Reviews of Sausage Tree Camp

"After all the superb experiences already enjoyed we had not expected to be quite so stunned by our stay at STC. We were upgraded to the honeymoon suite which was big enough to host a reception! It was beautifully set up - stunning in every way, especially the very refreshing plunge pool!

George and Merle were perfect hosts and the guides were also quite excellent - thanks James and Mike. This was the first time on our trip when we had the same guides whether we were walking, canoeing or on drives and it was a great idea. The food was delicious and having lunch on a sand bank in the middle of the Zambezi was a magical memory - thanks Merle. Arnold, our Muchinda, was kindness and thoughtfulness itself." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"An otherwise excellent impression was marred by a river cruise which had been specifically organised for us to go birdwatching and adding two more people who were interested in river views and elephants and a third person who was only interested in the sound of her own voice. No attempt was made to advise us of the new arrangements.

The manageress, Nikkie, accepted that we had been badly dealt with and apologised unreservedly and the following day was back to normal. The fact remains that one daylight part of the evening game drive was lost.

Specific congratulations are due for the best lighting on the holiday; it was high enough to be useful." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

"We loved Sausage Tree.

Nicci and Alan were great hosts.

Our room was very luxurious and our muchidja took good care of us.

Charles was a great guide." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"Undoubtedly the best camp we've visited anywhere in the world. While the range of game may be better in other parts of Africa, we see a good & varied amount here. What makes Sausage Tree so special is the location on the Zambezi River, with all the hippos, elephants, etc visiting and the opportunity to canoe or go on boat cruises. The tents are lovely -- well-planned and luxurious and full of lovely touches. But the highlight are the amazing people running it.

All the guides are engaging and pleased to chat, Alan and Nicci run the camp flawlessly -- nothing fazes them and their knowledge of Africa, wildlife, hospitality profession, mechanics, etc just boggle. They were head & shoulders above any camp managers we met.

Our guide Chris was not only knowledgable, but could sense what interested us and was a good judge at how long to stay at a site, what sort of information to give. He also explained a lot of his approach so we better understood the guide's job and because of that, we built a strong relationship.

The attention to detail -- be it in the rooms, or dining area/bar are amazing. Everything Sausage Tree does is to the highest standard. Perhaps the only point that lets them down was the food -- quality was good, but needs more variety and less emphasis on red meat (we had steak-lamb-steak on three consecutive nights). That has been changed now to a menu where you have choices of starters & mains, etc. That will help.

This was our second time at Sausage Tree, and I think it holds a more special place in our hearts than before. They certainly are the most professional and comprehensive safari camp we've been with." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"True elegance on the banks of the Zambezi. We were lucky enough to share this camp with just one other (honeymoon) couple after the first night. The location can't be beaten, and a constant stream of elephants crossing the river provide for regular entertainment.

Superb chalets, with a lot of storage space and places to lay out of the camera gear. Nicci and Alan were superb and attentive hosts - and we loved the story about the honey badger and the box of wine! Real Africa hands with a wealth of experience and anecdotes and a pleasure to be with. Hastings was an excellent guide bringing a lifetime of experience to the drives, while Victor shared a wealth of knowledge during a morning walk in the bush. James was a great spotter.

Claver (? spelling) was the most attentive "muchinda" you could ever ask for. His wry smile when we told him "10 minutes" for an evening collection from the chalet for dinner didn't give away the candlelit path through our bedroom to the bathroom when we opened the chalet door, nor the already prepared bubble bath - he knew we'd be more than 10 minutes! Highlights - sitting in the middle of the huge buffalo herd; the leopard sightings, and the lion bellowing as the sun went down.

But for pure experience, lunch on one of the reed covered snadbanks, with our feet dangling in the Zambezi river, would take a lot of beating. Even in October, the area seemed greener than South Luanga, and the bush was definitely denser. Personally, we would have liked to have spent a little more time just sitting out at the water holes and lagoons watching what appeared, but this is a minor comment, based on nearly two weeks bouncing about in a Land Cruiser, on what was an excellent finale to our Zambian excursion." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"Sausage Tree was a brilliant way to end our honeymoon and the honeymoon suite was fabulous (the pool much appreciated in the midday heat!). Nickki and Allan made great hosts and everyone involved was very friendly and helpful.

This is a great camp for water based activities as well as the usual game drives. One highlight was a morning canoe trip with Marshall as our guide - it gave a very different perspective on the wildlife and was wonderfully peaceful. They also do a wonderful lunch in the river itself." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa

"friendly knowledgable staff, beautiful location, care and attention, fabulous room" See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Out of Africa with luxury, elephants holding us hostage, canoeing on the Zambezi, great birding, superb guiding and an unbelievable experience of dining in the river.

Small moan about quality of equipment and staffing of fishing trip which were not good." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"Sausage Tree Camp was just fantastic and I could not in anyway fault the accommodation, food, entertainment, Game Drives and accommodation. It was pure perfection.

There were four hosts being David and Tash, who are leaving at the end of the season and Alan and Nikki who are taking over from them. They were all excellent hosts and nothing was too much trouble.

We just had the most wonderful time and regret that we were only there for a week.

Again no postcards!

I am concerned to hear that there are plans to develop the camp further and the room that I had is to be converted into a two story room. I fear that there is a risk that Sausage Tree could become over developed and the luxury that would be offered in the future could bring it out of the price range of its current clientele. Only the very wealthy could then afford to stay there and the whole atmosphere of the camp would change. This was a general concern of all of us who were staying there and was also shared by a number of the staff and guides.

The whole palace was perfection, although I do understand the necessity to keep up to the competition of other camps in the area. What I am saying it would be a terrible shame to see this place change in any way. It is pure perfection.

If I do have just one concern that is that there is a very old Land Rover that takes one from the plane to the river to join the boat for the majority of the journey to camp. There was no problem as far as we were concerned, but one day the Land Rover did break down and the guests were delayed in reaching the camp. If this were to happen on the final journey from camp the guests were to miss their connecting flights, and as you know there is only a short time between the arrival from camp into Lusaka airport and the connecting flight to London Heathrow. If guests missed the flight to London because the old land Rover broke down then this could be a problem for everyone involved.

I can't wait to go back there as it is the best location that I have ever stayed at andwas just out of this world." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"Rather OTT and I feel rather over priced and over rated. The guides were not as good as they were in Tafika and we saw nowhere near as much wildlife.The food was nowhere near as good as at Tfika we always had cheese and biscuits for lunch dessert and soup for evening starter. Mostly coleslaw salads with everything else.

We had to have safety talks before every activity. This may well change when Nikki and her husband take over and were given an indemnity card to fill in. Reading the back of the cards tells us that once we have signed them we cannot claim any damages to our person or property as a result of the camps negligent acts or omissions. For example I assume that if the driver of the boat didn't check for leaks, it sunk and we were eaten by crocodiles this is not the camps responsibilty? I think it is.

We did not sign these forms and did not give them in. We have never before been asked to fill in forms like this before and I would advice anyone else visiting the camp not to fill them in." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia