Sample Itinerary - Southern Tanzania Explorer 7 nts

High-class and luxurious, Siwandu is set amid miombo woodland on the shores of Lake Nzerakera, in the central part of Selous Game Reserve’s prime wildlife viewing area. Lake Nzerakera is located a few miles north of the Rufiji River, connected to the main river by the network of waterways that laces through this part of southern Tanzania. Siwandu is an expansive camp, occupying a long stretch of lake frontage. Divided in two, each section of the camp its own public area with swimming pool, lounge and dining room.

On arrival at Siwandu your briefing is held in the spacious reception area, where the camp office and a small souvenir shop are located. It is here that you’ll get your first impression of Siwandu’s stand-out professional and personal service. Siwandu is divided into two camps, North Camp and South Camp. The 7 tents of South Camp are usually filled first, followed by the 6 tents of North Camp. Occasionally, North Camp is allocated a private group.

The central areas of South Camp, located between the southernmost tents, #6 and #7, are tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished, with interesting African art and wooden furniture that includes beautiful writing desks. The main area is raised on stilts, offering lovely lake views from a deck partway up the structure. The lounge and bar are on one side of the top level, and the dining room on the other. Nearby, a paved area and deck surrounds a small swimming pool.

If you're staying in a room in North Camp, you'll find its communal bar/lounge area set on one level. Comfortable seats under a thatched roof provide the perfect relaxing spot in the shade after a morning's safari and a good place from which to take in the view and watch the prolific birdlife that frequents the area. A small but well-stocked bar is in one corner, and traditional African bao boards are scattered around should you feel like challenging someone to a game. Adjoining the lounge is a swimming pool, surrounded by wooden decking, with plenty of loungers. Dining usually takes place on this decking, under the shady doum palms.

The octagonal tented rooms in both the north and south wings of Siwandu are identical: permanent tents on slightly raised platforms, under thatched roofs. Their unusual shape, large windows and high thatched ceiling maximises air flow. The bedroom is spacious and makes the most of views of the surrounding woodland and lake beyond. A canvas doorway that can be secured open or closed for privacy leads through to an ensuite bathroom with twin sinks, storage space and toilet. Wash the dust off in an outdoor shower, enclosed by a wall lowered at the front for lake and wildlife views. Inaya Zanzibar toiletries are supplied including shower gel, conditioner and shampoo.

Natural shades of red, green and yellow are used throughout the rooms, resulting in an understated stylish feel, while subtle touches such as full-length mirrors and wrought iron coat stands add a tone of luxury. The furniture is locally made, and includes a bed, reading chair, wardrobe and dresser. The décor is enhanced by selection of artefacts from around Zanzibar. Each tent can be set up with a king-size double or twin single beds, and can take an extra child bed if necessary.

There are convenient power points where you can charge batteries using a multiplug adaptor (UK, European and American), and for hot nights there is a cooling ceiling fan. There are no mosquito nets over the beds, but the windows are screened, so the whole room is essentially insect-proof. The Siwandu area seems mercifully free of tsetses and has few mosquitos.

Each tent’s best feature is the private deck where comfortable seating offers a quiet spot for a nap, or the perfect position from which to watch passing animals and spot melodious birds.

Activities at Siwandu include boat safaris, walking safaris, 4WD game drives and catch-and-release fishing for catfish and tigerfish.  Over the years the guiding standard in the Selous has improved in and the Siwandu guides are now some of the best.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Siwandu as a very comfortable, stylish lodge with a lovely lakeside location. The tents are of a very good standard, offering high levels of comfort without detracting from the environment and safari feeling. Excellent service, delicious meals and memorable guiding mark this camp out as a very high-quality operation, which will really suit travellers looking to combine a wilderness safari experience with a touch of luxury.

Rates include all meals, drinks and safari activities.

Stylish and with a slightly colonial edge, Jongomero Camp is similar to its sister camp Siwandu. It has smooth and seamless service and plenty of luxury, but despite this, Jongomero has retained a real sense of wilderness. Located in the far south of Ruaha National Park, Jongomero is a long way from any other camp. This part of Ruaha is both quiet and spectacular − it's a real wilderness experience. It is extremely unlikely that you will come across any other vehicles while on safari around Jongomero.

Jongomero Camp faces south and is spread roughly west to east along the banks of the Jongomero River, which flows strongly in the rains, but is usually just a sandy river bed during the dry season. Even when dry, it's a corridor and you can sit on your veranda and watch as a variety of animals walk along it. Elephants frequently wander past, digging into the sand, trying to tap into the water beneath.

The eight tented rooms at Jongomero are raised up on wooden platforms, and have great views across the river. They essentially all have at least a180-degree view, while tent #1 has a 270-degree view. Tents #1 and #2 are to the west of the main, central area and being a little more private are ideal for honeymooners, while tents #3 to #8 are ranged east of the central areas and swimming pool.

All the cabins are large and stylish canvas constructions –  with high-quality furnishings on polished wooden floors. Every detail is well thought through, making these some of the most comfortable and stylish rooms of any camp in southern Tanzania. The bathrooms have a bright shower light and shelf mirror - ideal for makeup and grooming.

Jongomero's main lounge and dining room is similarly luxurious, it has polished wooden floors, sumptuous sofas and Persian rugs across the floors. Rustic in design, with a slight colonial twist, it's an inviting place to relax with a drink, leafing through the coffee-table books on display. The bar and lounge are in one section, while in the other, past a small curio shop, is the dining room. This is one of Ruaha's most luxurious camps, yet its high thatched roofs, and odd bits of traditional African furniture and art, somehow keep Jongomero in touch with its surroundings and stop it from feeling too contrived.

Safari activities at Jongomero Camp revolve mainly around 4WD game drives – and timings are generally flexible and intelligent, though the evening drives always finish by 7pm. The camp has 4 Nissan safari vehicles, each with 4 passenger seats, and they carry braziers at the rear in which dried elephant dung is burned to deter tsetse flies.

Breakfast can be organised around your plans for the morning, and a picnic lunch is packed for longer days in the bush. The camp has also introduced fly-camping and safari walks which only operate in the dry season July to December, and led by a senior walking guide or manager. This is a fantastic way to learn about the smaller things in the bush – and to get a lot closer to them. You drive out about half-way towards the fly-camping area and then walk for a distance before stopping for the night where the camp will have been set up by an advance party of staff. The following morning you set off early and walk the whole 12km back to camp along the Jongomero River.

The Jongomero team also run a guide training program that aims to get FGASA qualifications for all of Jongomero's already experienced guides.

Until 2008, Jongomero was situated on the edge of the park, close to a hunting concession and the game had a tendency to be a little skittish and scared of humans. Then Ruaha National Park's area was doubled in size, and several of the surrounding concessions were included within the park. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the quantity of wildlife and the quality of the game-viewing around the camp. Large herds of buffalo and elephant are regularly seen in the area and Jongomero is also in one of the best locations in Ruaha for spotting the somewhat elusive roan antelope. The camp also offers full-day game drives in to the northern areas of the park where wildlife is generally considered to be more prolific.

When we first visited Jongomero in 2003, this part of Ruaha National Park had a serious problem with tsetse flies – which give painful bites if they get a chance. From June to October they are generally not too bad, then from November to March they tend to be a little worse. They generally seem to be less aggressive after rain. In recent years, efforts to tackle the problem seem to be working and, although there are still quite a few tsetse flies around, they are no longer a reason to avoid this picturesque part of the park.

The food at Jongomero is fresh and plentiful, with an imaginative and varied menu - some of the best in Ruaha in our experience. While the evening meal is generally a communal affair, this is completely up to individual guests and private dining is always an option.

Jongomero is a luxurious and exclusive tented camp perfect for those who want a Tanzania honeymoon combining wilderness and luxury. The service is attentive and the food is excellent – you can have romantic, private meals here.

Jongomero's standards of service, food and comfort are very high, and you can certainly expect very good guiding. Its game densities aren't quite as high as some of the areas further east, but there is still very good wilidlife here. So if you're looking for a wilderness experience, this could be a good choice – especially when combined with the option to fly-camp.