On this page we will list the most recent staff reviews of hotels, guest houses, lodges and restaurants that we recommend to our clients. The reviews are all written by our staff and record our impressions of the various establishments.

Chief’s Camp- 9 November 2007:

We were then transferred to the airstrip for our 15 minute lodge hop to Chief’s Camp…the highlight of our Sanctuary Lodges trip as it is their flagship property. We were met by management couple JB and Shara, a South African couple who have had experience running similar upmarket lodges such as Singita Ebony and Thornybush.

The walkways to the pavilions (there are 12 in total) are not raised however the main public area and suites are built on stilts. We had some time to enjoy the sumptuous, spacious pavillions boasting double-insulated canvas walls and mosquito netting, seating area (lounge), mini-bar, en-suite bathroom with his and hers vanities, outdoor and indoor showers, separate wc and ceiling fan and so the list continues…the highlight of my time in the suite was having an unexpected visitor rumble by searching for its favourite fruit tree which was right on our doorstep, literally. A great big bull elephant apparently hangs around camp and gave us heart palpitations because he was so close! One thing is for sure, he certainly knows which is his “best” side for pictures and did not mind posing!

High tea was served out on the main deck overlooking the pristine bush of the Mombo Concession, Moremi Game Reserve. There were delicious concoctions of sweet and savoury delights (chocolate squares, savoury torte) complemented by delicious homemade lemonade, iced tea, coffee and other treats. Our large, grey gate-crasher ambled by again during our high tea seemingly oblivious to our oohs and aahs.

Much like the pavilions, I found the decor in the main lodge area mixture of shabby chic with a sophisticated, contemporary edge. Elements of African warmth are enhanced by the furnishings; muted neutrals (limewashed giraffe statues, bleached Kudu horns) highlighted by accents of rich colours splashed here and there.

The public areas were designed for easy interaction and relaxation with comfy overstuffed couches strategically placed alongside tables and chairs for al fresco dining. The dining area spills out onto the pool area which has many deck chairs and day beds to keep all sun-seekers happy!

The property is being refurbished to include a Wellness Centre! At the moment, the concept does not quite work as the sala used for massages is adjacent to the pool area…which means you may not have the most tranquil massage in this idyllic location. So, to remedy this they decided to convert pavilion No. 9 into the Spa Treatment room which should be ready early 2008.

We scooted off to enjoy our much-anticipated game drive. So far, our appetites had been whet with fellow travelers telling seemingly tall tales of amazing game experiences on Chief’s Island. Can such a bush paradise really still exist in this day and age? We were soon to find out…sightings of elephant, buffalo (the largest herd I had ever seen- around 500-strong), leopard, a mating pair of lion separated from their pride of 20 whom we found lolling about not far away. Our absolute highlight was finding 3 wild dogs about to start a hunt.

The sun was setting and due to park regulations, we headed back in to camp before sundown. We had some time to freshen up before enjoying our al fresco dinner outside on the main deck. Here, guests enjoy individual tables and, to add a touch of sophistication, you are presented with a printed dinner menu. Luckily the seasonal rains had not yet set in so we were not inundated with masses of bugs. Our meal was plated and served by two friendly gents who looked after us very well for the evening. We had a delicious three course meal with choice of two starters, two mains and one dessert.

Amid the excited babble I stole a moment to reflect on how priceless the natural realm is and toasted silently the stalwarts of conservation who recognised the importance of an african wilderness experience.

Friday 10 November:

After enjoying the fresh coffee in the warm comfort of our suite, we set off on our last morning game drive in this pristine area. Our experience was punctuated by sightings of an African rock python entering a termite mound whilst being harassed by alarmed ground squirrels and a regal cheetah male unusually hopping onto a large, fallen tree. He paced up and down making sure we knew who was king of this castle!

Our game drives were really brought to life by our ranger, Brown who was a knowledgeable, ambitious and interesting man.

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Stanley’s Camp - 7 November 2007:

Soon we were headed for Stanley’s Camp, situated in a 260 000 acre private concession on Chief’s Island (the wilderness 'Mecca' in the Okavango). We had plenty of photographic opportunities right from the outset and we did not waste any time getting snapping!

We landed safely at the lodge’s airstrip and were met by our field guide on terra firma called TT. He was a big, burly local chap who welcomed us with a wide snow-white grin which just radiated warmth!

