Travel reviews by Broadbilled roller from UK

"The time we were here the mornings and evenings were very, very, very cold. 5C was recorded one morning. This would normally not have been a problem if the "rooms" had solid walls, or if we were there later in the season, when no doubt we would have been thankful for every breeze, but here where the "rooms" have mesh sides, at the time we were there, it meant that going to bed, sleeping and getting up were extemelely uncomfortable times. Hot water bottles were provided, for which we were very thankful.

JD and Laura are aware of this as they were also sleeping in guest accommodation. We discussed drop down flaps with them for these colder months.

Access to the bathroom/dressing area was by way of two doorless gaps either side of the beds. The toilet was located opposite one of these gaps and with the curtains blowing, it could be seen from outside.

We had to put on most of our clothing to eat although the fire(s) helped.

However, we enjoyed the excellent food and wine and company.

Due to the Lufupa airstrip not being open we flew in to Hippo and went to Lufupa River Camp by banana boat. Brilliant!!

Our drives with Solomon were excellent. He is very good company and is very knowledgable and even found us a Pel's Fishing Owl with a chick. He looked after us very well, here, and also at Musanza and Lunga River Lodge. It was great to have such continuity. He took great pains to ensure that we saw everything we wanted.

All the staff were very friendly and we were impressed with the initial greeting and subsequent greetings as we returned from each drive.

Re Facilities comment: I am taking this to mean the sitting/dining area, books available, pool area. We didn't really get any time to spend lazing."

"This is a splendid location with good views of the river from each tent and good small bird watching.

We found the tent much warmer although generally the temperature seemed higher* It was also very comfortable: impressed with the bathroom arragements.

Excellent food cooked by Daniel and his team. Dave does not eat fish and was quite happy to have just the vegetables and rice that came with a Fish Curry but Daniel insisted on cooking some chicken for him. The Roast Lamb on our final night here was delicious.

Daniel also allowed the three ladies on the safari to have a look at his kitchen: we were very impressed with the oven!

Andrew, the Manager, also walked with some of us around the camp, along the water edge and into the open land behind the camp one afternoon. We needed some exercise after the drives.

Re Facilities comment: I am taking this to mean the sitting/dining area, books available

Solomon continued to be excellent and knowledgeable company and continued to search out everthing we wanted to see including a Pel;s Fishing Owl! His energy and enthusiasm were undimmed.

*8C recorded one morning.

All the staff were very friendly and we were impressed with the initial greeting and subsequent greetings as we returned from each drive"

"A beautiful touch - after a long drive we transferred to a boat to transfer to the Lodge.

We were here only a short time so didn't take advantage of our own personal deck or the pool. We spent a little time on the main deck and then retired to the Boma for some birdwatching which had been recommended.

Food again excellent and plentiful, and impressive. Service excellent too.

The evening trip down the river to the rapids for sundowers is something we will remember - beautiful scenery, lovely lighting and five or six, or more, hippos looking on very curiously.

We loved the morning call complete with Tea and Coffee and flapjack. Most unexpected.

Solomon took us out on a morning drive so we didn't just languish until our flight back to Lusaka arrived. Ingrid arranged for a packed lunch for us which was appreciated and enjoyed at the airport as we waited for the flight on to Mfwe. It brightened the wait.

All the staff were very friendly and we were impressed with the initial greeting and subsequent greetings as we returned from each drive"

"Our arrival and greeting by Isaac made up for the depressing wait at Lusaka Airport. We were impressed that although we had missed the start of the evening drive we were offered the opportunity of joining one - which we did! We benefited from one of the ladies celebrating her birthday as champagne was served as a sundowner.

As in all the previous locations we were greeted very warmly.

Very much warmer here.

We had drives with Brian and Alex, both of whom were excellent. Giant Eagle Owl and Barred Owl on the first night, then leopard, bushbaby and honey badger.

Food excellent."

"We enjoyed the walking. Cameron, Size and Moffatt and excellent team. We had several close encounters: hippo, buffalo and elephant, all in one day. Very unusual we are told. But no-one panicked as Cameron and Size acted very confidently. Later viewing was done at a more "normal" distance.

We were privilged to hear the "oomph" of a Pel's Fishing Owl here one night.

We liked the water bottle holders that were provided - very useful when walking light.

Food was excellent.

The accommodation is very impressive."

"We continued to be impressed with the standard of accommodation, food and staff at the camps. The fabrics used are a good contrast to Chikoko - blues and greens rather than browns, blacks, beiges and yellows.

We were able to look at a large herd of buffalo at different times one day. 500+

Walking seems to give us more time to stop and look.

Timing as we left Crocodile for Tafika was a little strange - we had been told that our river crossing was for 8.00 am and we were there for 7.45. Our bags, however, had not arrived. When the vehicle arrives on the Tafika side we cross and wait again. The bags eventually arrive at 9.00. Something in the communication had gone awry - the porters had crossed from Tafika at 7.00 so the earliest they would be back at the river crossing would be 9.00.... Carole did say that it would have been better for the guys at the camp to porter out our bags.... Anyway the flight was held."

"Excellent accommodation and layout although we felt a little exposed in our room first thing in the morning if someone was "lingering" by the fire where breakfast was served (not staff) as you could see into it from the fire area.

I was a little phased by wading across the river - not because of any fear that Ernst might be lying about the lack of crocodiles, but my dislike of my feet disappearing into soft sand and not knowing what is below. I really should pack my trekking sandals! I wasn't quite blase by the end of the trip, but almost.

Ernst is a gem - knowledgeable, enthusiastic and good company. His botany walk was excellent. We also appreciated the visit to the Black Rhino Conservation Project to see the two remaining Rhinos left for release."

"Due to our flight problem we missed the shuttle from the airport to the hotel and had to take a taxi. The lady at the Information Desk at the airport as helpful and passed us to a Taxi Driver that she knew. The hotel quickly changed dollars into local currency to pay the driver.

Location was not any concern as we were there for one night. 30 minutes from hotel to airport isn't bad.

Room was good.

Unfortunately the steaks we ordered in the Grill were terrible! We ordered sirloin and I queried mine as it did not look like sirloin. I was assured it was and tried to eat it. It was tough! Dave's was full of gristle. We didn't have a chance to call anyone over, one of the servers at an adjacent table approached us. The Chef himself came out and offered replacements which we declined - too tired by then to be bothered, and after all the food we had eaten, not hungry enough. He offered dessert and Dave took him up on Cheese and Biscuits.

The Chef's explanation was that it was a new delivery of steak and that he would check it out. After pondering about the shape of the meat, I think that we had been served stewing or braisng steak! Full marks though to the observant server and the Chef.

The band was excellent, especially when they went into reggae mode. I had my "Delilah" moment on an Monday instead of a Friday. I might even let Chris Evans hear about it!

The transfer to the airport went well.

Didn't have time to try any of the facilities although our porter was enthusiastic in pointing them out."