Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs D from Twickenham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
Overview
Botswana and 1 other country between 30 Oct 2010 and 13 Nov 2010
Game viewing bit disappointing at Lebala with hindsight but as virgins we still enjoyed it. Rooms and camp very good.
Little Kwara very enjoyable.
Nxabega stood out though, as a superbly-run camp, with a truly wonderful atmosphere. Grant and Dimari really set the benchmark.
Game best at Sandibe but what a miserable dump by comparison to Nx.
The transfer processes worked very well and once we knew the score, we relaxed totally about moving from camp to camp, and this really helped make the whole thing more enjoyable compared to hacking around India or wondering if the planes would fly in South America.
Zimbabwe day trip was worth it although we got stitched up by Zambia immigration, they hadn't given us a multiple-entry, only a double entry visa but this was not clear.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Take note of any unusual situations (eg airstrip down) and set expectations accordingly.
Check game viewing status / concession conditions closer to the off, maybe it would be better to switch (eg Lebala was only worth 2 nights due to so much empty burnt scrub).
Transfer from Livingstone to Lebala took a while; no food on the Proflight transfer, no food opportunities at Livingstone airport (only coffee) or en route (Kasane airport not selling food) so we were starving by the time we got to Lebala; it would have been good to arrange some opportunity to eat or buy food at some point. Maybe include a visit a cafe / restaurant in Kasane town, as there is plenty of time ?"
Arranged By Lucy Copson

Lebala Camp
"Lebala Camp review"

Little Kwara (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Little Kwara review"
Very nice camp, very nice rooms again, and central area also very enjoyable, especially with passing elephant.
Must say George and Michael were great fun as well as very competent guides. Definitely more laughs with George than any others.
Mokora trip very pleasant although not as many birds as I had hoped, and a rather closer encounter with a "naughty boy" hippo than I expected!
Heronry trip was rather a package tour when we got there, loads of boats, we had been advised to go earlier but Kwara insisted that 4pm was the best time to start, I think perhaps 3.30 at least."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
"Nxabega Safari Camp review"
However, consistent with the EXCELLENT service and atmosphere we experienced at Nxabega, Grant and Dimari laid on a helicopter transfer.
We cannot speak highly enough of the camp; we were glad the pool was down, so we experienced a swim in the Delta, MUCH better!
Dinner events and entertainment were far ahead of all the others - including being surrounded by a breeding (but very relaxed) herd of elephants in the camp.
Game very good, and Bee was a very very competent guide (spotting a serval at night whilst driving without a tracker, fantastic...) although he could think about photographers in the back a bit more, we had to keep asking to move the jeep to a better location.
It really felt like a happy family here."

Sandibe Safari Lodge
"Sandibe Safari Lodge review"
Service standards nowhere near as good as Nx (washrooms always out of towels, doors warped etc).
Central area layout was poor, mixed levels only serve to segregate and disharmonise, no focal "bush TV" area.
Rooms full of bugs, not a problem in other camps.
However, game viewing was excellent and our guide and tracker team, Tsavo and Gomm, were the best we encountered (difficult call, but they just win over George + Michael, and Bee + System)."

Avani Victoria Falls
"Zambezi Sun review"
We had to change rooms because the door lock needed fixing then the widnow lock was a bit dodgy. Rooms were not terribly clean. Non-stop music in the central bar was a drag.
Food a bit ropey."

Pioneer Camp
"Pioneer Camp review"
Service would be "good" apart from that, they allowed us to check in for our BA flight home.
Pleasant enough spot but a come-down after the Delta, mostly South African backpackers and selfdrivers who weren't overly sociable."
Guiding was good and camp very pleasant.
Rooms excellent. Wonderful lying in bed watching hippos munching their way past.
Central area and dining arrangements very convivial.
Good for birding and elephants but very quiet overall, even guides admitted."