Reviews of Siwandu

"" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania

"Siwandu was our first taste of being in Tanzania and in a safari camp and we loved it. The care and attention given to the guests by Ricus and Pietro and their staff, especially Alphonce (our personal waiter and language tutor!) were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble.

The accommodation was amazing - clean and spacious - and the chef performed fantastic meals in what must have been difficult conditions, e.g., tropical heat and without modern equipment. A wonderful start to our Tanzanian adventure." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania

"We had a wonderful 3 night stay at Siwandu that delivered exactly what we had hoped and more!

It was incredible to look up when having breakfast and see a couple of elephants who had suddenly appeared a few meters away! We had a wonderful warm welcome on arrival and were introduced to our host Emiel, our butler Mau and our lovely guide Mohammed. All the staff around the camp were very attentive and charming and we felt very well looked after. The chef proudly announced his dinner menu every night and made a lot of effort to accommodate my vegetarian daughter and on our last night there was a very entertaining procession as the staff followed chef through the tables singing and dancing as birthday cakes were delivered to two tables one of which was ours! Thank you Liz for passing on the info!

We did a walking safari one morning which was very interesting culminating in a fabulous bush breakfast that had arrived by boat and was laid out on the lake shore much to our surprise! I am very glad that we visited Siwandu first as originally I had planned to go to Ruaha first but had switched due to lack of availability. Siwandu is definitely more luxurious and although the guiding was very good, as the guide was also the driver, maybe another pair of eyes would have made the guiding even better as we were to discover in Ruaha. If I could I would award Siwandu 4.5 paws just because what we were to experience next was a notch above.

On the morning we left we had to hurry after breakfast as we were told the plane had arrived and wanted to take off half an hour early to make a second stop en route to Ruaha and so we had little time to explore the shop which is located in the main reception area (not south camp as in your notes!) and is well worth a visit with some lovely locally made items for sale. Also FYI there are hairdryers available for guest use!" See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar

"Siwandu was awesome to say the least. The mishaps in Dar was quickly washed away and I realized Expert Africa were truly experts.

The majesty of the lake, the abundance of wildlike, the solitude, the vastness of the bush, and the sheer variety of things to see and do between walking, Range Rover, boat -- were sensational. Ricus and Pietro run a quality flawless operation -- the camp hums with precision. A 0630 wake-up with coffee is just that -- steaming coffee on my deck watching the baboons frolick at sunrise rendered me speechless.

The guides were all experts: split between walking, driving, and boating. Getting up close and personal by doing the morning walk is not to be missed: seeing a day-old giraffe with its mum or seeing two lions mating roaring, while seeing hyena cubs being weened in their shelter...all amazing. The room was spacious, the bed cosy, the toilet first world, the outside shower and hot water were magical.

However, as far as the food is concerned, you are more likely to die of a heart attack at Siwandu than you are at the hands of a wild beast........deep fried, oozing with mayo, bursting with cholesterol -- healthy eating was simply not in the cards." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania

"Fantastic camp with amazing accommodation and staff very friendly, helpful and accommodating.

Daily plans well set out and great game drives and boat trips. Guides informative and accommodating. Really enjoyed our time there. Peaceful and relaxing." See all these reviews: 4n in Tanzania

"Very nice camp set up on the picturesque shores of a large lake. Boating activities provided a change from the typical game drives. Good game viewing. Good, knowledgeable guiding. Great "tent" on the lakeshore with game walking by.

Expected more elephants. The few that we saw were vehicle-shy." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania

"The flight landing was like returning in a WWII spitfire, as the pilot had to adjust to miss a Giraffe on the runway. Then a trip to the camp arriving approx 1100 hrs. WOW the reception with music and singing, refreshing drink and then to the rooms. Total comfort in the bush. 5 star room with a butler.

Over the next few days we had splendid food by the chef at anytime of the day. Excellent safari trips, with a superb driver 'Walter'.

The best break we could have wished for. On the last morning we woke up to Elephants immediately outside our hut. Greg pictures.
We are now saving to do mount Kilimanjaro and the sister camp. If you ever only do on safari it has to be Siwandu" See all these reviews: 8n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania

"Wonderful stay in Siwandu Camp

Siwandu Camp is real luxury in the bush. The camp itself is beautiful, the luxury tents are large, extraordinarily well furnished, cleaned several times a day, with two verandas and a superb view to the lake. The food is delicious, prepared and served by such a nice team. All the lunches and dinners we had there were exquisite, let alone the breakfasts served in the middle of the bush when you choose to make an early game drive.

The management is doing every effort to accommodate the guests’ needs … and do succeed in that matter. They manage to insufflate a nice atmosphere in the camp and between the guests.
The camp is really well situated in the middle of the game reserve, so that you’re never too far of the action when animals are spotted. They have several land rovers and several boats, so that you always can choose the activity you want to engage in.

Last but not least, they have wonderful guides-drivers. We’ve been lucky to be all the time with a guide named Allen, who spots and knows every animal, bird or snake of this game reserve and who taught us such a lot of things about them.

If I once have the opportunity to go back to the Selous Game Reserve, I will definitely choose to stay again in Siwandu." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania

"Luxury camp but modest guides and game viewing." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania

"Very comfortable. Grat location for camp. Tents fabulous. Staff exceptional.

Less of a wilderness experience so more of a very comfortable place to be based than an adventure." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania