Travel reviews by Mr J from Basingstoke

"Accommodation: The best safari style accommodation I've seen in 4 trips. Very well designed and equipped "tents" and with that all important view to the middle distance down to the lake.

Food and drink: The food was less fancy than some places of this type, but was very suitable to the weather and the activity level of the trip. In some ways, actually, this type of food is ideal being relatively simple, but is less spectacular than elsewhere. Overall, we preferred the food here to Ikuka. The wine however was a weakness and not of a good standard. Just a question of getting better advice I think, because the wines at Ikuka were absolutely fine.

Staff generally: Very willing and helpful although less refined than some places. Emil, the camp manager, is highly attentive and the room butler was exceptional. The atmosphere here is more of a camp with connections to its local community rather than the "colonial outpost" vibe of some places.

Guiding: Our young guide Amos was extremely knowledgeable and competent (although not as experienced as Geofrey at Ikuka who was exceptional)

Vehicles and game drives: A weakness - the vehicle was older and the roads in the Selous were considerably worse than other areas I've been to.

Game viewing: Very good for giraffe as well as hippo and other water dependent wildlife because of the lake. We were fortunate to see buffalo and lion relatively near by as we understand this is not typically the case and the long drive to get a sighting could be quite bad (as we discovered with a drive out to see some Wild Dogs). Also only two sightings of a single elephant here. This is all relative of course, and I'm nitpicking as one of our game drives in particular was absolutely stunning. Also a very interesting and entertaining walking safari with Allen, the head guide."

"Accommodation: Good with an outstanding view down from the ridge to the plain. Not quite as well designed as some as the bathroom area is outside the zipped tent - that together with change of levels (small steps up and down) across the sitting, bed, bathroom and deck areas made moving around a little tricky at times.

Food and drink: The food was super - but requires some self control not to overdo it. Wines were also good.

Staff generally: Slightly less good than Siwandu on attendance in the room, but generally more refined in the dining area. Staff were friendly and absolutely charming - a real pleasure to chat with.

Guiding: Our guide Geofrey was exceptionally knowledgeable and very good at predicting what the wildlife was likely to do next, meaning we were often uniquely well placed to view.

Vehicles and game drives: Very good - the vehicle was more comfortable and the roads much better than in Selous so that longer drives were quite possible.

Game viewing: Really excellent for elephant and lions as well as several very good sightings with leopards and a young serval. Geofrey's skill meant we were in position to see lions and leopard hunting. Although not great birders, there were some spectacular and colourful birds especially around the river environment. Some wonderful vistas with mixed herds of impala, water buck, zebra and elephant which created a marvellous atmosphere."

"Good, medium standard of accommodation.

The staff absolutely could not be more friendly or keen to help. No issues really with how infrastructure worked (power and water), food quite acceptable (way better than I've had in a lodge targeting roughly the same market in India). Certainly no problems or issues seen with cleanliness or hygiene etc"

"Good, international standard hotel.

Have to say I felt bit under dressed as I'd filled my 15kg luggage allowance ready for gorilla trekking and safari - but nice to us the facilities of a good city hotel between more remote stops."

"Very enjoyable experience indeed. "Tent" was excellent (really a tent erected under a permanent thatched canopy) and the food was outstanding for such a remote location, in my view.

My first time on safari, so I don't have any direct comparisons, but it was all well beyond my expectations. I was fortunate to have convivial fellow travellers so that the whole ambience of the camp was more like a house party than anything else.

Well hosted, well guided, excellent service, excellent food. I would have been happy to stay indefinitely !

A very relaxing experience in a very exciting environment."

"Reasonable stopping off point for an overnight wait for an early flight."