Reviews of Impala Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
278 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Impala Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Selous Impala Camp review"
Our tent (if you can call it that - it felt more like a luxurious tree house!) was comfortable and well-equipped. The lighting was not that good and anyone hoping to get some reading done in the evenings would struggle, but other than that it had everything you might need. Being so close to the river and with thick bush close by there was quite a lot of activity - from our deck we saw (and heard) elephants, monkeys, bush babies and lots of rather beautiful birds.
The food was very good, if rather more plentiful than we could manage. The bush breakfasts were a particular treat - nothing quite beats getting up at dawn, and after a game drive sitting down to breakfast on the shores of a lake watching zebras, wildebeest, elephants and impala coming down to drink. Back at camp meals are taken at individual tables (rather than communally) which perhaps makes for a slightly more formal atmosphere - although one evening the staff set up a table (and a fire) away from the main buildings for us and our two fellow guests for dinner, with everyone's agreement.
We had a guide (Dennis) to ourselves throughout. This made the trip - his knowledge of the bush was staggeringly encyclopedic, his ability to spot interesting things at a distance bordered on the supernatural and his enthusiasm for sharing was infectious. He never lost patience even when to trying to help us to spot an animal in thick bush that was invisible to us, yet standing out like a beacon to him. It was particularly good to be able to alternate boat safaris with drives. All in all, this was an excellent introduction to safari." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
"Selous Impala Camp review"
Our guide Festo was extremely experienced and knowledgeable and made our solo drives a great learning curve. Although other Reserves have a wide selection of game, elephant were elusive, we saw 16 different lion and a leopard. Not only did any wife do a walk, accompanied by the Game Ranger Mary and her 0.45 rifle, we had 3 breakfasts in the bush each time in the middle of the Reserve with glorious viewed of the river.
Service and food at the Camp was the better than we expected and needing help walking to our well appointed tent the `Masai we ever helpful. Views from the raised eating area over the river were glorious." See all these reviews: 5n in Tanzania
"Luxury in the middle of Selous"
Despite the camp being somewhat larger than our first camp in Ruaha, the team managed to still give it the feeling of intimacy and personal experience. The guides were very professional and put special efforts into showing us the best of the park.
All in all, also with the possibility of boating safaris, a great complement to Ruaha." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
"Selous Impala Camp review"
Food was so so. Large quantities that we couldn't finish. Not great and could be improved.
Overall service was excellent. Could be bettered.
Water safaris also great fun" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
"Selous Impala Camp review"
The only minor issue we had was if we needed something specific for our son to eat, i.e the same meat that was being offered but just cooked plain with no sauce didn't seem to get translated to the chef, even by the English speaking manager so only on occasions his dinner wasn't too filling but he survived on snacks we had taken with us in case the food was too rich for him. As i said a minor issue." See all these reviews: 3n in Tanzania
"Selous Impala Camp review"
The wildlife was as good as could be expected in February with excellent bird watching." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
"Selous Impala Camp review"
"Delightful land and water safari experience"
We particularly enjoyed the variety of game viewing activities, with a mix of drives and boat safaris, along with bush walks. A remarkable concentration of crocodiles and hippos in the Rufiji river and lakes, as well as large numbers and a wide range of bird species.
We had a room with a view over the river. The pool was a very welcome facility during the heat of the afternoon.
The food was wholesome and perfectly adequate, but not special - although the bush breakfasts were excellent.
All the camp staff were very welcoming and friendly.
Slightly odd that tables for lunch and dinner were set for individual rooms rather than communally as in all other safari camps we have stayed at. This meant that there was limited interaction with other guests. The policy of charging for all drinks (other than tea and coffee) was also different from all other camps we have stayed at." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
"Selous Impala Camp review"
Fausto was a very welcoming host ,very attentive to detail . Without being asked he supplied us with a few more hangers because he 'remembered i had requested these last time when i was here with my sister'.
It was good to have Ezra and Kharidi as our guides once again. This time together with Moshe we took a longer morning boat safari ,which meant the light was different and we could go further. We left at 6 as usual taking a bush breakfast with us.I thought we'd eat this on the boat but oh no. On finding a safe mooring spot out came the tables and chairs and they even constructed a platform of palm leaves for us to walk safely and dryly to land .
Although i prefer communal dining it isn't a reason to stay away .However on the last night Fausto arranged a BBQ which was shared with other guests.
I have been before at this time of year and so thought i was prepared for high temperatures and considerable humidity .On the last day i felt very befuddled and it transpired the temperature had risen to 43 C. Its a credit to all the staff that they continue to provide such excellent service in such conditions -and no even they don't get used to excessive heat." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
"Fantastic time at Impala Camp"
It's a very stylish camp, with the main communal areas and tents on wooden raised decks. Our tent overlooked a spot in the river occupied by a very large hippopotamous, and from our verandah we also saw buffalo and watched a goliath heron catch an enormous fish.
The food is excellent. Unusually (from our experience), dining is at invidual tables rather than communal. Guests are rotated around the tables, which at night are spread across the verandah, lower down on decking and beside the river. We had breakfast out in the bush on our game drives and the camp produced an amazing spread every morning." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
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