Reviews of Impala Camp

"Great staff anxious to make us feel welcome. The handmade welcome note and Amarula was a lovely touch. Mara, then Chloe arranged things we wished to do like walking safaris in addition to game drives and boat safaris. The guides went out of their way looking for painted wild dogs and lions.

The detailed knowledge of the guides about the eco systems was very thorough and they were happy to share this with us. One guide with such a good knowledge base and generosity of spirit took us out around the camp and talked in great detail about the plants, animals and birds - we were thrilled by this reaching out to us as visitors.

Thank heavens for the pool as the temperature got up to 38 most afternoons. The heat was on the edge of what we could manage, but we began to acclimatise. We had a good mix of walking, boating and game drives with most spectacular birds.

Most of the food was excellent and the bush meals great fun and hugely enjoyable - my only slight criticism is that all the breads were dense and very heavy, sitting in my stomach like lead weights. Maybe the climate is too hot for yeast?

WE felt this was a good camp for a honeymoon due to the wonderful atmosphere and facilities, but going at a cooler time of year would be more enjoyable." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania

"Very friendly welcoming staff and very comfortable tents. The staff were very happy to accomodate anything we wanted to do. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful although their english was not always easy to understand. Manager and her assistant were very good.

The food was usually good, although occasionally dishes were a bit too ambitious and were not quite right. Sitting at your own table would not suit everyone, particularly someone travelling alone. I would have preferred communal eating. The breakfasts in the bush were excellent.

It was very hot when we were there, so the small pool was very welcome. I liked the fact that you kept the same waiter and guides for the entire stay as it enabled you to build a good rapport." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania

"We thought the camp delightful and appreciated having the same guide and driver throughout our stay. We liked going out early in the morning 6.30 and having bush breakfast, but found the first time we did this we didn't get back till almost 1p.m. and found this too tiring so we mentioned this to our hostess and next time returned at 11.30 which was much better. The majority of the time we were the only two passengers in the land rover and consequently were able to ask lots of questions.

Paul was really pleased they gave him a meat alternative when fish was served at lunch time. I liked the barbeque when all the guests and some of the guides sat down together. I mentioned this to our hostess (apologise I can't remember her name) and she said some guests liked being alone especially if they were on honeymoon or were there for a special occasion. I said it was our wedding anniversary and the next evening we were treated to a romantic candle lit dinner complete with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine.

All the staff, without exception, were kind, friendly and helpful and made the whole experience delightful.

Our only negative comment would be that it might have been nice to have a few more loungers round the pool." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 4n in Zambia; 3n in Zanzibar

"The service was excellent and so was the the efforts to fulfill my wishes. I was very impressed by the guide (Makomba) and driver (Aridi) who were at my disposal during my stay. I got a lot of good informations about the wild life while we were on game drives.

I had preferred dining in groups at larger tables in stead of sitting at individual tables at lunch and dinner but it didn't spoil my impression of an excellent camp." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania

"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Impala, and have no complaints. Our guide, Ezra, was excellent and really 'made' our stay; he was knowledgable, interesting and amusing, and went out of his way to find out what we would like to see. He seemed to have binocular vision, and together with his driver Roger (?) made a great team. Abdullah, Hassan nd Gerard were also very good at driving the boat safaris. It was good to have the variety of walking, boat and car.

The accommodation was excellent, and the staff were very helpful. The little luxeries like early morning tea, eucalyptus flannels after a long day, juice befroe the afternoon safari, and always being welcomed back by Chloe and Mara were really appreciated.

Our only comments (not complaints!) were connected with food. the food was excellent - the only problem was that there was too much! Lunches could have been lighter, and it would have been friendlier if all the guests could have eaten at a long table more often. However, bush breakfasts were something never to be forgotten; coming round a promentory after 2 hours walking, and seeing breakfast laid out on a table by the lake was very momorable." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar

"We loved the river safaris which were so relaxing after the Land Rovers - great views of wildlife from the boat, especially elephants.

Food was delicious - special mention for the home made marmalade!" See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania

"Staff incredibly helpful - I would say they enhanced the experience.. The balance of river and land advantageous ( Gerard the boatman deserves a special mention) Had a very unsettling elephant encounter on the way to dinner one night which was not dealt with very well by the Askari - other people at the lodge also commented that they found the attitude to animals in the camp perhaps a little casual.

Food was strictly average overall (poor on one night)but on 2 occasions the staff arranged a different venue with surprises to celebrate birthday and retirement which was much appreciated. Bush breakfast also good, Choice of sundowner drinks limited.
Swimming pool a huge advantage in such heat.

Availibility of fresh coffee also a bonus" See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar

"Our stay at Selous Impala Camp was truly wonderful - we were reluctant to leave after 5 nights which is a longer than average visit. We clearly enjoyed the experience last year as we came back - but this year was even better

We couldn't fault anything. Mara was acting Camp Manager whilst we were there and she was brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. Always smiling, she chatted with every guest at several points during each day checking that all was in order, attending to everything in great detail. She certainly gets things moving too - on our first day she located the missing binoculars (which had been promised for a few days by then) - and they arrived the next day!

I had a wonderful surprise birthday meal under the stars complete with a birthday cake (the first one I haven't had to make for myself for ** years!) accompanied by a procession of the staff and rendition of Happy Birthday and Jambo Bwana!

Our guide for the whole time, Ezra, was excellent. His happy smiling face greeted us unfailingly as we met for each new adventure! Ezra's excellent knowledge of birds, animals, insects and plants ensured that we had our best walking safari - and we saw Colobus monkeys too! All the game drives were wonderful (with Rajabu driving) and we enjoyed the huge amount of game viewing - and Ezra we never tired of our Leopard search!!

We had 3 boat safaris - all very different. The birds along the river are beautiful (Ezra's 'bling birds') - the malachite kingfishers patiently waited for us to take photos and we got some really great shots of them, the pied kingfishers and bee-eaters. Gerard got us very (but safely) close to groups of elephants crossing - a wonderful sight in the beautiful sunset.

We also enjoyed our Verandha Safaris, exchanging stories of the days events round the fire, excellent bush breakfasts, evening meals under the stars, the conversations with various staff and much more. This was certainly a very memorable stay. A big thank you to all at Impala!!" See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania

"We really enjoyed our stay in Selous Impala Camp. I expect we have stayed in about 20 game lodges/camps and Selous Impala Camp is the best by a margin.

The setting, accomodation, staff and, particularly, the food were excellent. The scenery and game might have been better in other areas but this camp was the tops. I find it strange that at both this camp and Magwusi the guides did not have binoculars.

We raised this locally but the point was not taken. Overall the guides were not as good as Botswana/Zambia but were 'good enough'." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania

"Well organised camp. The staff and guides were excellent, the accommodation was confortable and well located.

All the activities were well run, but individual tables for meals made it a bit more formal than Lake Manze, but it meant you had more personal attention!

Everyone was particularly kind as they were aware of Margaret's accident the previous year and we had a special starlight dinner thanks to Tessa Zanacchi." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania