Reviewed 20 Aug 2008 by Becky Jones
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the amazing animals that we saw and the shear size of the open spaces. The time spent on Chumbe was so relaxing in on idyllic paradise Island & with it's eco ethics it is a place with a truly great purpose.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Kenyan Airlines and in particular their associated airline Precision Air are awful avoid them if you can or make sure you have loads of time between connecting flights. It's better to have several hours in an airport waiting than missing connecting flights &/or temporarily losing luggage etc!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Certainly the Chumbe Island part of the trip did all the above. The Safari part less so but tourism is a big industry in a very poor country and seeing all the animals and learning about their impact on the local people increases awareness of this countries difficulties. We did watch the animals in their natural habitat and obviously didn't interfere with them directly. I hope the presence of so many safari vehicles doesn’t have too great and influence in the way animals behave/ interact with each other (eg do loads of vehicles stop animals moving in a certain direction which might reduce the chance of a lion/cheetah etc hunting them?). Still this way is by far the best way to view all these amazing animals.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, a holiday of a lifetime (it was our honeymoon). Our travel agent, were really excellent.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to say because every element was exciting, but I would say an early morning boat safari was especially memorable, simply because the lake was a haven for birds, mammals and reptiles. For example, we were surrounded by a wealth of birds, such as storks, kingfishers, eagles and beeaters. Everywhere we looked there were birds: on the water's edge, in the air, perched in trees. Crocodiles slipped into the water and there were pods of hippos, plus giraffes, elephants, buffalo and impala.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Aim to enjoy every part of the holiday, whether it is the flight in a prop plane and landing on an air strip with elephants and giraffes standing to on either side (or in the middle), or hundreds of hairy caterpillars in procession. Big or small, take it all in and enjoy watching and listening. The animals will be doing something different every time you see them and remember that it is a privilege to be in their environment. Don't worry about dressing up for travel or evening meals, and forget make-up and hair styling too. I would also recommend taking a travel washing line and biodegradable washing liquid and doing regular washes- the clothes dry quickly. And ladies, wear a sports bra...
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Many local people were able to benefit from the holiday, e.g. through employment (and importantly, use of local guides), local produce was used if possible, and one lodge provided clean drinking water for local people. Solar power was used extensively and some camps filtered and boiled water to avoid using bottled water. As far as I could tell (we had short stays at each location), bedding and towels were not changed daily, unlike in hotels.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a superb holiday. It was my first experience of taking a safari and I am overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. Every aspect was great. Everyone we met was friendly and each location was stunning (we travelled to North and South Tanzania) and with breathtaking wildlife.
Reviewed 24 Aug 2008 by Claire Roberts
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Out of our party of 4, for me it was arriving at Mwagusi and seeing elephant, giraffes and abundant wildlife en route from airstrip to camp; for Toby it was seeing a leopard resting in a tree (Ruaha); for Phil it was watching a pride of lions going to a water hole to drink, and for Brittany it was Mwagusi in general. Also, fly camping in Selous was exciting!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If staying at Sable Mountain Lodge (which I wouldn't necessarily recommend, given its distance from the Rufiji River in the Selous), I would make this your first stop, then go on to Ruaha (Mwagusi was fabulous). We were slightly disappointed in Sable Mountain after having been at Mwagusi, but feel that had we gone to Sable Mountain first, we would have enjoyed Sable Mountain more. Mixing safari with beach was a very good combination. Sports bra is a must for safari (particularly route from Matambwe airstrip to Sable Mountain), and tsetse flies are almost unbearable here; not sure what you can do to stop them, (don't wear navy or black) but pre-warned is pre-armed! If you get the chance, fly camp in the Selous from Sable Mountain - a great experience!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, in as much as we were told that those working at the camps were, where possible, local people. At Chole Mjini they fund the local kindergarten and hospital with income raised through visitors. Sable Mountain encourage visits to a local Maasai villa where you buy jewellery made by the villagers. In terms of the environment, solar panels are used; low-energy light bulbs where possible. Chole was very environmentally aware, and food was sourced locally.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous experience; Mwagusi was incomparable; Sable Mountain grew on us, and Chole Mjini was an enchanting place with magical treehouses, but one of our party felt that the 'romanticism' of Chole outweighed its charm... the rest of us adored the place! Very laid-back, relaxed and extremely enjoyable for kids (of all ages!).
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