Reviews of safaris to Ruaha National Park

"We put this into our top three holidays - but we're not sure what the other two might be! We were delighted with our choice of camps which we alighted upon after full answers to our detailed questions: which suggests to us that you made a good effort at trying to understand what we were looking for (and made us think about what we really wanted).

Beho Beho managed to create a really welcoming safari house party atmosphere (probably helped by the fact that the owner's mother "Mrs B" was staying). Seasoned safari folk might find it a little too sanitised and soft but we enjoyed it all the same.

Kwihala really does deserve a higher profile. it's not the poshest but it's for real, in a genuine piece of wilderness. Pietro was really enthusiastic. He really has a passion for lions which, perhaps almost got in the way of the wider safari experience such as simply stopping and looking at the "normal" wildlife. Also chasing the lions meant that breakfast and lunch almost went forgotten. Now, we know that nothing is predictable in the field but it did mean that on a couple days the gap between lunch and dinner was almost indigestably short.

Pole Pole was a complete downshift in pace, and a totally welcome one too. All services were delivered faultlessly and effortlessly. The atmosphere in the village was good too." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We have been working on this trip for years - and it lived up to every expectation. Great variety of accommodation, excellent game viewing and a bit of swimming at the end. We have already discussed the possibility of going back.

Thank you to all at Expert Africa who have had input to this over the years - Chris, Claire, Penny, Liz and Ellie.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The trips are excellent, service very good and, despite trying, we cannot better you on price." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 18 on a Tanzania safari

"Excellent. Pick ups from/to flights on time and well organised

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Sort out the luggage allowance and make sure the information in the guidance matches the experience on the ground.

This feedback has taken over 45 minutes. We are not trained touch typists but even if we were we could not have done it in the 10-15 mins you suggested." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"I had such high hopes of this trip, I've spent all my life wanting to go on safari. In every measure it lived up to my hopes - and exceeded them.

I cannot wait to visit Africa again, and will certainly do so with Expert Africa.

You were super helpful in helping with planning and guidance and it all worked so well.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We only had one glitch, and it was very small. When we arrived back at Dar airport from Selous Impala, our driver was not there to meet us. It turned out that he was waiting at Terminal 2 and we were at Terminal 1. We managed to find out the phone number and borrow a phone and all was sorted out.
If the telephone number of the transfer company, Kearsley, had been on the form somewhere, this would have helped. But this is only the smallest quibble in what was a most wonderful holiday.

I'm running out of superlatives!

Thank you Eleanor and your team" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"An absolutely amazing experience throughout, the memories of which will last us a lifetime.

Expert Africa were very patient and helpful in working with us to arrange our perfect honeymoon!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We were more than happy with the service Expert Africa provided" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"We thought this was a fantastic trip and it confirmed our love of Africa. The people were wonderful and we were helped whenever we needed it - puncture on Zanzibar, getting lost in Stone Town etc. We never had any concerns for our safety and felt that the Tanzanians must be the gentlest people we have encountered.

Go to Ruaha - the game is a s good as Chobe in Botswana. Selous is a good alternative and has the advantage of water activities and walking safaris. Game is harder to find though.

Breezes is great if you have children, its facilities are good, it is safe and the perfect spot to unwind.

I would avoid the Zanzibar Coffee House except for cake and coffee. There are better alternatives - we were moved to Grand Palace Hotel which is brand new (and has a few teething problems) and the Swahili House looked good as well. We had an excellent Italian meal at the Spice House.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really. This is our second trip with you and third with Sunvil group in 4 years. Thinking about next year already." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip was fantastic, on the whole it operated very smoothly and we did not have to worry at all about where or when we were going places.

We would definately use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"# Please also refer to our 14 June letter to Ellie and Liz, with our Expert Africa experience to that date. [Ed: See below for extract from this letter.]

# Thank you both for arranging a faultless trip which was close to perfect. We are already looking at a future trip and will keep an eye open for further news of Coastal's new KILIMATITI Camp that we understand is currently being built near the Olduvari Gorge.

Asante,
Brian and Colin

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

# tipping safasri camp staff - please see earlier comments on Mdonya page. We feel very strongly that the tip box is the best solution so that all the camp staff share in the guests tips. Not all guests had had the benefit of Expert Africa's comprehensive literature so it is important that the camp managers gently weave in the tip box solutioin into their welcome briefings.

# we were very pleased to have arranged to overnight in Dar before going on safari. Indeed several of the Manze guests (not Expert A clients) were quite envious as even though their BA flight arrived on time, they apparently found the process of changing terminals, sorting out baggage to store etc etc somewhat stressful in order to make the 8.30 flight to Selous. Clearly there are cost implications but perhaps worth considering sowing the seed of overnighting to future clients? The point was underlined as the inbound BA flight on 23 July arrived some 45 minutes late, which meant a huge challenge for Coastal if there were any clients booked on the 8.30 Selous flight?

# day in Dar - the pre-booked car proved to be a wise decision. In particular, we were very impressed that our Kearsley driver was well briefed and had a copy of the suggested itinerary that we had shared with Liz and he was a useful mentor when buying presents. We eventually found 'Wonder Workshop' and although they had just closed, we were made very welcome - thanks for the recommendation. Also, we recommend lunch on the balcony of the Karamba Cafe, Sea Cliff Hotel - G&T's and a superb seafood platter overlooking the Indian Ocean was a great scene setter for what proved to be a superb safari." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Many thanks to Expert Africa for good advice and arranging a truly superb trip to Tanzania. A great place to bring teenage children.

We will certainly be back to Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari