Baker Safari Company

I was just at Baker and Sons Safari Lodge and had the best time with my husband and youngest daughter (7 months old). I'd highly recommend it for some once in a lifetime experiences! The lodge itself is just amazing. The owners built it themselves, with local help, and have made it a great blend of a rustic style you'd expect from a safari lodge in the bush and modern comforts. The room and bathroom were made of rock and cement that was both beautiful and safe from the baboons and other animals around. I am not sure I've ever seen a more beautiful bathroom. The beds had mosquito nets on them. The building looked like it was right out of Swiss Family Robinson, with a very nice shared porch on top of the room with a couch, tables where we had meals and a record player. While out in nature, we were not roughing it. There was reliable wifi and electricity (which was great to power the huge fan above our bed), hot water in the nice rainfall shower. The food was excellent. Breakfast was a full English breakfast with eggs, baked beans, toast with jam and peanut butter, fresh local fruit, coffee and tea. The packed lunches when we were out on safari and the lion tour were delicious and varied. They included homemade samosas (in varied spiciness levels), chicken wraps made with homemade chapati, pulled BBQ chicken on a bun, coleslaw, and homemade banana muffins, depending on the day. There was a variety of local soft drinks and bottled water available. At night, dinner was delicious. It was mostly barbecue, skewers of steak and vegetables, fries, rice, sausage, tomato salad, garlic knot buns and more delicious things. There were drinks and coffee and tea and dessert. We had a great time on safari. It is very close to the lodge. We saw giraffes (so many), impalas, warthogs, water buffalo, hippos and even a few elephants! If you are deciding which region and reserve to go to for a safari, I'd recommend the Selous Game Reserve, there were so many animals to see. We even saw some ones I had never heard of before, coming from Canada, the water buck and the koodoo. We didn't see lions or zebras, but we were told that they are there, just are seen about once a week. The lion tour is really unique and something you can't get from any other safari lodge in the area and maybe no where else at all. We've been all over the world and haven't seen anything like it before. The lion story itself is very interesting and it is touching what the Baker And Sons Safari Lodge has done as a monument to the people who died, but what I thought was even more interesting and unique was visiting a family and seeing how they live. I think it would be especially great to bring kids to, but it was impactful for my husband and I too. We were welcomed by a family with three wives and got to meet them and their children and see inside their homes and their farm and learn about their way of life. I never thought I'd be able to do that. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and th

Thanks Graydon and team for a very enjoyable 5 day Safari with pick-up & drop/off option from Dar Es Salaam. I can honestly say we had a great time and enjoyed the adventure from start to end, of which there was plenty. Despite the dry season arriving a little later than expected, the combination of man ( unflappable Mudi) and machine (LWB Landcruiser) was more than up to the challenge. As I’d been to Tanzania before, I really wanted an authentic Safari experience In the Selous (Nyerere) National Park, and to be a little bit off the beaten path (No Zebra buses in sight here) and with some added comfort and luxury back at the lodge. So the Baker & Sons Lodge ticks all the boxes. I would like to congratulate the kitchen staff for the camp food which was excellent, served in the atmospheric dining area atop the stone lodges. It was both hearty, tasty and very satisfying, and just what you need after a day on Safari Highlights of our stay in addition to the game drives and seeing some awe inspiring animals, definitely included the visit to the tribal village, followed by a first hand recounting of the tale of the man-eating Lion “Obama”. This was both a fascinating and a chilling experience which brought to life what it must have been like being living being the hunted and coming face to face with this infamous Lion. I was particularly impressed and humbled with the unique tribal village experience, where we were invited into every aspect of the family life and were welcomed to look around the living areas within each adobe house. Many thanks to your whole team, including , Mudi, Joe, Mike , Peter and Elizabeth who made our stay very comfortable, and the adventure a trip of a lifetime.

