Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs R from Hampstead

"No effort was spared to make our first Safari adventure memorable. The organisation was spot on without being intrusive. The guides were exemplary - generous with their knowledge and infinitely patient. Phil & Patricia were a very good management team. The Safari trips (drives) were, again, well organised, giving us a different aspect every day. It's true that in this part of the Selous, there is not as much game life to see as in other reserves, but that deficiency was amply rectified by the beautiful scenery (late into the dry season, for us, was an ideal time to visit) and lack of the crowds.

Although we knew before we booked that Beho Beho were committed to communal dining, we would have appreciated the opportunity to eat alone on at least one of the days. The Safari breakfasts and lunches were excellent, but we both found the dinner menus too rich and lacking in flavour. Too much pastry and not enough delicate flavours.

I'm not sure if we were warned about the 6.30 morning starts! Of course, once we were there, we understood why we needed to set off early every morning - but we were fairly tired by lunch-time and, because there was a pool and lots to see from our Banda, we opted out of the late afternoon drive a couple of times.

Would certainly recommend the camp."

"Although not as luxurious as Beho Beho, Mwagusi Camp somehow felt more authentic - probably because we were right on a river bed and in a tent (albeit a very sophisticated one!). The drives were excellent and we were privileged to meet a female Cheetah and a young Leopard. The nightly camp fire before supper was an inspiration. As John and I were 'peopled' out, we asked if we could eat together. No-one seemed to mind and we became known as the 'honeymooners'!

Food was excellent - a combination of African and Asian - as was the management team and guides.

Our tent (think they all did) overlooked the river bed and we spent many a happy hour watching animals and birds finding water beneath the sand.

Would have appreciated a better stocked library."

"After 10 days of bumping along on dirt tracks, it was a joy to reach the Indian Ocean and get up when we wanted to!

The Management team were very helpful and discreet. Breakfasts and lunch were excellent, but dinner tended o be a bit of a hit and miss affair - on two occasions the meat was tough. The bandas were comfortable, especially the low-slung hammocks on the verandas.

The three mile white sand beach was a joy and gave us a much-need opportunity to walk - we hadn't quite appreciated how restrictive Safari life has to be in that regard. Staff very friendly and helpful."