Reviews of Ruaha River Lodge

"Spacious bandas in a fantastic location on the Ruaha river - great for verandah safaris! The restaurant up on the kopie is spectacular as was the BBQ by candlelight on the banks of the river.

The game drives were fantastic - particularly the full day drives as the greatest game densities were quite far afield. Also particularly recommend the game walk along the river." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar

"OK, this camp stay started out very well. I was gobsmacked just arriving to that location! First time I've sensed a location description being understated in a tour companies marketing! It is amazingly situated, straight on to the river, and with a free 180 degree panorama view. The game is really coming down to drink just outside your banda or the large, open lounge.

The game drivers here were excellent. Not so charming maybe, as our guy in Selous, but these guys had years of experience (and were helpful and friendly). Two different ones found a leopard in a tree (we still don't know how he could spot it), while the other tracked down a lion by following its paw prints on a dirt road.

Although managment seemed very professional, they gave off an odd atmosphere, the guy being incredibly chatty, but without any warmth, the woman seeming increasingly bored and you could sense how she walked around the tables and said "how are you" out of shere necessity.

The big issue in Rhuaha though was the food. We both agreed it was mainly on par with school canteens, given the odd potato side dish a higher score. For me, it was also an issue with the "no meat" issue. Whereas Selous always had one meat and one fish option on their menu, Ruaha never had. It was always two meats and side vegetables. A few times there was a (tinned) tuna pasta salad (which was just tinned tuna, pasta and a handful of sweetcorns, nothing else). Only ones did I get a "specially" prepared vegetarian substitution – when my son had both minced meat and chicken, I got a boiled egg, halved and dotted with mustard... All other meals I was assumed to eat the rice/potato and the side vegetables/salads. Nothing else. For the last evening – when there was a Saturday bbq – I thought they would have got me a fish to be bbq-ed. To my great astonishment, there wasn't anything else than the rice and the bbq sauce for me to eat. At that point I lost patience with the food policy and raised the issue with the (male) manager. He seemed to take on my criticism and said he'd talk to "Peter" (the owner, I believe, who was present at the site).

I expressed I felt I had been left with the side vegetables although I had been paying full price. I would accept if they couldn't meet my nutritional need, but would expect a discount. I did expect this issue to be brought up the following morning, at our departure and paying of bills etc. But neither the manager, nor the owner was present, and the office clerk said nothing of the matter. I guess I would have thought that a gesture towards some of the drinks cost or something would have fine enough. But now I do feel I would like Expert Africa's help to have at least some compensation.

My feeling is, this could have been a marvellous place. With an improvement of the food and managment skills it would be!" See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania