Reviews of Tubu Tree Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
37 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Tubu Tree Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
"Great venue in the trees, with a lovely vista"
It was a lovely experience and we loved everything about the camp and the stay. There were no downsides at all." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
"Tubu Tree Camp review"
"Tubu: Friendly staff and expert guides"
Our guide, TK, was knowledgeable and personable, and was the best guide we had during our trip. Great variety of animals spotted include two leopards, several lions, are moderate sized groups of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo. Also spotted crocodiles, hippos, and lots of impala and kudu. Game found very close to camp with minimal driving required before encountering wildlife.
Due to late arrival of flood water, no water activities on offer." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Tube Tree Terrific"
TK, our guide, was an expert tracker and involved us in the chase - we spent an entire morning tracking lion or leopard without finding any but it didn't matter because he had us engaged in the experience. But we did still see 4 of the Big Five and TK always positioned the Land Rover so that we could all get a camera shot and the best light. Simply an outstanding experience.
An observation - not sure what to do with it - white expat camp management and black staff. Is this what Botswana is about?" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"NIce stay at Tubu Tree lodge"
We also had one guided walk, in addition to driving in the landcruisers. Great sundowners in the field, great sunsets.
We have been there mid march, unfortunately two or three weeks before flooding of the floodland was expected. We thus could not do any mokoro trip on the water.
Only few Moskitos." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
"Great sighting of leopard"
Good combination of wet and dry activities. The delta is serene and tranquil. The quality of guiding is very good, and we got superb sightings of a leopard and her cub." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia
"Tubu is great"
However, the activities were different, including the canoeing, boating, and bushman demonstration.
So it was as awesome as we could have imagined. Highly recommended." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Tubu Tree Camp review"
On our last morning we somehow ended up right in the middle of a herd of thirty elephants including babies. An unforgettable and exhilarating experience." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
"Big New Tubu Tree"
I will be addressing the issue of the large group in a separate e mail but we found their presence and insistence on privacy forced the rest of the guests to the unlit periphery of the dining room and into a single Land Rover for game drives. Once out on game drives, the presence on the island of Tubu, Little Tubu, Jao, Kwetsani and Jacana vehicles meant that most interesting sightings immediately attracted the permitted 3 vehicles plus a waiting list. This is not the exclusivity for which we have been happy to pay a premium.
Moreover, we suspect the presence on the island of a pair of male lions has spooked the resident leopards. We had one fleeting and one good sighting of leopard. The management, while warm and welcoming has become blurred and one was never quite sure who was in charge at any one time.
KG and Gloria are charming hosts and our guide Jo was huge fun albeit faced with a constantly changing, full or near full game drive load. We love Tubu and Hunda Island but will probably not return under the current arrangements." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Good Tradition at Tubu Tree"
We saw some very light-colored giraffe on the island; it would be interesting to know the how and why.
Tubu Tree has Monday 'tradition' night; to show how their chief is honored, the staff at Tubu Tree elect one of the guests to be chief for a night. Having the topic opened, enabled Kambango, our guide, to share with us how in Botswana the individual tribes, traditions, and beliefs are respected. How every voice is heard at the community level, then the chiefs--after hearing what everyone wants to say--make the ultimate decisions.
2-complaints: one was there was a large group who ran late. The first night we were there, they had a slideshow--for their group only--causing dinner to be an hour late. They should have done their show earlier or after dinner. Maybe if they'd allowed the other guests to join in, we wouldn't have been so agitated with our rumbling stomachs and a late night. But then they were late again the second night, still out on the boat with a 30 to 45-minute drive once on land. I know it's easier for management to feed everyone at the same time, and big groups fill the camps, but . . .
And one option would be, to be advised, and thus other guests could have the option to stay out longer themselves on drive, but that brings me to complaint #2; we were told Wilderness Safaris has gone to red-lights for night drives, so as to not bother the diurnal animals. If the guides are well-trained a white light should never be shone on a diurnal animal--it is easy even in the dark to recognize one animal type from another. I find watching and photographing night animals (who are not bothered by white light) under red-light to be very distorting and unrewarding. I hope Wilderness will reconsider this policy.
Whilst at Tubu Tree these travellers took a helicopter flight over the Delta. Here's what they said about it:
I'd kinda thought the flight would include more time over the waterways of the delta, rather than just the island, but the perspective from the air is phenomenal no matter what. In my mind, I was envisioning the landscapes and the geology of the delta, where the pilot concentrated primarily on the wildlife. Either way, it's pretty spectacular to see everything from the aerial vantage point, without cloudy windows or the haze which comes with the altitude of planes, and I cannot recommend a flight highly enough. I will definitely fly again, when I return during the rainy season, curious to see how the land and water change shapes.
I forgot to write down our pilot's name, sorry, but he was very professional, and great at pointing things out." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 14n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
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