was relatively scarce when we were there. The mokoro trip from the camp was worth doing as was the walk, which for us lasted two hours and included a leopard sighting. Overall its a lovely camp but perhaps not one we would visit again as we go for the wildlife experience and prefer something more rustic."

"This camp is perfect - absolutely encapsulating the spirit of safari in the bush and exactly the type of camp we enjoy staying at. It was simple and rustic but extremely comfortable, with a Moroccan bedouin feel set around a large termite mound overlooking part of the Selinda spillway.

The channel was still flowing when we were there so there was a variety of wildlife using it close to camp. Only five 'tents' including a family tent and ours was private and extremely spacious and well appointed, with thoughtful touches including Leica binos to borrow, tea station, fan, good wifi and charging points and a spacious bathroom. Tents have a colonial explorers feel to them with rugs and dark wood furniture, the bed is very comfortable.

Food and drink was excellent. You are woken with tea in your tent, breakfast out on the morning drive (loved the homemade granola), and very fresh varied ingredients for lunch and dinner. We had some lovely private dinners and I was really spoilt for my birthday. The staff were relaxed and informal and very friendly and professional. Nothing was too much trouble.

Beautiful small swimming pool overlooking the channel.

Our guide was excellent, a great tracker, interesting, funny and very knowledgeable. We did a canoe trip which was a bit of a challenge due to the low water level and a walk, which was interesting but a bit short (it was very hot). We had some superb sightings.

We loved this camp and would stay there again in a heartbeat!"

"Qualified rating, owing to the barest of time spent - predominantly sleeping between connecting flights via Nairobi. Never saw the place in the daylight, so difficult to provide overall assessment.

Place was clean and nicely decorated - bed was mercifully comfortable. Owners had waited up and were welcoming and attentive - even at delayed 1130 pm arrival owing to diabolical road transfer (appaling road conditions and traffic jam). On reflection, the place is a little too far removed from Nairobi Airport to provide a relaxing short stopover between flights.

Breakfast choice was varied and good standard, given the early hour. It was always going to be a night-stopover, but in the circumstances perhaps an airport-adjacent room would have sufficed. A shame we weren't able to enjoy more of Macushla."

"Again, a qualified rating, given that we were actually accommodated in the Jack Hannah Cottage at Mountain Gorilla's Nest Lodge (MGNL) for the first two nights, owing to a Primate Safari's 'upgrade', for what they informed us was a result of overbooking (and no room available) at Virunga for the nights of 5th and 6th.

Although situated in the grounds of what is now a tired and largely unoccupied lodge complex, the Cottage was absolutely fantastic. We had three permanent staff - chef, waiter and housekeeper - and lived in sheer opulence for the two days and nights. The MGNL is a very short drive to the park HQ, so was actually better situated and convenient than Virunga, at approx 0.75 hour. It's fair to say that we lived very well at the Cottage - absolutely no complaints whatsoever - but then again, it wasn't part of the original package.

Virunga Lodge - for the night of the 7th & 8th only, was very comfortable and, rather spookily, largely unoccupied for our limited time there. The service was excellent and the location breathtaking - the rooms and facilities extremely comfortable.

Our evening meal (served in the main dining room) was very good for the 7th and superb for the 8th, by which time we were the only guests in the whole Lodge (!) and were able to dine and subsequently breakfast on the 9th in the central lounge area next to the fire. Again, a unique experience brought about by circumstances.

The Gorillas themselves defy description. The organisation by Primate Safaris seamless and without fault. Rwanda is stunning in its scenery and vibrancy. This will not be our only visit to the country, although from what we learn (the Jack Hannah Cottage is available for rent at $2000 per day??), we would certainly revisit Virunga Lodge in view of our experience."

"A good standard chain hotel - ideal for our night stopover between the Gorillas and transfer to Tanzania.

Clean and efficient, with good rooms and very reasonable buffet-style menu. Vast amount of choice & well cooked. Pool looked clean but we didn't avail.

Spent an early evening through to an 0500 departure - which just about satisfied all our needs for a 'regroup' between experiences. Very handy for Kigali airport and stacks of electrical sockets for recharging various batteries!"

"As with any safari camp, Nomad had actually moved the camp northwards to catch the by then all but completed migration - happening some 5-6 weeks previously we were told - leaving a good few thousand game lagging behind in a state of confusion / reverse migration owing to the rains and continuing unsettled weather.

The move resulted in a long transfer / extended game drive of some 6 hours, leaving us pretty whacked out following such an early departure from Kigali that morning - we didn't get to camp much before 4:30pm so weren't in much of a state for any evening activity save for a sundowner.

The rest of the time was, however, fantastic. All clients enjoyed the sole use of a private safari 4x4 and guide, which was just what we wanted and made the whole experience more rewarding. The staff were among the best we have experienced and the level of service and food quality, given the mobile nature of the camp and its support, were exemplary.

The camps are relayed between sites - the next passed us wrapped up in the back of three trucks one afternoon - but from the quality of the fixtures and the time taken in presentation, the tents and recreational areas would rival many permanent sites. You just can't beat a hot bucket shower at the end of a packed game drive. It felt like, indeed was, an authentic bush camp. A top experience."

"It's a pity that your classification - and the English language - only goes as far as 'excellent', as Pole Pole ticked the top boxes for everything and made Steve's 50th a truly memorable experience. Pole Pole is exemplary - for us, just the right combination of small resort, beautifully designed & furnished 'barefoot luxury'. The diving activity / snorkelling is of a professional standard and other activities are conducted effortlessly and by friendly staff.

Of particular mention is the food, which excels at every meal in quantity and diversity and is THE best we've eaten anywhere on our travels. The team, under the managership of Maura, are at the top of their game and a real asset to the resort.

The team's efforts on the night of Steve's 50th - the wine, service and the birthday cake - showed a true attention to detail and a natural friendliness, which made the day so special. We're so pleased we stayed for 6 nights - it gave us the chance to totally relax after such an exciting travel experience in perfect surroundings.

A 5-star resort worthy of the highest praise."