Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs H from Middlesex

"The large family chalet we stayed in was magnificent, comfortable and with all possible facilities. One room had a wonderful view towards the waterhole and we were able to spot game and birds from there.

The restaurant was very good and close at hand. The camp was very clean and well organized with a well stocked shop. The covid measures were reassuring and adhered to. There wasn't any game at the waterhole when we went. we could have stayed longer there. we saw lots of game in our self drives through the park with well marked, interesting routes. we'd certainly go there again."

"This was luxury in all aspects. The suite of rooms were large, comfortable and beautifully furnished, with absolutely everything on hand including drinks, babysitting and activities for our grandchildren, laundry, great views, lovely deck with plunge pool and well manicured paths.

The public areas were lovely and spacious and all the staff extremely professional, friendly and helpful. We liked the family friendly atmosphere of the lodge and our game guard Chris and tracker Siza were knowledgeable and completely committed to showing us all the wild life large and small. The food was excellent, and the staff responded to requests positively and flexibly. There was lots of lovely small touches which made us feel very special.

It was a truly memorable experience, from the barbeque, cakes for afternoon tea to cheetah sightings, pancakes by a river and evening drinks watching the hippos."

"Beautiful tree top location, luxury rooms with all amenities including big bath, lovely fire and very comfy armchairs. We loved going along the walkways to the restaurant.

The gardens were truly beautiful with peaceful, relaxing walks in open areas and shady gardens full of plants and different flowers. The food and service was excellent in all respects. Strict covid measures were in place on entry which was very reassuring.

There was plenty to do at the hotel and in the surrounding area and the staff helped us with this. We would certainly go there or to the other connected hotel again whilst going along the Garden route."

"Lovely Victorian house with comfortable rooms and such personal, friendly service from all the staff who did everything possible to make our stay enjoyable, with a friendly smile and kindness.

The breakfasts were delicious and it was good to sit in the cool garden in the evening. The area was quiet and safe with lots of good restaurants nearby and quite near the main attractions. Staff were very helpful in advising us on where to go and what to do and in organizing things eg taxis. we had a lovely time there. its a great place to stay in Cape Town"

"The lodge is comfortable and in one of the most stunning locations we've ever stayed at, with views over the grasslands. The chalets are comfortable with good but not luxury amenities. Showers are outside only and drinking water is provided in jugs.

There are lovely decks for each chalet and you truly feel you are in the wilderness. The food was very ample and good, with lovely cakes for afternoon tea. We really appreciated it when the cook made us a Botswanian dish which we thoroughly enjoyed. Npo the manager was helpful and attentive and the staff friendly. We were the only ones there so we felt very welcomed, like we were staying with the family. The game guide /driver Benjamin was great. We were all equally excited to see a leopard and cub! The drives are long, but the scenery and birds magnificent and we had excellent game sightings. Our last day barbeque was great fun.

The lodge had some maintenance problems, due in part to terrible weather in December. The shared plunge pool didn't look like it had been used for some time. They said they were planning renovations. We had a wonderful, wilderness experience here, quirky service, not luxury but a good place to stay and enjoy the wide, open spaces, stars and quiet."

"Lovely house with stunning riverside garden, pool and lots of seats and places to relax in.

The room was very comfortable with all amenities. We were made very welcome by the owners and staff and the home cooked dinner and breakfast were delicious. we had helpful advice about directions and timings.

A very good stay."

"We had a wonderful 6 days at Guludo Beach Lodge. the location was superb, the staff were friendly, very helpful and the food was superb. The banda was very attractive and comfortable, and the environmental toilets and use of water were easy to use. It was great to be able to sit and read with a beautiful view of the sea, and to swim and walk along the clean and beautiful sands. It was also interesting to watch the fishermen at work and to visit the village. We slept early and enjoyed the peaceful environment.

Thank you to all the staff who made the stay such a great experience."

"We had an excellent dhow safari, with a professional, very attentive crew. We stayed on 3 different islands which was very interesting, the cook was able to produce top quality food on the go, and the tents were comfortable as tents go. On Rolas Island, we saw a giant coconut crab wandering through the fisherman's hamlet and this was a real thrill. It was wonderful to swim off pristine beaches and sandbars. When we needed help with climbing in and out of boats, or walking a distance when the tide was out, but the crew gave every assistance. We were given lots of interesting info about the islands and the sea, saw dolphins, and breakfasted on a glittering sandbar near Ibo Island.

Thank you very much to the crew who cared for us as friends."

