Chogela Safari Camp and Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours that can start every day (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was the real deal; a pride of lions at 10 meters!
I do not have other experiences with which to compare this trip. However, it certainly lived up to my expectations. The tour guides were very competent, and I think that they were able to provide a very full and authentic wildlife experience without traveling great distances. We saw and photographed a very good variety of animal species in a single day trip.
Email Leah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An Excellent Camp!
Chogela safari camp is an exceptionally beautiful camp located in a great area of Tanzania. The staff is friendly and hard working and the food is incredible! The sleeping and bathing quarters are comfortable and there is ample opportunity for wildlife watching in and around camp. If you travel to Iringa and/or Ruaha National Park you can not miss staying at this camp!
Email Evan Christen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Expert guide for animals AND birds
We had a two day tour in Ruaha national park. It was a fantastic experience. The wildlife was fantastic with huge amounts of elephant, giraffe and zebra. We also saw a pride of lions, kudu and hippos fighting!
Chogela was a very good guide and for birdwatchers he was excellent, knowing where to go to see different bird varaities and expert at identification by sight and call. We saw too many birds to mention, but highlights for me were saddle bill stork and glossy starlings.
Camp is very nice and food was excellent. Also mention that this camp supports a number of community initiatives so it feels like giving something back to the local people.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time
I stayed here for 3 days in August, and did a safari into Ruaha and a visit of the nearby Maasai village, all organised through Chogela camp. The safari was great, and the cultural tour, a wonderful way to learn about the livelihoods of this particular tribe. The camp is staffed by students of cultural tourism who are undergoing their course at Chogela camp. Get to know them, because they are fantastic!
The food and accommodation are excellent ( I borrowed a tent, which was large enough for 4 with two beds!), and you can even get a hot shower. I highly recommend Chogela camp to solo travellers like myself, as I was well looked after, and sitting around the bonfire at night is a great way to meet other guests, guides, camp staff and students, and swap stories. I had a great time and would love to come back if I visit Tanzania again.
If you like, you can also donate to Chogela Foundation-a fund for improving the livelihoods of the local Maasai who have been displaced. It's a great way to support the local community. I made this my 'tip' :)
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Pleasant stay at Chogela Camp-Ruaha NP
We visited Ruaha NP and stayed at Chogela Camp. It is a nicely setted tented camp with camp fire in the evening and very delicious dinner. The tour was guided by a very enthusiastic nice tanzanian who gave a lot of information to the park and the anaimals, so it was an interesting day throughout. Also all other poeple in the camp were very pleasant
Several but very minor details prevent me from giving 5 stars (Tent not closing properly, no light in the toilet or shower, sparse toilet paper, well, can live with it and prepare myself). I would definetely go go and stay there again, the next time we will visit.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Campsite
The campsite is simple but fine. We were not welcomed in a friendly way (not allowed to select our own spot while there were no other campers), but the owner came to do this. Each day a nice fire was lighted next to our tent. During payment the rate was different than stated in the reservation but after some discussion this was also solved.
Email JanM | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Supper under the stars!
We spent one night at the Chogela Safari Camp on our way out of Ruaha National Park. The campsite, with room for camping vehicles and tents as well as tented rooms some now en-suite, was immaculate and we were given a large area, with a fire pit, in which to park our truck and set up camp. The nearby ablutions were more than adequate, clean as clean and the water hot. As we had run out of food when camping in the park we had booked to have dinner and on arrival asked if we could this served under the gorgeous night sky! Before we knew it tables were bought out and a fabulous buffet set up in front of us, which was soon laid with bowls of home grown rice, beef stew and fabulous spinach, all delicious. The staff simply could not have been more helpful. To make the evening complete the camp owner, Chogela, joined us for supper and we had a wonderful night hearing all about how the camp was set up and his plans for the future. After breakfast the next morning we sadly had to leave but if we were to return we would definitely stay again and would try to fit in one of the tours that Chogela runs from the camp. With thanks to everyone there.