Sheila Lucas review 19 Aug 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Having such close contact with the animals as the lodges were not enclosed. In Ruaha River Lodge a male elephant crossed the river while we sat watching from our verandah and went beside our house to wander round the lodge. A while later he appeared on the other side of our house and went back over the river to join his family waiting on the other side.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Keep your ears open at night when animals are feeding around the houses.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The lodges give work to the people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was very well organised and we had no problems. It is much quieter in South Tanzania and with less tourists we felt a closer relationship to the country, people and animals which was a fantastic experience.
Lisa Schooley review 25 Jun 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were too many moments, the entire trip was memorable and exciting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I absolutely adored Sable Mountain Lodge, it was beautiful and relaxing. I'm not sure it would suit older travellers as it's a long ride to get to the reserve to start the safari. Although you do see animals on the way. It's a long and bumpy ride as the roads are bad. Personally, it added to my adventure.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
As far as I could tell, yes it did.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10/10. My one comment, the Peacock Hotel in Dar was clean and central, however the bedroom, bar and restaurant are windowless which after a safari was very had to bear. I wouldn't wish to stay there again, purely for the window reason.
Read the operator's response here:
Sable Mountain Lodge do have their own airstrip which is just 15 mins from the lodge. Usually flights arrive here. Sadly it was out of action when Lisa visited as the strip is being resurfaced. We are not certain when the work will be completed but the long ride to the lodge should not be encountered for future visitors. The ride is through Selous Game Reserve however so as Lisa states in her review guests have every chance of seeing the local wildlife.
Jo Maw review 4 Nov 2005
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Having an elephant peer through the door of our banda was quite a surprise, but my favourite part was meeting lots of locals and learning bits of Swahili and tribal dialect.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you have to get one of the small transfer planes, take travel sickness tablets - even if you don't usually need them. Even the lodge owners feel rough on the six seater planes.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The Fox's Lodges certainly benefit the locals and we saw real synergistic relationships. Not so sure about the Protea hotel south of Dar.
4. Any other comments?
Tempted to give it five stars! Probably joint first with a long trip to Belize.
