Reviews of safaris to Ruaha National Park
510 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Ruaha.
Nick & Kate
Sussex
"Spectacular river crossings and great game"
I visited Tanzania between 10 Aug 2022 and 23 Aug 2022
"This was a fabulous trip. We stayed in Arusha (pleasant overnight), and visited the Ngorongoro Crater (lots of game), Ruaha (fabulous lodge, sparser game, but still very enjoyable) and the Serengeti for the migration - awe-inspiring and spectacular river crossings.
The lodges were of very high standards, and the trip was comfortable, well-run and hugely enjoyable.
A special word must be reserved for the friendliness of the Tanzanian people - gentle, helpful, kind, considerate and well-mannered, extremely eager to do their best for you. It’s wonderful for veteran travellers like us to see how far the country has developed in so many ways since we were last here, and in particular to see how the Tanzanians themselves now occupy all the senior positions in camp management, guiding, and flying, doing so with their customary charm, efficiency and commitment to customer service." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
The lodges were of very high standards, and the trip was comfortable, well-run and hugely enjoyable.
A special word must be reserved for the friendliness of the Tanzanian people - gentle, helpful, kind, considerate and well-mannered, extremely eager to do their best for you. It’s wonderful for veteran travellers like us to see how far the country has developed in so many ways since we were last here, and in particular to see how the Tanzanians themselves now occupy all the senior positions in camp management, guiding, and flying, doing so with their customary charm, efficiency and commitment to customer service." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs K & 5
Maryland
"Working with Expert Africa makes it very easy and stress free. "
I visited Tanzania between 6 Aug 2022 and 16 Aug 2022
"Overall, our trip was great. We were definitely pleased with our choices of parks after hearing about the number of vehicles in Northern Tanzania. I don't think we every saw more than 5 around wildlife and sometimes went for hours without seeing anyone else.
Our biggest problems were with vehicles. We had a flat tire at Lake Manze on the way to the airport, a car that wouldn't start at the airport at Mdonya and another flat tire on the way to Bagamoyo. However, all were handled quickly with limited delays. We had a mix-up on arrival in Dar with a driver at the wrong airport, but we were able to take a taxi to the Slipway and worked out reimbursement easily.
Jessica was a pleasure to work with. She was able to answer all of our questions and concerns. We knew we made some different requests, such as our day in Bagamoyo (everyone should go for the art alone!) and wanting an alternative to Zanzibar.
We look forward to planning another trip in the next few years. Working with Expert Africa makes it very easy and stress free.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps a questionnaire at the beginning of the booking process so we could indicate what is important to us in a safari. (Open vs pop-up vehicles, off road availability in parks, night safari availability, photographer friendly, etc.) This may have been offered on our first safari but I don't recall. I'm keeping a list of what we like in a trip, so each time should be even better." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Our biggest problems were with vehicles. We had a flat tire at Lake Manze on the way to the airport, a car that wouldn't start at the airport at Mdonya and another flat tire on the way to Bagamoyo. However, all were handled quickly with limited delays. We had a mix-up on arrival in Dar with a driver at the wrong airport, but we were able to take a taxi to the Slipway and worked out reimbursement easily.
Jessica was a pleasure to work with. She was able to answer all of our questions and concerns. We knew we made some different requests, such as our day in Bagamoyo (everyone should go for the art alone!) and wanting an alternative to Zanzibar.
We look forward to planning another trip in the next few years. Working with Expert Africa makes it very easy and stress free.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps a questionnaire at the beginning of the booking process so we could indicate what is important to us in a safari. (Open vs pop-up vehicles, off road availability in parks, night safari availability, photographer friendly, etc.) This may have been offered on our first safari but I don't recall. I'm keeping a list of what we like in a trip, so each time should be even better." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dav & Kay
Manchester
"Definitely the holiday of a lifetime"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 23 Jul 2022 and 6 Aug 2022
"We had the most amazing time, definitely the holiday of a lifetime. We feel incredibly lucky that we were able to go on this trip, and would love to plan another adventure in the future with Expert Africa.
We felt that we got the best of everything, from hotels, food and service to individual guides and practically private planes, we were treated like royalty and will have treasured memories for a long time to come. We haven’t been able to stop telling people about our experience.
We are so pleased that we went with the Red Colobus Monkey suggested itinerary as it was just the most wonderful holiday. Thank you.
We thought it was the most amazing holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
We felt that we got the best of everything, from hotels, food and service to individual guides and practically private planes, we were treated like royalty and will have treasured memories for a long time to come. We haven’t been able to stop telling people about our experience.
We are so pleased that we went with the Red Colobus Monkey suggested itinerary as it was just the most wonderful holiday. Thank you.
We thought it was the most amazing holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B.
Holland
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 17 Jul 2022 and 31 Jul 2022
"Excellent - we loved our whole trip."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Leeds
"My Jun 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Jun 2022 and 6 Jul 2022
"Simply wonderful from the moment we arrived in Tanzania.
Never been to Africa before and tents are not our usual accommodation - but this was an exceptional environment and we felt privileged to be so close to the animals we came to see 24/7." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Never been to Africa before and tents are not our usual accommodation - but this was an exceptional environment and we felt privileged to be so close to the animals we came to see 24/7." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms J.
Petersfield
"My Jun 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 14 Jun 2022 and 26 Jun 2022
"Expert Africa are indeed experts in arranging a seamless and wonderful trip to Africa. All the way through a tricky year of planning due to covid, PCR tests and visa applications, Lyndsey at Expert Africa was calm and helpful. The flights and camps which she arranged were perfect. Thank you Lyndsey."
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms C.