With all the wet weather recently in Tanzania we took a change and decided to drive down to Selous from Dar Es Salaam. Two adventure bikes and 1 SUV. Although the distance to Baker & Sons were only 245km, it took us 7 hours to complete due to very wet and muddy conditions. It was all worth it and we were met by Graydon upon our arrival and assisted with settling in by a very efficient camp manager, Joe. To our surprise we received a delicious lunch before we embarked on an afternoon river cruise. The team had also done all the preparation work for us to visit the game reserve the next day and we sailed through all formalities. Our game vehicle driver, Deo was an excellent driver and his field knowledge superb. Despite some initial rain, we really had a great day out. The facilities at the lodge is comfortable and the dining area unique with a show put on for us on the Saturday night. We really enjoyed all the meals and the variety and everything was very well prepared. Both couples even got a complimentary bottle of wine. Graydon and his team under the leadership of Joe looked after us and we really enjoyed our stay with them. It was well worth the journey, but you can also do a fly in or rent a vehicle with a driver. There is much to see and learn and it was also nice walking into The Baker & Sons shop at Slipway, Masaki and buy one of their bespoke, handmade hats. They also have quite a selection of handmade ties!

Beautiful place! the cabin we stayed in was so nice, stylish surrounded by wild nature, close to the river where you see Hippos. Very good Location - close to National Park. Well trained Staff is there just for You! Delicious food served with grace. Top quality service in Wilderness, wow!

I had an extraordinary experience with Baker's and Sons during my Selous safari. Our driver, Mohammed (Moody), deserves special commendation for driving us the 6-hour journey from Dar Es Salaam to Selous and skillfully guiding us through the national park. His cheerful demeanor, punctuality, and dedication ensured a smooth ride and an unforgettable safari adventure. The staff, led by Joel, were exceptionally helpful, ensuring our needs were met with generosity. Despite the challenges of the wet season, they maintained a clean environment, and the ever-cheery unnamed staff member kept us hydrated and well-fed. The culinary experience was a highlight, thanks to the incredible chef. The delicious, perfectly cooked meals satisfied our family of four with leftovers, making it a culinary delight. Baker's and Sons provided a seamless and unforgettable safari experience. I would wholeheartedly return, rating it a solid 10/10.

Really unique place where you could feel that you are in the nature. Staff and service was really friendly and easygoing. Food was delicious and served nicely on top of each bungalow. Really great view to Rufiji river and awesome soundscape during nighttime. Great combination of safari, boat trip to the river and comfortable and personal accommodation.

This is not a safari company but a cheap accommodation with no management present. The staff on site tries to be helpful but is a bit overwhelmed with the demands. The rooms are of a better backpacker standard at totally exorbitant prices - dark with just a bed and a tiny so called „bathroom“. The water tap in the "wash basin" is a cheap water spout, so that even washing your hands is difficult. The bar/restaurant/lounge is a hard sofa, two tables with simple benches and an old vinyl record player (would almost have something nostalgic if it wasn't otherwise so uncomfortable, especially as the "sofa" only has room for two people and the rooms offer no other option apart from a bed). In Asia and South America, we would have paid a maximum of 20$ for this standard and would have been satisfied. But at $200, it should be a little more... As for the "fantastic" food, they try very hard, which unfortunately says everything. Some cooking lessons wouldn't hurt... some spice as well... The safaris are booked on demand with another company and freelance driver/guides … with a surcharge. Do you get different drivers each day which does not help. you then start at the gate at 7am with many day safari guests flying in from Zanzibar .... If you decide to do a game drive in Selous Nyerere, you are better off in a lodge in the park itself. The Sunset Safari booked for $50 per person is a real ripoff. Waiting 30 minutes on the river for the boat to pick up the last 2 passengers shortened the duration, but it only goes to the next sandbank anyway, where you have to get out of your boat as all the passengers of all the other boats who went there and wait for the sunset, then you go back ... everyone can make up their own mind if this is worth going … Dies ist keine Safarie Company sondern eine billige Unterkunft, zudem mit nicht anwesenden Management. Das Personal vor Ort ist sehr bemüht jedoch etwas überfordert mit den Anforderungen . Die Zimmer entsprechen besserem Backpakerstandard zu dafür völlig überzogenen Preisen. Der Wasserhahn im „Waschbecken“ entspricht einem billigen Wasserauslauf, sodass selbst Händewaschen schwierig wird. Bar/Restaurant/Lounge sind ein hartes Sofa, zwei Tische mit einfachen Bänken und einem alten Vinylplattenspieler (hätte ja schon fast etwas nostalgisches, wenn es nicht sonst so unbequem wäre zumal das „Sofa“ nur für 2 Personen Platz bietet und die Zimmer außer einem Bett keine andere Möglichkeit bieten). In Asien und Südamerika hätten wir für diesen Standard maximal 20$ gezahlt und wären zufrieden gewesen. Aber bei 200$ sollte es schon ein wenig mehr sein… Was das „fantastische“ Essen angeht, so sind alle sehr bemüht was leider auch schon alles aussagt. Etwas Kochunterricht könnte nicht schaden… etwas Gewürz ebenso … Die Safaris werden bei anderen Firmen nach Bedarf mit Preisaufschlag hinzugebucht. Dadurch erhält man wechselnde Fahrer, was nicht gerade hilft… morgens um 7 Uhr startet man dann am Gate mit vielen Tagessafa

