Travel reviews by Mr Paul from Doha
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
3
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
11
Excursions taken
0
My May 2024 trip
Botswana between 20 May 2024 and 5 Jun 2024
"This trip was one of the best of my twelve safaris in eleven years.
GP have some fabulous camps in great locations with expert staff and excellent food and guiding."
GP have some fabulous camps in great locations with expert staff and excellent food and guiding."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Selinda Explorers Camp
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
20 May 2024
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Roan antelope
3 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wildebeest
5 sightings
Zebra
7 sightings
Okavango Explorers Camp
"Okavango Explorers Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
24 May 2024
"My second GP camp of the trip. 4 nights here.
Some great wildlife sightings here.Matt was my guide. Watched three male lions consuming a zebra over a two day period.
Pack of wild dogs teasing a herd of wildebeest. Viewed a cheetah sitting on a termite mound. Then viewed the cheetah devouring a warthog.
Wild dog pack also feasting on a warthog.
Spotted a large herd of Eland but could not get near as very skittish."
Some great wildlife sightings here.Matt was my guide. Watched three male lions consuming a zebra over a two day period.
Pack of wild dogs teasing a herd of wildebeest. Viewed a cheetah sitting on a termite mound. Then viewed the cheetah devouring a warthog.
Wild dog pack also feasting on a warthog.
Spotted a large herd of Eland but could not get near as very skittish."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Roan antelope
Many sightings
Wild dog
3 sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Duba Explorers Camp
"Duba Explorers Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
28 May 2024
"My third camp of this trip. Four nights here.
I have been to this camp several times before and Love it ! Foster was my guide. Enjoyed a helicopter transfer into camp. Mention to Justine camp manager. Delicious food from chef Maunday ?
Wild dogs were in the area. Watched as they chased a Leopard up a tree. Leopard sighting each day, Highlight Leopard crossing the bridge to camp when we were sat by fire.
We took breakfast and sundowners next to Hippos at a waterhole and they were quite relaxed. Spotted a Honey badger very briefly before it disappeared into Long grass.
Spent some time with 3 females and 2 sub adult male lions.
Spotted a large herd of buffalo which Dubai plains is famous for ! Hyenas feeding on a carcass."
I have been to this camp several times before and Love it ! Foster was my guide. Enjoyed a helicopter transfer into camp. Mention to Justine camp manager. Delicious food from chef Maunday ?
Wild dogs were in the area. Watched as they chased a Leopard up a tree. Leopard sighting each day, Highlight Leopard crossing the bridge to camp when we were sat by fire.
We took breakfast and sundowners next to Hippos at a waterhole and they were quite relaxed. Spotted a Honey badger very briefly before it disappeared into Long grass.
Spent some time with 3 females and 2 sub adult male lions.
Spotted a large herd of buffalo which Dubai plains is famous for ! Hyenas feeding on a carcass."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
8 sightings
Leopard
5 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Roan antelope
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wild dog
3 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
"Sitatunga Private Island Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
1 Jun 2024
"Final camp of my trip. Transfer by helicopter from Duba Plains airship..
Water based so boat and waking safari only. Six is the camp manager. AB guide. Only two rooms and one family suite as this camp is very intimate.
The rooms are amazing with a separate lounge area and plunge pool. Service here's first class.Food choice is great.
The camp is situated on a lagoon Sightings of Hippo, crocodiles ,elephant and water monitor. Went for a walk and spotted mainly Lechwe.
The Okavango river is near by.
Lots of birdlife. Managed to spot Rhino in the distance which is in fact part of the Duba plains concession."
Water based so boat and waking safari only. Six is the camp manager. AB guide. Only two rooms and one family suite as this camp is very intimate.
The rooms are amazing with a separate lounge area and plunge pool. Service here's first class.Food choice is great.
The camp is situated on a lagoon Sightings of Hippo, crocodiles ,elephant and water monitor. Went for a walk and spotted mainly Lechwe.
The Okavango river is near by.
Lots of birdlife. Managed to spot Rhino in the distance which is in fact part of the Duba plains concession."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
My June 2023 trip
Zambia between 18 Jun 2023 and 30 Jun 2023
"I had visited three of the camps on this trip in 2022. So I knew quite a lot about them. Busanga Plains was a first visit for me.