"Very beautiful, comfortable lodge, with wonderful gardens and view. Helpful, friendly staff, who also maintained everything excellently, high quality food and the Island itself is very interesting to explore. The tour of the Island was informative and flexible, with time for discussion, shopping, mix of history and culture. There were a range of activities on offer. Perhaps a list of these for guests, plus when to reserve, might have been more visible eg walking, dhow, massage, to re-enforce the helpful info given over meals or on request."

"We had a wonderful time here. The lodge and accommodation were beautiful and very comfortable. The service was very helpful, personalized and friendly. The food was excellent and personal preferences were responded to. We had a great time just relaxing, enjoying the scenery and lodge, watching the birds, reading. We very much enjoyed the walks, the climb up the local hill and the game walks/drives with sundowners in beautiful spots at the end.

Donna and Steve were fantastic hosts

Thank you to everyone for a great start to our Malawi holiday."

"We enjoyed our stay at Pumulani very much. The setting was fantastic and we doubt chalet 5 could be bettered for its excellent views.

The chalet itself was also extremely spacious and comfortable. The service was excellent and all our requests were promptly dealt with. The facilities were also first class and the dhow and trips on the lake were wonderful. We appreciated the chance to use the telescope with interesting information from Rob.

A very enjoyable experience."

"We had a wonderful 4 days here. The lodge and accommodation were great with a beautiful river setting with hippos, crocs and birds. The food was superb and service from staff throughout was professional, friendly and individualized.

We thoroughly enjoyed the game walks and drives and particularly appreciated the professional approach of our main guide, Osman. During our transfer he went out of his way to take us everywhere we wanted to go, took us to the nearby town to buy a present and gave great information during the drives and walks. He helped to make our stay really enjoyable.

Thank you very much to everyone."

"Very helpful staff who gave really useful advice, including booking restaurant, where to get petrol, food etc.

Guest house comfortable and clean with a peaceful atmosphere.

Excellent breakfast, including being able to get this on the morning we arrived very early which was very convenient."

"Friendly, helpful, really great food, very enjoyable activities with guiding very good.

Fun to be on a farm with other activities going on."

"Everyone very helpful and attentive. Great accommodation in individual 'chalets' (including hot water bottles for the cool nights), wonderful, atmospheric location and very nice food. Great trip with excellent guiding to the dunes.

It would be helpful to put some gravel on the paths to the rooms rather than mostly sand."

"Helpful staff, great breakfast, pristine room and dining room, very central.

Helpful advice, including booking restaurant and how to get to places."

"This was our favourite location.

Very atmospheric, wonderful, large 'chalet' rooms with fantastic views. Fantastic food, really great trip to see elephants (Wilfred, trainee guide, went out of his way to take us back later in the day to find the large herd), nice, informative evening walk. Positive feeling of it being a collaborative project with staff very committed to this."

"Everything OK but it was very busy and staff seemed a bit overwhelmed eg for registration and in restaurant.

Room was comfortable and clean, great location near waterhole and for going round the park. Good facilities, shop, food, maps etc. We drove ourselves round the park (great game viewing and wonderful views of the salt pan) so can't comment on activities."

"Very comfortable rooms, lovely staff, very good food, felt peaceful and well organized.

Easy access to waterhole plus for driving to see game (it was a bit further to waterholes but worth the drive). Again, we drove ourselves and didn't take part in any organized activities."

"Wonderful location, interesting 'chalets' which were clean and comfortable as luxury tented accommodation.

When we stayed, it was a bit windy. We had hot water bottles but inevitably there were a lot of draughts and flapping canvas! Excellent food, great guide for evening and morning walk (Heidi), plus waiter in restaurant was effecient, very cheerul and a wonderful source of information and stories.

Management were helpful and attentive although they seemed quite new and in process of developing their own systems and hotel culture."

"Comfortable rooms, nicely furnished and spacious public areas, very pleasant outdoor bar and swimming pool, excellent food in restaurant with panaromic view of Kigali.

Helpful, friendly service."

"The staff were warm, friendly and incredibly helpful. The food was plentiful and varied. Great views and lovely surroundings. The cottages were large and comfortable. We had a fire and hot water bottles each evening, plus hot towels, boots cleaned and ginger tea on the verandah after trekking.

The lodge was decorated in a traditional, interesting way. We had good access to hot water and light with the generator (small comment: it would have been good to have had towels dried as they stayed damp with the climate). We really enjoyed the dancing by a group of local children arranged by the hotel.

Overall, we had a wonderful time here."