Reviews of Lake Manze Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
224 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Lake Manze 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 Aug-2018, 34 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Lake Manze Camp.
Lion
94% success
Leopard
31% success
Wild dog
48% success
Buffalo
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Spotted Hyena
100% success
Wildebeest
100% success
Zebra
100% success
Elephant
97% success
Eland
91% success
Striped Hyena
6% success
Aardvark
0% success
Black Rhino
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
J & M Family
UK
"Super camp"
3 nights Arrived 22 Sep 2015
"We loved Lake Manze camp! As previously described it is "rustic" but better for it.
The staff were very welcoming. Shaun and Milli, the hosts,made us feel very much at home. The camp staff and guides were always very friendly and enthusiastic.
The tents are lit by candles and kerosene lamps at night, and the en-suite shower and toilet are lit by moonlight. Bed comfortable. Solar powered fan very useful. Various rustling noises outside the tent at night due to passing wildlife.
Meals are shared at large tables which are very sociable. Dinner was served at a long candle lit table on the sand outside the central tent, watched by a genet in a tree. Masai with torches kept an eye out for anything less friendly( and escorted us to and from the tents for safety).
Having breakfast with giraffe, elephants, impala and baboon wandering by was magical. Lagos-the camp elephant -came by daily to see what was happening
We had the same guide-Joseph-for our driving and walking safaris. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the animals,birds and plants we saw. We also did a boat safari and got pretty close to hippos and crocodiles. The variety and colours of the birdlife is stunning
Shaun and Milli very kindly made a fuss of us for our wedding anniversary-which we hadn't expected at all-Asante Sana!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
The staff were very welcoming. Shaun and Milli, the hosts,made us feel very much at home. The camp staff and guides were always very friendly and enthusiastic.
The tents are lit by candles and kerosene lamps at night, and the en-suite shower and toilet are lit by moonlight. Bed comfortable. Solar powered fan very useful. Various rustling noises outside the tent at night due to passing wildlife.
Meals are shared at large tables which are very sociable. Dinner was served at a long candle lit table on the sand outside the central tent, watched by a genet in a tree. Masai with torches kept an eye out for anything less friendly( and escorted us to and from the tents for safety).
Having breakfast with giraffe, elephants, impala and baboon wandering by was magical. Lagos-the camp elephant -came by daily to see what was happening
We had the same guide-Joseph-for our driving and walking safaris. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the animals,birds and plants we saw. We also did a boat safari and got pretty close to hippos and crocodiles. The variety and colours of the birdlife is stunning
Shaun and Milli very kindly made a fuss of us for our wedding anniversary-which we hadn't expected at all-Asante Sana!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr & Mrs S
Northants
"Warm Welcome at Lake Manze Camp"
4 nights Arrived 15 Sep 2015
"Manze fulfilled our desire for a rustic safari experience such as we had in the past. Having said that the it certainly catered for our every need
We received a very warm welcome from Sean and Milly who were excellent hosts throughout our stay. They sat with guests at all meals and were always around to see us off and greet us home from our travels.
We were assigned our own driver and guide who were very well trained and informative. Their eyesight and ability to find game was amazing.
The tents were very comfortable and the solar electric fan was a boon.
The food throughout was of a high standard and all the camp staff were friendly and helpful.
We loved the communal dining and meeting folk from all over the world." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
We received a very warm welcome from Sean and Milly who were excellent hosts throughout our stay. They sat with guests at all meals and were always around to see us off and greet us home from our travels.
We were assigned our own driver and guide who were very well trained and informative. Their eyesight and ability to find game was amazing.
The tents were very comfortable and the solar electric fan was a boon.
The food throughout was of a high standard and all the camp staff were friendly and helpful.
We loved the communal dining and meeting folk from all over the world." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr DW
Surrey
"Lake Manze Adventure Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2015
"Fantastic could not have been better
Great hosts
Great guides
Great food
Great place" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Great hosts
Great guides
Great food
Great place" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Waco, TX
"should never be recommended unless cheap!"
