Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs B from PA

"This was a planned return to Chitabe Lediba as we visited in 2015.

We returned because we loved the small, intimate feeling of the camp, the friendliness and professionalism of the staff, and yet again we had a fantastic guide, Zac.

We had amazing animal sitings and observed incredible behaviors. Our daughter and 9 year old grandson accompanied us and Zac was great with our grandson who was captivated by all he saw.

After much tracking we found Super Mom Cheetah's 4 grown offspring. Pure magic!!!"

"This was a very luxurious camp with more amenities which were nice (a living room & plunge pool) but not used by us.

Our 9 year old grandson was in heaven here as he is a dedicated fisherman and spent much free time fishing with great success. He caught 3 tilapia that the stafff kindly prepared for our dinner - they were delicious. It was nice to be in a different habitat along the river which gives the camp more variety in activities. We had breakfast on the river one morning and sundowners another evening. The staff entertained us with wonderful singing and dancing before a native dinner.

The wildlife here was abundant as well - the highlights being a mother lion and 3 cubs hanging out on a zebra kill for the two days we visited the site. We spent a very long time just observing their entertaining behaviors - the cubs played tag with the zebra's tail. Nick, our excellent guide, also took us to a leopard and her 3 cubs hanging out in a tree with an impala. We learned a lot from Nick - that the mother eats all the internal organs immediately so the carcass won't smell and be detected by other animals. Once in the tree the kill is further protected by the canopy. We loved learning about these survival strategies and observing them.

The cubs were older that the lion cubs and not at all playful and more independent. When a hyena showed up the mother hurried down the tree and parked herself across from the hyena. We saw many lions as the population has grown over the past years. So we did not see any wild dogs. Both they and the leopards have moved farther away from the camp because of the number of lions.

Sadly we came upon a dead elephant thanks to numbers of vultures in the surrounding trees. It was a younger one and Nick guessed that it might have succumbed to anthrax."

"The only reason we downgraded some of the facilities was because we are in our late seventies and early eighties and the walk from room to meals was particularly challenging for my husband and the high bed was as well. That said we loved San Camp and its small size.

The antiquey furnishings added an old-time feel. The high tea yurt and all the meals were fantastic. Meerkats were on my bucket list and the reason we chose to come here. We loved the complete change in habitat - desert/salt pan with fewer shrubs and trees, more grassland - much more open. We saw a host of new smaller mammals. TH was our excellent guide and shared his vast knowledge of the flora and fauna.

Our encounter with the Bushfolk was very interactive and informative. Our daughter and our 9 year old grandson were able to walk with them but that was not something the old folk could do. TH drove us in the safari vehicle so we could follow them. I loved my morning with the meerkats - sitting beside their burrows as they awoke and got on with their day was sublime. I loved going to bed and listening to the grunts of Wildebeest who hung out nearby.

The highlight of our time at San Camp for TH was seeing the Aardvark which apparently does not happen very often. I saw my first Springbok."

"For a brief overnight stay this was just fine and fairly easy to get to. The room was comfortable but a tad stuffy.

The convenience made up for any drawbacks."

"Wow, what an introduction to Botswana! We absolutely loved the camp, the experience and the team.

Our exceptional guide, Mocks, met us at the airstrip and from the first offering of an ice cold washcloth, we knew we were in heaven. The amount of game and the ability to get close was phenominal. I had hoped to see leopards - no problem. We watched spellbound as a leopard snacked on its impala kill high in the tree. Pure magic! Following the wild dogs around for 2 days was exceptional. We loved the background knowledge that Mocks had regarding the local wildlife.

The only drawback was the amount of excellent food versus the noncaloric output unless you count bouncing around in a safari vehicle."

"There were so many highlights to this camp, I hope I can remember them all: the team who sang to us upon arrival; the fact that we were the only guests which gave us the opportunity to get to know many of the team.

I loved that at both the camps we visited team members had name tags which facilitated getting to know them. Also at both we had meals with our guides which was a real plus.

