Travel reviews by AZ Gang from MacLean
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
1
My Sep 2023 trip
Botswana and 2 other countries between 7 Sep 2023 and 20 Sep 2023
"We can't thank Maruska and Expert Africa enough for the amazing trip.
We planned for over a year and Maruska was patient and kind enough to answer every single question. Just when we thought it couldn't get any better at one location, it was even better at the next.
The coordination and execution at each point of our journey was flawless. One member of our party even came down with a 24 hour virus during one point of our trip and we were fortunate to be at the same lodge as a group of physicians (we figured Maruska probably took care of that as well).
The safaris were all more than we expected. Not only the animal sightings, but the professionalism and service of the guides, as well as the vehicles were top notch. While the experience was slightly different at each location, overall we were pampered and catered to at each.
It's obvious that the people value tourism and want to ensure you have a great experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None - and we have already recommended Expert Africa to several friends and acquaintances based on our experience."
We planned for over a year and Maruska was patient and kind enough to answer every single question. Just when we thought it couldn't get any better at one location, it was even better at the next.
The coordination and execution at each point of our journey was flawless. One member of our party even came down with a 24 hour virus during one point of our trip and we were fortunate to be at the same lodge as a group of physicians (we figured Maruska probably took care of that as well).
The safaris were all more than we expected. Not only the animal sightings, but the professionalism and service of the guides, as well as the vehicles were top notch. While the experience was slightly different at each location, overall we were pampered and catered to at each.
It's obvious that the people value tourism and want to ensure you have a great experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None - and we have already recommended Expert Africa to several friends and acquaintances based on our experience."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Mount Nelson Hotel
"Mount Nelson Hotel review"
4 nights
Arrived
8 Sep 2023
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Cape Point and Peninsula Tour
"Cape Point and Peninsula Tour review"
10 Sep 2023 • All-day excursion
The guide and tour would have been excellent except that the weather didn't cooperate. We didn't get to do the gardens and had to limit our time at the Cape Point due to weather.
The guide did his best to make it entertaining regardless so that was the only negative.
The guide did his best to make it entertaining regardless so that was the only negative.
Kwara Camp
"Kwara Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
12 Sep 2023
"The staff and accomodations at Kwara Camp were great.
There is no air conditioning, so on days it was warm the rooms got really stuffy. There is also no internet which I found more stressful than enjoyable.
The safari experience was amazing - the guides are able to go off road and we even participated in an actual hunt. I would have preferred to shorten the evening drives since once it got dark the bugs came out and you couldn't really see anything.
Having the wildlife come so close to the camp was a major plus!"
There is no air conditioning, so on days it was warm the rooms got really stuffy. There is also no internet which I found more stressful than enjoyable.
The safari experience was amazing - the guides are able to go off road and we even participated in an actual hunt. I would have preferred to shorten the evening drives since once it got dark the bugs came out and you couldn't really see anything.
Having the wildlife come so close to the camp was a major plus!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Ngoma Safari Lodge
"Ngoma Safari Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2023
"This was our favorite lodge! The management and staff were top notch. The rooms were amazing - with air conditioning. Loved the outside shower and dipping pools.
The meals were seated with menu options and the chef made sure we had what we needed every meal. The food was all very good and the views while eating were amazing. On Saturday nights, they host a traditional Botswana meal with entertainment by the staff. We also learned a great deal about the history of Botswana from the staff that was willing to join you and answer a million questions!
While the safari experience was a bit different since Chobe is a National Park and the guides are more limited where they can go, the wildlife was abundant. We even found an elusive leopard.
We spent one morning going to a local village meeting some of the locals and having the opportunity to purchase some of their work.
All in all, it was a great experience."
The meals were seated with menu options and the chef made sure we had what we needed every meal. The food was all very good and the views while eating were amazing. On Saturday nights, they host a traditional Botswana meal with entertainment by the staff. We also learned a great deal about the history of Botswana from the staff that was willing to join you and answer a million questions!
While the safari experience was a bit different since Chobe is a National Park and the guides are more limited where they can go, the wildlife was abundant. We even found an elusive leopard.
We spent one morning going to a local village meeting some of the locals and having the opportunity to purchase some of their work.
All in all, it was a great experience."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Eland
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Roan antelope
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Old Drift Lodge
"Old Drift Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
18 Sep 2023
"The facilities and staff at Old Drift were amazing.
They wanted to ensure you were cared for. The rooms were nice, with air conditioning - but it really struggled to stay cool with the tent siding. The outdoor bathtub, shower and dipping pool were great, as was the view of the river.
The dining was also seated with menu options and was excellent. We enjoyed the boat drive and seeing some different wildlife.
This was also our lodging for Victoria Falls, which was amazing. Our guide here was also amazing and was willing to accomodate us"
They wanted to ensure you were cared for. The rooms were nice, with air conditioning - but it really struggled to stay cool with the tent siding. The outdoor bathtub, shower and dipping pool were great, as was the view of the river.
The dining was also seated with menu options and was excellent. We enjoyed the boat drive and seeing some different wildlife.
This was also our lodging for Victoria Falls, which was amazing. Our guide here was also amazing and was willing to accomodate us"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
Old Drift Lodge thanked these travellers for their feedback. They added that they have made a minor alteration to the rooms and now added a curtain between the lounge and bedroom area. This allows the bedroom to be separated into a smaller area to make the air conditioning more efficient in that space when it is needed. They report that the adjustment has worked really well and that now the bedrooms can be made cooler during the hotter times of the year.
Manager
Sightings report
Hippo
Many sightings
We loved the daily breakfast buffet and the concierge was extremely helpful and proficient. We did experience some issues with the "rusty" water in our bathroom which was promptly taken care of by the facility staff.
They really don't have casual dining on site. The Red Room and The Verandah have limited reservations. The Lounge and Planet Bar have a limited menu and the service is very limited if you choose to sit in the Lounge. You're better off walking down to the one of the restaurants close by if you are just looking for a quick bite to eat."