We have just got back from our amazing family holiday in Tanzania, and without a doubt the highlight has been our experience with Baker & Son’s Safari Company, staying at their lodge on the edge of the Selous Game Reserve, recently re-named Nyerere National Park. First of all the communication with Graydon, who owns the Safari company, was very reassuring. We liaised via e-mail and WhatsApp, and his itinerary suggestions were perfect. In the end we spent 5 days / 4 nights with his team on the banks of the Rufiji river, having been picked up from our hotel in Dar Es Salaam (Hotel Slipway) and driven the 4 / 5 hours to the lodge. That evening we went on a sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River with drinks provided, where we saw hippos, baby crocs and a wonderful array of birds, plus a fantastic sunset. After a delicious supper, a good night’s sleep and a heartly breakfast, we set off on our first jeep safari in the Nyerere about 6am. Having experience a number of Safaris I deliberately chose Nyerere due to it’s size and it not being as touristy as say the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. And boy were we rewarded – over 2 days jeep safari we saw an incredible array of wildlife including the “Big 5” (except the Leopard). Highlights included male hippos fighting ferociously for a pod of females; a pride of 11 lions (inc. cub!) resting having devoured a giraffe, crocs galore and elephants stealing fruit that baboons’ had knocked down to the forest floor. We were also taken to a hot spring for a quick dip, deep in the reserve which was a unique experience - and “hot” is no exaggeration! On day 4 we visited 2 tribes that Graydon’s Team had been engaging with, which was an enlightening experience, especially for our children (17 & 14 years old). For one tribe’s children we were the first white people that they had ever met! For our final day we went on a walking safari on the edge of the game reserve with Dr Simba, someone you will not forget easily, with a wealth of bush knowledge and an extraordinary back story that is worth listening to. Overall, we had a magical time with the Baker Safari Company, all the staff are amazing, from the safari guides / drivers (Kenny & Joseph), to the chef, and our hostess Gladness who kept everything and everyone organised. The accommodation was first-rate, very clean with lots of character, and pretty much everything you could expect in a hotel in Dar Es Salaam, save for air conditioning. But this is the bush and we were very happy to enjoy the roof-fans. During meal-times we were often visited by Bush Monkeys; and Yellow Baboons (smaller and not aggressive unlike Olive Baboons), who never caused us a problem. We often saw black & white Colobus Monkeys during the day, whilst hippos serenaded early in the morning, and we even heard elephants foraging down on the beach below. The only small draw-back was the occasional noise from scooters passing on the nearby dirt-track. This was during the day, so not something you wou

Baker and Sons are doing a great job on the river shores of the Rufiji. Friendly staff. We went with our two young daughters and they enjoyed the monkeys, the butterflies and the peacefull quiet environment. You can walk from your room, the rooms are brand new by the way with good beds, nice showers and great furniture, to the river. Be aware that hippo's can be in the river and on the end of the day elephants are passing through. We did some kyting on the sand bank of the rufiji river, which was a magnificent experience. The entrance of Selous national park is very close by. Great experience! Baker and Sons are also doing great projects for the local villages, please go and support them!