Reviews of Impala Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
281 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Impala Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2018, 19 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Impala Camp.
Lion
95% success
Leopard
11% success
Wild dog
53% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Wildebeest
95% success
Zebra
95% success
Elephant
94% success
Spotted Hyena
94% success
Buffalo
89% success
Eland
65% success
Striped Hyena
11% success
Aardvark
0% success
Black Rhino
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
Mr & Mrs V
Harlow
"Return to Impala camp 2012"
3 nights Arrived 3 Oct 2012
"Another return to an excellent camp that also has not changed much since our last visit.
We enjoyed the same guide, driver and waiter as on our last visit and they were as good as last time. Ezra is an excellent guide and well partnered by driver and spotter Rajabu. There was just as much game as on our last visit with excellent bird life and good sightings of wild-dog in particular and even a gruesome crocodile kill of an impala. We returned to Impala in part because of the chance of boat trips which are offered by several of the Selous camps. Impala's boats did not disappoint and we saw many birds and other water life
We stayed in a different tent this time but just as well appointed and located. The food was excellent and the camp remains just as good as before." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
We enjoyed the same guide, driver and waiter as on our last visit and they were as good as last time. Ezra is an excellent guide and well partnered by driver and spotter Rajabu. There was just as much game as on our last visit with excellent bird life and good sightings of wild-dog in particular and even a gruesome crocodile kill of an impala. We returned to Impala in part because of the chance of boat trips which are offered by several of the Selous camps. Impala's boats did not disappoint and we saw many birds and other water life
We stayed in a different tent this time but just as well appointed and located. The food was excellent and the camp remains just as good as before." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Reading
"Selous Impala Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 29 Sep 2012
"I had hoped for a better river view!
Good guides and good game viewing." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Good guides and good game viewing." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs TD
SW London
"Selous Impala Camp just brilliant"
4 nights Arrived 21 Sep 2012
"Selous Impala camp was an absolute joy. Incredibly friendly and striking a great balance between first class service and informality it was impossible not to feel immediately at home. Andrea and Barbara as camp managers set a lovely tone for the place with their genuine passion for the quality of your experience and everyone from guides to drivers to waiters lines up behind them with what I can only describe as an effortless charm. No wonder even the animals can't stay away with the almost resident Hippo (Mr Andrea), Giraffe (Bryant), Bush Baby and Genet Cat all regularly playing their part at this special place.
The range of activities is a major plus with the opportunities to jump from Game Drives to River Safaris to Walks and every aspect is wonderfully guided, in our case by the brilliant Mokili. He and Peter, the driver, worked so hard to make the most of our time in the Selous and were a pleasure to spend time with: knowledgeable, open, chatty and interesting.
The attention to detail is more broadly a real strength. From moving you around to different dining spots, to the surprise opportunity to watch the sun go down from the banks on the river safari, the team have thought of every possible way of making the experience of staying with them a memorable one. And the food supports the specialness of the experience wonderfully well. We'd go back in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 9n in Zanzibar; 7n in Tanzania
The range of activities is a major plus with the opportunities to jump from Game Drives to River Safaris to Walks and every aspect is wonderfully guided, in our case by the brilliant Mokili. He and Peter, the driver, worked so hard to make the most of our time in the Selous and were a pleasure to spend time with: knowledgeable, open, chatty and interesting.
The attention to detail is more broadly a real strength. From moving you around to different dining spots, to the surprise opportunity to watch the sun go down from the banks on the river safari, the team have thought of every possible way of making the experience of staying with them a memorable one. And the food supports the specialness of the experience wonderfully well. We'd go back in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 9n in Zanzibar; 7n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Vic & Linda
UK
"Selous Impala Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2012
"Very good guides - we had Mokili (young but very well qualified, especially for birding) and Khalid driver. We loved having a vehicle all to ourselves.
Choice of food, private table and waiter. Good river safari. The main animals seemed to be situated closer to Lake Manze. Laundry was included, which was very useful. Fan was appreciated. Good en suite. Staff all excellent." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania
Choice of food, private table and waiter. Good river safari. The main animals seemed to be situated closer to Lake Manze. Laundry was included, which was very useful. Fan was appreciated. Good en suite. Staff all excellent." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
The O family
London
"Selous Impala safari"
3 nights Arrived 10 Aug 2012
"A very well-run camp, with excellent food and great facilities. Guides were extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and it was a great experience for us and the two grandchildren.
Barbara and Andrea made everything run smoothly. There's not a great variety of things to do, and animal life was a bit sparse and the best at some distance, so 3 nights would be the maximum optimum time to spend there - but would definitely recommend it." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Barbara and Andrea made everything run smoothly. There's not a great variety of things to do, and animal life was a bit sparse and the best at some distance, so 3 nights would be the maximum optimum time to spend there - but would definitely recommend it." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Crawley
"Selous Impala Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Aug 2012
"We were very impressed with Selous Impala Camp.
We felt that the service was very personal. We had our own guide and driver for game drives and we could choose what we wanted to do. We went on 3 game drives and two river safaris. We saw all the animals we hoped to see and nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
We loved the bush breakfasts by the lake and dinner slightly away from the camp next to our own fire on one evening. It was great to sit round the fire before dinner to share stories. Barbara and Andreas, the managers, were very informative and we enjoyed looking at the stars. Food was good.
The accommodation was better than I had expected and very comfortable even though we were kept awake by bush babies on our tent every night!!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
We felt that the service was very personal. We had our own guide and driver for game drives and we could choose what we wanted to do. We went on 3 game drives and two river safaris. We saw all the animals we hoped to see and nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
We loved the bush breakfasts by the lake and dinner slightly away from the camp next to our own fire on one evening. It was great to sit round the fire before dinner to share stories. Barbara and Andreas, the managers, were very informative and we enjoyed looking at the stars. Food was good.
The accommodation was better than I had expected and very comfortable even though we were kept awake by bush babies on our tent every night!!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
The A family
Suffolk
"Selous Impala Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 17 Jul 2012
"An excellent camp set in a superb location next to the Rufiji river.
The wildlife experience on the river was superb, less so on the game drives, but we had been spoilt at a previous camp.
The guide's knowledge was excellent, but lacked an informal and intuitive touch
The food was excellent
The manager and staff were always on hand, very friendly and helpful.
Things to do better - style and approach of guiding as per other camp site" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
The wildlife experience on the river was superb, less so on the game drives, but we had been spoilt at a previous camp.
The guide's knowledge was excellent, but lacked an informal and intuitive touch
The food was excellent
The manager and staff were always on hand, very friendly and helpful.
Things to do better - style and approach of guiding as per other camp site" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr I
Kent
"Seemed to be designed for honeymooners"
2 nights Arrived 1 Jul 2012
"Impala camp was easily the least memorable of the three camps I visited. The location was nice, near the river, but the camp was clearly more designed for people who wanted a couple of nights in a National Park as part of a visit to Zanzibar. I thought the dinner arrangement was unsual - rather than the usual communal table each individual/group sat at their own table. It made it less of a memorable experience for someone travelling by themselves.
The game drives were OK but wildlife was not as relaxed at in Ruaha. The boat ride again was OK but involved racing up the river at quite a high speed and getting back to the camp at a specific time." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
The game drives were OK but wildlife was not as relaxed at in Ruaha. The boat ride again was OK but involved racing up the river at quite a high speed and getting back to the camp at a specific time." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We were disappointed to read this review of Selous Impala, which usually receives reliably good feedback. We forwarded the comments onto the camp to see if they had any feedback on the issues raised. They too were surprised to read the comments. Selous Impala does operate a separate dining policy, which does mean that the atmosphere is slightly different to its sister camps Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River Camp, who have communal meals. Were sorry we didnt discuss these differences in more detail with this traveller and make him aware of the pros and cons of each camp. That said, the managers did advise us that they joined him for dinner on one evening to give him some company.
This traveller was fortunate enough to have been given a private vehicle which is not the norm at Impala. As a result he was able to do a full day game drive. However, unfortunately game viewing is never guaranteed, and there is always an element of luck involved!
