Travel reviews by Mrs G from Herts

"We found Latitude well worth an overnight stop on the way out and on the way back.

Relaxing and good service. Excellent breakfast."

"Our 5th trip to Kaingo over 20+ years and it still appears to be the best of its type. Neighbouring Lion camp vehicles are now more intrusive and the whole area does not seem remote any more. However the accommodation, service and friendliness of all the staff still make it one of our favorites.

The food is exceptional and Catherine acts as a superb hostess as well as chef.

Walking is possible but no longer top of the agenda. Most guests come for the photographic opportunities and the excellent hides.

Guiding was variable. At its best superb. Newcomer to the guiding team ,Shane , made an excellent impression."

"Has retained its bush character and style. Still one of our favourites. 4 rooms has made activities more flexible as long as you have 2 walking guides in Camp. Everything worked like clockwork.

Sandy was a great guide and walks were possible every day.

Waterhole hide was fabulous for mid day viewing. Game excellent."

"First time at a Bush camp Company camp. very impressed by the professionalism of the operation. Fanwell was an excellent guide and Camp manager. Walks however were short.

Rooms were very spacious and airy but not rustic. Did not really have the bush camp feel about it.

Sadly it did not have a river frontage as the river has changed course but the waterhole hide made a lovely venue for midday viewing. Area very different to the north. Felt quite remote. Good game.

Food excellent particularly the stir fry!"

"We were so pleased to have included Kafue and paticularly Musekese on our trip and could have stayed longer.

There was a true bush camp feel and together with great boat trips on the river it was wonderfully relaxing. Of course the game was not so prolific as in S Luangwa but it felt very remote and the birds were terrific.

James was one of the best walking guides we have had with seemingly infinite knowledge and great stories. We would really like to go back for longer next time.

The road transfer was long but expertly driven. Would recommend a night in Latitude 15 afterwards to avoid worrying about connections."

"Pleased we had decided to rest up before the flight home. We were able to keep our rooms until mid afternoon.

Very friendly and efficient"

"Our stay was dominated by the effects of weather prior to our arrival. After 5 years of below average rainfall throughout Southern Africa, the rains arrived late summer 16/17, but in January and first 2 weeks February were exceptionally heavy culminating in the after effects of the passage of typhoon Dineo, where even Windhoek received more rain than usual in third week Feb.

So arriving 4th week Feb, the condition of the roads in clay mud areas, particularly near the camp was appalling and got worse over the 3 days. Sand roads in the pan and further afield were still good. Although tired, the driver guides struggled manfully on, bolstered by the presence of Jessica to assist with guest relations. She persuaded our guide {Mr T!} to do the full day drive to Baines Baobabs, which was the highlight of our stay, showing varied landscapes and vegetation.

As expected animals were limited except for the large number of zebra present having migrated from Chobe and is the wildlife highlight at that time of year.

The rooms were spacious, and comfortable and the food good.."

"As with Nxai Pan the weather prior to arrival and the resulting conditions , controlled events.The water level in the delta was as high as during a typical flood, usually 3 or 4 months later. (There was considerable local apprehension as to what will happen if a big flood arrIves. )

The elephant grass growth was too high to allow walking, thus drives dominated activities. Possibly due to guest pressure, a mornings Mokoro tour was arranged using all 5 canoes, and by moving access point a boat trip through the delta in Moremi NP was arranged. Both were very enjoyable, although animal sightings were infrequent.

Whilst the animals were well spread out reasonable sightings were had, but the variety of birds was very good throughout.

We were told bird spotting was a minority pursuit but it was a great time to see them. In fact we would say that the green season was not for new Africa hands. The guides were exceptionally informative and knowledgeable. However for us the drives were too long and without sufficient break time for sundowners etc. The spotlight drives were very perfunctory given the vegetation.

As recognised by a forthcoming refurbishment the tents were old fashioned poorly positioned and with very inadequate plumbing."

"after the car hire nightmare at the airport, Hilltop suited well for first night. the important email communication worked well. Just room for secure parking for each room.

we had decided not to attempt to eat out and bought food in from convenient supermarket as we entered Windhoek. Hilltop rooms had balconies to each room with convenient table and chairs, allowing relaxed informal eating. Breakfast individually served on this table was excellent."

"Very convenient location.

Super staff who made us feel very much at home although the restaurant was always full with large groups.

pleasant comfortable rooms."

