All the staff, guides, drivers were fantastic, we felt like royalty, we were lucky enough in both camps to have our guides to ourselves, we expected to share our drives but we had it all to ourselves which was really nice. I must highlight though that the management at both camps were excellent, Shaun and Milli at lake manze always there for us, the perfect hosts made us feel like we were family immediately after arriving , having meals in the evening by candlelight and open fire was an experience in itself.
- Nick and Kym, July, 2024
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The honeymoon was truly perfect! Thank you for everything! Everything was amazing, the people, the landscape, the animals. Wow.
There were so many great sightings from Lake Manze that it is difficult to pick only one. The leopard was special because it was so rare but there were so many other equally special sightings thanks to our excellent guides.
We were able to capture some amazing photographs, portraits of elephants, hippos, lions, crocodiles and some amazing birds.
- Katla and Orn, August 2019
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SPECTACULAR SAFARI!
The Selous was just astonishing with all animals roaming around the lakes. Sightings were incredible day after day. In addition there were very few jeeps with us so it felt very exclusive and peaceful. Breakfast & lunch in the bush were a true highlight.
Camp was as well really pleasant and charming. Candlelight dinner at the communal table was sooo nice with everybody sharing their day. There were indeed numerous animals crossing by the camp everyday (elephant family, hippos, cevet, baboons) The adaptation to no electricity & wifi was easy and a good way to « disconnect » from work. The tent was truly lovely & comfy. All we needed was catered for. We were glad to have chosen this camp.
We also got our private jeep and driver & guide which we really really really enjoyed and were truly thankful about.
(> The camp is actually welcoming numerous last minute bookings from Zanzibar hotels at very cheap price coming only for day and night - so we were not looking for the same experience and sharing jeep would have been less pleasant). It was a great choice of camp !
- Maeva and Jeremie, August 2019
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We had a great time, thanks, and both camps (Manze and Mwagusi) very good. One comment – I think it might be useful if you added on your site that credit cards not accepted when settling the bill – cash only.
- Roger, July 2019
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I had a wonderful time! Everyone in Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River camps were so very nice. I could not have asked for a better experience.
My favorite sighting was some lion cubs that couldn’t have been more than a couple of months old! They were absolutely beautiful!
- Kristen, June 2019
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The two reserves we visited provided a good contrast. I particularly enjoyed Lake Manze as you effectively had 2 safaris in one– both water and land with both offering great sights.
I think we saw everything we could have hoped to see including leapord and a honey badger and a pack of wild dogs numbering 23 in total. My son took thousands of photos!
-Alastair, Mary Ann & our boys, June 2019
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The Lake Manze Camp in Selous was simply amazing! We appreciated that each group of guests had private safaris with the same vehicle, guide and driver each day. Even though there was only 3 of us in the camp for two days, the other person had their own jeep and safari crew. It meant that the guide got to know our interests and what we had already seen. Each evening we planned what kind of safari Gary and I wanted to do - we chose a full-day (9 hr.) safari one day, two evening boat safaris on the river, a 'bush breakfast' safari where we went off early morning for 1/2 day and ate breakfast set up on a camp table. One day we chose to just sit on our veranda for most of the day and watch the animals in the camp then go on a 4pm boat safari. Our hosts and managers were very hospitable and saw us off each day and welcomed us back when we arrived. There was no Wifi in the camp which added to the ambiance in the evening where we gathered for drinks and dinner at a long communal table where we could chat with other guests. There was no electricity in the camp at night and it was very romantic with coal oil lanterns and candles for dinner. This safari area is much less touristy than some other we heard about and at most we saw 3 other jeeps on one day of our safari, all gathered around a den of lions. Other than that, we rarely saw other vehicles so if felt like we were in the wilderness by ourselves. The food was amazing! We can't say enough about this camp and would highly recommend it to anyone.
- Arlene and Gary, January 2019
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What an incredible safari we had! Your recommendation of Lake Manze Camp was absolutely perfect for our family. We enjoyed how close we were to the animals - we had an elephant wander through camp one lunchtime and two lions actually walked by our tent in the middle of the day (which was a little too close for comfort, but the masai guards were super awesome and we felt safe).
We saw so many amazing animals - we did two trips per day, including two boat safaris (with fishing). Our guide and driver were excellent (Jackson and Omari) - very knowledgeable and made great efforts to make sure we saw every animal in Selous. We were fortunate to see the wild dogs several times and actually follow them on two hunts - one for a baby giraffe (which thankfully they didn't get) and the other for impala which ended in a kill. OMG what a thrill!! Our two daughters will never forget this experience - they learned so much.
Malcolm was heading up camp during the time we were there (the usual managers were away) - he says he set up the camp at LM originally and works in corporate in Dar Es Salaam. He was amazing, engaging and knowledgable - we really enjoyed meeting him.
- Charlotte and family, November 2018
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We loved both halves of the trip equally although the safari was probably the more unforgettable of the two just due to its nature - that's not the type of thing you see every day. Our highlights from Lake Manze included having two male lions walk right past our land rover, one even did a full lap around the vehicle to inspect it, allowing Allison to get a picture of the lion in portrait mode on her iphone (you have to be within 8 feet of the target or else it won't work correctly so that tells you how close we were)! On the last morning we were there, we woke up to a lion walking through camp not more than 20 feet away from our tent and then on our drive out to the air strip, we got a little stampede of zebras crossing the road in front of the jeep and another couple lion sightings, as well.
- Eric and Alison, November 2018
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The safari was just perfect- we loved every moment. Lake Manze Camp was perfect and impeccably organized. We saw many animals.
- Alexandra & family, November 2018
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Safaris exceeded our expectations! Wildlife fantastic, guides excellent and very knowledgeable, food good and accommodated the dietary requirements very well!
Couple of points worth noting. One minor thing is that lake manze charge for washing whereas mwagusi and butiama don't, so worth hanging onto your washing. I would recommend having breakfast out in the bush rather than at camp as you get out earlier and also have the opportunity to get to know your driver and guide better. Also definitely worth having a driver and a guide as I am sure could miss out on a lot otherwise.
- David and group, October 2018
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Lake Manze was incredible. To see the outline of elephants at early morning crossing the Lake Manze FROM OUR TENT! Unbelievable. I could go on and on about the beautiful smiles of all of the Tanzanian people we met, especially the guides from the camps.
- Kasey and Jim, June 2018
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Selous Lake Manze was wonderful and Sean and Millie were great hosts. On arrival at the airport we were treated to a sighting of the wild dogs! We were extremely fortunate that we were the only guests on the night of my birthday! We ordered a bottle of Champagne and toasted with Sean and Millie. They were surprised and told us they would have had a cake for me had they know about my birthday. However, the fried coconut and the fact that they had already scheduled a private dinner on our veranda were better than any cake!
Zack and Zahoro were fabulous and witty guides and treated us to great displays of wildlife including amazing views of the wild dogs!! We took the morning and afternoon boat rides with Abraham and Jackson on Lake Manze and experienced our own birding National Geographic Tour – truly knowledgeable! On the drive and the boat tour we were the only couple and all the guides were knowledgeable and quick to assist with any of our needs.
- Kathleen and Bogdan, February 2018
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Safari was wonderful. Lake manze was better than anything we could have imagined. The staff were great and really accommodating. I would 100% recommend it to others
- Pav and Craig, October, 2017
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The camp setting was wonderful; camp management was excellent; the location of the camp re lake safaris and reserve safaris gave great opportunity for diverse game viewing. The "resident" elephants were very entertaining. Highlight for me was seeing a den of hyenas, with pups. Guides were very knowledgeable.
- Jackie, September 2016
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The camp at Selous run by Shaun and Millie, top class hosts, was comfortable, with decent food and first rate guiding. It offered a range of safari options, full and half days and of course the boat trip.
- David and Linda, September, 2016
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Lake Manze & Mdonya Old River camps were great and all the staff fantastic. Wildlife viewing was excellent and we saw everything except wild dogs which was a bit of a disappointment but we know nothing is guaranteed on safari.
- Martin and Kay, November, 2015
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The tented camp experience was absolutely stunning, we did not expect to enjoy it so much !
- Polina and Francois, October, 2015
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Nick,
I have been meaning to contact you just to say that the trip was perfect. The accommodation was excellent. We were particularly impressed by the very welcoming nature of the camps. They simply couldn't have been more friendly and accommodating. The guides were excellent and we were amazed at the standard of food that could be produce in the middle of nowhere.
- Ben and Family, July, 2015
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The two camps we chose, Lake Manze and then Kwihala, were both great and did not disappoint in any way. I am glad we chose them both and did them in that order. 3 days at each was perfect. I would not hesitate to recommend either to any of your clients.
- Kim and Bob, September, 2014
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Hi Nick,
We had a wonderful time at both Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River Camp. We were made to feel very welcome at both, and the staff could not have been more helpful.
Thanks for mentioning that it was our honeymoon. Both camps offered to lay on a special, private dinner for us, which was a lovely touch.
And finally thank you for your suggestion of combining the Selous with Ruaha. It was a perfect combination of two quite different parks, and the animal sightings were superb. No rhino, but you can’t have everything.
Thanks for all of your help and suggestions, which helped make an amazing honeymoon.
Kind regards,
Will and Bev
- Will and Bev, September, 2014
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Hi Nick,
We really enjoyed our trip. Lake Manze exceeded expectations, and their staff were so accomadating. The more rustic/no electricity without sacrificing comfort really makes this place unique. Thanks for arranging everything and helping have a really nice trip.
All the best Nick,
Joe and Denise
- Joe and Denise, September, 2014
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Location at Lake Manze is perfect and we particularly enjoyed the boating safari and a full day safari to the hot springs.
- Ben and Lauren, August, 2014
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We were really impressed with the setup at Lake Manze. Would happily recommend it to others.
- Nick and Stefanie, August, 2014
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Lake Manze was excellent. The feel was good, tents spacious and comfortable like Mdonya. Phil and Tricia were perfect hosts. Food was very good (probably better than Mdonya). The activities were perfect, both boats and 4 wheel drives and the usual knowledgeable guides and drivers. The full day drive, although long, was worth it and full of interest. A great lunch stop at Lake Tagalala, the Hot Springs, Selous grave and best of all the Wild Dogs (both going and coming back).
- Peter, November, 2013
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Safari was excellent. Such good hospitality, and three days felt a perfect time to go for.
- Donald and Harriet, October, 2013
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The guide David was excellent and the second driver Abu was good. Saw wild dogs and Legos the resident elephant.
- Samir and Sheila, October, 2013
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As to game viewing at Lake Manze - it was fabulous. At breakfast it was like watching the animals heading for the Ark as they went down to the lake for water, and again in the evening. A young elephant appeared around our breakfast area one morning, and a baboon had to be chased off another.
We went on the breakfast safari one morning, I had just been on the walking one at 6.30 a.m., and was joined by Elizabeth at 8.30 a.m. - drove off just the two of us in the jeep with driver, trainee guide and guide. They set us our breakfast, we had "director" chairs, a table with a cloth, and our food in boxes to help ourselves to. In front of us was a procession of zebra, then giraffe, wildebeest, impala, etc. heading for the water, and some then coming back. So after that we went for a little drive around, and came on the spot where the previous day we had seen two lionesses with four cubs - and what came next? One of the lionesses had brought down a wildebeest and had given one of the cubs the task of strangling it - hooves kicking as it tried, and eventually killed it. Then dragged it towards the bushes to be away from the vultures and hyenas and wild dogs. After that she/he started to eat the choice bits. Meanwhile the mother was just sitting there watching, and then she wandered off. By now we were joined by two other jeeps - we were the first there.
So in a bit we drove round a few trees and came across another kill - this time three cubs were well into ripping open the stomach, and whoosh - out flowed all the water the wildebeste had taken on down at the lake! The mother was just sitting there, watching, and came over and had a bite in a bit.
So that was an added bit to our other game viewing.
Down on the boat trips we went on two canal ones and one lake one. Saw loads of birds, hippos, elephants with young coming down to the water, buffallos, giraffe. Saw pelicans, malacite kingfisher, open mouth storks, goliath herons, and a lot more.
I have been on a number of safaris before - two weeks in Kenya with about 5 or 6 different locations back in 1985, Botswana in 1972, South Africa, a couple in India - but the game in Selous was just fantastic. Friends who live in Nairobi have yet to go to Selous, and one of their friends who now lives in Ireland, said she never saw a kill - so we were lucky!
- Margaret and Elizabeth, August, 2013
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We had such an amazing time, I could not fault any of the places we stayed at, the transfers were also prompt and the weather was perfect.
I would highly recommend the lake manze camp, the staff were brilliant the food was lovely, and the game was incredible. We defiantly will do safari again and are already looking at other parts of Africa.
- Sarah, July, 2013
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The Safari was fantastic and a big thanks to you for directing us south to the Selous as with less of us tourists around it really felt that we were the only people out there on the game drives making each excursion unique.
The Lake Manze camp was brilliant and the staff were very friendly plus the guides were like walking encyclopaedia's so all in all we had a fantastic time. We saw some great sights from Mock charging elephants to a pride of well fed lions. Unfortunately the Male lions have been heavily poached in this area so no fully grown males were sighted. We almost saw a lion hunt but it fizzled out though still very exciting. On our drive from the airstrip to the camp we saw a pack of wild dogs which we were told is very rare so a top start to the trip. On the lake we saw pods of hippos, crocs plus loads of birds plus elephants and buffalo taking a drink at the shore. The only disappointment was not seeing a Rhino's but they're not inhabitants of this area and we saw so much it didn't matter that much.
- Mike and Rachel, September, 2012
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I had no idea what to expect but honestly it was amazing. We had ‘room’ 1 which was the furthest away and so most remote, it felt like we had the place to ourselves and so suspect we had the best of the animals near our tent. We had an elephant come and visit us on 3 of the 4 nights which was a fantastic experience.
I’ve no experience of other safari but I would really recommend Manze, we really enjoyed the lake activities as well as the game drives, the variation and options were great and the experience of seeing the animals was something we will never forget. Some guests were a bit grumbly about a few things but we thought the food and organisation was great. Our particular guide we had each day, Victor, was really brilliant! 4 days was for me the ideal amount of time to go for.
- Dan and Sarah-Jane, August 2012
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The Manze Camp and Safari were really special. The whole experience exceeded our expectations and we were very sad to leave. The staff, guides and management of the camp were exceptionally competant and relaxed.
For my wife, who was born in Dar the willingness of the guides and staff at the Manze to help her recover lost Swahili made the whole experience more special.
We are converts! We are already thinking ahead to 2013.
- Roger and family, July, 2012
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Manze tented camp was just excellent, and the trip went very well. Really enjoyed it.
...please add that the staff were all excellent (the guides, drivers and the staff at the camp)
- Michael, June, 2012
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We also enjoyed the contrast of a trip to the Selous, we especially enjoyed Lake Manze camp, great to see such a large amount of game, birds and fauna.
- Paul and Gayti, June, 2012
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Five stars from 42 votes
