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
Mr & Mrs T
Cambs.
"Great venue in the trees, with a lovely vista"
4 nights Arrived 15 May 2017
"Again a lovely venue and outlook. Food was always excellent, staff were always brilliant and nothing was too much trouble.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Bracknell
"Tubu Tree Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 12 Aug 2016
"Good camp. Excellent guide ("General" or Soretse)"
See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Dr M
Calgary
"Tubu: Friendly staff and expert guides"
3 nights Arrived 24 Apr 2016
"Tubu Tree has a warm, rustic charm about it with very friendly ex-pat camp managers and equally friendly local staff. Food and beverages were top notch.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr Bob
Montreal
"Tube Tree Terrific"
3 nights Arrived 24 Apr 2016
"Well situated on an island although there was yet little water. Comfortable accommodations and surroundings with a great open bar and bartender - Daniel.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr&Mrs M & S
Germany
"NIce stay at Tubu Tree lodge"
3 nights Arrived 19 Mar 2016
"Good Location, good guide, interesting sceneries, great wildlife (Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Buffalos, Impalas, hippos, crocs, monkeys, birds ...; we even saw two leopards and three male lions). Staff in lodge was very friendly, one evening at camp fire with nice dancing and singing of staff members. Great star gazing!
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs CP
Henley
"Great sighting of leopard"
3 nights Arrived 7 May 2015
"Very upmarket camp in a nice location on the edge of the Delta.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs S
USA
"Tubu is great"
2 nights Arrived 6 May 2015
"Tubu was our second camp, so one might think it wouldn't be as unique as our first camp.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr K
Singapore
"Tubu Tree Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 7 Apr 2015
"While all the facilities are excellent the relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Tubu Tree are what makes it stand out.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Somerset
"Big New Tubu Tree"
3 nights Arrived 23 Sep 2014
"After 2 previous visits to the old, small Tubu we returned to the enlarged camp with some trepidation. While we enjoyed our stay, our misgivings were confirmed. The doubling of the number of rooms on Hunda Island, a poor period for general game on the Jao floodplain and the presence of a large group in Tubu Tree insisting on privacy all led to an experience quite unlike the old small Tubu.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mrs & Mr O
California
"Good Tradition at Tubu Tree"
3 nights Arrived 6 Sep 2014
"Our safari highlight at Tubu Tree were the subadult sibling lions, 2-females and a male. We are use to watching young cubs play, but it was thrilling to watch these near adults charging, tumbling, and batting at one another. So unexpected and fun, watching their mischievous expressions before making their play attacks. We also had the opportunity to photograph them drinking with their reflection in the outstanding warm morning light. Wonderful. Unfortunately, the male is suffering a severe injury to a hindleg; we hope he can make a recovery. He has such a beautiful and kind expression.
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
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
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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