Reviews of Kigelia Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
37 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kigelia 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-2019, 16 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Kigelia Camp.
Lion
93% success
Leopard
64% success
Cheetah
18% success
Wild dog
33% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Zebra
100% success
Hippo
91% success
Eland
85% success
Spotted Hyena
82% success
Buffalo
75% success
Sable antelope
27% success
Roan antelope
25% success
Striped Hyena
13% success
Aardvark
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
Mr & Mrs H
Hammersmit
"Excellent camp, great guiding"
2 nights Arrived 6 Aug 2016
"Really lovely rooms, not over the top or fancy but they gave you everything you needed.
Extremely well run by Ken the camp manager and everything worked like clockwork, seamlessly. We never had to ask for anything and the little touches (like hot water bottles on your car seat on cold mornings) were wonderful.
The food was good, best breakfasts we had were here, and lunch and dinner were lovely.
The game viewing was excellent, we saw so much and with our fantastic guide, Joe, we learnt so much.
We wished we could have had another night!" See all these reviews: 16n in Tanzania
Extremely well run by Ken the camp manager and everything worked like clockwork, seamlessly. We never had to ask for anything and the little touches (like hot water bottles on your car seat on cold mornings) were wonderful.
The food was good, best breakfasts we had were here, and lunch and dinner were lovely.
The game viewing was excellent, we saw so much and with our fantastic guide, Joe, we learnt so much.
We wished we could have had another night!" See all these reviews: 16n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Brockham
"only one night so no firm view"
1 night Arrived 17 Jul 2016
"Only spent one night at camp so difficult to have a firm opinion. Location by small river disappointing as river dried up. In fact Ruaha very dry and wildlife seemed much less than the last time we were there, though that was a different time of year. However as only spent a short time there perhaps not fair to have the above comment!"
See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Ms D
Ireland
"Fantastic 4 nights at Kigelia"
4 nights Arrived 6 Jul 2016
"Loved the authentic wilderness feel of the camp, very well organised, excellent service.
Remarkable guiding by Manager Joel: He has outstanding knowledge of fauna, flora, culture and history and a lovely way of delivering facts. He went out of his way to please and made my trip memorable.. The sightings were brilliant during day and night games drives, and while walking. The landscape is beautiful with plenty of Baobabs.
Really had a fantastic time & could have stayed longer!" See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 6n in Zambia
Remarkable guiding by Manager Joel: He has outstanding knowledge of fauna, flora, culture and history and a lovely way of delivering facts. He went out of his way to please and made my trip memorable.. The sightings were brilliant during day and night games drives, and while walking. The landscape is beautiful with plenty of Baobabs.
Really had a fantastic time & could have stayed longer!" See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 6n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr A
Great Falls
"Kigelia Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 4 Jul 2016
"This was my fourth Nomad camp, and while they were all excellent Kigelia seemed to raise the bar another notch. Joel and his team ran a very tight ship, with excellent game viewing and great meals. Pinny was extremely personable and granted some terrific insight into Maasai life and culture.
I loved the tents, and this was far and away my favorite bucket shower, with an open-air view over the river bed.
It is a bit colder than the other camps in the mornings and evenings. Guests would be well advised to bring some cool weather clothing." See all these reviews: 20n in Tanzania; 6n in Rwanda
I loved the tents, and this was far and away my favorite bucket shower, with an open-air view over the river bed.
It is a bit colder than the other camps in the mornings and evenings. Guests would be well advised to bring some cool weather clothing." See all these reviews: 20n in Tanzania; 6n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Sussex
"A genuine safari experience"
4 nights Arrived 26 Jun 2016
"Spent 4 nights at Kigelia. A truly genuine safari experience, with strong focus on game drives (6:30am to 12:00 and 4pm to 7pm). Fantastic guiding, and service in the camp was outstanding. Our guide Joel, was excellent, he proved to be the best guide during our whole trip, always willing to stop for photos and find the best position for photos of the animals, scenery and sunset/sunrise.
The night drive was awesome, a great chance to see many nocturnal animals. The manager of the camp (Ken) runs a very efficient operation with all staff seeming fully involved and keen to chat with guests.
A surprise birthday dinner (complete with cake, candles and dancing/singing from the whole team) was most unexpected, touching and very appreciated." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
The night drive was awesome, a great chance to see many nocturnal animals. The manager of the camp (Ken) runs a very efficient operation with all staff seeming fully involved and keen to chat with guests.
A surprise birthday dinner (complete with cake, candles and dancing/singing from the whole team) was most unexpected, touching and very appreciated." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr K
Scotland
"4 days at Ruaha"
4 nights Arrived 1 Oct 2015
"A camp with potential to be excellent with a great location and the small size, style and intimacy that I prefer. However after Chada and Greystoke it was a bit of a letdown.
Guiding was at best average and there were several occasions when I missed sightings or photographic opportunities at sightings because my guide was slow to react to movement of the animals and did not anticipate their behaviour so failing to position the car when other vehicles were in a much better position. He was a relief guide from Arusha, not permanently based there and was clearly disadvantaged by a lack of local knowledge of the park and animals.
