Reviews of Siwandu
Wildlife sightings and reviews
81 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Siwandu and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2018, 17 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Siwandu.
Lion
88% success
Leopard
13% success
Wild dog
40% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Wildebeest
100% success
Zebra
100% success
Buffalo
94% success
Spotted Hyena
76% success
Eland
60% success
Aardvark
0% success
Black Rhino
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
Striped Hyena
0% success
Mr & Mrs W
Sussex
"Luxurious tented camp"
4 nights Arrived 22 Jun 2016
"4 nights here in June 2016. Very spacious and luxurious "tents", with an incredible outdoor shower. Great service and good food.
One minor complaint is that you have to pay for drinks. They aren't particularly expensive, but it is something extra to think about, and requires an extra step in settling the bill at the end of the stay. The other camps we visited included the drinks in the accommodation cost, and I would recommend Siwandu to do the same even if they have to increase prices a little to cover the cost.
Safari drives started later than at other camps (8am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm), which made for a more relaxing start to the day. The guiding here was very good. During one drive, our guide Kim was able to find some lions that others had been unable to locate. He was very experienced, knowledgeable and patient with our many questions." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
One minor complaint is that you have to pay for drinks. They aren't particularly expensive, but it is something extra to think about, and requires an extra step in settling the bill at the end of the stay. The other camps we visited included the drinks in the accommodation cost, and I would recommend Siwandu to do the same even if they have to increase prices a little to cover the cost.
Safari drives started later than at other camps (8am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm), which made for a more relaxing start to the day. The guiding here was very good. During one drive, our guide Kim was able to find some lions that others had been unable to locate. He was very experienced, knowledgeable and patient with our many questions." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 5n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
WMD
"good all round activeates at Siwandu"
3 nights Arrived 11 Oct 2015
"Staff were very accommodating at all levels, Mohamed proved to be an excellent guide, his attitude we found first class.
Sussanna the manager was very re assureing and positive when one of our bags was misplaced in transition from Nairobi to Dar." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Sussanna the manager was very re assureing and positive when one of our bags was misplaced in transition from Nairobi to Dar." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr &Mrs M
Ballymena
"Siwandu (Selous Safari Camp) review"
3 nights Arrived 21 Sep 2015
"Absolutely fantastic accommodation, amazing furnishings and facilities, especially the outdoor shower.
The staff were exceptionally attentive and helpful especially when my husband was sick. Gave him medication, fluid replacement and even cooked him special plain food.
The game drives were very informative and the sundowners on the lake and lunch were amazing. The pool area was most relaxing with the birds flying and singing around the pool. Very peaceful indeed.
The guards escorting us backwards and forwards were so friendly and to be admired." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
The staff were exceptionally attentive and helpful especially when my husband was sick. Gave him medication, fluid replacement and even cooked him special plain food.
The game drives were very informative and the sundowners on the lake and lunch were amazing. The pool area was most relaxing with the birds flying and singing around the pool. Very peaceful indeed.
The guards escorting us backwards and forwards were so friendly and to be admired." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
PA, USA
"Beautiful lake front accomodations"
3 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2015
"The accommodations at Siwandu were simply magical. Don't think people would ever believe me that I took a shower and watched a giraffe just walk on by or could sit and read on our patio and watch monkeys play in the tree, but it's all true. The managers and staff were very nice and helpful. We also really enjoyed the pool on site helped cool us off in the afternoon.
Of the three types of safari's offered at this camp, drive, boat and walking we enjoyed the walking the most. The guides on this trek were exceptional. We also were surprised with a pop up breakfast at the end by the lake which was truly memorable.
Our guide for the drive and boat safari was very nice, knowledgeable, but just not as engaging as some of the other guides we had met." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Of the three types of safari's offered at this camp, drive, boat and walking we enjoyed the walking the most. The guides on this trek were exceptional. We also were surprised with a pop up breakfast at the end by the lake which was truly memorable.