The highlight of the entire trip ocurred here with our fabulous guide, Gordon. We followed 2 lionesses for 2 days and watched them interact with their cubs. One set of cubs was about 4 months old and the others were about 6 weeks old. Finding them was a magical although bouncy experience and watching them for at least an hour was a lifetime experience."

"The staff we spent the most time with were outstanding. Ezra, our guide, and Rajibu, our driver were an excellent team. In retrospect, Ezra was the best guide of entire trip and we had excellent guides throughout. His knowledge of the birds and wildlife went far beyond identification and general knowledge. They were both personable, helpful and endowed with a great sense of humor as was our meal attendant, David.

It was a bonus to have both a guide and driver which wasn't always the case in other locations. It allows more focus on finding wildlife.

The location of Impala with access to both the river and bush and the camp itself with its comfy tents made it the perfect introduction to an amazing country. There isn't one thing I would change about the place or the experience."

"This lodge was very nice - compared to Impala it was more like staying in a motel - albeit a vey lovely motel. The rooms were quite comfortable and nicely decorated. The pool was a plus as we had some extra time to enjoy it.

We liked that the Lodge was Tanzanian owned and operated. The chef was quite outgoing and friendly and provided outstanding breakfasts and dinners. It was an ideal location between Lake Manyara and the crater and very reasonable."

"This place was just amazing. From the time our excellent guide, Esto, met us at the airstrip with coffee & tea and delicious chocolate brownies until we arrived at the camp (this word hardly applies), we were bedazzled.

The views of the wildebeest crossings were one of the highlights of the trip and shouldn't be missed. Having wildebeest and hippos eating outside our tents (hardly a tent - our bedroom at home doesn't come close) at night was magic. The wildlife viewing was overwhelming in species and sheer numbers. I can't imagine that there is another time of year when the herbivores and carnivores are more numerous and eat better.

It might be an improvement to have a driver on safari. I imagine that it is a challenge to drive and navigate as well as look for animals. That said, Esto didn't have a problem doing both.

We loved relaxing by the beautiful pool perched over the Serengeti. The staff were all outgoing, helpful and friendly.

We began our afternoon safaris at 4 when it still seemed fairly hot and not much animal activity. Starting at 4:30 is just a suggestion."

"We loved our yurt and our bucket shower. This was a very unique and different living experience. The visit to the Masai village and school was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Everyone should experience this. We loved that the camp is involved in local projects and that our tourist dollars are helping to support them.

The walking safaris were new for our trip and it was great to finally get some exercise. Unfortunately we did not see much game. It was explained that the Masai had recently moved their cattle into the area which tends to move the game out. Our night safaris were incredible and gave us great views of lots of smaller nocturnal animals."

"What a jewel this little eco camp is. We loved our eco hut which was very stylishly decorated and quite comfy. However, the beds on the floor and the nighttime trip down the stairs to the bathroom were a tad challenging for the 60+ set.

A few more beach chairs at certain peak times would have been nice. The snorkel trip and the tidal pool walk were excellent and shouldn't be missed. Here, as at most places we stayed, I was glad to have my own tea bags and instant Starbucks (I hate instant nescafe) which came in handy for the early morning coffee/tea room service and sometimes at breakfast.

It was a bonus to know that our tourist dollars support the educational efforts of the not-for-profit."

"What a delight to stay at our first and only owner-operated lodge. Ralph and Elise were both delightful and very hands-on but not overbearing. The lodge is drop-dead gorgeous and I could have spent several more weeks there. Our "hut" was so spacious and comfortable and lovely with a view of the ocean.

The dive operation is first-rate and the equipment was excellent. We had not necissarily planned on diving but after meeting the dive master and looking at the operation, we signed on and had three of the most spectacular days of diving of our 25 year diving lives.

We would return to Africa just to go to Unguja Lodge."

"This was a funky, unique and lovely building. However, it did not work for our last night in Tanzania.

Given that we had to go to the airport at 5 a.m., we were not able to partake in the breakfast part of this B&B. They said they would leave some fruit for us, but they must have forgotten as it was not in the fridge.

Maybe it was that we were in "go home mode", but we were not impressed."