Traveller reviews

Travel reviews by Ms C. from Baltimore

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"A joyful break from the work-a-day world.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I felt very confident with Jessica's advice -- she had recently travelled to Ruaha NP -- and her appreciated her patience with my questions. I was working with several other safari companies at the same time and went with Expert Africa because she was able to work with my budget and time constraints and make all the arrangements for me.

I Got a little nervous after I completed the booking form and payment and didn't hear from Jessica again for 3 or 4 days -- notably over the weekend, but my trip was only 4 days away when I got confirmation."

Feedback response

We are delighted to hear that this last-minute trip worked so well. We pride ourselves on being able to organise great trips at relatively short notice; here we had about 11 days between the enquiry and this traveller joining our safari.

In the middle of this, a weekend fell. So we did go a bit quiet. Sorry to hear this caused a couple of nerves, but very glad that it was rectified on the Monday – and especially that the trip was such excellent value and a great fit, which is always what we strive for.

Arranged By Jessica Plumb

Mdonya Old River Camp

"Mdonya Old River Camp"

4 nights Arrived 16 Nov 2018

"I chose this camp with the advice of Expert Africa, a UK company that helps you sort out all the options and make the arrangements for safaris in Tanzania and beyond. It was a great fit for me -- a woman traveling alone after a business trip in Dar es Salaam. I went during the November shoulder season when I was able to book last minute and the premium typically charged for single travelers was lower than I would find in the northern, more popular safari region.

I also liked the idea of really going off the grid for a change. No electricity and wifi created a beautiful candlelit dinner atmosphere where people actually spoke to each other rather than looked at their phones during meals. And I met some really interesting people, including the managers who usually joined us at meals. The Maasai are working there to ensure your safety when elephants and other neighbors might amble through the camp, and escort you to an from your tent in the evenings and early morning. They are more than willing to teach you some Swahila.

The highlight was my incredible driver/guide -- Kahimba -- and the student intern who he was mentoring at the time -- Daniel. When I told Kahimba I was interesting in understanding the unique ecosystem of Ruaha NP and its inhabitants of all kinds, he introduced me to the ant lion insect as well as the many animal lions throughout the park. He has been working in the park for 12 years, many of them with documentary filmakers, including National Geographic and Owen Prümm (see
The Lions Rule), and has many facts and stories to share from his experience. His knowledge of the interrelationship between plants, animals, water, and insects was limitless.

I highly recommend Nov. as a time to visit -- the season is beginning to shift between dry season and wet season and the changes in the vegetation are happening rapidly. Don't expect to see another one of the big 4 (no rhinos here) around every corner, but be ready for surprises every day. And who could ever tire of seeing another immense gnarled Baobab tree?"

Excellent

Experience Report

Overall Rating:

Excellent

Location

Excellent

Service

Excellent

Activities

Excellent

Rooms

Good