Old Mondoro Bush Camp

A very special place, so full of soul. Ryan & Pam were great hosts & all the staff were great with the girls (including extra hot water bottles & ‘beanie’ hat for Lucy on the cold morning game drives, special cooked breakfast for them both on final morning & involved them in conversations). Food was excellent & topped off by a surprise bush lunch & also a birthday cake for Claire. Watching & listening to 1 of the males roar, just feet away from us is a memory that will last with us all forever (so too the sound of 3 giggling girls, who, after all the excitement needed a comfort break on the trip back to camp!) Loved the variety of activities at OM. Just to top off the whole experience as we headed to Jeki for our flight out we came across a beautiful black manned lion with the remains of a male waterbuck he’d killed.

Having thought Tafika was the ultimate, we found that Old Mondoro even surpassed this.  Everything was perfect, from the accommodation to the charming camp manager, Ryan, who ensured that everyone had an opportunity to do whatever activity they wanted, whenever it suited.  A wonderfully small intimate camp that is very comfortable but still with a bush feel.  Basically, all incredibly well organised with outstanding and friendly guides and, as at Tafika, fantatstic game viewing (lots of leopards again).   Out of 5, this has to be 6!!

I think you know these camps personally, so I am probably only repeating what you already know.  They are simply two of the most enjoyable camps we have stayed in ever.  For us, although fairly seasoned now, camping on the banks of a huge river was a delightful new experience. The game was fantastic, particularly at Old Mondoro  e,g six different leopards on our first day!  The scenery, especially at Old Mondoro was also superb. The quality of everything, huts, management, guiding, food and service was unsurpassed.  They put British and European service to shame.  Grant Cumings was also very interesting and entertaining.
I do remember you worrying that six nights in the two camps might be too long.  Not at all!   The variety of activities ( and surprises) was exceptional - game drives, walking, canoeing (fantastic!), boat trips for various purposes - water based game viewing, mid river lunch, and of course sundowners. Elephant intruders in both camps and a leopard under our tent in Chiawa. Nightly hippo choruses.

 We could happily have stayed another week without being bored.  Both camps are brilliantly managed, with a great atmosphere and very likeable guests.