It is unusual for the boat safaris to feel rushed at Impala. When questioned about this the camp thought that perhaps the boat captain was trying to make sure this traveller saw as much wildlife as possible. One point to note, as with the majority of national parks and reserves, is that by law, all safaris at all camps must be completed and all travellers back in camp by sunset it may be that he was rushing for this.
Again were sorry that this traveller didnt find his stay at Impala memorable. Perhaps this was the wrong choice of camp for him.
This traveller was fortunate enough to have been given a private vehicle which is not the norm at Impala. As a result he was able to do a full day game drive. However, unfortunately game viewing is never guaranteed, and there is always an element of luck involved!
It is unusual for the boat safaris to feel rushed at Impala. When questioned about this the camp thought that perhaps the boat captain was trying to make sure this traveller saw as much wildlife as possible. One point to note, as with the majority of national parks and reserves, is that by law, all safaris at all camps must be completed and all travellers back in camp by sunset it may be that he was rushing for this.
Again were sorry that this traveller didnt find his stay at Impala memorable. Perhaps this was the wrong choice of camp for him.
"Senior Africa Specialist | East & Southern Africa"
Mr G
Portslade
"Selous Impala Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 30 Jun 2012
"Guides were excellent and a great variety of activities - Vehicle, boat and walking safaris available."
See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr N
Virginia
"Up market, with all that implies"
2 nights Arrived 11 Jun 2012
"This is a very nice camp, with great facilities and food, appropriate for up-market (versus budget) travellers.
The opportunity for boat safaris on the river was a real highlight, with great views of animals and birds, plus sundowners on the shore. The camp draws lots of UK honeymooners on their way to/from Zanzibar, which to me was neither a positive or a negative.
Easily the best food of the 4 camps I visited in S. Tanzania.
Good, capable guiding and an excellent, friendly staff." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
The opportunity for boat safaris on the river was a real highlight, with great views of animals and birds, plus sundowners on the shore. The camp draws lots of UK honeymooners on their way to/from Zanzibar, which to me was neither a positive or a negative.
Easily the best food of the 4 camps I visited in S. Tanzania.
Good, capable guiding and an excellent, friendly staff." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Holiday styles & special interests in Tanzania
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Other lodges in Nyerere National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lake Manze Camp
Lake Manze Camp is a rustic, lakeside bushcamp in Nyerere National Park that offers a great wilderness experience and doesn’t cost the earth.
Beho Beho
Beho Beho is one of the best camps we work with in Africa, with gracious hosts, fantastic food and most importantly, excellent guiding.
Siwandu
Siwandu is a luxurious and smoothly run camp with beautiful rooms and superb service offering great views over Lake Nzerakera.
Sand Rivers Camp
The stylishly put together Sand Rivers has an outstanding reputation, with a wonderful location on the Rufiji River and great guides.
Beho Beho Tree-house
Beho Beho Treehouse is a satellite tree platform for just one couple, managed by Beho Beho and ideal as a one-night honeymoon retreat
Impala fly-camping
While you're staying at Impala Camp in Nyerere National Park, you can enjoy a few nights' fly-camping in the heart of the bush.
Rufiji River Camp
Rufiji River Camp has a lovely location right on the edge of the Rufiji River and while not luxurious, it is one of the lowest-cost camps in the park.
Sand Rivers fly-camp
Sand Rivers fly-camping safaris in Tanzania's Nyerere National Park operate out of Sand Rivers Camp, on the Rufiji River.
Roho ya Selous
Roho ya Selous is a smart tented camp on the west side of lake Nzerakera, close to the park’s best wildlife-viewing areas.
Beho Beho Bailey's Banda
Bailey's Banda at Beho Beho is a luxurious safari lodge in Nyerere National Park which can be booked exclusively for you and your party.
Rufiji River fly-camp
Fly-camping trips can be organised from Rufiji River Camp in Tanzania's Nyerere National Park
Kiba Point
Kiba Point is the private sister camp of Sand Rivers, available on an exclusive basis, with its own private drivers and staff.
Mivumo River Lodge
Mivumo River Lodge is Serena's main lodge in the Selous. Although comfortable, the windows and air-conditioning dispel any wilderness feel.