We drove about five kilometers to the lodge which took us about twenty minutes to cover - it is “bush highway” in the truest sense. As we bumbled around the last corner in our open 4x4 vehicle we heard the melodic sound of the local women singing at the lodge. Such beautiful voices, their song ringing crystal clear through the bush- a true African welcome! Once the check in had been completed, we were shown to our tented-style accommodation to settle in before lunch.

Stanley’s Camp consists of 8 classically-styled safari tents built on elevated decking and furnished with handcrafted beds dressed in fine linen, antique pieces and Oriental carpets. The camp welcomes children over the age of 9 and 3 of the tents can take an extra bed. To complete the experience, each safari tent has a lovely deck area, complete with hammock overlooking the floodplain.

At lunch we returned to the main lounge and dining area which is charmingly rustic with wooden decks below and canvas canopy above. The sounds of the bush permeate your dining experience, making each mealtime a feast of sights and sounds! We enjoyed a simple but delicious buffet meal of freshly-baked bread, pasta, Bolognese sauce and an assortment of fresh salads. Dessert was a delicious phyllo pastry surprise with strong coffee which was just the perfect finish to a morning's travelling.

Time came for some cool reflection and soon I found myself in the tranquil rim-flow swimming pool on the far side of the main lounge and dining area. With an uninterrupted view of the floodplain, it was sheer heaven in the marvelously cool water!

Our first game activity of the afternoon departed the lodge at around four thirty. The light is still good for a few hours and we had hardly left the lodge when we drove straight into a brochure-like sighting of a female leopard languishing in a tree. She had apparently stayed in this area for three days nabbing unsuspecting baby impalas (which are plentiful this time of year). She was panting hard seemingly oblivious of our presence trying to digest her meal. We all sat admiring her beauty, the golden late afternoon sunbeams lighting her up as if with amber spotlights…for a leopard enthusiast such as myself, this was sheer ecstasy.

The rest of our drive was filled with sightings of plentiful plains game, birds and the ever present tree and ground squirrels. We enjoyed a spectacular sunset in an especially beautiful part of the concession and toasted to the good life! We returned to the lodge invigorated by our priceless experience which hopefully would set the tone for the rest of our trip.

Pre-dinner drinks were served around a roaring fire in the boma area where we were able to share our amazing adventure that afternoon. We certainly built up an appetite and just as well, because our plated, 3-course dinner was a well-presented sumptuous affair. For starters we had artichoke tart, main course was a choice of two meats (chicken or beef) and dessert was good old chocolate mousse!

And so to bed…whilst I was tucked away in my comfortable safari tent, the bush continued out there as it had for aeons; the night sounds streaming in through the gauze windows, sweeping through the curtain of sleep and weaving it’s magic in my dreams.

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Blaauwbosch - 11 July 2007:

The topography of the reserve is as diverse as it is exciting. Supporting many different species of wildlife and ecology, we had the privilege of tracking cheetah on foot- not for the faint-hearted! We found her with her cubs and had great fun observing their antics. The reserve does not have the 'Big 5' but have recently introduced lion and elephant. We returned from our rather extended game experience at around noon. After enjoying a hearty brunch we hastily got ready to check out as we were running behind schedule.

This product is suitable to couples or families wishing to experience an exclusive safari without all the “over the top” frills and fancies of most upmarket lodges. This personalised and down-to-earth experience of the African bush is quite unique.

Thakadu River Camp- 9 June 2007:

Upon arrival we were greeted warmly by Patrick, our tracker, who took us to the main lodge area. Albert Segoe, the lodge manager, was waiting to meet us and check us in. Jacqueline, the assistant manager, took us for orientation of the lodge. The lodge is 100% community-owned and it was good to experience the spirit of upliftment.

Thakadu River Camp is approximately 3 hours (265 km) drive from Johannesburg. The lodge has 12 rooms and is family friendly offering 2 family suites (maximum 1 child under 12 years sharing with parents). They are in the process of developing a special children’s programme with a fenced play garden, babysitting service plus games and TV room.

The accommodation, being tented is rather open to the elements…even with aircon set at 30°C and electrical blankets on maximum, we almost froze! The dining area has canvas drops but has permanently open doorways (kitchen and guest wc) which let the cold air in despite two roaring fires (hogged by the plentiful waitering and security staff) and gas heaters…brrr! This is largely due to its situation in the valley and on the banks of the Groot Marico river.

We found the food simple yet of a high standard, with excellent freshness, variety and beautifully presented. The lodge offers individual dining for all meals; all meals are plated except the continental breakfast buffet which is self-service.

