Ruaha River Lodge Review
Paul‘s Hotel Review for the
Ruaha River Lodge
by Foxes Safari Camp
General Impression: 
Details:
Duration of stay: 6 nights
Check-in / Check-out:
Check-in Process:
Check-out Process:
Concierge Service: N/A
Staff @ Front Desk:
Room / Bathroom:
Bed, quality of sleep:
Bathroom, Shower:
Room Atmosphere:
Cleanliness:
Food & Beverage:
Breakfast:
Bar:
Restaurant:
Lounge: N/A
Staff:
Paul‘s Mix:
Pool, Spa:
Hotel Location:
Mojito Rating 
: N/A
: N/A
General Customer Care:
Staff attitude, interaction and responsiveness:
Social media interaction:
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= bad, a lot of work needs to be done
=not good, you will be busy with corrections
= good & normal, nothing special
= high level, but the icing on the cake is missing
= topnotch, leave me here!
= Half a Point/sheep
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The Ruaha River Lodge is located within the Ruaha National Park and directly adjacent to the Ruaha river.
Within the park itself it takes some time to go to the plains from this area but the park itself is huge anyhow. The location by the river might be awesome during the dry season as water is
super rare and animals have to pass by to drink.
During or after the wet season the location isn't as good anymore. The river comes very high and some of the room decks are actually directly over the water.
The check in was a complete disaster. The agent was rather unfriendly and had actually no clue what he does.
Reception and sort of lobby are super dark and worn out. Rather an unpleasant feeling instead of a welcoming one.
Check out was better and it was conducted at the restaurant instead of the reception.
The first room we got was right at the water and actually the terrace was above it (see pictures attached) and had no real view.
We asked if it would be possible to change to another room and it was no issue at all. The rooms are really big and spacious. interior design is wood and African decor.
The room was comfortable and nice but it looks and feels super dated and old. Many cracks in wall and floor, color which comes off etc.. The mattress and the bedding were completely worn and
would need some urgent replacement.
All rooms have no windows only a Moskito netting. Like this you can hear all sounds from outside and the flowing river with all the hippos.
The bathroom is really really big in size. The shower is about 4 square meters big and the tiles are stones from the river. Looks nice but impossible to clean.
The camp includes all meals as well as water, tea and coffee but excluding all the other drinks. All meals are served at the restaurant down by the river with a great view over it. Breakfast and Lunch can also be requested as take away.
Breakfast was super good and the choice and quality of food was great.
As we started our game drives early morning (6AM) they prepared us breakfast boxes for take away and some nice fresh coffee to start the day with.
We never had the same items twice and we were given every day some fresh fruit, sandwiches, egg dishes and some Danish.
If you have breakfast on site.... have the chance to choose from fresh fruits, joghurt and cereals, toast, pancakes, butter, jam, peanut butter, honey as well as from hot items such as
scrambled eggs or omelets with beans and sausages.
Lunch is served at the same restaurant as well or you can order a lunchbox to take it along your game drive and eat as a picnic.
They prepared a small buffet with healthy salads, some meat and some sides.
Dinner is served as a 3 course meal consisting of a soup, another great buffet with a nice variety of vegetables, meat and some side dishes.
There is always a desert followed by fresh coffee or tea.
All the food is prepared and cooked freshly from the local staff. It is homemade, very good and fresh. The chef at this lodge is excellent.
The bar is also located on the main restaurant by the river. You can choose from classic drinks, beer and softdrinks.
There is no pool at this property.
The entire public area could use some love and renovation.
The treasure of this camp again is it's staff. Everyone we encountered was smiling, interacting with the guests and spread a hearty atmosphere. Great staff throughout the entire lodge.
All in all it was an okay stay.
The owner of the camp which is Foxes Safari Camps calls and advertises this camp as a luxury camp! Well it isn't at all!!!
If they would announce it as a normal safari lodge people would not have wrong expectations and the service standards would meet a regular lodge easily.
The camp itself would be okay as a regular basic camp. This level of service and the style of rooms are usually received from a governmental lodge but not a private one.
Would I reconsider it for a future stay?
Why not but you have to lower your expectations. As a regular safari camp it is great, but it is far far away from luxury.
The value for money does completely not correspond. You pay luxury prices to Fox Safaris Camps to receive governmental services.
The only top or luxury thing at this property is the staff and the food.
Notes:
- Paul the Sheep does not get any benefits from the Hotels/Airlines etc.
- Paul will always pay for the services in order to be able to rate freely and truly about the experiences.
-If you are interested in more details, please send me a private message and I will be happy to share.