Reviews of Mdonya Old River Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
131 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Mdonya Old River Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Fantastic, rustic safari experience"
The food and service was also very good and the tented accommodation comfortable. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would recommend Mdonya to anyone looking for a very real safari experience with lots of animal sightings." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
"Mdonya Old River Camp: beautiful Ruaha"
The scenery in Ruaha was simply stunning and it was a pleasure to go out on a full day game drive around the river and the hills. Game was plentiful with many elephants and lions plus kudu, dikdik, eland & gazelle.
Unfortunately in the area close to camp we had a problem with the tsetse flies - we knew that they would be around at this time of year but we weren't prepared for how uncomfortable it would be stopping the vehicle in the 'tsetse zone'. It takes around 1 hour to 1.5 hours from Mdonya to get away from the tsetse flies and the only way to protect yourself is to be covered in thick clothing or a blanket from head to toe. As soon as the vehicle stops squadrons move in so the beginning and end of every game drive involved just trying to get through the tsetse zone only stopping for something really unusual.
Our guide (Djamani) and driver (Tom) worked hard to find some of the more unusual birds in the area for us and were very happy to go at our pace. It's a shame that they aren't encouraged to sit with us during bush meals (as happened at the other camps). The vehicles at Mdonya have, generally, seen better days and could do with an upgrade - our first vehicle had a problem and we broke down less than 10 minutes out of camp. The replacement had a problem with the alternator which meant that the engine couldn't be switched off. The first vehicle was fixed for our second day but then had the same problem on the third day. None of the tyres had any tread so there was little traction in difficult terrain.
The lions in camp after dinner just metres from our tent was something that we'll never forget!" See all these reviews: 18n in Tanzania
They are sorry that the tsetse flies were particularly bad when these guests were at Mdonya. They are right, it is a bad time of year for them, with the rains coming. Normally there are measures in place to control them - tsetse "traps" of material sprayed with insecticide are arrayed in the worst areas and regularly re-sprayed by the parks authority, but in the rains this washes off. Adventure Camps normally burn elephant dung at the back of their cars, which is extremely effective at repelling the tsetses, but in the wet season its difficult to collect and store dry dung. They do apologise and hope that this didn't spoil their stay too much.
They are very sorry that these travellers got a couple of unsatisfactory vehicles. Normally the cars are in good order, but there were some unusual breakdowns at this time. They thank these travellers for their patience and would like to assure them that all cars and indeed the whole camp are being refurbished for the new season.
"Great safari at Mdonya Old River Camp"
On arrival at the airstrip, we were surprised (but happy) that we had a full day game drive immediately, and didn't arrive back at the camp until late afternoon.
Both days our driver (Francis) stopped about 10-15 minutes before getting back to camp to ask us what we wanted to do the next day - we felt awkward and uneasy both times.....knowing that at the previous camp (Lake Manze) the manager had made such arrangements with us each evening before supper. We didn't understand why Francis was "pressuring" us to decide before even getting back to camp and giving us all the options - don't know if it was his personal initiative (trying to ensure we stayed with him each day?) or what he'd been told to do.......but we didn't really appreciate it.
Food was exceptional - good choices, and good vegetarian options as well - it probably helped that the managers were eating vegetarian as well! All meals in camp were family-style around a large/long table - sometimes it would be nice to have individual tables for those of us who are more introverted! (Maybe alternate between family-style, and individual??)
On arrival at camp (every time - even from game drives) we were greeted with welcome drinks which was a nice touch. The manager (Marco - Italian) was very friendly and relaxed. He gave a good introduction, but was more informal/relaxed. He didn't have the same 'professional' approach as the managers at Lake Manze; but he was very friendly. Mary (other manager, who we met later) seemed more organised!
Tent and bathroom was very well set-up and equipped. Despite heavy rain most days, the camp continued, meals served, etc. Very impressed.
Again, a good quality torch and bug spray was provided in the tent - so we didn't need to bring our own.
Lots of animals passed through camp while we were there - good close-up sightings.
In your literature, it said all drinks at Mdonya are additional cost and not complimentary - that is not accurate. Bottled water was complimentary on all game drives at Mdonya while we were there, and drinking water was always provided in our tents in a flask. The only time we would have been charged for water is if we had chosen to drink bottled water in the camp rather than the water provided in our tent. At meal times, drinking water was always provided on the table.
