Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs S from TunbridgeW

"The grading below [Ed: to the right on this page!] I find difficult to honestly answer. Here are my comments: We liked this Lodge a lot. The location is stunning, the view amazing.

The only problem was the size of the main chalet room. There was almost no room to unpack (which I usually like to do at each Lodge). Part of the problem was that two large arm chairs took up a good deal of the floor space, and also cushions from the bed were stored on the floor too, so there was only just room for our cases. The cupboard space was very restricted.

In the bathroom, which was nice, and roomy, the taps did not quite reach over the basin, so there was generally spillage onto the surface. As a result of the cramped space my huband probably left behind rather a vital part of his luggage (a bag containing half his holiday pills!) but later on Grant hleped us buy replacements, and on a Sunday, too.

The only other point was that we had several different guides. Altho we have nothing against this is principle, later in the holiday we realised it is really nice to establish a relationship with just one or two guides, and then they know what you have already been told.

The wildlife experience was superb - leopard, lioness with cubs, wild dog kill, elephants swimming, etc.

PS I would not want these comments to put off other travellers, but they might be useful to the admin."

"The grading was between exc. and good. I like self-service, e.g. of drinks, but this was probably a bit difficult to organise, so not done.

Liked the chalet, the guides were superb, esp Carlos and Bidi - the tracking skills of the latter were amazing to experience - 2 hrs of arduous tracking and we find wild dog pups and the adults, and witness an altercation between the dogs and a hyena. thrilling! Bidi knew and had told us that they were being followed by a hyena, and that they had stopped to attack it on the way. Fascinating.

Service slightly 'obvious' but really friendly and helpful. I am never quite sure why we need to be told to come up ladies first and men later, to the buffet counter - what it means is that the ladies have nearly finished eating before their male friends have started. If given free rein I think people would go up in groups and could eat together better. They made a charming effort to entertain us with singing.

I shall remember the guides most, and the wild dog and cheetah (even a leopard)."

"I loved the non-intrusive atmosphere - completely low key, but absolutely spot on. Wonderful array of self service drinks.

We had been rather spoiled with the previous wild life experience, and there was not quite the array of life, but Ngande found two groups of lion for us, and a leopard in a tree apart from smaller fry.

Wonderful artefacts decorate the lodge,and i loved the semi-tame bush buck, and the sculptures."

"Grading average to good. Incredible variety of wild life, but we had seen most of it on the first evening (including wild cat) - a longer stay would not be more rewarding.

I felt quite crowded at the beginning - they seemed to have so many staff hovering, one could not get a mug of tea without a couple of staff wanting to help! I did not quite hit it off with Russ - I wanted a top and tried on too many for his liking. But my only grouse would be that they ran out of unsalty water but did not tell us, so we washed our hair in the salty water and had it sticky afterwards! And he declared that 'communication' was the most important aspect of his work! I found the guide a bit irritating, called our group 'guys' or 'folks' all the time. But he had brilliant eye-sight, and that is what matters!

Would love to have seen meercats - but I cannot blame the camp for the fact that they do not live here!"

"Only negative was that we thought it was going to be truly Mobile!

Grant is charming and has everything running totally smoothly. Nothing too much trouble. FANTASTIC food, great camping experience. Great 5 hour drive to the camp through deep fords. Nearly missed the lions, but stumbled over the pride with a new kill on the way to Maun on the last morning, pity we did not have more time.

Had fun fishing, catching enough to feed us all that evening."