Reviews of Sayari Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
63 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Sayari Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Sayari Mara Camp review"
The best part was that there were only 3 vehicles out at any one time and although they radioed each other if there was anything spectacular you mostly felt that you had the entire area to yourself. During drives by the Mara river we saw plenty of hippo and crocodiles including several large crocodiles eating a dead hippo.
We did a couple of game drives south of the river where we saw a lion pride with 5 young playful cubs and a leopard (briefly). Apparently there is a also a leopard with 2 cubs in this area. The only point worth noting is that the game is much more plentiful north of the river and this area becomes inaccessible if the river rises and the bridge becomes flooded.
The camp was very comfortable. The room felt quite like a luxury hotel room. There was plenty of hot water for baths or showers. The food was very good and the camp took care to take account of my dietary requirements. The camp has a good pool area with lounging chairs, a sitting area and a small library with books and games. The managers, Joe and Barbara, were very hospitable and worked hard to ensure people were happy.
The guides were knowledgeable and chatty. They were also flexible about timings eg. having breakfast on morning drive, extending game drives if we found something interesting etc. We felt that the guides were genuinely fond of the animals and interested in tracking their progress eg. the cheetah cubs.
The only very minor downsides were that a couple of afternoons game drives were cut short because of rainstorms (to be expected in Feb) and there are quite a few tsetse flies in the wooded area that you drive through between the camp and the Mara river.
The feeling of remoteness of the camp, the great wildlife and the extremely comfortable camp meant we had an incredible time here and could have spent much longer at Sayari." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania
"Wow!"
Titus our driver at Sayari was an excellent safe driver and very well informed about and a good spotter of wild life. Very pleasant tmature young man." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
"Great migration experience at Sayari"
Esto was a great guide and managed to find the 4 Cheetah cubs that had not been seen for 2 weeks. We witnessed a river crossing within an hour of landing at the airstrip. Day 3 produced 5 river crossings and we were the only vehicle to witness one of the largest deep water crossings.
Excellent food and the service from Philip and Wangish in the dining room deserves a special mention. We took a packed breakfast on our morning game drives starting at 6.30am and came back for lunch at 1pm. However, if we found something special, they were very flexible and we could return at any time for lunch." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
"Deisgner camp in the wilderness"
The managers were really solicitous and our guide Frank was great and eager to show us as many sights as possible. He was well rewarded when we got us to the right place at the right time to see one of the earliest wildebeest crossings of the Mara for the season. It was a phenomenal experience. The northern Serengeti is so beautiful that we enjoyed the landscapes as much as the wildlife.
The food was good but they were trying very hard to make it a fine dining experience. This meant that even at breakfast the food was presented with little bits of garnish which were unnecessary and made it take ages to arrive when we just wanted to be up and out.
We went on a walking safari here as well as at Oliver's but I think that one during a holiday would be enough as while it is interesting to see your surroundings at close quarters most things, big and small, scuttle away when they see you coming so it is not a rewarding way to study the local wildlife.
The main downside of Sayari for me was that I got bitten to pieces. The Tsetse flies were pretty bad here which was annoying for everyone but I am one of those people who gets insect bites however much deet I use. My husband didn't get one bite. The camp supplied room spray and we sprayed the tent every evening but because of the design with patio doors instead of zipping flaps we could not make the tent insect proof and they just kept finding me which made the end of our safari rather miserable for me. I would really have appreciated a mosquito net here but this wasn't an option." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar; 1n in Kenya
"Superb!"
And of course we saw the Mara crossing and much more.
Also like Suyan could do with cake for the morning break and iron the laundry." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
"Sayari Camp review"
The staff were friendly and did their upmost to make sure everything went well.
As for the 2 guides - Lucas and Emmanuel - they couldn't have been more helpful. Their knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious. Although they didn't find us a Leopard, they did their upmost to locate one.
Kenneth, I believe the manager, was helpful, and kind enough to wait sometime with us at the airfield, when the plane was delayed." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 1n in Zanzibar
"Sayari Camp was out of this world!"
The camp was amazing, tents were very luxurious and the food was beautiful. All the staff were lovely and helped us along with our very basic swahili.
Our main guides for the bulk of our safaris were Prim and Petana who I think have xray vision as they could spot lions miles away! We were very lucky to see wildebeest crossing the Mara River 3 times, which was great a truly awesome experience.
Was excellent for our honeymoon, expensive but really worth it, would love to go back but don't think we would be able to afford it, working out a way in, maybe I can wash the ladies underwear!
Such a fantstic place beautiful sunsets and great guides and staff to share it with, thank you. x" See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
"See the migration from Sayari"
Sighted several different species of wildlife compared to Selous and Ruaha" See all these reviews: 17n in Tanzania
"Sayari Camp review"
All of the staff were helpful and we can't give enough praise for our guide who was with us for all of stay there. We enjoyed the freedom to be driven off road in the open vehicles and the absence of other camps etc enabled us to obtainl a great wild feel to our safaris.
Thanks must be expressed to the large herd of elephants that visited the camp after breakfast as well as the zebra and hippos that fed close by." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
"Sayari Camp review"
Water was usable though not what you might consider clean.
On 2 afternoons we had major rain - if this is likely to continue the camp needs to provide rain ponchos given that vehicles are open to the elements.
However, we have been told that the permit for the existing Sayari camp has been revoked and a new permananent camp is under construction. This is 15k upstream and will have 15 tents on wooden platforms" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
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Esirai Migration Camp
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Mwiba Lodge
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Olduvai Camp
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Taasa Lodge
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Nimali Serengeti
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Nomad Walking Camp
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