Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs W from Chipstead

The manager at Lake Manze was sad to here these guests were disappointed by the quality of the food. We understand that there was only one chef in camp at the time, which although should not have affected the standard, may have had an influence. Since then another chef from Zanzibar has arrived who is working closely with the staff to improve the menu.

The team at Sand Rivers were surprised to hear these comments regarding the quality of the food as they also received very good feedback from guests who were staying there at the same time. We too usually receive very positive feedback about the food at Sand Rivers. So we are sorry if their usually very high standards perhaps slipped a little on this instance - it is something that we will continue to monitor in the future.

The norm in southern Tanzania is for a single driver who is also a guide to take the game drives. There is sometimes an exception when guides are training up; in which case there will be a driver and a separate guide on the game drive. Equally game activities are shared with other guests at most camps, unless there happens to be a spare vehicle or a private vehicle is specifically requested.

It is possible to arrange for a private vehicle, however it is at an extra cost. Had we known that these guests wanted a private vehicle for their stay at Sand Rivers we would have arranged for one, and the team at Sand Rivers would have been happy to accommodate them. We're sorry that we didn't discuss this option with these travellers in more details before their trip.

Ndedema is a small, friendly, owner-run bed and breakfast that offers very economicall accommodation. Although they do have a number of antiques around the property, not all furniture is antique.

The management at the Constantia Uitsig were disapointed to hear that these travellers did not enjoy all aspects of their stay; as were we.

The Constantia Uitsig are in the process of refurbishing all of their rooms and are doing this on a rolling schedule. They are sorry that some of the furnishings were in need of repair in the room these travellers opted for. After being offered one of the newly refurbished rooms, these travellers chose to stay in one of the rooms that is due to be upgraded soon as they decided that they would prefer the slightly older room as the natural light was better and the room therefore felt brighter.

As a gesture of good will the Constantia Uitsig have offer these travellers some compensation for the inconvenience caused.

Expert Africa really like the Constantia Uitsig, however while the refurbishment is taking place will we be using other accommodation in this area. Once this refurbishment is completed in early 2011 we will resume normal business there.

We’re really sorry that this lodge was a disappointment, and we put these comments to the team at Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).

This traveller is perfectly correct: Sossusvlei Lodge is much closer to the gate than Sossus Dune Lodge. However, we must also note that Sossus Dune Lodge is inside the national park, and Sossusvlei Lodge is outside the gate. Due to the closing times of the park gate, guests from Sossus Dune Lodge can access the great dunes of Sossusvlei much earlier, and stay much later, than those at Sossusvlei Lodge.

These travellers visited this lodge in late-October, which is Namibia’s hottest period.

Sossus Dune Lodge was designed without air-conditioning to minimise its environmental footprint. Part of the original ‘brief’ to the designer was, we’re told, to design a lodge that would remain comfortable even when it is very windy in this area (sometimes there are high winds and small sand-storms here). He did this by designing solid chalets, and limiting how the windows open. However, it’s now clear that, during the hottest parts of the year, this helps to make the chalets far too enclosed and hot!

We’ve spoken to the NWR team, and they’re actively looking at altering the design to make it more comfortable during these hotter periods, to help cool the chalets down.