Love Chisa Busanga particularly the birds nest rooms.
The plains are quite different to the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa parks. Wetlands nor unlike the Okavango delta.
On my trip in 2022 I witnessed lots of wild dog action in both parks which was the highlight of my trip. This time not quite as much.
Overall a very enjoyable trip."
Love Chisa Busanga particularly the birds nest rooms.
The plains are quite different to the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa parks. Wetlands nor unlike the Okavango delta.
On my trip in 2022 I witnessed lots of wild dog action in both parks which was the highlight of my trip. This time not quite as much.
Overall a very enjoyable trip."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Chisa Busanga Camp
"Chisa Busanga Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
18 Jun 2023
"This is my first visit to Busanga Plains in Kafue.it was an early flight from Lusaka to get me in camp by 11.00 am.
Great small camp with the famous birds nest rooms which have great views but are quite small. Hosted by Pasha aided by Emanuel , Isaac , Newton was my guide.
The Busanga wetlands are fabulous similar in some respects to the Okavango. Newton my guide very experienced was excellent.
The main wildlife feature here are the enormous herds of Lechwe and Puku around the channels.This ensures that there are large groups of Predators Lions and Leopards. We spotted male and female leopards on a night drive and Porcupines.
Some great viewing of two female lions with their cubs.
Magnificent Sable antelope.
Lots of hippos in the channels. Most channels are too deep to traverse and no bridge's in place to cross."
Great small camp with the famous birds nest rooms which have great views but are quite small. Hosted by Pasha aided by Emanuel , Isaac , Newton was my guide.
The Busanga wetlands are fabulous similar in some respects to the Okavango. Newton my guide very experienced was excellent.
The main wildlife feature here are the enormous herds of Lechwe and Puku around the channels.This ensures that there are large groups of Predators Lions and Leopards. We spotted male and female leopards on a night drive and Porcupines.
Some great viewing of two female lions with their cubs.
Magnificent Sable antelope.
Lots of hippos in the channels. Most channels are too deep to traverse and no bridge's in place to cross."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
3 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Leopard
5 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Sable antelope
4 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
Chiawa Camp
"Chiawa Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
21 Jun 2023
"Transfer from Busanga Plains to Jeki airstrip via Lusaka delayed so late into Chiawa Camp. Transfer by boat on the Zambezi to Chiawa Camp which is always magical.
Watching the elephants crossing the river feeding on the islands. This is my second visit to Chiawa and it did not disappoint.
Hosted by By Simon and Juliet .I was in room 7 which has great views of the river. The camp has a great atmosphere with communal dining.
Elephants are possibly the main attraction at Chiawa camp, Lots of them ! The food is top notch with an early breakfast before the game drive and Bruch after at 11.30. Lots of choices. Evening meal is a communal affair. Generally on the first morning you have a Bruch boat cruise with bubbly.
I loved the afternoon canoeing on the channels avoiding the aggressive hippos."
Watching the elephants crossing the river feeding on the islands. This is my second visit to Chiawa and it did not disappoint.
Hosted by By Simon and Juliet .I was in room 7 which has great views of the river. The camp has a great atmosphere with communal dining.
Elephants are possibly the main attraction at Chiawa camp, Lots of them ! The food is top notch with an early breakfast before the game drive and Bruch after at 11.30. Lots of choices. Evening meal is a communal affair. Generally on the first morning you have a Bruch boat cruise with bubbly.
I loved the afternoon canoeing on the channels avoiding the aggressive hippos."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
3 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
7 sightings
Old Mondoro Bushcamp
"Old Mondoro Bushcamp review"
3 nights
Arrived
24 Jun 2023
"My second visit at Old Mondoro arrived by boat rom Chiawa Camp.
I was in Room 4 overlooking the channel. The first afternoon in camp, visited by an Elephant on my from balcony. Great experience. Lots to see from the room balcony particularly the bird life. Spotted the two male resident lions sleeping by the river.