Seattle
"My Feb 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 1 Feb 2022 and 1 Mar 2022
"Our trip was quite the odyssey. A long itinerary with lots of moving parts.
I was surprised and impressed by Expert Africa who took care of the hiccups and responded quite promptly to take care of the unforeseen circumstances that pop up on a trip like this.
I wish I could book EA for all of my trips, easily the best agency I have ever worked with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, you are top notch." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 21 on a Tanzania safari
I was surprised and impressed by Expert Africa who took care of the hiccups and responded quite promptly to take care of the unforeseen circumstances that pop up on a trip like this.
I wish I could book EA for all of my trips, easily the best agency I have ever worked with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, you are top notch." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 21 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Flying Dutchmen
NL
"My Oct 2021 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Oct 2021 and 4 Nov 2021
"We were very happy with our trip as a whole and the help we got from Lyndsey.
Of course there are always some details. We didn't receive our pre-travel package in time, probably because of Brexit. When we returned we saw that there was only a guide of Zanzibar and not of Tanzania in the package. The covid rules were even easier than you told us. There is a list of countries that should do an extra antigene test when arriving. UK is on that list, the Netherlands not. We found out ourselves but we think in this case Expert Africa is just a bit too UK-minded because we were told that we probably should do that test when arriving. The list is on the Tanzanian government website.
Fisherman Travel did a good job but one driver had a bottle of water for us the other didn't. When arriving on Zanzibar from Dar the driver was too late. So I had to fight off dozens of "helpful" taxi drivers, some became a bit too intrusive so i had to act angry and aggressive to get rid of them. After ten minutes our driver arrived. No big deal but sometimes details are important.
But as we said, this is our second journey with Expert, and we are still very happy with the service and the overall experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Of course there are always some details. We didn't receive our pre-travel package in time, probably because of Brexit. When we returned we saw that there was only a guide of Zanzibar and not of Tanzania in the package. The covid rules were even easier than you told us. There is a list of countries that should do an extra antigene test when arriving. UK is on that list, the Netherlands not. We found out ourselves but we think in this case Expert Africa is just a bit too UK-minded because we were told that we probably should do that test when arriving. The list is on the Tanzanian government website.
Fisherman Travel did a good job but one driver had a bottle of water for us the other didn't. When arriving on Zanzibar from Dar the driver was too late. So I had to fight off dozens of "helpful" taxi drivers, some became a bit too intrusive so i had to act angry and aggressive to get rid of them. After ten minutes our driver arrived. No big deal but sometimes details are important.
But as we said, this is our second journey with Expert, and we are still very happy with the service and the overall experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs. K
Minnesota
"Experience of a Lifetime - Safari Aug. 2021"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 13 Aug 2021 and 29 Aug 2021
"Our safari was truly a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I planned this trip as our honeymoon, and it was originally supposed to take place in Summer 2020. When Covid hit, the Expert Africa team made what seemed like a terrible stressful thing (changing our honeymoon plans) a breeze. I cannot speak enough to the professionalism of the Expert Africa team. They rescheduled our trip, and made doing so stress free.
This trip was planned to perfection, and the details all fell into place without a hitch. We are looking forward to planning future safari trips, and I know that I will be coming back to Expert Africa for the knowledge, skill, and genuine kindness we experienced while planning this one. You won't be disappointed if you plan your safari with Expert Africa!
Thank you Olivia for a perfectly planned trip and for giving us a honeymoon we will never forget. I blame you now for the fact that I'm already dreaming up the next opportunity for safari.
It was perfect. Thank you!
And sorry for doing this form over a year after our trip! It's been a crazy year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
This trip was planned to perfection, and the details all fell into place without a hitch. We are looking forward to planning future safari trips, and I know that I will be coming back to Expert Africa for the knowledge, skill, and genuine kindness we experienced while planning this one. You won't be disappointed if you plan your safari with Expert Africa!
Thank you Olivia for a perfectly planned trip and for giving us a honeymoon we will never forget. I blame you now for the fact that I'm already dreaming up the next opportunity for safari.
It was perfect. Thank you!
And sorry for doing this form over a year after our trip! It's been a crazy year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
E & C
San Diego
"Our Jul/Aug 2021 Serengeti/Katavi/Ruaha trip"
I visited Tanzania between 25 Jul 2021 and 5 Aug 2021
"We'd like to devote this comment to Olivia.
She worked with us on our booking from start to finish for what must have been 18 very trying months for her. Our trip was deferred a year and one member of our group had to be swapped out for another -- both because of covid travel restrictions. Though I tried hard during that time to only bother Olivia with questions I was unable to answer on my own, we ended up exchanging over 80 emails.
Her responses, nevertheless, were invariably prompt, cheerful, and thoroughly helpful. Expert Africa is very fortunate to have her as a team member.
We can only hope that will still be true when it comes time for our next trip to Africa!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
She worked with us on our booking from start to finish for what must have been 18 very trying months for her. Our trip was deferred a year and one member of our group had to be swapped out for another -- both because of covid travel restrictions. Though I tried hard during that time to only bother Olivia with questions I was unable to answer on my own, we ended up exchanging over 80 emails.
Her responses, nevertheless, were invariably prompt, cheerful, and thoroughly helpful. Expert Africa is very fortunate to have her as a team member.
We can only hope that will still be true when it comes time for our next trip to Africa!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
510
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.
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.
Jongomero Walking
Fly-camping and walking safaris from Jongomero Camp give you the chance to explore remote safari areas in Ruaha National Park.
Jabali Private House
Jabali Private House in Ruaha National Park provides luxurious accommodation for private groups booked on an exclusive basis.
Asanja Ruaha
Asanja Ruaha Ndembo is a smart new safari lodge in a picturesque setting overlooking the Great Ruaha River.
