Matawi Serengeti Camp — Hotel in Ikoma

Absolutely outstanding!

On our approach we spotted a couple of elephants who decided to walk into the road and make us wait for them. We were eventually driven up to the lodge entrance and the car was unloaded for us.

We were given a welcome drink in reception and inducted to the camp. Basic rules included not walking around without a guide in the dark due to the open nature of the camp, there were always animals within the grounds. (I spotted a Hyena skulking across the path on our way out in the morning).

We were later than expected to the camp (which is really the wrong word to use), and there was a mix up with the room types that had been booked, but it was soon sorted and our luggage whisked away.

We went to dinner (which was ordered from a small, changing, menu on arrival), it was quite pleasant, especially given the facilities available! It was my daughter's birthday, so they had prepared her a cake and sung her a traditional Swahili song and dance which was very thoughtful.

Our tent was huge, with a king bed, a double and a single, wooden floors, chandeliers and a fully functional bathroom with roll top bath and shower. You must inform them if you wish to shower so they can ensure the hot water is pumped and ready to use but we didn't have any issues.

We slept very soundly in superbly comfortable beds.

We woke early in the morning so they catered breakfast early for us - a small selection of fruit, yogurt, cereals, pastries and pancakes and then took our cooked breakfast order a la carte.

We found out late that they had packed us a delicious lunch of chicken, vegetable curry, potatoes and rice, accompanied with juice and chocolate, which we picnicked on at the Serengeti gates.

I wish we could have had more time there, it would have been great to enjoy the veranda on our lodge with a drink before dusk, but such is life - the elephants had other plans!

I would return in a heartbeat. Absolute perfection with what was available to them.

I forgot to mention the staff! They were amazing, they asked all of my family's names and remembered them all, everytime we saw anyone, including the following day.

A side note, we were given a warning during dinner that there were many buffalo, lions and elephants in the camp that night and reminded to walk everywhere with a guide and only one lit walkways etc, which made me laugh as I kept wondering what one extra man with a small torch was going to do if under attack by lions or in the path of...

Incredibly friendly people. Nice but careless service.

Firstly, I was booked by Moria Safari to spend a night in this property. There was a mix up, with me being booked in their sister property approx 1.5 hours away. This was a fault of my tour company who did not check the booking carefully. However, Matawi initially wanted me to head over there and it was dark past 7pm. I insisted to be placed here if they have a spare room anyway. They then proceeded to take an hour to sort this entire mess out. This process should have taken no more than 10-15 minutes to sort out. Calling the main office to sort this out did not need a whole hour. I was just sitting outside the property main tent for an hour, periodically chasing the staff and manager because their attention kept getting diverted elsewhere.

Secondly, service and cleanliness is careless. Waiter took the pepper shaker off my table while I was still eating without first enquiring if it’s alright with me. I asked for the fish at dinner and requested for the fish not to be over cooked as they are so fond of doing in Africa. I received the fish hard seared on the top and completely raw underneath. When told to the chef, he asked if he can just take the fish and leave the rice and vegetables on the plate on my table while he remakes the fish. Really? For a luxury-esque property, such table manners are unacceptable.

Thirdly, the bedsheets are piling and shows signs of dirt. When I told the manager, he told me that it is not dirty but because they wash their sheets with water containing soda, when the sheets are pressed together, they leave brown marks like this. The bathtub which I booked the property for, had dirt tracks and dead flies after filling the bathtub up.

Fourthly, one of the service boys asked if I would like some company. Twice. I’m not entirely what that means but that is incredibly intrusive to ask a solo female traveler if she would like some company at about 10pm.

If you are wondering, I did not end up using the bathtub at all and slept on those sheets because it was late and...

Wonderful Stay at Mara Heritage Camp – Exceptional Hospitality!||We had a memorable one-night stay at Mara Heritage Camp during our visit to the North Serengeti, and it was nothing short of amazing. The camp offers a perfect blend of comfort and an authentic wilderness experience. The tents were well-appointed, spacious, and very comfortable, providing everything we needed while maintaining a rustic, natural charm that connected us to the surrounding Serengeti.||A special mention goes to John, the owner/manager of the camp, who truly made our stay exceptional. His warm, caring, and hospitable nature stood out from the moment we arrived. John personally ensured that we were comfortable and well taken care of, making us feel like part of the family. His deep knowledge of the area and wildlife added a unique touch to our experience, and his passion for the camp and its guests is truly admirable.||The camp’s location is fantastic, providing easy access to the Northern Serengeti and some incredible wildlife sightings. After a long day on safari, it was such a treat to return to the camp . The food was simple but flavorful, We had the best picnic lunch ever with a great portion and a delicious fish item . .||Our time at Mara Heritage Camp, although brief, left a lasting impression. The combination of great accommodation, excellent service, and John’s outstanding hospitality made it a truly special stay. We highly recommend it to anyone visiting...