"Sadly the owners have lost their sparkle since our previous visit. Employee relations also appeared strained.

The 3hr gorge walk remains spectacular. Only natural flowing water seen in Namibia. Klipspringer and baboon, and leopard tracks."

"Paid for two trips. One to Big Daddy and Dead Vlei. Private entrance helped to reduce driving time. Otherwise standard trip, but with nice private picnic."

"A true B & B. Fine position on sea front. Good breakfast.

Good recommendations for evening meals.

Best meal on trip at Anchorage (once found). Excellent sea food."

"Nice gentle bush walk while others went to Twyfelfontein. Afternoon rest by well sited pool.

Second was evening trip for desert elephants. Easily found and good viewing.

Pity about the guide, reasonable driver but hopeless on client relations and information.

Evening meal set out in bush.

Nicely done, staff entertainment of singing pleasant and well done."

"Good location for entry to West Etosha (although Hobatere entry road bit rough at 30 mins away).

Comfortable but very compact rooms. Good restaurant area, nice small pool.

Good food and service. Pity about staff singing entertainment."

"Location excellent with highlight being hide overlooking floodlit waterhole reached by fenced walkway.

Downside was brusque staff attitude. Room basically smart, but sleep severely disrupted by line of ants over pillow and large spider found in room. Bit ironic given insistence on accompanying guests back to room after dark.

Synthetic safari one felt."

"Bit of a surprise. Thought it might more like a zoo, but a true wild reserve. Good drive to find collared cheetahs

Good large comfortable room, with good pool associated with a small cluster of rooms. Restaurant very functional but food OK."

"As before"

"Shown to Luxury Suite overlooking bridge and waterfall smoke. No explanation for upgrade but very welcome.

Used as rest day, walking to falls and afternoon by large pool. Took small meals on Terrace restaurant, not overpriced.

Hotel remains icon of historical decadent luxury in Vic Falls tourist bubble in country trying to feed itself. Nevertheless a fabulous experience"

"Camp Hwange chosen as the safari add on to our Namibia tour , because of easy flight from Windhoek to Vic Falls, land access to Hwange NP, and varied activities at camp, with emphasis on 'walking' and night drives possible. These also distinguish S Luangwa where we have been 8 times over 30 years.

Soon became clear that Hwange walking differed markedly from rest of Africa previously experienced. As soon as a big five animal spotted, or tracks found, this became a tracking and then stalking exercise , with the intention of getting as close as possible , without intentionally creating a hazardous encounter. This evolution from hunting was striking, with considerable discussion over dinner about firearms, particularly with NRA supporting Americans. All the guides supported trophy hunting for cash as the only way to support conservation.
Our guide, a white Zimbabwean, working freelance was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of of the bush and animals.

found there. He was very keen to please and did suggest varying the usual timetable with a full day out, and a couple of long walks initially 'nature' ones but reverting to stalking if the opportunity arose. The normal timetable was simple breakfast at 05.30, leave at 6.00, return for lunch at ca 12.30. Tea at 4.00 leave at 4.30 with spotlight from dusk till 7.30 with dinner finishing about 9.00. We felt that this did not give enough private time but given the meal times difficult to circumvent. However nobody would complain they weren't getting their moneysworth.

The extreme dryness encompassing Southern Africa this year showed in the reliance of all animals on the few water holes and damned lakes or a couple of natural spring areas. Even the ones accessible from the cam p were up to 20km apart, so it involved considerable travel between sites where animals were prolific.

It should be noted that the transfer from Vic Falls to Camp Hwange took 4.5 hours.of which 2.5 were in the park. A long time if people were coming straight out after a flight.
Description of camp as comfortable but not luxurious absolutely accurate ,food very good. Suited us very well."

"Originally stayed at V F Hotel to reminisce and for the nostalgia but Ilala perfectly good alternative.

Very well managed and comfortable."

"After 8hours + 5hours to Dar , the 1.5hrs taxi from airport was unwelcome. Due to 'rush hour' traffic chaos no option of course, but early morning return took 20 mins! Room good and clean, luggage space for some rearrangement OK. Bath welcome. Bar food good, prompt and good value.

Note: All assessments relative to our previous experiences of accommodation of its type."

"Very nice position giving the opportunity for water activities as well as drives. Very good accommodation and also very good guiding with a young and fairly inexperienced guide, Andrew, but who definitely knew his stuff and was very enthusiastic.

Excellent food and very well managed and organised. Pool excellent and very welcome after drives.

The meals served 'restaurant style' did definitely detract from a camp atmosphere but we still enjoyed it."

"Bordered on the excellent, (we compare everything to our favourites in Zambia) The density of game in Rhuaha was much better than we expected and the variety of species bringing in the northern area game was superb.

This camp was run very well and the accommodation was very good, Food also excellent. We were lucky to have a very experienced guide in Festo who suited us very well and was quietly informative and enthusiastic. (some others would have been a bit too noisy for us)

The camp could not provide walks or night drives and this meant it was lacking in variety of activities. There were also a few occasions when this area of the park became quite busy (4 vehicles around lions)"

"They are trying to recreate the old bush camp atmosphere and have succeeded . (The trouble is we are older and probably require a bit more comfort now. Unfortunate sickness incompatible with outside WC & shower!)

Beautiful location, very remote and lots of good game.

Everything was very personal ,organised around what you would like to do and very friendly. Superb staff and service .They take great care for your comfort and safety. You would be able to walk (long or short days), and/or drive.

Expert guiding with very entertaining stories although probably did not take into account our depth of prior knowledge.

Since most of the other bush camps (apart from straight camping) have gone up market, this must be one of the few remaining bush experiences left."

"A wonderful place to relax . Peaceful, very comfortable, very friendly, lovely wild life touches, just what we needed to unwind.

Swimming with dolphins a must. All snorkel gear could be hired, but it is not a patch on other snorkel/dive destinations we know."

"Would rather have filled in 'Trip as a Whole First. Overall, with 7 previous trips to Zambia and others to Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and many to SA over past 30 years, this trip was sensational and stunningly good. Any critisisms are minor and almost immaterial. The comparions prescibed by the nature of this form are against the other camps visited here, and not against previous experiences. 'Good' means slightly less than faultless (excellent).

We pick Shenton camps for their position in the park, their concentration on walking, supurb guiding. Derek & Jules Shenton was not at camp during our time there, which would put extra administrative strain on the staff present, but Izzy & Evonne coped excellently. The food was much more stylish than 10-20yrs ago.
Izzy was a competent hard working and welcoming manager, but Evonne as well as being dedicated and efficient was engagingly personable.

The guiding led by Patrick who also has a remarkable personailty and understanding of our ways given his background,i s first class.

We immediately expressed our interest in walking, but could not be accommodated on first morning-- hence slight downgrade on activities. This was rectified at Mwamba."

"Grading the aspects of location/rooms of Mwamba is somewhat misleading. It is a bushcamp to the riverside Kaingo. It has everything a bushcamp needs.

The one real downgrade was the food. Although we believe still cooking over wood--- an achievement in itself-- we wondered whether the absence of camp hostess Lorraine and the head cook at Mwamba, at the same time as the Shentons from Kaingo had an effect. This in spite of heroic efforts by Izzy and particularly Evonne to cover. It is impossible for 2 to cover the work of 4 hostesses without minor cracks showing in a usually flawless environment.

As it happened for us it was more than made up by the way the guiding allocation turned out. Another family wanted primarily to drive and were allocated an excellent driver/guide from Kaingo.

This left us with the camps chief guide+scout for 4days which for us with complete walking/driving freedom was ideal with outstanding game viewing. Our thanks to Evonne/Izzy for sorting the last morning's guide allocation and to Manem/Gabriel/Peter for being brilliant guides."

"Now Lower Zambezi is becoming more mature it is rivalling S Luangwa, and with the boat/canoe activities adding a magical dimension. Fabulous game viewing and river canoeing a highlight.

Food exceptional.

Very hard to fault with cover hosts Stuart & Maddy making a flawless experience. Two great guides in James and Levi although did experience one shortage of scout which necessitated party of four delaying a walk and we did not walk every day. But given our first experience of OM was no hardship.

Lovely boat transfer to Chongwe."

"This camp was larger than our usual choice but we were pleasantly surprised. very well run and lots of activities with everyones choices met with many guides and scouts present. Not all guests totally focused on game but guides dealt well with this.

Game not as brilliant as before but still had lots of elephant in camp!

Flight out from Royal very convenient to connect with BA flight home"