Reviews of safaris to Ruaha National Park
505 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Ruaha.
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
Mr & Mrs L
Utah
"My Jul 2021 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 15 Jul 2021 and 9 Aug 2021
"We have been planning this trip for three years, and one of things we wanted to experience was the wild, remote and old part of Africa. That is the main reason we chose to go to the Selous, Ruaha and these camps. We accomplished our goal.
There is so much more to see and experience here than just the mammals. The Bao Bab and Tooth Brush trees... the Agama lizards, Puff Adder, Black Spitting Cobra and African Butterflies all prove that. I added 124 new bird species to my life list which I am quite proud of.
This was a trip during the Covid-19 age and yes, we had to put forth a little extra effort to get the PCR testing done in order to get to Tanzania and then back home, but we felt it was worth it. My wife and I for the most part felt like we were the only guests there. Some nights, we were the only guests in the camp. Most of the time we were the only car there watching lions. Very few other visitors were there while we were and it was nice and intimate. I'm sure the camps would like to have more visitors though.
All in all, it was a great trip and we can't wait to do it again." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 20 on a Tanzania safari
There is so much more to see and experience here than just the mammals. The Bao Bab and Tooth Brush trees... the Agama lizards, Puff Adder, Black Spitting Cobra and African Butterflies all prove that. I added 124 new bird species to my life list which I am quite proud of.
This was a trip during the Covid-19 age and yes, we had to put forth a little extra effort to get the PCR testing done in order to get to Tanzania and then back home, but we felt it was worth it. My wife and I for the most part felt like we were the only guests there. Some nights, we were the only guests in the camp. Most of the time we were the only car there watching lions. Very few other visitors were there while we were and it was nice and intimate. I'm sure the camps would like to have more visitors though.
All in all, it was a great trip and we can't wait to do it again." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 20 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
srgumins
California
"My Aug 2020 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 22 Aug 2020 and 19 Sep 2020
"Maruska put together a trip in 3 days and did an exceptional job. We had enormous fun and everything was private as there were very few tourists.....I highly recommend you plan a trip soon....can you imagine walking 80k in the Serengeti and never seeing another tourist or hearing a car.....go now and I promise an incredible experience."
Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Jo
Cambridge
"Greystoke Mahale and Kichaka Ruaha"
I visited Tanzania between 4 Feb 2020 and 15 Feb 2020
"A really amazing experience at Greystoke, and a fun time at Kichaka sadly hampered by the weather, but Moli and the location stood out here as making it a great place to visit."
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M&A
Austria
"A Great Green Season Safari"
I visited Tanzania between 1 Feb 2020 and 15 Feb 2020
"Despite some tricky conditions everything worked very well, and we had a diverse and very enjoyable trip. We´vee been very happy with the services of Expert Africa and will gladly book with them again.
Tanzania had an unusually wet season. We did have quite some rain and some very dull lighting conditions but the sun came out often enough to keep us happy. Some areas in Selous and Ruaha were inaccessible but that was no issue for us, we covered a lot of ground, doing mostly full day outings.
We loved the lush green environments, it was nice to see happy animals enjoying the abundance of food. Predators were a bit scarce, and the high grass a problem for visibility sometimes but we had expected that. Birding was really good, we recorded almost 300 species and photographed about 250. Udzungwa was a really cool place to be, loved the hiking there. Snorkeling in Mafia was a revelation - like swimming in an aquarium, really beautiful. We cannot quite join in the chorus of devoted Chole followers though.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions - really impressed with the quality of service. Thanks again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Tanzania had an unusually wet season. We did have quite some rain and some very dull lighting conditions but the sun came out often enough to keep us happy. Some areas in Selous and Ruaha were inaccessible but that was no issue for us, we covered a lot of ground, doing mostly full day outings.
We loved the lush green environments, it was nice to see happy animals enjoying the abundance of food. Predators were a bit scarce, and the high grass a problem for visibility sometimes but we had expected that. Birding was really good, we recorded almost 300 species and photographed about 250. Udzungwa was a really cool place to be, loved the hiking there. Snorkeling in Mafia was a revelation - like swimming in an aquarium, really beautiful. We cannot quite join in the chorus of devoted Chole followers though.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions - really impressed with the quality of service. Thanks again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
M & C
London
"My Dec 2019 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 18 Dec 2019 and 1 Jan 2020
"Excellent trip, and we loved Tanzania - people, location and activities.
Slightly disappointed by the weather (more long periods of rain than we had expected) and the wildlife were also elusive, but overall it was an excellent trip and we would happily return. Lodges were all excellently run, with high standards, as expected." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Slightly disappointed by the weather (more long periods of rain than we had expected) and the wildlife were also elusive, but overall it was an excellent trip and we would happily return. Lodges were all excellently run, with high standards, as expected." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
505
reviews of Ruaha by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
Filter by month
Where 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 Expeditions
In a remote corner of Ruaha, Kichaka is a private mobile camp focusing on superbly guided walking safaris.
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.
Kichaka Zumbua
Kichaka Zumbua is a small, luxurious camp offering on outstanding walking safaris in a remote area of Ruaha.
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.
