Travel reviews by Dr N from Virginia
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
0
My May 2012 trip
Tanzania between 31 May 2012 and 14 Jun 2012
I chose to make my trip early in the season (arriving around June1). I knew that the game viewing would potentially be better later in the season when more of the water sources had dried up, but wanted to travel before the dry season became too advanced and everything really dried out. My assessment proved correct, but I have no real regrets about the timing of my trip.
However, most of the camps were just opening, with various "start-up" issues (changing staff, finding where the animals were hanging out, etc.) and animals would likely have been better acclimated to the vehicles in another week or so. A week later might thus have been better timing for the trip, but hardly a major issue."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe

Onsea House
"Great place to recover from jet lag!"

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
"Comfortable lodging on the crater rim"
Orientation (facing West) is not ideal, at least in May-June, as crater was socked in by fog and clouds in the morning and the view was overpowered by the glare of the setting sun in the afternoon. Facilities and rooms were very nice. However, there was a tendency to raise expectations as a luxury facility that were not really realized in terms of food and service. But nevertheless a fine site for a Crater rim experience."

Ruaha River Lodge
"Beautiful site on Ruaha river"
Lots to see from the veranda and dining area. Manager and staff were very welcoming and helpful. Setting promotes interaction among the guests.
Guiding on game drives was outstanding. I visiting early in the season (early June) and the place was not at all crowded, but the number of visitors was obviously building. A great place to stay, with no particular negatives. Bandas were very nice, comfortable, and secure.
Electricity was available during the hours of darkness, which was quite adequate."

Mdonya Old River Camp
"Secluded tented camp provides great experienc"
The managers (Nicol and Fabia; regrettably now rotated to different assignments) did a great job of creating a welcoming and friendly, but also extremely professional, atmosphere. Guiding was also excellent. The location has lots of animals, thought thicker brush than some other locations in Ruaha.
My stay here was one of the highlights of the trip."

Lake Manze Adventure Camp
"Good, not great"
However, guiding was clearly the weakest of the 4 locations that I visited, with a personable guide but one that was clearly less skilled than desirable. Again, this may have been just luck of the draw, as our driver clearly emerged as a very skilled (but less communicative) guide. Facilities are fine, and the location seems good, but we say very little of interest on the boat safari, which was VERY different from the second location I visited in the Selous."
That this guest saw more of interest on the boat excursion from Impala Camp than from Lake Manze is down to the luck of the draw. Seeing big land mammals can never be guaranteed from a boat, its focus is more about the waterways, scenery and birdlife. Having said that, it is the experience of the camp team, and those of us from Expert Africa that have visited Lake Manze, that the lake and its tributary channels are often a better environment for seeing a range of mammals than the main Rufiji River is. It was good to read that the guest wasnt put off by a quiet wildlife experience on the boat trip at Lake Manze, and went on to have such a good boat trip from Impala Camp.

Impala Camp
"Up market, with all that implies"
The opportunity for boat safaris on the river was a real highlight, with great views of animals and birds, plus sundowners on the shore. The camp draws lots of UK honeymooners on their way to/from Zanzibar, which to me was neither a positive or a negative.
Easily the best food of the 4 camps I visited in S. Tanzania.
Good, capable guiding and an excellent, friendly staff."

Southern Sun Dar
"A well-run business-oriented hotel"
The hotel served that purpose very well, plus giving me a day to explore Dar. It is not a tourist hotel, with a much more business-oriented clientele, but that was fine. Good service, good food, opportunity to check email in the business center.
All the things one needs to do in preparation for returning home."
Excellent accommodations and restaurant. A nice place to decompress after international flights and before safari.
A bit off the highway, but still a very pleasant, safe area for walking and getting oriented."