Tea and coffee in the morning before game drives was also complimentary." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
Carole and I were given a junior guide with a novice driver - not a good combination and consequently not a totally unsatisfactory and disappointing game drive, the guide admitted he did not know the birds but also forgot to take any identification guides with him!! We insisted on an alternative guide, which was provided for subsequent game drives and he was very good." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
"Hot and dry."
The concentration of game was at the river, where the elephant herds added up to hundreds. Away from the water you could travel for hours without seeing any animals, but the park is scenic and we enjoyed the rides anyway.
It was exceptionally hot, any breeze was like being blown by a hairdryer." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania
"Lovely camp in Ruaha"
Our tent (number 6) was clean and comfortable and we often saw Impala, monkeys, and elephants strolling past and hear the hippos in the night.
Waiting staff were particularly friendly and attentive and the food was lovely (I needed vegetarian food and this was never seen as a problem). We especially liked the drinks with other guests around the camp fire each evening.
Our guide (Prosper) was very knowledgeable and the experience of seeing all of those animals around us is unforgettable. You have some flexibility each day about when you go out on game drives although we always chose to go early morning as it is so nice to see the animals then.
We were very lucky not to be bothered too much by the tsetse flies although there were quite a few bees each morning.
It was the end of the dry season and it seemed the camp was far away from where the animals were searching for water to drink so we often had to drive quite far before we would see any animals.
We would recommend this camp." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
The location is good and the added bonus over Lake Manze camp is that there is more areas to walk in the camp.
We had an excellent guide and driver for most of our game drives and they took a lot of trouble in looking for interesting animal sightings. We went on one full day drive, which included breakfast and lunch in the bush, and 3 morning and 2 evening drives. We saw large numbers of lions and elephants - on the complete trip to Lake Manze and Mdonya we saw 30 different mammal species and over 100 bird species. We saw at least 70 lions, 2 cheetah, and a leopard. A highlight was seeing a pride of 24 lions drinking at a spring.
The tents look over a dry river bed and we saw giraffe, impalas and monkeys near the tent. (and monkeys in the en-suite bathroom!). A couple of nights we had lions roaring near the camp. The tents have just the right level of comfort. We also enjoyed very much at both Mdonya and Lake Manze having dinner outside at a long table with all the other visitors. This is much nicer than having separate tables. The quality of food was good, and appropriate to the level of accommodation.
The tsetse flies were an occasional irritant on drives (not in the camp) and the staff burn elephant dung on the back of the vehicles to deter the flies. The flies did not detract from our enjoyment." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
"Mdonya Old River Camp; a flavor of the past"
The best game drives are up to 2 hours away along the Ruaha River when you are out all day with lunch provided. This may well happen immediately after arrival at the airport, which is in the same location. If this happens you may get back to the camp on your first day as darkness falls, making it difficult to settle in, lit by hurricane lamp, candles and torch, like the good old days. We were not fully informed at the outset about this plan, which gradually emerged, giving us little choice. This camp is in a National Park, so no bush walks allowed.
Our guide Fadhili and driver Ayubu were absolutely excellent, enabling us to enjoy every aspect of the environment especially our interest in birds. Nothing was too much trouble for them." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania
"4 nights at Mdonya Old River Camp"
We had an excellent guide and driver to ourselves for the duration of the trip which we found very restful, and thoroughly enjoyed the game, scenery, food and accommodation. Highlights included breakfast in the middle of the bush and sparkling wine at sunset, as well as a private dinner on our veranda on our last night (honeymoon treat).
Although compared to Lake Manze camp in the Selous the range of activities was more limited (to just game drives) and the game drives nominally have to stick to the roads in the park, we found the whole experience excellent and saw plenty of game including leopards and cheetahs. We had both taken binoculars and were glad to have done so. We didn't miss electricity at all. Camera batteries could be charged in the office and candles and torches more than sufficient at night and are provided in the tents.
We had been a little worried before our trip by comments in some reviews about Tsetse flies, but we hardly noticed them. A complete absence of mosquitos was a plus. Honey bees disrupted breakfast on a couple of days, but the camp staff were very helpful and professional and set up honey traps and breakfast in an alternative location.
Overall, a very restful, comfortable and enjoyable Safari." See all these reviews: 13n in Tanzania
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
Driver and guide on the game drives were very good at spotting the game. Unfortunately their English wasn't that good which made the communication rather difficult at times." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania
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