Reviews of safaris to Ruaha National Park
508 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Ruaha.
Mr & Mrs TD
SW London
"Already desperate to go back"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 20 Sep 2012 and 7 Oct 2012
"The trip had the uncanny quality of feeling once in a lifetime whilst making you desperate to return.
We had great advice from Elizabeth in the Expert Africa team and couldn't have been more delighted with the choices we made on where to stay and what to do with our time. The planning was well done in advance and every element hung together seemlessly - every connection was made, all transport was waiting, everyone with whom we were staying knew to expect us.
We're already thinking about where to go next and wouldn't hesitate to pick up the phone to Expert Africa in the future to help us plan another great trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday
We had great advice from Elizabeth in the Expert Africa team and couldn't have been more delighted with the choices we made on where to stay and what to do with our time. The planning was well done in advance and every element hung together seemlessly - every connection was made, all transport was waiting, everyone with whom we were staying knew to expect us.
We're already thinking about where to go next and wouldn't hesitate to pick up the phone to Expert Africa in the future to help us plan another great trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Caymans
"My Sep 2012 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 19 Sep 2012 and 28 Oct 2012
"Our trip was a once in a lifetime experience. One that will never be forgotten.
All the camps and lodges were different, as were the national parks and animal reserves. And we loved them all. We saw all the animals and birds in their natural habitat. Our guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable. WE were lucky that we had our own guide and jeep all the time, except for Lamai Serengeti. It made it easy for us to see all the animals in comfort. We have more Camps and Lodges to see in Tanzania.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None, you have done a marvelous safari tour for us." Read full review: 39 nights in Africa; 34 on a Tanzania safari
All the camps and lodges were different, as were the national parks and animal reserves. And we loved them all. We saw all the animals and birds in their natural habitat. Our guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable. WE were lucky that we had our own guide and jeep all the time, except for Lamai Serengeti. It made it easy for us to see all the animals in comfort. We have more Camps and Lodges to see in Tanzania.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None, you have done a marvelous safari tour for us." Read full review: 39 nights in Africa; 34 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
J & H
Hertfordshire
"Superb Sept Safari"
I visited Tanzania between 18 Sep 2012 and 30 Sep 2012
"Our first safari in Africa and we definitely hope it will not be our last. We were fascinated by all we saw, heard, felt, experienced and learnt. We loved it. Seeing so many animals up-close-and-personal is such an experience and privilege. We had to keep pinching ourselves that we were actually there in the places we had only read about or seen on our TV screens.
We appreciated Liz listening to our 'wants' and coming up with the solution that to get the experiences we wanted we should combine the North and the South of Tanzania - excellent.
We are glad we did not spend more time in the more crowded areas of the Serengeti, and so glad we went up to the border near the Mara River, before flying down South to Ruaha (Mwagusi) and Selous (Beho Beho). Each camp so different - each with their own special feeling - but each providing wonderfully efficient service, given with warmth and friendliness.
We just have to save now for another safari......
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only a minor point which relates to us as one passenger is a bad traveller - if a trip required flying over the Serengeti - try to arrange morning flights which apparently are not as bumpy!!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
We appreciated Liz listening to our 'wants' and coming up with the solution that to get the experiences we wanted we should combine the North and the South of Tanzania - excellent.
We are glad we did not spend more time in the more crowded areas of the Serengeti, and so glad we went up to the border near the Mara River, before flying down South to Ruaha (Mwagusi) and Selous (Beho Beho). Each camp so different - each with their own special feeling - but each providing wonderfully efficient service, given with warmth and friendliness.
We just have to save now for another safari......
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only a minor point which relates to us as one passenger is a bad traveller - if a trip required flying over the Serengeti - try to arrange morning flights which apparently are not as bumpy!!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Richmond
"My Sep 2012 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 17 Sep 2012 and 30 Sep 2012
"Overall th etrip was excellent. A good balance of location, activties and time.
The one thing I would consider doing differently is to fly to Kigali via Amsterdam and miss out Nairobi. Costs more but less hassle." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
The one thing I would consider doing differently is to fly to Kigali via Amsterdam and miss out Nairobi. Costs more but less hassle." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Vic & Linda
UK
"My Sep 2012 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 11 Sep 2012 and 23 Sep 2012
"We were very pleased we went.
We are still processing our 3,000 + photos!!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
We are still processing our 3,000 + photos!!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Aberdeen
"one of our best trips to Africa"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 11 Sep 2012 and 30 Sep 2012
"We cannot thank Ellie enough for this great holiday
We had great guiding and game viewing.
We really liked all our accommodation and especially liked the nomad camp in Serengeti
The holiday was everything we wanted it to be" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
We had great guiding and game viewing.
We really liked all our accommodation and especially liked the nomad camp in Serengeti
The holiday was everything we wanted it to be" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Surrey
"Just go - it is fantastic!"
I visited Tanzania between 8 Sep 2012 and 16 Sep 2012
"We are hard to satisfy as we have traveled a lot and always have hight expectations. This was a very well organized trip and expertafrica is truly a specialist in its field. They delivered great service with a lot of patience for our various demands.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It may be a good idea to monitor the professional qualifications of the safari guides as there are clearly differences which the visitor should know about prior to deciding on the camp. At Ruaha the guide had started as a waiter in the camp and then worked his way up and got trained by Fox himself. In SA Sabi Sabi we came across guides with a degree as a safari field guide and he was the third generation and practically started training with his grandfather.
We met a lot of experienced safari tourists who are interested in very knowledgable guides. We also believe it is important to have a driver and a guide rather than a single driver guide who we had in Selous. There needs to be a lot more information avaibable in your brochures and website on the training the guides have received for us to make an informed decision which trip and camp to book.
To manage expectations you should also explain the various areas to go on safari - for example: you get very close to wildlife if you are on a private game park safari (SA) in contrast to a National Park (Ruaha), where there are stricter rules to not follow the animals beyond the tracks. You may also point out that the local game parks provide shooting licenses for parts of the park (to make more money) which is affecting the behaviour of wildlife and visibility when you are on a safari close to such an area. (Selous)" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It may be a good idea to monitor the professional qualifications of the safari guides as there are clearly differences which the visitor should know about prior to deciding on the camp. At Ruaha the guide had started as a waiter in the camp and then worked his way up and got trained by Fox himself. In SA Sabi Sabi we came across guides with a degree as a safari field guide and he was the third generation and practically started training with his grandfather.
We met a lot of experienced safari tourists who are interested in very knowledgable guides. We also believe it is important to have a driver and a guide rather than a single driver guide who we had in Selous. There needs to be a lot more information avaibable in your brochures and website on the training the guides have received for us to make an informed decision which trip and camp to book.
To manage expectations you should also explain the various areas to go on safari - for example: you get very close to wildlife if you are on a private game park safari (SA) in contrast to a National Park (Ruaha), where there are stricter rules to not follow the animals beyond the tracks. You may also point out that the local game parks provide shooting licenses for parts of the park (to make more money) which is affecting the behaviour of wildlife and visibility when you are on a safari close to such an area. (Selous)" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Oxon
"My Sep 2012 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 8 Sep 2012 and 23 Sep 2012
"The holiday matched and superceded our expectations. Thank you"
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Hants
"Southern Tanzania - great holiday!"
I visited Tanzania between 8 Sep 2012 and 21 Sep 2012
"We started with 4 nights at Mdonye Old River Camp in Ruaha, a simple but comfortable and friendly camp, before moving on to the excellent Beho Beho in Selous. Both camps provided excellent game viewing, supported by knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.
Both camps have significant wildlife in their immediate areas but both are some distance from the permanent wet areas that attract most animals during the dry season. If you accept this (as we did), you will have a excellent holiday at these camps - but if you want to minimise your travelling, other camps might, in our view, be more suitable.
We then had 3 nights on the coast at Ras Kutani - a very comfortable, friendly and laid-back location for a couple of days relaxation.
The internal logistics worked excellently with the Coastal Aviation flights all being more or less on time (or even early).
However our return BA flight was delayed by over 2 days due to mechanical problems which resulted in an unexpected (and unwanted) weekend in Dar es Salaam - a situation compounded by a lack of information from BA on the status of the repairs.
Despite that final hiccup, this was an excellent holiday in a great safari area - and a complete contrast to the more popular and crowded north of Tanzania." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Both camps have significant wildlife in their immediate areas but both are some distance from the permanent wet areas that attract most animals during the dry season. If you accept this (as we did), you will have a excellent holiday at these camps - but if you want to minimise your travelling, other camps might, in our view, be more suitable.
We then had 3 nights on the coast at Ras Kutani - a very comfortable, friendly and laid-back location for a couple of days relaxation.
The internal logistics worked excellently with the Coastal Aviation flights all being more or less on time (or even early).
However our return BA flight was delayed by over 2 days due to mechanical problems which resulted in an unexpected (and unwanted) weekend in Dar es Salaam - a situation compounded by a lack of information from BA on the status of the repairs.
Despite that final hiccup, this was an excellent holiday in a great safari area - and a complete contrast to the more popular and crowded north of Tanzania." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss D
Worksop
"Our September trip to Tanzania"
I visited Tanzania between 5 Sep 2012 and 14 Sep 2012
"In a word, fabulous!
We have already decided to return in a couple of years time. Everyone in Africa was so very friendly and they made our trip into the fantastic memories we will cherish." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
We have already decided to return in a couple of years time. Everyone in Africa was so very friendly and they made our trip into the fantastic memories we will cherish." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
508
reviews of Ruaha by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Ruaha
Our suggestions for safari camps in Ruaha National Park
Mdonya Old River Camp
Designed with simplicity in mind, Mdonya River Camp focuses on a great wilderness experience rather than creature comforts.
Mwagusi Safari Camp
Mwagusi is a long-established, permanent, tented safari camp, on an attractive bend of the seasonal Mwagusi River.
Kwihala Camp
Kwihala is a permanent tented camp in Ruaha National Park, offering a high level of comfort and guiding in a natural setting.
Ikuka Safari Camp
Upmarket and stylish, Ikuka Safari Camp is set high on an escarpment with spectacular panoramic views over Ruaha National Park.
Jongomero Camp
A stylish and luxurious camp in a remote part of Ruaha, Jongomero offers excellent guiding and service in a remote, wilderness area.
Kigelia Camp
Kigelia is a stylish tented camp, set amid a grove of sausage trees, and combining a simple set-up with comforts and luxury.
Kichaka Zumbua
Kichaka Zumbua is a small, luxurious camp offering on outstanding walking safaris in a remote area of Ruaha.
Ruaha River Lodge
In a lovely location beside a rocky river, the unpretentious Ruaha River Lodge is the largest and most economical camp in Ruaha National Park.
Jabali Ridge
One of Ruaha's most luxurious camps, Jabali Ridge nestles among kopjes and baobabs, with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Usangu Expedition Camp
Usangu Expedition Camp is a seasonal camp in the Usangu Wetlands – a remote and enchanting part of Ruaha National Park.
Jabali Private House
Jabali Private House in Ruaha National Park provides luxurious accommodation for private groups booked on an exclusive basis.
Jongomero Walking
Fly-camping and walking safaris from Jongomero Camp give you the chance to explore remote safari areas in Ruaha National Park.
Asanja Ruaha
Asanja Ruaha Ndembo is a smart new safari lodge in a picturesque setting overlooking the Great Ruaha River.