Camp hosted by Dave and Madeline. My guide for the duration was Boaz who is a great character with lots of experience.
After a 5.30 wake up call, breakfast is a communal affair like all meals at Old Mondoro. Food here like Chiawa was of a very high standard.
The pack of 26 wild dogs were in the area where they are denning. Tracked them for a short time. Some nice Kudu sighting and a Porcupine in the night drive. A particularly interning sighting was a leopard raiding a Hammerkop nest in the tree which was occupied by Owls. Watched a leopard kill an implant in camp.
Honey badgers spotted on a night drive.
One of my favourite camps."
I was in Room 4 overlooking the channel. The first afternoon in camp, visited by an Elephant on my from balcony. Great experience. Lots to see from the room balcony particularly the bird life. Spotted the two male resident lions sleeping by the river.
Camp hosted by Dave and Madeline. My guide for the duration was Boaz who is a great character with lots of experience.
After a 5.30 wake up call, breakfast is a communal affair like all meals at Old Mondoro. Food here like Chiawa was of a very high standard.
The pack of 26 wild dogs were in the area where they are denning. Tracked them for a short time. Some nice Kudu sighting and a Porcupine in the night drive. A particularly interning sighting was a leopard raiding a Hammerkop nest in the tree which was occupied by Owls. Watched a leopard kill an implant in camp.
Honey badgers spotted on a night drive.
One of my favourite camps."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
4 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Leopard
7 sightings
Lion
8 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Puku Ridge
"Puku Ridge review"
3 nights
Arrived
27 Jun 2023
"My second visit to Puku Ridge by direct flight from Jeki airstrip in the Lower Zambezi.
Arrived in camp late morning Room 8. This has to be the most Luxurious of the camps visited.
The rooms are fabulous with amazing views from your room. Food is gourmet. Hosted by Clint and Sarah. Innocent was my guide. Some great Lion pride sightings near camp after dark and Leopards.
Drove some distance from camp near to the main gate to view a wild dog kill. Seems like most of the park was there !"
Arrived in camp late morning Room 8. This has to be the most Luxurious of the camps visited.
The rooms are fabulous with amazing views from your room. Food is gourmet. Hosted by Clint and Sarah. Innocent was my guide. Some great Lion pride sightings near camp after dark and Leopards.
Drove some distance from camp near to the main gate to view a wild dog kill. Seems like most of the park was there !"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
5 sightings
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
My June 2022 trip
Zambia between 3 Jun 2022 and 14 Jun 2022
"The overall trip was amazing. Two different locations Lower Zambezi and Luangwa. Three camps each one different.
Old Mondoro small intimate bush camp. Puku ridge luxurious and Chiawa some where in between. Interesting the habitat from Old Mondoro and Chiawa is quite different even though only 40 kms down/ upstream.
Seeing both Leopards and Wild dogs make a kill was very special and a rare event on safari.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Cannot think of anything !"
Old Mondoro small intimate bush camp. Puku ridge luxurious and Chiawa some where in between. Interesting the habitat from Old Mondoro and Chiawa is quite different even though only 40 kms down/ upstream.
Seeing both Leopards and Wild dogs make a kill was very special and a rare event on safari.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Cannot think of anything !"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Chiawa Camp
"Chiawa Camp June 2022"
4 nights
Arrived
3 Jun 2022
"Arrived at camp via the Zambezi just in time for lunch. Welcomed by Simon the GM.Great location I was in room 5. Fab views.
Nobby was our guide for most of the 4 days. Moses for other trips. Spotted two male lions on our first drive. Night drives following sundowners are great at this camp. Spotted African civet twice and a Porcupine once and spotted genets many times. Leopards were also spotted several times including one chasing and capturing a baboon up a tree. One of the highlights of the stay was canoeing down the channel off the main river one afternoon. Herds of elephants coming down to the water to drink, fantastic !
Managed a bush walk one morning down to the Zambezi.
Lovely camp thanks to Simon, Nobby, Tarsi , Chris and all the team for a wonderful stay."
Nobby was our guide for most of the 4 days. Moses for other trips. Spotted two male lions on our first drive. Night drives following sundowners are great at this camp. Spotted African civet twice and a Porcupine once and spotted genets many times. Leopards were also spotted several times including one chasing and capturing a baboon up a tree. One of the highlights of the stay was canoeing down the channel off the main river one afternoon. Herds of elephants coming down to the water to drink, fantastic !
Managed a bush walk one morning down to the Zambezi.
Lovely camp thanks to Simon, Nobby, Tarsi , Chris and all the team for a wonderful stay."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
4 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Old Mondoro Bushcamp
"Old Mondoro Bushcamp review June 2022"
3 nights
Arrived
7 Jun 2022
"Arrived at Old Mondoro after a game drive from Chiawa camp. Just before arrival in camp viewed a pride of lions females and cubs. Juliet camp manager greeted us with a warm welcome. Marshall was an excellent guide.
The camp is quite small and intimate with the tents spread out along the main river and a channel. There is a real inclusive atmosphere about this camp with all guests sharing the camp fire and a communal dining table. I was room 3 facing the channel where you could see some excellent bird life and hear the morning call of the hippos.
Great twilight time viewing of a female leopard and cubs. the large pack of wild dogs 24 in total were back in the area after several weeks away. Watched the dogs as they stalked, chased and finally caught a warthog. Gruesome stuff! Earlier we watched the dogs finishing off an Impala and a Baboon. Lots go Ellie herds around camp.
Thank you for aa wonderful stay Juliette , Marshall and the team."
The camp is quite small and intimate with the tents spread out along the main river and a channel. There is a real inclusive atmosphere about this camp with all guests sharing the camp fire and a communal dining table. I was room 3 facing the channel where you could see some excellent bird life and hear the morning call of the hippos.
Great twilight time viewing of a female leopard and cubs. the large pack of wild dogs 24 in total were back in the area after several weeks away. Watched the dogs as they stalked, chased and finally caught a warthog. Gruesome stuff! Earlier we watched the dogs finishing off an Impala and a Baboon. Lots go Ellie herds around camp.
Thank you for aa wonderful stay Juliette , Marshall and the team."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
8 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Leopard
4 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
3 sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Puku Ridge
"Puku Ridge review June 2022"
3 nights
Arrived
10 Jun 2022
"Arrived a Puku ridge from Jeki airstrip via Lusaka into Mafue. I was met at the airport by Andrew my guide for the next 3 days. One hour drive to camp with singing from the staff by Grant and Amilee the camp managers. I stayed in room 5 next to the main camp area. Rooms here are fabulous with great views over the plains and waterhole from the deck which has a plunge pool.
The food was excellent. One day on a morning drive we turned a corner on the track and found a dining table had been set up in the bush by Grant and his team and were welcomed to a stir fry cooked on gas. That was a nice touch. Andrew my guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and a keen photographer so would give me tips. We managed a full day game drive to the north where we managed to watch two separate lion prides.
We managed to watch Wild dogs hunting again and they caught an Puku. It could not be viewed as in thicket.
Special thanks to Grant, Amilee, Andrew, Mabel trainee guide, Moses and Masaki."
The food was excellent. One day on a morning drive we turned a corner on the track and found a dining table had been set up in the bush by Grant and his team and were welcomed to a stir fry cooked on gas. That was a nice touch. Andrew my guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and a keen photographer so would give me tips. We managed a full day game drive to the north where we managed to watch two separate lion prides.
We managed to watch Wild dogs hunting again and they caught an Puku. It could not be viewed as in thicket.
Special thanks to Grant, Amilee, Andrew, Mabel trainee guide, Moses and Masaki."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
3 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
7 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
4 sightings
Wild dog
3 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
My guide was Rati.Some great sightings in the Selinda concession.Viewed a pride of lions with cubs. Two sub adult males.
Selinda spillway was dry as floods not reached that far at this time.
Food was excellent with tasting menu for dinner. Lots of elephants viewed on east day. Ostrich's, Large male leopard, Spring hare spotted on night drive. Had a nice Brai BBQ for dinner.
Viewed another pride of Lions females with cubs, Roan antelopes.When leaving camp for flight out tracked a cheetah near the airstrip."