Camp manager was visible but less involved with guests than at previous camps and did not host meals, only joining us for 30 mins before dinner
Camp and room decor and furniture was a little tired and would benefit from upgrading.
Camp staff were attentive and helpful however and mindful of guests individual needs and preferences." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Guiding was at best average and there were several occasions when I missed sightings or photographic opportunities at sightings because my guide was slow to react to movement of the animals and did not anticipate their behaviour so failing to position the car when other vehicles were in a much better position. He was a relief guide from Arusha, not permanently based there and was clearly disadvantaged by a lack of local knowledge of the park and animals.
Camp manager was visible but less involved with guests than at previous camps and did not host meals, only joining us for 30 mins before dinner
Camp and room decor and furniture was a little tired and would benefit from upgrading.
Camp staff were attentive and helpful however and mindful of guests individual needs and preferences." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Thor & Deb
BC Canada
"Excellent--not quite up to Nomad standards"
3 nights Arrived 23 Sep 2015
"This was our 4th Nomad camp and it was excellent--but not quite up to the standards of the rest. There was the evening when the waiters forgot to top up our wine because they were having a good yarn at the edge of the mess, and I had to chase them down. There were a couple of times when there weren't any greeting-committee with icy towels when we returned from the drive..... those sorts of little things.
The food was excellent, the guiding was up to the usual impeccable Nomad standards, and the tent was comfortable. I was awaken at 2 AM by a leopard who decided to sit on our porch--and have the footprints to prove it! Wow.
I understand that Kigali is a newly acquired Nomad camp. That being the case, I expect Ken, the affable camp manger, will have it whipped into ship-shape in short order. If need be, send Jean from Katavi. He's have that place humming in days!" See all these reviews: 25n in Tanzania; 3n in Rwanda
The food was excellent, the guiding was up to the usual impeccable Nomad standards, and the tent was comfortable. I was awaken at 2 AM by a leopard who decided to sit on our porch--and have the footprints to prove it! Wow.
I understand that Kigali is a newly acquired Nomad camp. That being the case, I expect Ken, the affable camp manger, will have it whipped into ship-shape in short order. If need be, send Jean from Katavi. He's have that place humming in days!" See all these reviews: 25n in Tanzania; 3n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr C
Hindhead
"Great Bush Experience at Kigelia CAmp"
4 nights Arrived 21 Sep 2015
"The rooms are situated above a dry river bed but we saw little game from our tent. We thought the tents were too close together as you could hear other people talking which took away from the solitude we usually enjoy in the camps. The paths to the tents needed some maintenance especially some loose sandy steps which are especially dangerous at night.
The rooms were spacious but needed more storage. We needed a table to put things on and a few more shelves.
Service was excellent and we liked the fact that drinks were inclusive. The staff were not so chatty but we suspect their English was limited. Ken, the manager, was very attentive and professional. Times of meals and drives were very flexible and nothing was too much trouble.
John, our guide and driver, was experienced and very good at spotting animals and even small birds at a distance. He accommodated our interests and we were lucky enough to be on our own in the vehicle. We especially enjoyed the night drive.
The meals were good and freshly cooked. They were quite simple and there were a variety of vegetables." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
The rooms were spacious but needed more storage. We needed a table to put things on and a few more shelves.
Service was excellent and we liked the fact that drinks were inclusive. The staff were not so chatty but we suspect their English was limited. Ken, the manager, was very attentive and professional. Times of meals and drives were very flexible and nothing was too much trouble.
John, our guide and driver, was experienced and very good at spotting animals and even small birds at a distance. He accommodated our interests and we were lucky enough to be on our own in the vehicle. We especially enjoyed the night drive.
The meals were good and freshly cooked. They were quite simple and there were a variety of vegetables." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Ms W
Geneva
"Great game in Ruaha"
2 nights Arrived 16 Sep 2015
"Ruaha was the first part of our safari. We stayed two nights at Kigelia Camp.
We had great game drives. We were able most of the animals in just 1,5 days: many lions, leopard, elephants, giraffes, impalas, kudus. The game drives were varied and our guide John was very good in spotting the animals.
We also enjoyed a walking safari which offered us a different view of the savana.
Kigelia Camp is very comfortable. The tents are well furnished and with a good view of the savana. The camp staff was welcoming and attentive. The meals were good and it was very enjoyable to eat with all the guests, a moment to share the experiences of the day. The evening drinks at the campfire were very nice." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
We had great game drives. We were able most of the animals in just 1,5 days: many lions, leopard, elephants, giraffes, impalas, kudus. The game drives were varied and our guide John was very good in spotting the animals.
We also enjoyed a walking safari which offered us a different view of the savana.
Kigelia Camp is very comfortable. The tents are well furnished and with a good view of the savana. The camp staff was welcoming and attentive. The meals were good and it was very enjoyable to eat with all the guests, a moment to share the experiences of the day. The evening drinks at the campfire were very nice." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Newark
"Great game in Ruaha"
4 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2015
"A great four days. The accommodation was exactly as described and gave the distinct feeling of being part of the African bush.
Terrific, knowledgeable guiding and an abundance of game.
An experience we will definitely repeat." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Terrific, knowledgeable guiding and an abundance of game.
An experience we will definitely repeat." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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