3 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2015
"First the negatives:
12 tents 33 guests
Kids running everywhere
ordinary(at best) food carefully portioned out
ridiculous small extra charges(33 charges total of $48USD) errors in bill had to wait for corrections of less than $3
rigid schedule with seating assignments for dinner table
tents ok but minimal by comparison
elephants are just about all gone(poached out according to guides and managers)
saw a total of 6 elephants (including same 2 twice,so actually only 4) in 6 game drives
had to wait 45 minutes after flight landed for pick up by camp(confusion regarding arrival time?)
location of tent caught no breeze
boat safari was almost pathetic,small traverse area, seemed a way for camp to save fuel in vehicles
managers were visible and (very) involved but smoked a lot and seemed harassed while
micro managing
Next the OK parts:
Fortunately we were able to meet 2 other guests on arrival who joined us to take charge of our schedule
somewhat :Same guide,early departures(camp tried to get everyone to wait until an hour after sunrise to leave)
on game drive,come back one hour before lunch which was not until 13;00
we left at 06:30 and returned on time to eat.Also declined "all day" drives which camp promoted for some reason
we were told as long as we had 4 people or more on identical schedule for all 3 days they would allow it
Staff was OK ,some good but lack of procedural training was evident
Finally the good:
Vehicle was maintained
guide was good/very good, responded to our requests,and was friendly
lots of giraffes in the area,a couple of good eagle sightings
a very good lion pride in feeding mode gave some good photo ops" See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 4n in Kenya
12 tents 33 guests
Kids running everywhere
ordinary(at best) food carefully portioned out
ridiculous small extra charges(33 charges total of $48USD) errors in bill had to wait for corrections of less than $3
rigid schedule with seating assignments for dinner table
tents ok but minimal by comparison
elephants are just about all gone(poached out according to guides and managers)
saw a total of 6 elephants (including same 2 twice,so actually only 4) in 6 game drives
had to wait 45 minutes after flight landed for pick up by camp(confusion regarding arrival time?)
location of tent caught no breeze
boat safari was almost pathetic,small traverse area, seemed a way for camp to save fuel in vehicles
managers were visible and (very) involved but smoked a lot and seemed harassed while
micro managing
Next the OK parts:
Fortunately we were able to meet 2 other guests on arrival who joined us to take charge of our schedule
somewhat :Same guide,early departures(camp tried to get everyone to wait until an hour after sunrise to leave)
on game drive,come back one hour before lunch which was not until 13;00
we left at 06:30 and returned on time to eat.Also declined "all day" drives which camp promoted for some reason
we were told as long as we had 4 people or more on identical schedule for all 3 days they would allow it
Staff was OK ,some good but lack of procedural training was evident
Finally the good:
Vehicle was maintained
guide was good/very good, responded to our requests,and was friendly
lots of giraffes in the area,a couple of good eagle sightings
a very good lion pride in feeding mode gave some good photo ops" See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 4n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Poor
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We’ve heard back from the camp owners on these comments and while they are very pleased these travellers were very happy with their guide and had some good sightings, they are surprised and very disappointed that so much of their experience was not up to the standards they were expecting, and that the vast majority of guests experience.
The camp has explained that these guests got off the plane at Mtemere airstrip, rather than Siwandu (the airstrip that the camp routinely uses), which explains the confusion they experienced on arrival. This may have been poor organisation by the airline, as they were indeed booked and ticketed to fly to Siwandu.
This is certainly a busy time of year, and the camp was full, with two families from the UK. The staff deliberately seated these travellers away from the children, but they sincerely apologise for any shortfall in the meals, which certainly should have been mentioned at the time.
We are pleased to hear that the camp’s owners have instructed managers not to smoke in view of the guests. Smoking is only allowed by the firepit or at the bar, but this policy is constantly under review as habits change.
Bar charges over several days can be fiddly to check, both for guests and staff, but where there is no all-inclusive drinks policy, that is unfortunately inevitable.
The loss of elephants to poaching in Selous has been widely documented, but they do visit the camp – though these guests did not see any at camp during their stay. Tents 1 to 7 have better views, but fewer elephants while tents 8 to 12 are shadier, with more elephants, but can also be less breezy. Guests are always welcome to ask for specific tents, or to request to be moved if possible.
This camp does not have permanent access to the Rufiji River, only to Lake Manze itself, and unfortunately the water was very low at this time of year.
Once again, we apologise that these guests felt this was not the camp for them. We think some of their negative experience was down to the busy time of year, and some could have been improved by speaking immediately to the mangers. With hindsight, though, we accept that we may have suggested the wrong camp to these travellers.
The camp has explained that these guests got off the plane at Mtemere airstrip, rather than Siwandu (the airstrip that the camp routinely uses), which explains the confusion they experienced on arrival. This may have been poor organisation by the airline, as they were indeed booked and ticketed to fly to Siwandu.
This is certainly a busy time of year, and the camp was full, with two families from the UK. The staff deliberately seated these travellers away from the children, but they sincerely apologise for any shortfall in the meals, which certainly should have been mentioned at the time.
We are pleased to hear that the camp’s owners have instructed managers not to smoke in view of the guests. Smoking is only allowed by the firepit or at the bar, but this policy is constantly under review as habits change.
Bar charges over several days can be fiddly to check, both for guests and staff, but where there is no all-inclusive drinks policy, that is unfortunately inevitable.
The loss of elephants to poaching in Selous has been widely documented, but they do visit the camp – though these guests did not see any at camp during their stay. Tents 1 to 7 have better views, but fewer elephants while tents 8 to 12 are shadier, with more elephants, but can also be less breezy. Guests are always welcome to ask for specific tents, or to request to be moved if possible.
This camp does not have permanent access to the Rufiji River, only to Lake Manze itself, and unfortunately the water was very low at this time of year.
Once again, we apologise that these guests felt this was not the camp for them. We think some of their negative experience was down to the busy time of year, and some could have been improved by speaking immediately to the mangers. With hindsight, though, we accept that we may have suggested the wrong camp to these travellers.
"East Africa Manager"
Mr P
Maidstone
"Lake Manze Adventure Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 7 Aug 2015
"The choice of three different activities at Lake Manzie - game drives, boat trips and walks - make the visit here well worthwhile. There was a lot of elephant activity around the camp and the tents which created some excitement!
We had an excellent guide and driver for all of the 5 days we were there. He was knowledgeable on just about everything including birds that we were particularly interested in. We took half day game drives (excellent) which included bush breakfast, a full day's drive (perhaps only marginally rewarding although the lunch stop at the lake was superb), two boat trips on the lake (excellent), and a walk (really a nature walk taken from the camp which was informative but not a true walking safari).
Game sightings generally were very good - lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo etc - and bird life, particularly on the lake, was also good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
We had an excellent guide and driver for all of the 5 days we were there. He was knowledgeable on just about everything including birds that we were particularly interested in. We took half day game drives (excellent) which included bush breakfast, a full day's drive (perhaps only marginally rewarding although the lunch stop at the lake was superb), two boat trips on the lake (excellent), and a walk (really a nature walk taken from the camp which was informative but not a true walking safari).
Game sightings generally were very good - lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo etc - and bird life, particularly on the lake, was also good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Ms M
Amherst
"Lake Manze Adventure Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 7 Aug 2015
"The view from our tent to the lake was fantastic--we loved the Maasai that appeared magically each time we stepped out of our tent--the dinner under the stars with lanterns and campfire was absolutely magical"
See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The W family
Surrey
"Amazing Time At Lake Manze"
4 nights Arrived 21 Jul 2015
"Wow we loved being here, you are very close to the animals. We stayed for 4 nights, and enjoyed every minute.
The tents were large, and overlooked the lake. We loved sitting outside watching the local wildlife go by!
There were plenty of options, and flexibility with regards to what trips you wanted to do which was great.
We had some very unforgettable safaris including a fantastic boat safari on the first day where we saw lots of wildlife, including a huge herd of giraffes walking across the lake as the sun was setting. The all day safari was excellent with lunch out in the bush, and a visit to the Hot Springs, very refreshing! We managed to see 4 different pride of lions during our stay.
