Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs W from VIC

"The Norfolk was exceptional and the iconic nature of the hotel had been retained and expanded. Beautifully appointed, wonderful food and good variety and choice. The service was also exceptional from the ground upwards. Nicely appointed room too."

"Our lodge was a mini apartment well appointed and set out. The wood fire was set for us every night so very warm. A good set menu with good food but not much variety. Staff wonderful and very friendly and accommodating. Renata who owns Plantation was very welcoming and helpful in understanding the development of the lodge. Zubeda also a lovely person and made the bar very welcoming."

"A nice alternative to Plantation Lodge. Very natural and situated in the midst of wild bush and the constant feeling that some animal will walk out. As it was we saw at first hand giraffes and dik diks - timid and tiny little creatures. The stone cottage was comfortable and clean but the shower water pressure was very weak and took ages for hot water to come through. Food was a set menu, chicken, meat or fish, but was wholesome and enjoyable but lacked variety obviously. Staff wonderful and very helpful and made you feel welcome. Emmanuel the manager a really nice person. All in all a great experience and more than worth a visit.
From the lodge did a safari in the conservation area. Watched the start of the migration with thousands opf zebras and wilderbest on the move (quite spectacular) and the thrill of watching a cheetah stalking and selecting a possible victim. Unfortunately he left it too late and the herd spotted him and took evasive action! Saw a wounded hippo who was in a very bad way after a fight but survived to the next day despite a huge wound in his chest. Saw a wonderful pride of lions in magnificent and languid condition quite unperturbed by our presence."

"A very short overnight stay and up early at 4.30 to proceed to the airport. Car collection was great. Food and dining was good and the staff very helpful."

"No problems at all. Great welcome, nice rooms and great breakfast. Mine hosts more than helpful and restaurant recommendation was very good.

Good security too. Great starting point."

"Nice spot and well presented. Gaenor was bitten by a scorpion on the first night and the concern was that no one seemed to know what to do in the circumstances. Luckily there was a Guide there with another party who was able to help. But no ready access to a doctor and the first aid kit consisted of 5 tubes of Germolene and a bottle of Dettol. Gaenor was in considerable pain and we were able to reduce pain because we had the necessary tablets with us. Not a very good experience and luckily the scorpion was not the small deadly venomous one.

Otherwise a nice pleasant place to stay."

"This place was a stand out. Manager and staff went out of their way to look after us and particularly Gaenor. First thing phoned doctor and had her speak to Gaenor to discuss and reassure her re the scorpion sting. Helped Gaenor up and down the hill to the restaurant.

Trip to stone drawings was very pleasant and edifying. Lovely guide.

Trip to the desert elephants was a good excursion and was well done as was the visit to the native village. Sun downer was welcome although blowing a gale, but ponchos helped as supplied.

Friendly, courteous and a delightful place to spend time."

"A Government owned establishment and it showed. Booking in was chaotic and not very well organised. Kiosk was very basic and poorly run - needed a better location and better methods of taking orders and serving food. The menu was also limited and not very appetising. The restaurant could also have been better catered for and the service was slow and "forgetful".

Accommodation good and well placed for the water hole which was an absolute stand out place. So also was the game park drive and the driver/guide was excellent and a delight and very knowledgeable."

"Wish we could have spent another day. Everything about the place was great and the service wonderful.

Would have liked to have tried the activities on offer."

"We loved this part of the trip. Mine host and his wife went out of there way to ensure that all was OK. Got stuck trying to get up the hill to the lodge and had to be towed out and leave the car at the bottom of the hill. Visit to the water hole to fix the water pump was an unexpected delight at dusk - so we enjoyed watching the five bull elephants whilst the pump was fixed.

The bush walk with the bush men was also a delight and thoroughly captivating. We learnt a lot and fell in love with them and all the people in the village. We felt very privileged to be able to share a part of their life.

A must visit."

"Would like to have spent another day here and see the cheetahs and hopefully leopards. But what we saw and did was worth the stop.

Will rectify another time."

"This was the ideal place to go after Namibia. The lodge was lovely, Howard and Michelle the perfect hosts and so welcoming as were the whole staff.

Food was very good and the whole presentation excellent. Loved the Catamaran experience (Howard's pride and joy) and also the kayaking and snorkeling. Such a poor country, but the people so very friendly. Everything about Danforth Lodge we loved and would go back in a heart beat. The scenery was also stunning."

"Glad not to have to wander around Johannesburg. Ease of access to airport for early start"

"Had problems with the air conditioning which took 3 visits to rectify but all in good grace and apologies all round.

Free bottle of wine offered as compensation which was good as temperature reached 40 degrees in chalet."

"Relaxing and very spiritual. Guides were excellent and whole experience a great joy"

"Sensational breakfast and proprietors help in finding restaurant excellent. A nice experience in a great town."

"Wonderfully peaceful and chalets positioned perfectly. Management excellent and very friendly and accommodating. Guides were excellent too and really cared about the environment"

"Was expecting more probably but very pleasant and friendly.

Only spent a night so not much to entertain us."