Reviews of Ikuka Safari Camp

"All the people - the owner, the managers, the guides, and all the staff were super helpful, friendly, welcoming, and everyone had good English.

The bungalows are very private, very large and light, very well appointed. Zero complaints.

Our guide was so good (knowledgeable, very good English, very nice guy)! We had 8 safaris in 4 days, and we had a great time on every trip.

Some of the excellence of the safaris is due to Ruaha Park, of course. We saw 3 groups of lions, a leopard, many elephants and giraffes, so many birds (our guide was an excellent spotter, too)." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania

"Mark and his team were very good and extremely friendly.

The food was plentiful but a bit stodgy.

We were disappointed that there were no walking safaris because of the onset of the wet season.

Our guide, Festo, was most knowledgeable and with help we spotted 70 different species of birds.

A really great location" See all these reviews: 13n in Tanzania

"From the moment the plane landed and we were welcomed by Festo, our guide, with chocolate biscuits and a huge smile, we knew we were in safe and knowledgeable hands.We had a hugely enjoyable drive to the lodge seeing lots of birds and game en route. The long green grasses and baobab trees looked beautiful and it was a perfect temperature.

Mark and his team work really well together and there is a very happy atmosphere. We loved being welcomed on return from game drives by the team smiling and waving. The pool was wonderfully cool but does have a funny smell.

Some nights were chilly and we were glad of hot water bottles. The laundry were brilliant as all my husbands clothes were soaking wet as his suitcase had been left in the rain at Dar es Salaam airport. All meals were excellent, we had to ask for smaller portions as three huge course and cake for tea was too much for us!
Our room was good with stunning views, but we found being zipped in overnight as opposed to mosquito nets was a bore as whoever went to the loo in the night woke the other up!

Festo, our guide throughout, was excellent. We would stay at Ikuka again to be with Festo. He has great knowledge and experience and is also a brilliant mimic, birds, animals and Italian guests! Wonderful Great eagle owls and pale spotted owls very special. We are considering returning to Ikuka next February." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar

"Amazing location, game drives with Festo were perfect, the people wonderful and the food super yummi." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania

"A spectacular location with a wonderful dining and bar area and great attention to detail with a friendly and attentive staff. The food was generally good.

Whilst the rooms were well appointed the design of the bathrooms outside the enclosed tented area at night was both inconvenient and also meant that visits to the bathroom during the night and in the morning were fraught with bat droppings/insects of various sizes everywhere.

We had a first class guide in Festo who enhanced our safari drives with both his natural wit and extensive knowledge of all aspects of the Ruaha." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania

"From the moment I saw the view when I first arrived at Ikuka Safari Camp, I knew I was going to enjoy my stay. The camp has a stylish, yet very natural and rustic look to it, and its location looking out across Ruaha National Park was absolutely stunning. The rooms are very spacious and tastefully designed, and the veranda also has great views across Ruaha.

The staff at Ikuka were all incredibly friendly, and went out of their way to make sure you had everything you needed. The managers Mark and Tanya were also very friendly and attentive, and always had dinner with the guests in the evening. All of the food was delicious, and there was always a special vegetarian option waiting for me, which was much appreciated!

Our safari guide Habibo was very knowledgeable, and led us to some amazing views of two separate leopards, hundreds of elephants and plenty of beautiful birds. He also found some lovely spots for us to enjoy our sundowners and to take in the sights and sounds of Ruaha.

I had been wanting to visit Ruaha for several years prior to my trip, and wasn't disappointed. It really had a rugged beauty to it. Being the green season, the wildlife was rather spread out, but we still saw plenty, especially elephants. I have never seen so many in my life! The birdlife was outstanding too. I hope to visit again someday!" See all these reviews: 13n in Tanzania

"Another remarkable property in an unbelievable location. We loved our guide Reuben, who went out of his way to show us different parts of the park and the wonders of wildlife.

I still had a cold so I stayed at the camp one morning. The staff was quite kind and solicitous.

This was the perfect place to finish our safari adventure." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar

"An excellent start to our holiday.

Owner run lodge which makes a big difference and gives that important personal touch.

Whilst the location was stunning with its views from the escarpment it did feel rather removed from the wildlife." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania

"We flew from the Selous to Ruaha for the second part of our trip and the two areas are very different. Beho Beho in the Selous has it's own airstrip so the drive to it was only a few minutes, however as Ikuka sits atop an escarpment overlooking the Mwagusi plain its about an hours drive from the main airstrip at Msembe. However the views from the rooms and the main camp are truly stunning once you have arrived.

The camp is amazing, this was only the second season so everything has a very new feel to it. The camp manager, Mark, who is also the owner, was very friendly and attentive as was Tanya the manager. They both went out of their way to ensure that our trip was as pleasant and comfortable as possible. All the staff were very attentive and helpful which my wife greatly appreciated, due to her limited mobility having recently broken and dislocated her ankle. A special mention to Seif, Luka, Davis and Salum who looked after my wife on the occasions when she could not go on the afternoon game drives.

The rooms have enormous beds about the size of two doubles together and they have the comfiest bedding. Although you are under canvas it is definitely not camping. The hot water is provided by a gas powered boiler. The food is excellent, the staff ensuring that any dietary requirements were met. Breakfast in the bush was also very good considering it is all pre-packed before leaving at shortly after 06:00!

Festo was our guide and he was without a doubt one of the best guides we have ever encountered. He had a great sense of humour, full of stories and anecdotes as well as being able to provide some great game viewing. The male and female lions plus three cubs on the last night was the piece de resistance, especially as the interaction with a herd of elephants trying to get to the river generated an impasse which thankfully resolved itself without incident!

The little touches at the lodge really made the stay, everyone is so attentive, from having your little water bottle with your name on waiting after the long plane journey to having a hot water bottle in the morning drive!" See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania

"Ikuka is situated on an escarpment with outstanding views. The food was great, the interaction with other guests was wonderful and the management run a first class operation. We saw a wide variety of game and the guide was very good at ensuring nothing was missed. Everything was excellent!" See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar