Travel reviews by Mr J & Mr B from London

"This was the first of three Robin Pope Safari camps visited on our trip. It's a beautiful riverside location with masses of hippos, sacred ibis and noisy hadeda ibis.

Comfortable accomodation very enjoyable food.The staff were friendly and our extremely knowledgeable guide, Fred, responded to our interest in birds by helping to spot no less than 50 different types on the first morning. Further delights followed that day -- a large troop of baboons with very small babies passing close to the dining area, two sightings of leopard, a large herd of elephant and in the evening the rare sight of two white-tailed mongoose mating.

We were well pleased with our short stay at Nkwali."

"En route from Nkwali to Nsefu camp for our three night stay we saw a profusion of birds including a flock of Lilians's lovebird and some knob-billed(comb) ducks in flight. Also large groups of zebra, elephant and giraffe and three lionesses with a cub. On arrival we were greeted, at the reception area, by an elephant with a small infant which then moved towards our rondavel making us wait nearly an hour before being able to enter-- what a welcome!

Nsefu is a stunning location with the meandering river below and a small lagoon beside the bar area where one can see a regular parade of animals,small and large, at close quarters. The rondavels are snug but well appointed and the standard of food and service was excellent.

Our guide Thomas was attentive, informative and very personable. At our request we visited the salt springs, a marshy, savannah-like terrain served by a mineral spring which is home to masses of birds, particularly saddle-billed storks (over100),crowned cranes,francolin,ibis and circling vultures.Nearby a herd of over 500 buffalo completed the perfect scene.

One day at sunset we watched a leopard stalk and kill an impala only to be deprived of its prey by a marauding hyena. Our high expectations of Nsefu were more than fulfilled."

"Having visited Nkwali & Nsefu this camp offered comparably excellent facilities and service but lacked the feeling of close proximity to the river.The surrounding area however provided many attractions, especially the lagoon: over three dozen African spoonbills moving in a straight line methodically siphoning up their food and over 100 saddle-billed storks in a tight cluster.

Elsewhere we witnessed engrossing animal behaviour: four juvenile giraffes bashing each other's necks and heads together in play fighting and a female baboon pursued by a male with clinging baby which was being used as a 'protective shield' against the threats of another competing male"

"After seven delightful days in South Luangwa, Old Mondoro promised the added attraction of game viewing by boat. Sunsetsand sundowners on the Zambezi were magical.

It has an authentic,remote bushcamp feel coupled with comfortable, well appointed reed/canvas walled riverside chalets. Food was excellent and varied and the service was outstanding. Staffing levels were generous, enabling it to offer a flexible agenda of activities tailored to the interests of clients. Our guides were very knowledgeable and responsive to our interest in birds and flora as well as game.

We successfully added to our already lengthy list of recent sightings of lion, leopard buffalo elephant, antelope and birds. Addtional treats included three fish eagles picking out catfish from a drying waterhole, followed later by a leopard on a similar but unsuccessful quest and night drive sightings of honey badgers,porcupines,striped jackals, civets and wonder of wonders, even a pangolin.

Old Mondoro certainly lived up to its reputation"

"A conveniently located camp, for quick access to the Crater, in pleasant surroundings.

The staff were helpful, efficient, and welcoming"

"A wonderful location with an extensive vista across the surrounding countryside which teemed with a wide variety of animals and birds.

The crowds and traffic jams of the central Serengeti were left behind enabling us to enjoy the solitude of the wilderness with the help of a knowledgeable and helpful guide.

Unfortunately the experience was marred by poor bathroom facilities and a camp vehicle which was unsuited to comfortable game viewing"

"The camp is in a beautiful setting and has the usual reliable, excellent @beyond standards,h owever the insistence on separate rather than communal dining arrangements is not to our taste.

The visit provided three highlights of our trip to the Serengeti......the black and white colobus monkey, a herd of common eland and a confrontation between an elephant and a group of hippos"

"Sayari Mara Camp provides a genuine 5 Star experience: a magical location,an excellently appointed camp, reliable facilities, outstanding catering and exemplary service.

If that wasn't enough, the migration had arrived and we witnessed two crossings of the Mara.The big cats also put on a special show, two lions mating, a leopard in a tree with its kill and three cheetahs stalking and then devouring their prey.

Doubtless to say, Sayari will linger long in the memory"

"A well appointed camp with an authentic safari ambience.

Efficient,friendly,relaxed staff who established easy rapport with guests.We liked sitting at a communal dining table which allowed guests to share the adventures of the day and we valued the contributions of the guides who joined us..

Our guide and tracker were outstanding."

"This matched the allround excellence of Kwara Camp.

The guide and tracker worked hard to deliver one of the highlights of the trip....a pack of wild dogs with a kill.

Add to this a herd of 50 elephants and we were in heaven!"

"This was one of two @Beyond camps visited.These comments apply to both. The 'corporate formula' seems to be striving to offer a 5Star hotel service which is out of keeping with the safari experience.

An excessive number of staff (personal butler, masseuse and a legion of waiters, supervisors etc) created a stifling/stuffy atmosphere in stark contrast to the two Kwando Safari camps visited. Once you had broken through the formal service regime, the staff turned out to be pleasant and natural, they just needed to be released from the absurd 'house style' imposed on them. The menus were overelaborate but the actual result was disappointing. Worst of all guests were seated at separate tables which inhibited social interchange. More Bournemouth than Okavango!.

The guide was excellent but the tracker was a trainee, who while pleasant enough, did'nt contribute much."

"The second @Beyond camp visited. Comments on service and food same as for Sandibe. The guide was average and the tracker,another trainee tracker, was disengaged and didnt seem to contribute much.Both of them need to brighten up their act."