Garonga Safari Camp

We had a wonderful stay at Garonga. The safari trips were tailored to us and full of useful information, and the team always made us feel welcome and looked after. The food was fresh and delicious. Thanks for everything.

The safari itself was life changing. We saw four of the Big 5, and it still feels hard to believe it really happened. I’m still pinching myself. Our hearts are full, and words don’t quite cover the experience. From our driver waiting when we landed to the A++ service and every staff member we met, we felt incredibly well looked after. The chefs prepared some of the most amazing food ever. This really was the dream of a lifetime.

Five nights wasn’t enough. Everyone, from the manager and servers to the chefs, housekeepers, and transfer drivers, worked around the clock to make our stay at Garonga feel perfect. The driver and tracker were knowledgeable, and the experiences they arranged were out of this world. The rooms were clean and comfortable, with fantastic shower pressure. The outdoor shower was a fun touch, especially when you could watch animals at the waterhole while showering. And the food was delicious. Better than five stars.

Five nights gave us time to settle into camp life, and we loved every minute. The Sleepout turned out to be an unexpected highlight. We’d worried about leaving our teenagers at camp, but staff kept an eye on them, so we felt fine going. It was dark and quiet, with amazing stars to pick out using the laser pointer and starguide. We ate our packed dinner on the deck, then slept comfortably under the netting with a big duvet. There was even a proper flushing toilet. It felt magical, not scary, and the lanterns and my red-setting headtorch came in handy. The drives were excellent, and we saw the Big 5 well. Some days there was loads to see; one day was quieter as we searched for the male lions, who we found the next day. Sightings were well managed, and sundowners and the drives back in the dark were fun too. The setting was beautiful, with lots of animals coming to the waterhole. We saw four of the Big 5 from the decks, only missing lions. Getting ready or eating was entertaining with so much to watch. Even my massage was interrupted by an elephant stopping for a drink beside the massage hut, totally magical. The pool was lovely for a quick refresh, cool but bearable, with a nice outlook. Staff were welcoming, friendly, interested, and knowledgeable. The rooms were lovely and spacious, with excellent showers. Food was delicious and served in generous portions. They were happy to make an alternative if someone didn’t fancy the planned meal. Some dinners were with our own group and others at a communal table. We also enjoyed drinks around the fire before dinner, and breakfast was amazing. Thanks to all the staff.