During our afternoon and morning game drives we saw excellent general game with the help of our guide Tsulu and Patrick’s skills. No off-roading is allowed which makes it interesting finding game when it is this cold…of the big five we saw rhino, elephant and buffalo.

Thakadu River Camp runs very smoothly for a camp that has been open less than a year and is certainly a quality product well worth booking.

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Makweti Safari Lodge - 11 June 2007:

We left Thakadu River Camp at 09h45 and drove in a north-easterly direction towards the Welgevonden Reserve. It took us 4 hours (225 kms) to travel to the main gate where we left our car and met our guide Glenn for our transfer to Makweti Safari Lodge (officially graded 5-star game lodge).

We were rather apprehensive about the state of the road but we were pleasantly surprised. We suggest clients skip the morning game activity at Thakadu River Camp and rather depart by latest 08h30 to allow sufficient time to arrive at the main gate by 1pm for the scheduled lodge transfer. The lodge transfer took about 30 to 45 minutes which in itself was a mini game experience as it is within the reserve.

Upon arrival Karen, the lodge manager (Glenn’s wife) came to greet us and check us in. We were shown to our suites which are built of brick and mortar, thatch and wood…they are spacious and offer most amenities you would expect at a five star lodge. The feel of this 10-bed camp is intimate, understated and certainly relaxed with Glenn and Karen contributing to the family feel.

The lodge’s location offers spectacular views of the gorge below and a perfect vantage point is the natural rockpool-like swimming pool. An unusual feature of Makweti is that they have a separate ‘reception lodge’ which is set apart from the main lodge area. It houses a curio shop, lounge area, wc facilities and viewing deck. Set in front of the reception area, there is a waterhole which is a hive of activity for game both in the morning and the afternoon. We saw some spectacular interaction between a herd of zebra, a troop of baboons, some warthogs and a rather large male rhino!

The main lodge consists of a restaurant, bar, guest wc, viewing deck and boma area. We certainly enjoyed the food and great hospitality of Glenn and Karen. An interesting aspect to the service is that we never saw/met any other hospitality staff. Glenn and Karen do everything from making tea to serving drinks at the bar and waiting on your table. Communal dining is encouraged and adds to the intimate atmosphere. The camp does not accept children under age of 13 years and is unfenced. The walkways are not raised off the ground.

Our game experiences here offered plentiful general game viewing with an awesome sighting of a herd of elephant at sunset – big bull, mom, teen and two babies, one of which was just 1 month old…rare and very special. On our way to the gate we saw 2 gorgeous young male lions (around 4 years old) lazing in the shade. This clocked our 'Big 5' count in the reserve to 4 out of 5 …elephant, rhino, buffalo and lion. The ecosystems in the reserve are diverse and offer an interesting backdrop for any visitor. Personally, we preferred the terrain to that of Madikwe for its beauty and variety.

The food here lives up to the Chaine de Rotisseurs membership. Inventive, well presented and tasty – portions are good. Lunch is buffet style consisting of 2 courses, whereas dinner was 3 courses and plated cuisine.

Need I say more – whether clients are on a romantic break or a few friends traveling together; a very special recipe here which boils down to impeccable management! Well worth a visit.

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Oliver’s Restaurant & Lodge - 17 June 2007:

We left Lion Sands at around 1pm and made our way south towards White River where we would be staying at Oliver’s Restaurant & Lodge (officially graded luxury by the ASA and Superior by AA Travel Awards). It is owner-managed though we did not meet Tanja or Oliver during our stay. The grounds are very well maintained and the property is neat as a pin. The décor is fresh and country-living style and great care has been taken to ensure everything is just so! We had large en-suite bathroom with corner bath, separate shower, heated towel rails, ample cupboard space and separate wc and bidet. The beds can be made up as twin or king, and each room has a seating area and spacious patio. There was a fully stocked mini-bar, complimentary tea/coffee and sherry in the rooms, turndown service, fireplace, TV/Stereo and a DVD library on offer.

The property also has a wellness centre with two charming treatment rooms. The restaurant is very popular with locals and is closed on Sunday and Monday for dinner and Monday for lunch- this is something to note for our clients.

This property has a warm and inviting feel to it and we found our stay comfortable. It is suitable for families and couples (young and mature) alike as it appeals to a wide spectrum of clients. It offers a high quality experience and the attention to detail sets it apart from its peers in this area.

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Lion Sands River Lodge- 16 June 2007:

Upon arrival we had 4 porters and a check-in clerk whisk us through from the car park to the reception area. Our impression was that there is a high staff to guest ratio at Lion Sands which is why their service is unsurpassed in its category. Admittedly, coming from the smaller camps we found it a little overwhelming at first.

Lion Sands River Lodge (official grading 4-star game lodge) is situated on the banks of a dry river bed with the Sabie River flowing just on the other side of this. There are 2 viewing decks which have been added since I stayed there last in January 2005. The lodge has 20 rooms, built in sets of 2, linked by raised boardwalks. The camp is unfenced and does not accept children under the age of 12 years. The rooms have an indoor and outdoor showers and a little outside deck area which may only be used during the day due to the possibility of wild animals roaming the area at night.

The public areas are spacious and décor style is contemporary African with the emphasis on outdoor dining. There is an outdoor lounge overlooking the river and an indoor bar/lounge area with a wonderful fireplace. The only negative aspect I found in this area was the television which was on rather loudly when we came in for pre-dinner drinks. We asked for it to be switched off and were quickly told that it is only used for major sporting events, and there was an important rugby match on that evening. In my opinion, that really defeats the object of getting away into the bush but as the saying goes ‘Different strokes for different folks!’

During our pre-dinner drinks we were introduced to Rodnick, our waitron/butler who would look after us during our stay. This is quite significant as it really makes a difference in terms of personal touch in such a large lodge. We enjoyed dinner outdoors on the main deck and it was chilly, though they provided blankets for each guest. I would suggest adding gas heaters to take the bite out of the air in winter. So, guests must dress warmly! The dinner was a plated affair with a choice of starters, main course and dessert. We had Rodnick plus one or two gentleman checking on us rather regularly. Service-minded for sure!

Breakfast the next morning was phenomenal with the selection on the cold buffet offering all sorts exotic delights such as smoothies, quiche, cupcakes, fruit, cold meats, cheeses, mackerel, smoked salmon, pickles etc…it was cleverly covered by a romantic looking netted marquee to keep the bugs away…our table however was the hive of activity with honey bees visiting us regularly.

Our game viewing experience was really not on a par with the other reserves. We did follow an old female leopard off road as well as a middle-aged elephant bull. We saw 3 well-fed lions, one of the males just languishing in the afternoon sun, one putting on a really good show for us – yawning, stretching and the lioness took the lead flashing her razor-sharp teeth at us…yikes! Our guide, Wynand, has not had too much experience in the Sabi Sand and relied on Bheki, our experienced tracker and together they made a very good team. Wynand’s guide ethics were good- he warned us about sharp branches and drove very well on and off-road. He is knowledgeable and has a lot of potential.

Our visit to Ivory Lodge did not allow us to view a room as the 12-bed lodge was fully booked. The soft furnishings have been re-done in the rooms now offering a more contemporary look. The main areas have had some changes ie. the Meeting Room has been converted to another lounge and there is a wine cellar. This lodge oozes sophistication and is perfect for the discerning client.

An exciting addition to the Lion Sands lodges is the 1933 at Lion Sands family villa which will offer an exclusive family retreat complete with a room for a nanny! The personal butler, private chef and game ranger are there to personally ensure guests enjoy a high quality family safari experience. 1933 at Lion Sands will only be used in season as the More family will use it as their private bush retreat in the off-season.

The extra special touches at Lion Sands really set it apart from its peers; for example, the quality of the turn down, warm face-cloths on offer after every game drive and, most impressively, more than one staff member called me by my first name during my stay at Lion Sands River Lodge. This reinforces the personalised nature and service-minded attitude of the staff.

I was pleased to note that the level of service has been maintained since my last visit and the constant improvements to the property ensure that it will remain at the top of its class in this area.

I would certainly recommend River Lodge for the discerning 4-star client and Ivory Lodge as a true 5-star.

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Birkenhead House- 30 April 2007:

Upon arrival we were warmly met by the manageress on duty, Zinia. Ice-cold lavender scented face towels and champagne cocktails refreshed us and we felt instantly at home as we were taken on a tour of the house to familiarise ourselves with all the facilities’ whereabouts.

The house has a stately and grandiose atmosphere and is furnished in colonial style reminiscent of the 1930’s but with a fresh, modern twist. At Birkenhead House, you will find every conceivable luxury and amenity to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. It includes a gym and wellness centre to take care of your fitness and stress levels in this spectacular setting.

Our room had partial sea views from the balcony from which we witnessed a spectacular sunset scene. The ever-friendly and courteous staff are immaculately dressed in casual but stylish attire; ready and waiting to make your African beach-house dream a reality.

The essence of Birkenhead House is the barefoot luxury and pampering the guests receive!