Our guide for the drive and boat safari was very nice, knowledgeable, but just not as engaging as some of the other guides we had met." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs JA
New York
"Siwandu (Selous Safari Camp) review"
4 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2015
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Nottingham
"3 Night Stay at Siwandu"
3 nights Arrived 9 Jul 2015
"We had a wonderful stay at Siwandu primarily due to the diversity of activities on offer. The option to go on boating and walking tours alongside the guided drives was a welcome change. We would recommend the walking tour (which we had been apprehensive about previously) as a great way to understand the smaller details of the bush.
The camp facilities were very good, our tent was huge and very well equipped and the staff were friendly. Our guide Enoch was very knowledgable and offered interesting additional facts about the wildlife around us.
Emile was standing in for the camp managers when we visited and nothing was too much trouble, we particularly liked how he joined everyone around the campfire before dinner and told great stories." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania
The camp facilities were very good, our tent was huge and very well equipped and the staff were friendly. Our guide Enoch was very knowledgable and offered interesting additional facts about the wildlife around us.
Emile was standing in for the camp managers when we visited and nothing was too much trouble, we particularly liked how he joined everyone around the campfire before dinner and told great stories." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
TulseHill
"Siwandu (Selous Safari Camp) review"
3 nights Arrived 26 Dec 2014
"Really amazing, gorgeous camp, incredible service, brilliant food, excellent guiding... absolutely perfect. Would return in a heartbeat and visit its sister camps. A fantastic start to our trip and honeymoon. We left a TripAdvisor review for Siwandu, which I have copied here:
Thank you to everyone at Siwandu for making the first three nights of our honeymoon so special and memorable. We couldn't fault it. The game drives and boat and walking safaris were amazing. We were lucky enough to have private drives and boat safaris whilst we were there. The camp managers were so accommodating and made us and all the other guests feel incredibly special. We couldn't believe how incredible the food was - the best food my husband has ever had in East Africa, and he's spent a lot of time in Kenya and Tanzania. Really brilliant. Every single member of the team was wonderful. The tent was incredibly comfortable and we loved the outdoor shower - particularly as it was so HOT whilst we were there! We are desperate to return to Siwandu or one of its sister properties in the future. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone there." See all these reviews: 7n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
Thank you to everyone at Siwandu for making the first three nights of our honeymoon so special and memorable. We couldn't fault it. The game drives and boat and walking safaris were amazing. We were lucky enough to have private drives and boat safaris whilst we were there. The camp managers were so accommodating and made us and all the other guests feel incredibly special. We couldn't believe how incredible the food was - the best food my husband has ever had in East Africa, and he's spent a lot of time in Kenya and Tanzania. Really brilliant. Every single member of the team was wonderful. The tent was incredibly comfortable and we loved the outdoor shower - particularly as it was so HOT whilst we were there! We are desperate to return to Siwandu or one of its sister properties in the future. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone there." See all these reviews: 7n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr D
Witney
"Siwandu (Selous Safari Camp) review"
4 nights Arrived 2 Oct 2014
"The managers, Susanna and Bastien, made us very welcome and were very keen to do anything necessary to make our stay as good as possible. The rooms and the service were immaculate thoughout and minor unserviceablities were fixed immediately, which we see as a measure of efficiency.
The boat trips were a great favourite for me as, although the lake was obviously shrinking at the end of the dry season, there were huge numbers of birds around together with a good variety of animals coming to drink; sadly, we didn't see any predators at the lakeside.
Our guide Mohammed was very experienced and clearly knew a great deal about the area and its wildlife. He filled the jeep rides with good information and had a great sense of humour.
The only thing I would change would be the dining arrangements. We were seated as couples or groups as appropriate but we feel this stifles conversation. Obviously we could chat in the bar area but as Jude doesn't drink this can be difficult. The other camps preferred communal dining and we think this leads to more stimulating conversation and discussion." See all these reviews: 18n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
The boat trips were a great favourite for me as, although the lake was obviously shrinking at the end of the dry season, there were huge numbers of birds around together with a good variety of animals coming to drink; sadly, we didn't see any predators at the lakeside.
Our guide Mohammed was very experienced and clearly knew a great deal about the area and its wildlife. He filled the jeep rides with good information and had a great sense of humour.
