Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs RG from Godalming
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
My Feb 2017 trip
Tanzania and 1 other country between 2 Feb 2017 and 19 Feb 2017
"My only adverse comment is that we could have been warned before booking of some of the disadvantages of individual camps and lodges. I might have selected different locations, had I been in possession of the excellent Bradt guide before booking.
I also wonder whether the scarcity of game in the area of the Selous that we chose might be something that was predictable and about which we should have been warned."
I also wonder whether the scarcity of game in the area of the Selous that we chose might be something that was predictable and about which we should have been warned."
Southern Sun Dar
"Southern Sun Dar review"
1 night
Arrived
2 Feb 2017
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Kigelia Camp
"Kigelia Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
3 Feb 2017
"For us, our time at this camp was made by the excellent range of game that we were able to view. Our driver/guide was outstanding.
With just six tents, the camp is small and in fact for most of the time there we were the only occupants. This was a contributory factor to the excellent and friendly service received, although it meant that there was a lack of atmosphere that is typically generated by a group of guests returning from a game drive.
The food was rather disappointing, probably made worse by the low level of consumption."
With just six tents, the camp is small and in fact for most of the time there we were the only occupants. This was a contributory factor to the excellent and friendly service received, although it meant that there was a lack of atmosphere that is typically generated by a group of guests returning from a game drive.
The food was rather disappointing, probably made worse by the low level of consumption."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Siwandu
"Siwandu review"
5 nights
Arrived
7 Feb 2017
"Our experience at this camp was spoiled by the scarcity of wildlife to be seen. Whether this was because there had been some rain before our arrival or whether there is always a scarcity, we do not know. We suspect that the rain probably made it unnecessary for wildlife to visit the lake in as great numbers as it would have done in drier conditions.
The camp is well located in the sense that it provides good views over the lake, but not in the sense that it offered satisfactory game viewing. The rooms are in many ways beautiful, but lack a certain practicality in some respects. The very personal service provided was excellent."
The camp is well located in the sense that it provides good views over the lake, but not in the sense that it offered satisfactory game viewing. The rooms are in many ways beautiful, but lack a certain practicality in some respects. The very personal service provided was excellent."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Poor
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We were really sorry that these travellers found less game than expected.
They stayed here 7-12 Feb 2017. After the El Nino flooding of 2015, the Selous had a severe drought. During this time, the reserve’s game congregated close to the sources of permanent water: the Rufiji and its adjacent lakes.
The long drought broke in mid-Jan 2017, prompting an exodus of animals from the over-grazed areas around the permanent water – to abundant grazing sprouting elsewhere across the park. Sadly, this hugely depleted the concentrations of animals around Siwandu, as these travellers found about four weeks later.
Although they still saw elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, eland, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, warthogs, giraffe, and other common animals like monkeys, baboons and impala – we are really sorry that these were not in the normal concentrations that we’d expect for Selous.
We have visited Siwandu and the Selous many times ourselves over the years. February is never the best month of game-viewing, and we wouldn’t pretend otherwise. (We’d usually consider Sept and Oct, at the end of the long dry season, as the prime time for game.) However, it’s usually much better than it was this year (2017).
They stayed here 7-12 Feb 2017. After the El Nino flooding of 2015, the Selous had a severe drought. During this time, the reserve’s game congregated close to the sources of permanent water: the Rufiji and its adjacent lakes.
The long drought broke in mid-Jan 2017, prompting an exodus of animals from the over-grazed areas around the permanent water – to abundant grazing sprouting elsewhere across the park. Sadly, this hugely depleted the concentrations of animals around Siwandu, as these travellers found about four weeks later.
Although they still saw elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, eland, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, warthogs, giraffe, and other common animals like monkeys, baboons and impala – we are really sorry that these were not in the normal concentrations that we’d expect for Selous.
We have visited Siwandu and the Selous many times ourselves over the years. February is never the best month of game-viewing, and we wouldn’t pretend otherwise. (We’d usually consider Sept and Oct, at the end of the long dry season, as the prime time for game.) However, it’s usually much better than it was this year (2017).
Matemwe Lodge
"Matemwe Lodge review"
7 nights
Arrived
12 Feb 2017
"We greatly enjoyed our stay at this lodge, because the excellent rooms offer a beautiful outlook over the sea and the service was always friendly, if sometimes rather inefficient! It is unfortunate that the reef in front of the lodge is dead and swimming in the sea involves careful avoidance of sea urchins. Consequently, snorkelling has to involve a boat trip to a reef further away.
An important attraction of the lodge is that it is located close to a working village, so there was always plenty of activity with fishermen setting out and returning with their catch. Despite its proximity to the village, the beach was generally uncrowded and not as affected by rubbish as we had feared might be the case."
An important attraction of the lodge is that it is located close to a working village, so there was always plenty of activity with fishermen setting out and returning with their catch. Despite its proximity to the village, the beach was generally uncrowded and not as affected by rubbish as we had feared might be the case."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
We would be happy to recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a similar facility/service."