Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs F from Maidstone

"Convenient and close to the airport.

Good pick up and delivery back next day but food took far too long, was cold and some options were unavailable.

Staff were friendly but seemed quite inefficient."

"Excellent guiding and hosting.

Great location and a relaxed but efficient camp. Good game viewing in a remote location.

All staff were really helpful and if the accommodation was more basic than our other camps it was very comfortable with a fantastic view of the river and passing elephants. It was wonderful to cool off in the river on occasions!"

"Really good guiding and hosting. Wonderful room with a great view.

Only negative was the number of bees making breakfast an obstacle course rather than a relaxed delight!

We thoroughly enjoyed Levi's stories and Sasson's fire starting skills were most impressive. We enjoyed our kitchen tour almost as much as the local honey badger!

Padson does an amazing job and gave us a warm welcome!"

"The best of the best. From guiding, hosting, views, accommodation ... couldn't be improved.

Breakfasts and lunches were amazing!

The hide provided an unexpected highlight of our stay, but from the strong family feel of the camp, the really experienced and knowledgable guiding of Bryan whose company we thoroughly enjoyed, the wildlife moving into and around the camp, spectacular sightings of leopard and lion, the video of the fighting hippos in camp which we happily missed by minutes and even the remarkable veg garden gave us many great memories."

"Same as before"

"We arrived and left in the dark so cannot give a different rating. It was a convenient stopover and the Nomad pick-up service was very efficient. We were made to feel welcome, even offered a full meal when the kitchens had most probably stopped serving, but ate nothing at the lodge. It was a comfortable night but a short one!"

"A remote camp but the flight transfer went well and we benefitted from seeing almost no other landrovers on any drive (typically only one other and that was often the other vehicle from the camp). Game sightings were good and the walking safari, fly camping and night drives were excellent. Our early morning coffee was a highlight - which sounds daft but it really was that good! The food was also excellent and well judged.
Unusually, in our experience, the afternoon drive ended before dark so the night drive was a separate trip but well worth doing once.
The staff were all quite excellent and it was a joy to be able to speak to so many, so easily. It was only on leaving that we found that Nomad employed an English teacher who rotated around camps for three months at a time but it was clearly an initiative which was hugely successful, helping both staff and guests!
Our one negative (which we knew all about before our trip) was the tsetse flies which were typically persistent and irritating. Knowing in advance allowed us to prepare mentally so they did not ruin an otherwise excellent camp!
One unexpected bonus was that rain a week before we arrived had kicked off spring and trees were beginning to blossom. As a result we were able to smell some wonderful scents we had not experienced before - who knew that the mahogany trees smelt like honeysuckle? We didn't and were quite unprepared for the impact as you walked or drove through the bush!"

"Terrific transfer by boat. The view from the bay as we approached camp was wonderful but overtaken by news that there were chimps in camp! We rushed from the boat, handed masks on the way, and were just in time to see two before they left for deeper forest. A fantastic start which just got better each day we were there.
The camp was idyllic on the shore of Lake Tanganyika which looked and sounded more like a sea but with fresh water! Sadly we were not able to swim from the beach due to crocs having been seen in the area (fair enough!) but were taken out for a wonderful deep water swim which washed all our travel away. The briefing on the chimp trekking was entertaining and informative and served to heighten our excitement about the hoped for encounter next day.
It rained heavily the next morning just as news came that the chimps had been found. As a result the rain forest lived up to its name! I strongly recommend that those wearing glasses do wear a wide brimmed hat/cap and carry both a small towel / flannel as well as something to try and keep the condensation on your glasses under control when raining. Also, take advantage of the walking sticks that are available in camp as they were very helpful to young and old alike on the slippery downhill sections!
The food and accommodation were wonderful as were the staff looking after us so well. The encounters with the chimps were amazing and just got better! Knowing something of their behaviour from the briefing added significantly to both our comfort in their presence and sense that we were not interfering unduly in their lives.
The only downside of the camp was that recent rains had led to an unusual horsefly infestation which made walking about the camp quite unpleasant at specific times! This is unusual and did not undermine our enjoyment at all but is worth knowing if you are travelling when the first rains are possible?"

"The tree house accommodation built around a large Baobab tree with views of the sea was absolutely unique and quite wonderful - even in the dark when quite windy! We slept really well and were very comfortable. The "plumbing" was basic. We were prepared for it and so it was as expected but it may not suit all tastes and this would be a shame as the overall experience was exceptional.
Apart from the activities which I will turn to next our fondest memory will be of the way we were so well looked after by Celine and by Jay, who were unfailingly kind and thoughtful.
We had a wonderful whale shark trip with Jean's team based on Mafia island. Our briefing from Sami was excellent and made us fully aware of how to swim with whale sharks without distressing them, thereby getting the best experience (for them and for us)! We got the impression that each of our four guides that day were all equally well informed and responsible and that added to our enjoyment. Sadly no other boat seemed to take this more responsible attitude with examples of others diving into the water right over the fish, causing it to dive deeper and to change direction. Hopefully this will be addressed. In spite of this we had a truly wonderful morning, seeing three whale sharks, a very large Ray and a large number of fish. Our only regret is that we failed to see that you could hire an underwater camera (which could have been terrific as our sightings were wonderful, especially when we were first to find a whale shark and had about five minutes swimming alongside it before the irresponsible hoards arrived).
The next day I tried an experience dive with the diving operation just across the water. They were very professional and ensured I was well prepared for my two dives before we left for the first dive site. It was worth every dollar! Luke spotted a huge number of interesting fish and was able to point most of them out to me, as well as a turtle I was thrilled to see.
We cannot recommend our stay too highly if you enjoy water based activities. It was a quite brilliant part of my trip - even better than I had hoped."

"Wow! What an island and what a team!
Whilst we were unlucky with the weather (suffering strong winds for our entire stay on the island - so strong that minor damage was done to most bandas and sand got everywhere) we had an amazing time. It was disappointing that we couldn't go out to look for whales and dolphins (which had been seen regularly beforehand) but the weather was what it was and it made this impossible. Instead I was taken night snorkelling by Laura and another guest and this was absolutely wonderful! Never had I expected to see so much exotic night life and it is a memory I will treasure forever - yet another highlight of a wonderful trip!
The accommodation and setting within the island was just so perfect. Even the food, which had been excellent wherever we went, seemed to set new highs. To have such exquisite three course lunches and suppers which left you feeling replete but not stuffed was a delight - as was the dreaded weigh in on our return home which showed we had both lost a couple of pounds in spite of eating wonderfully well all holiday!!"

"Very good staff.

Funny, friendly waitresses and good to talk to owner who provided a very useful tip re lost luggage (bags lost by BA) and sold us the idea of a holiday on horseback!"

"Very good setting and friendly staff. Rooms comfortable but no hot water in one lodge for whole stay."

"A very comfortable stay and such kindness and warmth from our two hostesses!"

"We were told we were only the 4th group in 2015 but it was a fabulous experience! Definitely not glamping but bucket shower was great - for attracting leopard to our campfire but also functional!

Elifas and Kala looked after us fantastically well and Elifas had a superb nose for wildlife! Great elephant and hyena sightings but rhino also seen close to the camp.

One small downside - the drop loo was positively terrifying! A box with a fixed loo seat rather than a flimsy frame might have been more relaxing!!"

"The best welcome of a fantastic trip, and then what a send off! Singing appeared to be a speciality of the camp and of our lovely, funny guide Dawid!

Stunning location but so sad to hear that so few elephants remained in the area at the time we were there. Wish we had had longer..."

"Very comfortable and scenic location. Staff excellent and very aware of our specific hopes and wishes.

Leon our guide was amazing. Great sightings of so much game. Memorable lion cubs, white and black rhino at same water hole 10 yards away, cheetah, wildcat, amazing elephant herds at a waterhole and a dung beetle showing just how hard it can be to fly and then land on your feet!"

"Great location and an amazing waterhole.

Good facilities but just failed to hit the right note on service. The guide asked the right questions but then completely ignored the answers. He appeared grumpy and disinterested and was unable to answer simple and sensible questions from others in the vehicle.

Service in the camp was curious in that it verged on obsequious so that we, for the only time in Namibia, felt uncomfortable from the first welcome onwards. No need for poems by the bed,"good nite" (!) wishes on the hot water bottles but a bar of soap for the waiters would have been appreciated!

With some small but critical attention to the right detail this could be a truly special stay but for us it was not... Great food though!"

"A truly special and unique place. Clearly reflecting the character and interests of its creator the camp was full of fascinating improvisation from the fire extinguisher bread oven (We want one!) to the lead wood baboon proof chairs!

We learnt so much and it was an absolute delight and privilege to share for a brief while Bruno's interests and experience. Is there anyone in Africa he doesn't know? From guides we had in Zambia five years ago, to canoeists in Swakopmund, to someone I last met in Swaziland 49 years ago! A slightly less luxurious camp than some of the true glamping affairs but perfectly thought through to provide a very comfortable stay.

Probably the best food we had in a trip full of fabulous meals - thank you Tommy (and Tommy 2 for the campfire entertainment)!

One small word of warning - it was the only place where it was really quite cold at nights (being slightly higher than elsewhere). Be prepared and have a magical time!"

"Having been prepared to find this camp touristy we were very pleasantly surprised and had a most comfortable and enjoyable stay. The accommodation was spectacular and we could have stayed longer.

If the collars gave a false sense of how easy it was to track down game it was still good to see leopard, cheetah and wild dog in a much larger area than we had expected. Also, good to see honey badger even if the circumstances were manufactured."

"A stunning location and a perfect end to our holiday. Not for the even more infirm as the slopes were steep and the walking could be challenging at times but the bird life was dramatic as was the scenery.

We really enjoyed Paula's Cave - thank you Eclesias! You were great fun and helped give my "engine and suspension" a good workout - you may even have deflated a spare tyre or two!

Thanks for the birthday cake for our son!"

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"Excellent guiding and hospitality - food beyond belief!

Amazing ..."

"Wonderful location"

"The most wonderful site with the perhaps best views we have had on any of our amazing African holidays!

We had a very warm welcome and saw excellent game. Our stand-in Manager Jason was brilliant and the hand over between Lucy and Alice was seemless."

"Where does one start? It was a most perfect 3 days being everything we had hoped for and dreamed of.

Our guide, Debs was superb and her team backed her up with extraordinary professionalism and kindness. We saw amazing game from closer than we had dared to expect but never felt as though we were in danger or intruding on the animals in a way that was inappropriate.

The camps were very comfortable and the food delicious. The walking was paced perfectly for the sights we saw . It was a truely blessed few days and we will always remember them."

"Another great camp where we were made to feel very welcome and well cared for.

Our guides, especially Julius, were very good and were responsive to our hopes and interests going out of their way to give us the best possible time.

Our hostess, Lucy, was so very kind and considerate and she and the whole team could not have been better."

"Jason and Michaela had only just taken over but they were really welcoming, fully in control and very good company. It was a really good location with a great atmosphere.

The approach to the camp was lovely but the views from our accommodation even better - especially at night while having a bath under the stars! Food was delicious and the hot coals under the dining table a unique feature of our holiday - we will try the same when eating outside at home!

Lots of great stories and a really happy few days with lots of good lepoard sightings. Also thoroughly enjoyed our "lunch in the bush" - a complete and very welcome surprise. Thank you Michaela and the team!"

"After all the superb experiences already enjoyed we had not expected to be quite so stunned by our stay at STC. We were upgraded to the honeymoon suite which was big enough to host a reception! It was beautifully set up - stunning in every way, especially the very refreshing plunge pool!

George and Merle were perfect hosts and the guides were also quite excellent - thanks James and Mike. This was the first time on our trip when we had the same guides whether we were walking, canoeing or on drives and it was a great idea. The food was delicious and having lunch on a sand bank in the middle of the Zambezi was a magical memory - thanks Merle. Arnold, our Muchinda, was kindness and thoughtfulness itself."

"Very comfortable, everyone was very helpful and friendly. Views were spectacular and we saw good game both in the Ongava Reserve and in the Etosha.

Our only reservation was the way that the game viewing, especially in the Etosha (but not exclusively) intruded upon the animals (eg vehicles pushing for the best position and in doing so forcing lions off roads they were trying to cross or pushing them to make mock charges at the vehicles)."

"In a holiday full of superlatives this camp stood out as the most beautiful, remote and peaceful place we have ever been to. The guides were the very best we have come across in about 6 trips to Africa. Gotlod (our guide) had a quite extraordinary and detailed knowledge of animals, plants, birds and local geology and the animals were always shown the proper level of respect.

The camp was most comfortable, the food was delicious and at all times we were made to feel at home. We especially enjoyed eating round a communal table and meeting round the camp fire before supper.

Whilst pretty much everywhere we stayed was "excellent" this place deserved a category all of its own!"

"Here again everything we could ask for was provided for us from quite excellent elephant sightings to birthday cakes, wonderful singing and ... hot water bottles!

The breakfasts were the best throughout our trip but it was really the knowledgable guide (Lister) and the warmth and charm of Florentia (the Assistant Manager) who made our stay the truely memorable and wonderful experience that it was.

Again the rooms were very comfortable and it was great to be able to sleep out under the stars (having enjoyed stargazing on the roof of the main building helped by the very powerful telescope and a knowledgeable guide - Lister again!)"

"A surprise package! Not a part of the trip we were particularly looking foward to (town v country) but we had a really enjoyable stay and the children in particular enjoyed access to a TV for the Olympics, a later start, excellent breakfasts, and the shops and restaurants we visited.

The owners were really friendly and helpful and it was also a joy to spend some time with two delightful dogs (sad people that we are we were missing ours).

Curiously we could have spent an extra day very happily as it was one of the few places where we all felt we had left things that we wanted to do undone!"

"Again we had a great stay and the facilities were wonderful. The location was further from the dunes than we had envisaged and we could have spent 2 days rather than 3 - although one of the highlights of the holiday, which we would not have done in a 2 day stay, was the quad biking which was a real blast!! We also enjoyed a ballooning trip ... but not as much as the quad biking! Once again our guide (Rambo) was excellent.

Whilst lodge staff were charming this was the only place where we felt they were at times unreliable (although they did arrange both quad biking and ballooning excursions). Lunches seemed to take an age, early morning calls were unreliable, breakfasts were the worst we experienced but suppers were the best!"

"Another unexpected delight! We had hoped to end with the Etosha/Ongava as a highlight but this was just perfect!

Rob, Marianne and their colleagues/friends were warmly welcoming and, once again we enjoyed meeting their dogs! The rooms were comfortable and the more plentiful water supply let us enjoy both their charming garden and ... a lovely bath!

The scenery was stunning and our hosts were at pains to ensure that we not only enjoyed our walks but were also properly kitted out. Rob clearly collects rocks which provided a fascinating backdrop and talking point. Once again we enjoyed eating delicious food around a communal table."