Travel reviews by Dr and Ms R from Bristol

"Pictures of Muchenje Lodge can't do justice to the fantastic views over the Chobe river to Namibia. From the wooden terrace of our very comfortable room we could see zebras and hippos below, and several times elephants came into the camp at night.

There were only a few people staying when we were there, so we had a safari vehicle to ourselves for the morning and evening game drives. Our guide Rambo was brilliant; we saw lions, a leopard and a huge number of other animals and birds. A highlight of the trip was the boat ride from Kasane followed by a game drive; we were out from 10 am until 19.30 and ate our lunch on the boat with hundreds of elephants on the bank nearby. The walk from the lodge was also very enjoyable.

We were made very welcome by all the staff who could not have been more helpful and friendly. Vegetarian food was readily available and delicious. A private candle lit dinner was organised for us as it was a special wedding anniversary celebration. Overall, an excellent place to stay."

"The lodge is beautiful, and our lovely room was right on the banks of the Zambezi with views across to Zimbabwe. We enjoyed being slightly out of town as it looked very busy around the Falls.

The service was fantastic from the warm welcome on, including a special candle lit anniversary meal. Vegetarian food was no problem.

Crispin was a great guide and we enjoyed all the activities, particularly the picnic on the island, the bird walk and the sunrise cruise with birdwatching, and of course Victoria Falls. Get a joint visa for Zimbabwe/ Zambia so you can see the Falls from both sides- there wasn't much water on the Zambia side. It's worth combining the trip to the Falls with a visit to the Livingstone Museum and a drive round Livingstone as it takes about 40 minutes to drive there, and you may not want to do that twice.

Overall a wonderful relaxing lodge with great staff."

"Tafika is in a wonderful setting right on the banks of the Luangwa. The rooms are beautiful - photographs don't do them justice. The ends are open to the sky and the sounds of the bush at night. Food was fantastic; lunch and breakfast are buffet style and dinner served outside by candlelight. Vegetarian food was outstanding. We visited the garden where much of it was grown. Staff and the family always ate with us and we had a lot of interesting conversations.

We did two long game drives each day; early in the morning and in the afternoon/evening, which became a night drive after sundowners. Our guide Macuba was amazing, finding wild dogs, lions, and even a honey badger. We were given plenty of time to take photos and enjoy being with the animals. Jimmy did a great job with the light on the evening drives.

We also did a fantastic walk with Levy who educated us about all the smaller signs of animal behaviour.

A standout experience of the stay was the carmine bee eater hide which we visited on a drive. The other hide is in the camp and visited by elephants and many other animals.

The standard of service in Tafika was outstanding; everyone greeted us by name and every request was answered. Vel managed everything with interest and humour. The Tafika 'family' made us feel truly welcome.

Tafika is simply one of the best places I have evert stayed and the memory will stay with me forever."

"This is a really wonderful hotel with the best breakfasts I have ever had - sitting outside with a great view of Table Mountain.The hotel is slightly out of Cape Town but there is a regular shuttle or the hotel will send a taxi for you (about 20 minutes). The room was extremely comfortable and the staff extremely helpful. A relaxing place to stay away from the bustle of the waterfront but with easy access to the centre."

"Gable Manor was a quiet guesthouse on the outskirts of the town- we needed a taxi back at night. The rooms were spotlessly clean and ours had a great view of the mountains. Breakfast was very good. A convenient place to stay while touring the vineyards."

"First impressions and the welcome were amazing, and everything about our stay here was fabulous- one of the nicest places I have ever stayed. The owners and staff were extremely welcoming and helpful and even showed us the wine being made one evening. The room was beautiful, set in lovely gardens. We were joined on a walk through the hills and vineyards by the resident black Labradors. Lunch is not available but they booked us lunch and a picnic on a boat on a nearby river - another amazing experience. We wished we were staying longer and hope to go back."

"A wonderful, peaceful place set in a pristine environment. It is well worth the long drive over unmade roads to get there. Our room was not luxurious but had a fantastic view over the lagoon- one morning we had a flypast by a flock of flamingos. Both the early morning bird walk and the boat trip were wonderful, with knowledgeable and friendly guides. Breakfast and dinner were very good, and walking back to the cottage under the stars with a few animals and birds around a magical experience."

"A very beautiful lodge in a great position. Our room was enormous, with a large wooden terrace (great for stargazing) and everything you could need including a wood burning stove. Food was great - I could get used to sparkling wine at breakfast! There is a nice walk down through the valley.One evening it was cold and we went to bed to find hot water bottles. Can't wait to go back when the weather is better!"

"A very clean, comfortable and stylish small hotel. Food was good and the staff friendly and helpful.

The hotel is in a quiet area to the north of the city and convenient for the airport."

"A beautiful location and well worth it for the chance to get up early and be at dead Vlei/ the dunes for the sunrise.

As we didn't have a 4 wheel drive we went on a trip organised by the lodge- it's an hours' drive to the dune so it was lot less stressful. The guide Semmy was knowledgeable and friendly and really took trouble to make the experience good for us.

There is no air conditioning in the rooms and it was extremely hot - no shade on the terrace and the metal doors were so hot you couldn't touch them.... The pool is lovely. Building work was being undertaken while we were there which was quite noisy until 2pm (two large diggers right outside the room). But worthy it for the location."

"Sam was extremely helpful when we had car problems.

The location is not great - a long walk or a taxi drive to restaurants/sea. the staff were very nice and the garden is lovely, but overall the place seems rather old fashioned and cold. We had one really nice meal and one not so good - not great for the price."

"A very beautiful camp in a stunning location.

We didn't have time to do any activities but the marked walks were great.

The 'family' meals are a great experience and the women staff were outstanding."

"A very atmospheric lodge in a spectacular setting. Rooms are fairly basic but with amazing views.

The staff are extremely nice and helpful, and put on a great show of singing and dancing after the evening meal. We had hoped to do a walk but this was not advised because of recent lion activity.

The drive up is quite difficult; a four wheel drive would be helpful, even though they pick you up at the car park area. Overall a delightful stay in spite of very windy weather."

"The high point of Okaukuejo camp is the waterhole, which is easily accessible from the rooms. We saw a large number of different animals including lions and it was wonderful to be able to go there at any time and just sit for a bit, particularly as it grew dark.

The camp is large and the restaurant and other facilities are a bit chaotic and slow because of this. The room was very large and comfortable and only minutes from the waterhole."

"Halili camp is smaller than other camps in the park and seemed well organised, although game drives were booked up before we got there which was disappointing - it would be worth booking in advance.

The waterhole is a 15 minute walk from the rooms (hot!) but very atmospheric; we saw lions and rhino and a host of other animals. The camp is well placed for waterholes in the park.

Great swimming pool and very nice service in the restaurant."

"A beautiful camp; the tented chalets are huge with wonderful indoor/outdoor showers, air conditioning and wooden verandas.

There are dik dik and lovely birds everywhere. Food was lovely and we were given some very nice vegetarian options.

Tea and cake in the afternoon was particularly welcome."

"A wonderful camp in a spectacular setting.

The tents are beautifully furnished; ours (no 10) had e large wooden veranda and views down the valley. We had a very warm welcome from everyone and the atmosphere is great. We did the sundowner walk (gin and tonic on top of the mountains) and the early morning nature walk, both of which were spectacular with knowledgeable and friendly guides.

We thought this was the best camp we had stayed in in Namibia and can't wait to go back."