Reviews of safaris to Ruaha National Park

"We love wildlife safaris, and this Selous/Ruaha venture was no exception in most aspects.

The overall efforts from Lyndsey at Expert Africa meant that the whole itinerary unfolded as planned - no hitches. She provided all of the necessary information from London to us in Oz. for me to feel confident of the outcome.

Our experiences in both Selous and Ruaha were what we had hoped for in respect to the vast wilderness feel to both regions, the variety of vegetation and topography, as well as the absence of hordes of other safari vehicles. We were a little disappointed that due to several factors ( maybe vegetation cover/animal numbers of some species) we didn't locate wild dog, cheetah or leopard in either location. We've never based our trips on seeing particular wildlife because often it's more luck than anything, and no one factor can change this.

The camps chosen were equal to anything we had previously encountered, and would recommend both Impala and Mwagusi.

Overall a great trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Great Trip with a good mix of safari, beach and town.

Seemed the timings were just perfect thanks to your advice! Safari was so well organised could relax and enjoy ourselves.

So glad we included seeing stone town to break it up slightly and the beach recommendations were just what we needed!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Everything was great, wouldn't have been able to do it without you!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a fabulous honeymoon and really appreciated Claire's expertise.

We have already recommended Expert Africa to 3 people since returning home. Thank you!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"I was able to research our trip with the help of your excellent website and conversations with Lyndsey and book a holiday which exceeded my expectations. I was keen to avoid crowds at safari camps and therefore avoided the Serengeti and crater and choose Ruaha and Selous. Both were fabulous and we enjoyed visiting at this time of year when the areas were so green and lush. Ruaha with its baobab trees was particularly beautiful. We also enjoyed the contrast of Selous with the river and lakes and the option of boat safaris to see crocodiles and hippos.

I was pleased to have had 2 nights in Stone Town. What a fascinating town. We booked a historic tour for 8.30am before it became too hot and found our guide well informed. The last 3 nights at Mtembwe Lodge were wonderful. The place was paradise and we really didnt want to leave. All in all a super holiday.

The only plan I would have changed would have been to have stayed 3 nights at Ras Kutani instead of 2 nights, as the journey seemed too long from Dar es Salaam for just what ended up to be one whole day there as we only arrived at 6pm and had to leave at 7.30am. The hotel was good but we couldn't really appreciate it in the time allowed." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a wonderful time overall and met some very interesting people.

We would have no hesitation in doing the same trip again, but I don't think we would take in Mafia Island. I think it's just us - we've outgrown just going to the beach. If we were planning this again I think we would stay an extra night and chill out at Beho Beho (in fact, Beho Beho offers far more luxury than Pole Pole and was much more comfortable) and then maybe a day at Oyster Bay in Dar before coming home." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Tanzania safari

"The advice I received from Expert Africa was extremely useful in enabling me to choose two contrasting park/game reserves and the right accommodation for my needs. It was particularly helpful to have advice on the best places for a solo traveller. I was also grateful to have been advised to get a visa beforehand as I noticed other travellers were forming a lengthy queue while I breezed through immigration. All the transfers went smoothly and the staff from Coastal Aviation were friendly and helpful.

During the low season in which I travelled the Selous was abundant in plains game, particularly new born animals. Predators were not so easily found but the guides were skilled enough to track them down. Ruahah had so many elephants with herds up to perhaps 100. There were plenty of elephants a few weeks old. Good sightings of cheetah and lions.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Of the eight nights of my trip I spent seven of these as the sole guest. Obviously this had advantages but as a solo traveller I would have liked to have been able to meet other safari guests. The staff at the camps went out of their way to make me welcome so there was no chance of feeling isolated. Not really something you could resolve !

At both camps it was commented that Expert Africa was one of the best Africa tour operators." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"One of our very best trips. We had done many previous safaris but always in the dry season. While going in the green season has some downsides (much thicker bush and some areas were inaccessible due to flooding) the scenery was more attractive and we still had excellent game viewing while the bird life was significantly more abundant than in the dry season. Combining Selous with Ruaha provided good contrast and meant that we saw a wider range of game than remaining in just one reserve." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"A great trip, literally the holiday of a lifetime.

The itinerary was well thought through and met our budget. There was little I would change." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"Very well organised and coordinated trip leading to a marvellous holiday making the most of remote and beautiful game reserves

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep being aware, which I am sure you are!, of the difficult balancing act between remote bush and wish to see animals and comfort.

Different customers will have different requirements, but my personal view is that excessive luxury in this situation is not appropriate, makes me feel uncomfortable and actually detract, not to say making an already expensive trip even more so.

Kwihala got it absolutely right for me." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"This trip was worth everything that my husband and I put into it. We hesitated on the cost but then realized that having the exact trip we wanted would be worth it.

I can't gush enough about how perfectly ExpertAfrica put together everything for us. It was also in the perfect order, and met every little thing we had asked for.
We wanted walking safaris, which we got. We wanted luxury, which we got. We wanted parks/reserves that were not as crowded but still had great game viewing. Nothing about the itinerary disappointed us.

I'm also impressed with the order of the itinerary. We thought it strange that we were going to Selous and then Ruaha when everyone we encountered in Selous mentioned that they had come from Ruaha. We wondered why we were doing it the other way, and also wondered, with Beho Beho's level of luxury, if maybe finishing on it would be better. But once we got to Ruaha and experience Kichaka Expeditions, we knew that the trip had been planned exactly right. Though both camps are absolutely great at what they do, if we had done it in reverse order, we might've been a little disappointed.

Also, I want to comment that I was very pleased with Primate Safaris, who worked with us in Rwanda. They were professional, and really great. Our luggage had gotten lost on the way into Kigali, and the company helped us get it to us. The guiding was knowledgeable, friendly, easy to talk to, and we had a really good time.

The only problem with this trip is that it made me realize how unhappy I am with my current day job and it was extremely hard to transition back to regular life. It was almost too good of a trip! All I want to do is return to Africa on another vacation, even though I know it will be a long time before I can...
But for certain, when I do, I will book through Expert Africa.

As a note, though Lyndsey helped with our final details of our trip," Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari