Selous Impala Camp

Selous Impala Camp - just brilliant

We cannot say enough about all the staff, their flexibility, professionalism, attention to detail. Extremely experienced, customer and environment oriented - a lovely combination.

The Camp facilities are great and the safaris themselves were just amazing with experienced and friendly guides.

One aspect that shone through was that all of the staff appeared genuinely happy which is a real reflection on management.

We did the safaris with a two year old and nothing was too much trouble for the great crew at Impala.

Well done Impala - you have won or hearts and we intend to come back!

Loved it

We're fortunate to have been to a number of camps across Africa and would rate the reserve and the lodge as one of our favourites. The camp is superb. The tents are private and luxurious and face out onto the water, we spent two days watching a family of elephants feeding opposite us. The food, staff, management and activties are all excellent. I would highly recommend the early game drive with a bush breakfast and the river safari. Ours came with a suprise bottle of champagne for sundowners.
They made a fuss of our honeymoon, setting our dinner table apart and in different locations within the grounds every night. The reserve has many parts to it so you see a wide variety of animals and landscapes however some drives can go by without seeing anything as a consequence of its size. The camp made the best use of its surroundings and was very comfortable without being pretentious, we saw hippo and elephant from 20 meters when walking to dinner and the Massai are great at ensuring your safety. If you are looking for a true bush experience with a touch of luxury then I would recommend Selous and Impala Camp

Glad I was there.......

It was way beyond expectations. The whole setup, the place, the manager, the guides, the waiters and the Masai, were excellent. All of them were tuned to guest comfort and safety. Everything was perfectly arranged from arrival/departure, meals and safari trips. The reserve is too big, so in terms of spotting animals it was a bit disappointing. A whole drive could go by, without seeing anything extra-ordinary. Saw the Lion only once. Oh no, twice. Once on the drive and the 2nd time in the camp, as we were walking back from dinner. The Masai went, 'Lion' and focused the light on a Lion not more than 20 mts away. Giraffe and elephants also strolled through the camp. Would I go there again? Yes, indeed.

The only place to honeymoon

What a start to our honeymoon! Collected from the airstrip by boat we were spotting hippos and elephants within minutes of landing. Slightly apprehensive about camping as I do like my creature comforts, nothing to worry about at Impala, the tents were more luxurious than most hotel rooms with stunning views and right amongst the animals. Staff and food was excellent. Private drives morning and evening with knowledgable guides (Mpogo was excellent) who ensured an abundance of wildlife and animals every time we went out. Strongly advise the early morning drive, no matter how tired you feel! A good days fishing was great fun. Lovely little touches like watching the sun go down drinking pink champagne! Attention to detail was extremely good.

This was not a cheap holiday but we have been spoilt for our first Safari, Impala will be very hard to beat!

Selous Impala Camp

Beautiful location, lovely tent (didnt feel like a tent), great staff - fantastic overall experience. Although on a couple of our game drives we did not see that much, we had one brilliant morning game drive and we really enjoyed the river safaris, watching the animals come to drink the water and the elephants swimming across the river.

Magic!

This was not a cheap holiday by any means, but it was worth every penny! The animals we got to see were amazing. Our guide (Mpogo) was absolutely expert in seeking out all the animals we had on our wishlist - even leopards and wild dogs! The variety of trips available (game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris, fishing) made every day different. The food was very good (if a little too much!) and the staff were lovely. The tent was the most palatial tent I've ever seen. It was so luxurious and so clean. There were no bugs in sight! We had also had wildlife walking through the camp which meant we could sit on our verand and see elephants, hippos, giraffes and monkeys to name a few. An absolutely magic experience.

Superb stay

My wife and I travelled to Impala Camp at beginning of our honeymoon. Having been in safari in South Africa twice before we were overwhelmed by the beauty, wilderness and quality of game viewing in Selous. Impala Camp was beautifully appointed, perfect location, comfortable and beautifully furnished rooms and excellent main lodge. Staff were the friendliest you could could wish for. We saw everything! Our first leopard in 10 minutes from leaving the camp, 2 more in the following days, plenty of lions with kills and trying to crush a rare pangolin. The photos don't do Impala Camp justice. We loved it and thought worth every penny. The chef tried to overcomplicate things and the results were not brilliant for dinner. Small improvement all that is needed.

SELOUS IMPALA CAMP

Our second trip here and fantastic setting on the river . A very relaxed and friendly camp - all the staff are great .the tents comfortable and the food excellent Nice swimming pool too overlooking the river. Thanks to Matteo and his team, and especially to Daudi for teaching us Swahili at mealtimes and keeping us entertained! . The safari trips were great - once again many thanks to Hussein and Ali for being great guides and finding us that elusive leopard at last - we very very luck to see her shortly after an impala kill and to follow her dragging it back to the tree , joined later by one of her cubs.The highlight of our whole trip (see photos)! The elephants in the camp were worrying as always but the Massai guards do a great job protecting guests ( we watched while one guard had to fend of an angered elephant close by the next tent due to the irresponsibility of the guests who seemed to ignore the Massai's instructions- a plea, people should heed the instructions given to them in the camp - and respect these animals and the work the Massai do!).We love the river trips and the unexpected 'sundowner' up on the bank was a real treat. A great camp , we would highly recommend it, and we think the appeal in the Selous is the the remoteness and sense of space with off-road safaris.

Outstanding Selous Impala Camp

An outstandingly well located and appointed camp and one of our favourites in all Africa. Staff, accommodation and food were first class.The boat ride from the airport was magnificent as the river is alive with animals and birds. Our guide Pietro took us to the lakes and plains for many memorable experiences which included giraffes fighting, wild dogs, lions, as well as elephants, crocs and hippos in the river. Caught fish and enjoyed sundowners after a river and lake cruise. A real highlight was the sighting and photographing of 108 different bird species in 3 days. The accommodation was first class and on the cliff edge with its great views of the animals both day and evening. Beautiful water taken from the river for showers and drinking - as good as anywhere in the world. This is a must go camp and so easy to access from Dar es Salaam.

A really wonderful camp

My husband and I loved this camp. The accommodation was really lovely - and we've never stayed in a tent quite like this one with a lovely shower, and a fan. We were often woken up by the resident hippo and monkeys jumping over the roof.

We got on brilliantly with our driver and guide - Polecat and Husain - they were really lovely and very informative. We were on our own for all our safaris - and we did jeep safaris, walking safaris and boat safaris. We hardly ever saw other jeeps, but when we did, they had only the one driver/guide combined, so we felt we were much better off with two people as one can drive, and the other can watch for all the wildlife!

Every evening we were in a different place for dinner - by the pool, in the main lodge, and even in the bush with the Masai watching out for us. As there are no fences, the Masai walk you to and from your tent, which was really good. We often had to stop as there would be a giraffe on the path and there was a bull elephant who appeared at breakfast. A really fantastic place to stay.

PLEASE DON'T EXPAND

We needed to finish 5 weeks of voluntary work in Arusha with a realxing safari experience and something different to the Northern Circuit.
Leeny at ATR knows what we like and when I suggested Selous he responded immediately by suggesting Impala Camp:small, quiet remote area with watersideide location and value for money.
Impala Camp fit the bill and yet another example of "small is beatutiful" An excellent waterside location and the boat safaris brought a very enjoyable alternative to the open-sided jeep drives.
We were coming to the end of the season and early rain made some tracks didfficult and the animals were well dispersed so not the best time to vist the area if density of game is imporatnt to you.The views of wildlife,birds and sunsets from the boat made uo for this. Also challenging to get good photos of the game, some of which were more timid having migrated from the southern part of Selous where there are no tourists. The opportunity for birdlife photos and hippos in the water compensated though and we saw wild dogs for the first time. The boat guide was particulary knowledgable.
The privacy of your verandah overlooking the water and private table for meals was enjoyed yet the comapny guests around the fire and for sundowners was just the right balance: no buffets here.
Finally we rated the service highly and enjoyed the meals: we think both was the direct influnce of the private owners being on site and their attention to good staff training.
Would we go again? Yes but please don't expand.