Flo’s trip report:Selous Impala Flycamp

28th July 2011

We were transferred by Manze to meet an Impala car half way to the flycamp, which was near Lake Siwandu. We had Gerard and Mussa Makubi guiding and driving and they were superb.
Gerard knows how to talk to clients, and he also has all the information, a pleasant manner and very good English.
We drove on a game drive to the flycamp where the tents were already set up.
The staff were ready to greet us with fresh juice. There were three staff – butler, chef and tent attendant – and also an armed Reserve Ranger, who was also very pleasant.
The car stayed with us, with the driver and guide.

We were 4 pax (a family group, more than one group are not usually put together unless its requested – usually there will only be 1 or 2 people on flycamp) and had 2 tents, and one bucket shower and loo separate from the tents.
There was a personal note to us by name, from Barbara, welcoming us to the Impala flycamp.

The tents were cool and airy – having 3 gauzed windows and a gauzed door, so air could come in from all 4 sides. There was a little veranda with chairs, and flaps over the windows pulled out to give shade. The beds were mattresses on the floor, very comfortable. We had a bedside table and a chest in the tent. A torch, mosquito spray, boiled and filtered water in a flask, and tissues, were provided.

We had sundowners by a campfire, then moved over to a shaded dining table (in case of rain, though it was pleasantly warm) and dinner was served very nicely. The food was perfect, all cooked on a wood fire, with lots of fresh ingredients, and very tasty.
There was wine if we wanted it, and a good selection of drinks.

The experience was very nice. In the morning Gerard took us for an excellent walking safari, with Thomas the Ranger attending.
I understand that Musa Makomba now has a rifle, licence and permission to do the walking safaris without a ranger. He was in Dar while I was there so I did not meet him this time.

We came back to the camp for breakfast, then left for the main camp on a game drive, arriving there before lunch.