Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs L from Sussex
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
A lovely holiday
Tanzania between 31 Jan 2011 and 12 Feb 2011
"We saw so many amazing animals and were given a friendly welcome throughout.
Our own arrangements at the end of the holiday made us realise that a permanent camp in the Serengeti rather than the mobile camp we chose at Olakira would have been a more satisfactory option, particularly as the Ndutu area was so busy with other safari goers. When discussing Kusini with you as an alternative at the planning stage, this aspect was not pointed out. As it happened the Migration had moved closer to Kusini (Maswa area) away from Ndutu but we were not offered the opportunity to drive out in this direction, despite staying for four nights at Olakira."
Our own arrangements at the end of the holiday made us realise that a permanent camp in the Serengeti rather than the mobile camp we chose at Olakira would have been a more satisfactory option, particularly as the Ndutu area was so busy with other safari goers. When discussing Kusini with you as an alternative at the planning stage, this aspect was not pointed out. As it happened the Migration had moved closer to Kusini (Maswa area) away from Ndutu but we were not offered the opportunity to drive out in this direction, despite staying for four nights at Olakira."
Arranged By Claire Scott
Rivertrees Country Inn
"Very comfortable room in a lovely setting"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Feb 2011
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
"Fantastic location overlooking Rift Valley"
3 nights
Arrived
3 Feb 2011
"A comfortable room with a good sized shower room.
We found the service very friendly and personal (i.e.using our names in spite of a high throughput of guests).
Food was good with plenty of choice.
We much enjoyed the wonderful swimming pool with the small colourful birds visiting it as we swam."
We found the service very friendly and personal (i.e.using our names in spite of a high throughput of guests).
Food was good with plenty of choice.
We much enjoyed the wonderful swimming pool with the small colourful birds visiting it as we swam."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
"Great location on crater rim"
2 nights
Arrived
6 Feb 2011
"Adequate room but needed some refurbishment (broken shaver point, slow draining shower) and clothes drawers very small.
Staff seemed less friendly in this very busy lodge."
Staff seemed less friendly in this very busy lodge."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Olakira
"One of many camps in Ndutu area"
4 nights
Arrived
8 Feb 2011
"We were disappointed by the busy location with many safari vehicles surrounding the animlas, notably in the marsh area.
Another concern was the filtered rather than bottled water we were given to drink which we believe caused tummy upsets; when we raised this with camp management we were given bottled water. We also found the alkaline water for washing unpleasant.
The food was excellent with good variety and we enjoyed dining together with the other guests. The service was very friendly and responsive to any requests.
Although we queried the camps location outside the Serengeti NP we were assured before we left this would not impact on our wildlife experience; in the event apart from one trip to Seronera, vehicles always kept outside the Park boundaries.
The standard of vehicles at the camp was very poor in our experience; both vehicles we used had mechanical problems. Most seriously we were driven to Seronera in an open vehicle suitable only for local game drives - there were no seat belts, a malfunctioning fuel pump and no protection from flying stones when passed by vehicles travelling at speed. As it happened we had a puncture on the return journey and it became apparent there was only the one spare tyre - again inappropriate for this type of journey.
However we were impressed by the skills of our driver guide; he had tried to get the vehicle changed but use of that vehicle had been decided by the Operations Manager (Julie) who happened to be visiting. The second vehicle allocated after Seronera had a faulty battery with the result the engine had to be kept running at all times."
Another concern was the filtered rather than bottled water we were given to drink which we believe caused tummy upsets; when we raised this with camp management we were given bottled water. We also found the alkaline water for washing unpleasant.
The food was excellent with good variety and we enjoyed dining together with the other guests. The service was very friendly and responsive to any requests.
Although we queried the camps location outside the Serengeti NP we were assured before we left this would not impact on our wildlife experience; in the event apart from one trip to Seronera, vehicles always kept outside the Park boundaries.
The standard of vehicles at the camp was very poor in our experience; both vehicles we used had mechanical problems. Most seriously we were driven to Seronera in an open vehicle suitable only for local game drives - there were no seat belts, a malfunctioning fuel pump and no protection from flying stones when passed by vehicles travelling at speed. As it happened we had a puncture on the return journey and it became apparent there was only the one spare tyre - again inappropriate for this type of journey.
However we were impressed by the skills of our driver guide; he had tried to get the vehicle changed but use of that vehicle had been decided by the Operations Manager (Julie) who happened to be visiting. The second vehicle allocated after Seronera had a faulty battery with the result the engine had to be kept running at all times."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Excellent
Feedback response
We sent this travellers’ feedback to the owners of Olakira Camp for their comments. They replied saying that they greatly appreciate any feedback as it helps them to put right any issues that may arise in camp.
Olakira are aware that the area around Ndutu can sometimes get busy during the migration season. Unfortunately this is one of the drawbacks of the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Area, which is very accessible and can therefore feel crowded in the height of the peak season. However comments such as these do have an affect as to where exactly Olakira is placed each year.
The drinking water at Olakira is bottled and not filtered water, however they fill smaller aluminium bottles from larger plastic bottles. This is done to avoid too much plastic waste, and to reduce carbon miles transporting drinking water in and out of the Serengeti.
Olakira Camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area between the months of December to March. The advantage of this location is that the game is abundant here during the migration, and vehicles are allowed off-road. That said, travellers can also easily access the Serengeti which is an extension of the same eco-system. Olakira is sorry that it appeared they didn’t want to go onto the Serengeti. They just believe that at this time of the year, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a better wildlife viewing experience. However they will happily visit the Serengeti if requested - as with these travellers, who visited the Seronera area during their stay.
The owners of Olakira are very sorry about the problems that these travellers encountered with the faulty vehicles during their time there. Their vehicles usually have two spare tyres as well as seat belts, but there is one particular type of vehicle that doesn’t allow for this. Olakira are looking into whether they will still offer drives as far as Seronera in these types of vehicles at all. Generally we find the vehicles at Olakira in good repair, but this was not the case on this occassion. Olakira have apologised for this.
Olakira are aware that the area around Ndutu can sometimes get busy during the migration season. Unfortunately this is one of the drawbacks of the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Area, which is very accessible and can therefore feel crowded in the height of the peak season. However comments such as these do have an affect as to where exactly Olakira is placed each year.
The drinking water at Olakira is bottled and not filtered water, however they fill smaller aluminium bottles from larger plastic bottles. This is done to avoid too much plastic waste, and to reduce carbon miles transporting drinking water in and out of the Serengeti.
Olakira Camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area between the months of December to March. The advantage of this location is that the game is abundant here during the migration, and vehicles are allowed off-road. That said, travellers can also easily access the Serengeti which is an extension of the same eco-system. Olakira is sorry that it appeared they didn’t want to go onto the Serengeti. They just believe that at this time of the year, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a better wildlife viewing experience. However they will happily visit the Serengeti if requested - as with these travellers, who visited the Seronera area during their stay.
The owners of Olakira are very sorry about the problems that these travellers encountered with the faulty vehicles during their time there. Their vehicles usually have two spare tyres as well as seat belts, but there is one particular type of vehicle that doesn’t allow for this. Olakira are looking into whether they will still offer drives as far as Seronera in these types of vehicles at all. Generally we find the vehicles at Olakira in good repair, but this was not the case on this occassion. Olakira have apologised for this.
Senior Africa Specialist | East & Southern Africa
The transfer from the domestic airport at Arusha, rather than from the international airport, was much longer than we had anticipated.
The swimming pool was disappointing, looking rather the worse for wear."