Our guide was was incredibly knowledgeable and the driver was great at knowing when to stop for a photo opportunity They both worked so hard to make sure we saw lots of different animals.
The communal evening meals out in the open and being able to chat with other guests about their adventures is a great idea. The quality of food was great, and they were able to cater for our daughter's peanut allergy no problem.
We awoke one morning to see elephants walking past the front of our tent, what an experience! On the last morning as we ate breakfast, a large group appeared all around the lounge area almost as if to say goodbye to us!!!" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
The tents were large, and overlooked the lake. We loved sitting outside watching the local wildlife go by!
There were plenty of options, and flexibility with regards to what trips you wanted to do which was great.
We had some very unforgettable safaris including a fantastic boat safari on the first day where we saw lots of wildlife, including a huge herd of giraffes walking across the lake as the sun was setting. The all day safari was excellent with lunch out in the bush, and a visit to the Hot Springs, very refreshing! We managed to see 4 different pride of lions during our stay.
Our guide was was incredibly knowledgeable and the driver was great at knowing when to stop for a photo opportunity They both worked so hard to make sure we saw lots of different animals.
The communal evening meals out in the open and being able to chat with other guests about their adventures is a great idea. The quality of food was great, and they were able to cater for our daughter's peanut allergy no problem.
We awoke one morning to see elephants walking past the front of our tent, what an experience! On the last morning as we ate breakfast, a large group appeared all around the lounge area almost as if to say goodbye to us!!!" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Steve H
Cumbria
"Another Great Safari at Lake Manze"
4 nights Arrived 21 Jan 2015
"I just love Lake Manze. The informality in the camp combined with the excellent food and dining under the stars make for a magical experience and everyone is so friendly and helpful.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable safari (as always). The boat trips provide an extra dimension and the birding was very good. Elephant and lion numbers in the area seem to be down but this may just be a seasonal variation.
It was great to see a healthy and active pack of wild dogs again.
I am happy to rate all aspects of my stay at Lake Manze as excellent - within the camp's stated aims (which I approve) to provide a more natural (and correspondingly less luxurious) experience. Rebecca and her team are doing a great job." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
It was a thoroughly enjoyable safari (as always). The boat trips provide an extra dimension and the birding was very good. Elephant and lion numbers in the area seem to be down but this may just be a seasonal variation.
It was great to see a healthy and active pack of wild dogs again.
I am happy to rate all aspects of my stay at Lake Manze as excellent - within the camp's stated aims (which I approve) to provide a more natural (and correspondingly less luxurious) experience. Rebecca and her team are doing a great job." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr J
Coventry
"Lake Manze Adventure Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 21 Jan 2015
"Other than the sighting of the wild dogs, which is always a treat, the wildlife was a bit of a disappointment, but this is in no way a reflection on the efforts of our guide, Mr. H or our driver Cacumber who both tried everything possible to find the wildlife.
Everything else was great." See all these reviews: 16n in Tanzania
Everything else was great." See all these reviews: 16n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Dr T
Suffolk
"great camp and great wildlife"
4 nights Arrived 18 Jan 2015
"weather hot and humid, typically low 26 C high 35 C , with one or two brief storms but mostly sunny. Camp delightful but furthest tents might be a bit of a trek if one was a bit disabled? Loo gets a bit damp if there is a downpour and wildlife invaded -- a frog fell onto my shoulder, several geckos appeared and fireflies - all inside the tent ! Shower worked well and bed very comfortable. Food very good . Some areas of the bush very rough and you get thrown about quite a bit.
Widlife excellent --breakfast visit from Lagos the elephant, lions mating, clouds of carmine beeeaters, masses of other birds, pack of wild dogs, numerous giraffes and elephants.
Good walking safari and boat trip as well as all-day game drives.
Guiding and driving very good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
Widlife excellent --breakfast visit from Lagos the elephant, lions mating, clouds of carmine beeeaters, masses of other birds, pack of wild dogs, numerous giraffes and elephants.
Good walking safari and boat trip as well as all-day game drives.
Guiding and driving very good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
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