Travel reviews by Night Herons from Surrey

"I loved the fact that half of the roof was netting which meant we could lie in bed and look up at the moon and trees. I thought it gave a great feeling of being close to nature. I also liked the impermanence of the camp - the fact that it is rebuilt every season means it is natural and made out of local materials. I also thought that the location of the camp by the Mwamba river was great as it meant that, for example, one lunch time we were joined by 9 giraffes on the other side of the river and another time baboons came right into camp.

The local staff were truly hospitable and friendly - we could have asked for better. I thought that though very new to the job, Annabelle was an excellent hostess - charming, helpful and sociable in all the right amounts. The quantity and quality of the game on show was also superb. Mayam was a fantastic guide who knew the area like the back of his hand."

"Once again, the Shentons provided an outstanding experience (they are a really charming family and Derek's sister, Ali, has a funky craft shop and vegetarian restaurant in Livingstone, which is worth a visit).

The camp is in a lovely location and is simply, but elegantly appointed, with great river views. The staff, both domestic and guides were welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. The wildlife was abundant and varied and the camp's hides provided an interesting alternative to the usual drives.

A particular highlight of the stay was spending a night in the elephant hide, half-way up a tree, with nothing but a mosquito net and some branches between us and the stars. Fabulous!"

"Other than an unforgettable experience where we got up close and personal with a bull elephant who fancied chomping on albida pods right by our outside bathroom (about 3 or 4 ft away at most), it was the little touches that made our stay so special.

For example, we arrived from the airstrip mid pm, but lunch had been kept for us; we were able to go canoeing on the Zambezi within an hour of arriving so no time was wasted; we arrived back to a lamp-lit dinner for two on the banks of the Zambezi with the moon, the river, a fire, a suprise bottle of champagne, and the silhouettes of the local hippo pod to complete the scene.

Edward, one of the Albida Suite's two dedicated staff was wonderfully attentive and yet non-intrusive. The suite itself was unabashed luxury in a tent and superbly situated on the confluence of the Zambezi and Chongwe rivers."

"The remote and rustic feel of this camp was supurb. The views from the chalet and the dining area were second to none.

The powerboat transfer from Chongwe continued an excellent acquaintance with the Zambezi, which was furthered during our stay at Old Mondaro. The drives were also great, especially the "adventure" drive to a reported leopard sighting.

Both the domestic and guiding staff were extremely hospitable and knowledgeable. We were especially delighted to be treated to a bottle of champagne on arrival and a private dinner, later, on our verranda, overlooking the river, an adjoining channel and the bush beyond."

"Although we liked the decor, style and layout of the room and found the main entrance hall attractive, to have stayed here any longer would have frustrated us immensely.

The buffet in the restuarant was bland international hotel fare. The staff were polite but clueless. The concept of us actually wanting to leave the hotel (on anything other than organised tours) and thus need a taxi was completely alien to one and all. Cue mystified looks, interminable waits and finally some random obviously non taxi driver in a clapped out banger would finally appear to charge a king's ransom in USD each way to the town or the falls.

The hotel's infinity pool is lovely - until you see the huge barriers, grilles and spikes in front of it, in the same way that the river view from the room is great until you see the electric fence and the prominent warning sign in front of it. The location by the Zambezi is also great until one realises that it is equally inconvenient for the falls and the town but right by Batoka Land - the local heliport which could be heard in the background on a frequent basis.

In fairness, they did welcome us with a bottle of bubbly in our room on arrival. A nice touch, but their follow on was well meant but farcical. The Housekeeper turned up as we were showering before dinner. She expressed surpise that we were still in our room (a simple check with the dining room could have informed her), then went on to explain why she was carrying a reed mat and a length of material. Apparently, she was going to leave both on the floor, while we were meant to be out, along with the bubbly. The accompanying letter would supposedly explain that the material should be used as part of the local marriage ceremony. She was dismayed that we, in our ignorance, had already drunk the wine. Simple choreography to get all elements together, one would have thought. Had it all worked, however, the letter would have left us none the wiser as to what we were meant to do with the mat and material as it made no mention of it whatsoever. Really kind thought, but botched execution."