Travel reviews by Mr S from Maidstone

"This is the second time I've been to this camp - the fact I returned must tell you something! The rooms and the setting are great - this time the game viewing was not quite as good as the first time, but that's the 'hit and miss' of safari - but we did see some great things including a leopard hunting at night and using our vehicle as a shield to hide it from an unsuspecting puku. Crossing the river by boat to get to and from the park definitely adds to the fun - getting close to the hippos and trying to avoid a grumpy elephant on the bank.

Rooms always kept immaculate - very comfortable. The food was very good, and fortunately an almost endless supply of Mosi beers which were very welcome. Joe was our host - the males in our party 'poo poo'd' him as 'eye candy' for the girlsd (who loved him at first sight!!) but at the end of our stay had to admit he was a great host - on our last night they set up a private table for us on the river bank to have our final evening meal and provided a free bottle of champage - we were all glad to invite Joe to join us.

All in all a wonderful river side setting to enjoy the wildlife in the park from superb comfort."

"My second visit to Mwamba - this time I brought 3 friends with me. As last time, we had Craig and Lindy as hosts and the superb Patrick as our guide.

This place has a real 'bush' feel, with reed walls and roof and an open air bathroom - but delivered with real style and panache. The hide in the camp overlooking the water hole is an added bonus, and we all had some great sightings of birds and animals from there. But Patrick's skill at interpreting alarm calls of baboons and squirrels, and knowing from them what was about and in which direction must be unsurpassed

We had wonderful game drives with him, and also a morning walk in the bush. The walk was something I would particularly recommend to anyone going to S Luangwa. Patrick spotted a headless baboon in a tree, and when we returned later with the vehicle we were rewarded with viewing mum leopard and her two baby cubs - a real magical 30 minutes spent watching them.

Carig and Lindy always busy in the background looking after our comfort, and did that very well - the sloshing of the hot water into our shower bucket always arrived just at the requested time!

A lovely camp to stay in - combining luxury and a real feel for being out in the bush wonderfully."

"I've been to Kaingo before, loved it so much this time returned with my partner - who I think fell in love with it to the extent that she loves it more than she loves me!!!

The rooms are really luxurious and set by the river, each with a private viewing deck on to the river. What better way is there to spend a day after an early morning game drive, than lazing on the seats there watching the world go by - crocs, hippos, kingfishers, eagles etc etc?

The staff all worked tirelessly to ensure we had everything we wanted - and the food was so good I put on more weight than I'd like to admit!

We had Hendrix as our guide - wonderful game sightings including one noisy incident involving three leopards up the same tree!

Would highly recommend this place to anyone thginking of a visit to the South Lunagwa"

"I stayed in Kaingo for 3 nights in July 16. Absolutely superb from the moment I arrived. Rooms are wonderful, with outside seating area and a separate seating area on a raised platform overlooking the river, lovely bedroom and toilet/shower.

Nothing was too much trouble for the staff- in particular my guide Sandy who was full of information and expertise. The food was so good I began to worry whether I'd still fit in my clothes at the end of the stay! This has to be the best place in the world for leopard viewings, and everything else too from wild dogs to eagles.

I couldn't recommend this place highly enough, and hope to go back next year."

"I chose the option of walking to Mwamba from my last camp - Kaingo - and was glad that I did. Whilst the guide was explaining how leopards roll in impala dung to camouflage their scent right on cue a leopard walked out right in front of us! So much else to see on foot too.

Met at the camp by hosts Craig and Lindy who were absolutely wonderful throughout my stay - nothing was too much trouble for them - even when they didn't get much sleep because a wandering elephant was trying to 'move' their hut all night.

The rooms are basic 'bush' rooms of the type often found on safaris, but I would say 1 up on the 'luxury' tents some camps use. Comfortable bedroom area and outside flushing loo and shower. Food was excellent - plenty of it and all to a high standard.

The camp has a hide within its ambit which is well worth a visit to watch the birds and animals who 'drop in' for a drink.

My guide was Patrick - alias Dr Doolittle - I witnessed him 'talking' to a herd of wildebeest which he made turn towards us for good photos, and holding a 5 minute conversation / singing contest with a coucal which I would not have believed if I had not seen it. Very informative and knew just where to go for the best game sightings - on the last morning we followed a hunting pack of wild dogs and then saw them calling to compatriots on the other side of the river, at which point on the far bank 15 appeared and raced across the beach towards us - sensible enough not to try to cross because of the crocs - but it was an incredible hour or so which I won't ever forget.

Can't recommend the place highly enough."

"We stayed for 3 nights in July 14. We were both impressed by everything at Impala camp - the rooms were great, food wonderful, staff exceptionally helpful and guides keen and knowledgeable. We went on walking, boat and vehicle trips - all good - saw huge variety of wildlife, the highlight being tracking down a pack of wild dogs and spending some time viewing them.

I can honestly think of no 'negatives' about this camp and would highly recommend it."

"We stayed 3 nights in Mdonya in July 14.

Whilst we were there a rep from a tour company (not Expert Africa) was there assessing the place. One of the criteria she had to give it a good rating was whether they provided free cotton earbuds. Mdonya don't. But seriously - if you want to see animals and have free cotton earbuds, book in to a hotel in Park Lane and go to London zoo. Alternatively, if you want to see African wildlife in as natural surroundings as you are ever likley to find in Africa now then go to Mdonya.

The rooms are fine - its actually fun to shower with no roof over your head! The beds were large and comfortable. The food was exceptionally good with a wide variety of choice- we had the best vegetable curry we have ever tasted there.

The game viewing was good and guides knowledgeable - it was all done by safari vehicle - there were no walking trips available - but we had been warned in advance that was likely to be the case because of anti-poaching measures in Ruaha."

"We stayed for 3 nights in July 14. Everything was abslutely superb - seriously can't think of any criticism at all. Perfect place to unwind, but with plenty of activities to do if you want them - defintely don't miss snorkelling over the coral reef.

The room was great, with a lovely veranda - just geat for the sundowner cocktails every night. Every meal we had was wonderful and the staff went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed.

Would highly recommend Pole Pole.

A useful tip: no-one tells you to keep the receipt for the Marine Park readily available - don't throw it away as you need it when you leave the park because they check it - a Dutch couple we were leaving with couldn't find all of theirs and got charged the entry fee again - and they were only allowed to pay in US Dollars, Tanzanian currency was refused!"

"Wake up every morning to watch the sun rise through the branches of the Baobab tree in which your room is built - can't be beaten!

The location of this place makes it something special - from the rooms in trees to dining in ruins or on a jetty overlooking the sea.

The food was very good and the staff always helpful. There are plenty of trips that you can do (don't miss the snorkelling over the coral reef) but its a great place to just relax and 'chill' if you want to.

Toilets: I would say don't be put off by the fact they are downstairs from your room and don't flush. You soon get used to it and they are perfectly acceptable.

A useful tip: no-one tells you to keep the receipt for the Marine Park readily available - don't throw it away as you need it when you leave the park because they check it - a Dutch couple we were leaving with couldn't find all of theirs and got charged the entry fee again - and they were only allowed to pay in US Dollars, Tanzanian currency was refused!"