Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs B from Hants
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
Namibia Revisited to Victoria Falls
Namibia and 1 other country between 11 Feb 2010 and 4 Mar 2010
"It was a wonderful trip. We were aware that we were not doing this trip at an ideal time of the year, but, it enabled us to see a different side to Namibia having exprienced the South and the deserts previously this was totally different.
We found the driving along the Caprivi Strip rather monotonous, but, it certainly gave us a feeling of being the real Africa with the small Villages along the way and cattle, goats and children scattered in the road until the occasional car/lorry approached. Everyone we stopped to speak to were friendly and happy to communicate with us.
It was interesting that apart from Waterberg all the other lodges we stayed at were on islands which again made it very different to our last visit and allowed us to see the wild life of the rivers and wetlands.
The Victoria Falls was our highlight which we wanted it to be.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. This is our 2nd trip with you and we would highly recommend you to all our friends and family."
We found the driving along the Caprivi Strip rather monotonous, but, it certainly gave us a feeling of being the real Africa with the small Villages along the way and cattle, goats and children scattered in the road until the occasional car/lorry approached. Everyone we stopped to speak to were friendly and happy to communicate with us.
It was interesting that apart from Waterberg all the other lodges we stayed at were on islands which again made it very different to our last visit and allowed us to see the wild life of the rivers and wetlands.
The Victoria Falls was our highlight which we wanted it to be.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. This is our 2nd trip with you and we would highly recommend you to all our friends and family."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Waterberg Camp
"Waterberg Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Feb 2010
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
"Ndhovu Safari Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
17 Feb 2010
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here.
Everyone was very friendly and always on hand to help us enjoy all the activities that the lodge provided,but, also happy to let us have our own time to relax. we had avery good tour of Micheal's local village and the school.
All the meals we had were very good."
Everyone was very friendly and always on hand to help us enjoy all the activities that the lodge provided,but, also happy to let us have our own time to relax. we had avery good tour of Micheal's local village and the school.
All the meals we had were very good."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Mazambala Island Lodge, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Mazambala Island Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
20 Feb 2010
"We were very disappointed with this lodge.
The local people were friendly and helpful and the one guided tour we did ( Nature walk ) the guide was very knowledgable and we learnt a lot. Samantha - I presume was the undermanager - tried hard,but, the manager was nonexistent most of the time and totally unsuitable for the job in the absence of the owner.
In fact the atmosphere was non existenet - I know that this is a quiet time of the year for them, but this should not mean that the person in charge does not make himself known and introduce himself to his customers!
Is it right that a lodge of this rating and price should be left in sole charge of a 24 and 20yr old? We would not recommend this lodge to anyone. I would like to think we were unfortunate and that things will change in the future. The swimming pool was dirty."
The local people were friendly and helpful and the one guided tour we did ( Nature walk ) the guide was very knowledgable and we learnt a lot. Samantha - I presume was the undermanager - tried hard,but, the manager was nonexistent most of the time and totally unsuitable for the job in the absence of the owner.
In fact the atmosphere was non existenet - I know that this is a quiet time of the year for them, but this should not mean that the person in charge does not make himself known and introduce himself to his customers!
Is it right that a lodge of this rating and price should be left in sole charge of a 24 and 20yr old? We would not recommend this lodge to anyone. I would like to think we were unfortunate and that things will change in the future. The swimming pool was dirty."
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location
Good
Service
Poor
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Poor
Feedback response
On reading these travellers comments, Johan, the manager of Mazambala Island Lodge, was quite upset that these clients did not enjoy their stay here. He wanted us to explain the reasons for his absence at the lodge and why the pool was not at its best.
Johan usually plays an active role at Mazambala however unfortunately he had a heart attack in January and was still recovering and was therefore less attentive with travellers. He assures us that he will once again be back in full force at the lodge now and will be making an effort to welcome guests personally again.
Johan agreed that the pool was indeed dirty when these clients were there and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this. However at the time of these travellers visit the swimming pool pump was broken and the lodge was waiting for the spare parts. The beauty of Mazambala Island Lodge is that it is situated in the bush, quite a long way from any major town, but this does also mean that parts are not easy to come by very quickly. The pump has now been replaced so future travellers can be assured that the swimming pool once again clear.
We are sorry that these travellers had a less then satisfactory stay here; however we are assured that the problems they had will not be repeated.
Johan usually plays an active role at Mazambala however unfortunately he had a heart attack in January and was still recovering and was therefore less attentive with travellers. He assures us that he will once again be back in full force at the lodge now and will be making an effort to welcome guests personally again.
Johan agreed that the pool was indeed dirty when these clients were there and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this. However at the time of these travellers visit the swimming pool pump was broken and the lodge was waiting for the spare parts. The beauty of Mazambala Island Lodge is that it is situated in the bush, quite a long way from any major town, but this does also mean that parts are not easy to come by very quickly. The pump has now been replaced so future travellers can be assured that the swimming pool once again clear.
We are sorry that these travellers had a less then satisfactory stay here; however we are assured that the problems they had will not be repeated.
Southern Africa Manager
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Sindabezi
"Sindabezi review"
3 nights
Arrived
22 Feb 2010
"This was certainly the highlight of our tour. We were treated like royalty. The staff on the island were so friendly,helpful and full of fun.
Vicas made delicious meals for us and I am sorry I did not buy the book by Chris Higgins.
Brian and Lawrence made excellent guides and enlarged on many aspects of the wild life that we were unaware of before. I only hope I will be able to retain it as well as they have done!
We always felt that each journey we made to Tongabezi and the main land was another guided tour and many times I am sure they took us a long way round to ensure we saw as much as possible.
Charles made an excellent Valet and Nature lokked after us well at the table. They were always very willing to sort us out when help was needed! Granted, this is a quiet time of the year for the lodge, we felt very priviledged to have been there on our own and to experience such a wonderful setting and surroundings.
All the activities were numerous and varied we feel we could have stayed for a lot longer to investigate further.
My only criticism , and probably my own fault entirely, was that I bought 15 stamps for postcards for Europe from reception and the Receptionist said not to worry that she would put the stamps on and send them off with other mail from the office,but, so far (3wks later) not one has been received! I only put this in as I think this shpuld be brought to the attention of other guests to stick their own stamps and post them themselves, which we could have done that same morning.
We would love to come back with our family some time and take over the whole island!! Perhaps a Special Occasion! We will certainly recommend it to our friends."
Vicas made delicious meals for us and I am sorry I did not buy the book by Chris Higgins.
Brian and Lawrence made excellent guides and enlarged on many aspects of the wild life that we were unaware of before. I only hope I will be able to retain it as well as they have done!
We always felt that each journey we made to Tongabezi and the main land was another guided tour and many times I am sure they took us a long way round to ensure we saw as much as possible.
Charles made an excellent Valet and Nature lokked after us well at the table. They were always very willing to sort us out when help was needed! Granted, this is a quiet time of the year for the lodge, we felt very priviledged to have been there on our own and to experience such a wonderful setting and surroundings.
All the activities were numerous and varied we feel we could have stayed for a lot longer to investigate further.
My only criticism , and probably my own fault entirely, was that I bought 15 stamps for postcards for Europe from reception and the Receptionist said not to worry that she would put the stamps on and send them off with other mail from the office,but, so far (3wks later) not one has been received! I only put this in as I think this shpuld be brought to the attention of other guests to stick their own stamps and post them themselves, which we could have done that same morning.
We would love to come back with our family some time and take over the whole island!! Perhaps a Special Occasion! We will certainly recommend it to our friends."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
We enjoyed the views overlooking the Kalahari from the restaurant balcony. The rooms altho' basic were clean and comfortable - it was nice to have the use of a fridge and to be able to make ourselves the odd cup of tea or coffee.
We enjoyed our walk up to the plateau and the walks were well signposted."