The only thing I would change would be the dining arrangements. We were seated as couples or groups as appropriate but we feel this stifles conversation. Obviously we could chat in the bar area but as Jude doesn't drink this can be difficult. The other camps preferred communal dining and we think this leads to more stimulating conversation and discussion." See all these reviews: 18n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr E family
Houston
"Siwandu (Selous Safari Camp) review"
3 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2014
"Out trip to Selous was magical.
We enjoyed the variety of activities, including the walk and boat safari. Diversity of wildlife was excellent, and a perfect complement to the different ecology from Jongomero camp. The staff was responsive to our requests, and everyone was very nice.
Stayed in tent #7, which appeared to have a better view of the lake in the dry season (couldn't see the other tents from the lake)." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
We enjoyed the variety of activities, including the walk and boat safari. Diversity of wildlife was excellent, and a perfect complement to the different ecology from Jongomero camp. The staff was responsive to our requests, and everyone was very nice.
Stayed in tent #7, which appeared to have a better view of the lake in the dry season (couldn't see the other tents from the lake)." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Family U
France
"Siwandu Selous camp exceeded all expectations"
3 nights Arrived 14 Jul 2014
"Absolutely wonderful! The accommodation was really outstanding, gorgeous setting, the food was delicious and all the people that worked there were incredibly friendly and helpful.
We were made to feel really special and were especially impressed by the extra effort that was made to make our stay so individual. We were served a surprise lunch on a boat and the next day a surprise breakfast was laid out on a local beach. Amazing! This was after a walking safari that our youngest son ( aged 14) was too young to come on, but he was taken out fishing on a boat and then brought to join us for breakfast.
We really appreciated these extra touches and organisation that made our stay so memorable." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
We were made to feel really special and were especially impressed by the extra effort that was made to make our stay so individual. We were served a surprise lunch on a boat and the next day a surprise breakfast was laid out on a local beach. Amazing! This was after a walking safari that our youngest son ( aged 14) was too young to come on, but he was taken out fishing on a boat and then brought to join us for breakfast.
We really appreciated these extra touches and organisation that made our stay so memorable." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Holiday styles & special interests in Tanzania
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Tanzania.
Other lodges in Nyerere National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Impala Camp
Impala Camp is a comfortable, excellent-value camp with colourful tented rooms raised on platforms, good guiding and tasty food.
Lake Manze Camp
Lake Manze Camp is a rustic, lakeside bushcamp in Nyerere National Park that offers a great wilderness experience and doesn’t cost the earth.
Beho Beho
Beho Beho is one of the best camps we work with in Africa, with gracious hosts, fantastic food and most importantly, excellent guiding.
Sand Rivers Camp
The stylishly put together Sand Rivers has an outstanding reputation, with a wonderful location on the Rufiji River and great guides.
Beho Beho Tree-house
Beho Beho Treehouse is a satellite tree platform for just one couple, managed by Beho Beho and ideal as a one-night honeymoon retreat
Impala fly-camping
While you're staying at Impala Camp in Nyerere National Park, you can enjoy a few nights' fly-camping in the heart of the bush.
Rufiji River Camp
Rufiji River Camp has a lovely location right on the edge of the Rufiji River and while not luxurious, it is one of the lowest-cost camps in the park.
Sand Rivers fly-camp
Sand Rivers fly-camping safaris in Tanzania's Nyerere National Park operate out of Sand Rivers Camp, on the Rufiji River.
Roho ya Selous
Roho ya Selous is a smart tented camp on the west side of lake Nzerakera, close to the park’s best wildlife-viewing areas.
Beho Beho Bailey's Banda
Bailey's Banda at Beho Beho is a luxurious safari lodge in Nyerere National Park which can be booked exclusively for you and your party.
Rufiji River fly-camp
Fly-camping trips can be organised from Rufiji River Camp in Tanzania's Nyerere National Park
Kiba Point
Kiba Point is the private sister camp of Sand Rivers, available on an exclusive basis, with its own private drivers and staff.
Mivumo River Lodge
Mivumo River Lodge is Serena's main lodge in the Selous. Although comfortable, the windows and air-conditioning dispel any wilderness feel.
