Travel reviews by Safari addict from UK

"Quite a long trip through the traffic to get to the lodge's remote location but definately worth it. The sea was literally lapping at the front of the room. The property is very well managed and the staff were excellent - could not have been more helpful.

When we booked Expert Africa did alert the hotel to my wife's mobility issues and we were told there would just be a few steps up to the room, however, as one of the staff commented, there are "quite a lot of steps on the property". The staff were really helpful so my wife did just about manage."

"Second visit to Beho Beho did not disappoint. Yes it is expensive but you do get what you pay for.

You will not see the volumes of animals that you would in the Serengeti but when something is spotted you will nearly always get the viewing to yourselves. The location, ambience, staff, food cannot be bettered.

What particularly makes this place is the family atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the people - particularly the guides."

"I have stayed in a number of camps in Africa and Beho Beho is definately in the top league from every point of view.

The accommodation is excellent with your own personal view of the Selous. The guiding is of the highest quality. The food would past muster against the best city restaurants. The particular highlight of Beho Beho is the hospitality and general ambience, you almost feel like part of the camp 'family'. Yes, it is more expensive than the alternatives, but if ever there was a case of you get what you pay for, it is here.

I did travel off season and found it rather hot, and the insects when on game drives were a nuisance, however, this meant that there was no other traffic and there were plenty of young animals. As Beho Beho is on a hill there were cooling breezes and, with the in-room fans, it was no problem sleeping at night (after getting used to the animal sounds, particularly the hippos).

Hopefully I will have the chance to visit again during the dry season."

"I chose Mwagusi as I wanted a more back to basics experience but without sacrificing too many creature comforts, and it met my expectations. The setting of the property is superb and you can sit on your own personal verandah watching whatever wildlife passes by (or in the case of baboons, through, your banda). There are no fences so I was not too suprised to hear an elephant outside my bedroom, and to be woken by the roar of a lion. Food is good, particularly given it is cooked over wood, and plentiful. The staff work as a team and have a great sense of humour. The attention of the management and their hospitality (particularly for me as a solo traveller) was excellent.

The highlight of my stay was seeing so many elephants, including a number of newborns. Given that elephants can be rather touchy when protecting their young, my guide was very skilled in judging how to manage our encounters so that we could get close to these animals in safety.

Personally I have to confess I found the situation a little too basic for me, which is not a criticism of Mwagusi as that is what they are offering. I chose to go in the hot season and I found the lack of a fan in the room made it a bit difficult to sleep - as largely only solar energy is used appliances beyond a electric light are not possible. I imagine this would not be a problem in other seasons . Given the quantity of biting insects at this time of year I was glad that the mesh sides of the tent kept them at bay.

Perhaps not my business but I was concerned about a couple of staff issues. Unlike any other camp I have stayed, the staff are required to be away from their families for extended periods. Tips are entirely communal and disbursed once a year - I prefer to reward my guide/driver personally and make a communal tip to the other staff."