Shocking management

This review is for the management of Gondwana, or rather I should say the mismanangement. The actual Pioneer Trail was great - but the reservations are run from an office in Bellville and they seem to have no communication with the reserve staff. We filled in an online pre-checkin form, and this info did not get to the Camp Manager and staff - meal requests and bed arrangements were not passed on. We had to have medical certificates, to say we are fit to walk and to mention any medical conditions - the Ranger and Camp Manager never saw these - if we had been allergic to anything, like beestings, they would not have been prepared. We were told that all costs were included, but when we had finished the trail we were billed for drinks we were offered with our lunch on arrival - this REALLY annoyed us! After the Trail we wrote to the management listing what we liked about our trip and what we thought they could do to improve the experience, but we have had absolutely no acknowledgement or feedback. It seems as if they are not at all interested once they have your money. At the first camp we were told that there was solar power and batteries, but at 8pm the lights all went out - it turns out the camp was operating on ESCOM power and there was loadshedding - but noone thought to inform us. Did they even know?

The staff on the trail were pleasant and helpful, and did their best, but still need some guidence - eg there no napkins offered when we had finger snacks - we had to request them, no butter with the beakfast croissants - this had to be requested, and when it came was still frozen. When we arrived at the main gate, noone knew to which lodge to send us to meet our guide and to have lunch - we stood around while the gate guard was frantically phoning around. This is a very expensive trail, and I would have expected a lot better.