JABALI RIDGE
Location
Jabali Ridge lodge is one of the luxury accommodation in Ruaha National Park located in the northern area, in the old location of its sister property, Kwihala Camp, and is deemed the best area for game. Jabali Ridge is on a rocky kopje, with extensive views over the beautiful baobab forest. All the way to the Mwagusi river. The nearest airstrip is 50 minutes from the camp as soon as you land, your game drive begins!
Layout
Jabali Ridge has eight suites and one private house. They space them along the rocky kopje. Each offers expansive views of Ruaha’s beautiful landscape. The lodge offers a variety of facilities that many camps do not, such as an infinity pool, outdoor loungers, private verandas with comfortable seating, wifi in the rooms and a spa!
Rooms
The eight suites are as open and natural as possible. Be it from the bed, the well-appointed bathroom or the private veranda, a view out to the peaceful park of Ruaha is offered, whilst wooden shutters are there for when privacy is wanted. The design of the suites are simply breath-taking. The exterior blends seamlessly with the environment, and the interior is delicately designed with wooden features and neutral tones.
Activities
Whether it’s discovering tracks or small animals on foot, tracking the big cats by vehicle, or listening to the sounds of the wildlife in the dark on a night game drive, the guides at Jabali Ridge will do their absolute best to give you the most memorable experience possible. The lodge offers day game drives, night drives and walking safaris inside the park and if you fancy relaxing in the lodge, Jabali Ridge is definitely the place to do it!
2. Ikuka Camp
Location
Ikuka is located up on the Mwagusi escarpment the whole camp boasts vast views out across the Ruaha valley and the Mwagusi river – something that many of the other camps do not have! As a park, Ruaha is known for its diversity of savannah landscapes, domineering baobab trees, miombo woodlands, rocky kopjes and the Great Ruaha River itself.
Layout
The main mess area of Ikuka comprises of a lounge area, an airy dining space, a lounging deck, an upstairs library, a typical safari bar and a swimming pool. The whole area is light, airy and modern, instantly impressing and welcoming you. The six rooms are sat along the escarpment, with rooms 1, 2 and 3 facing the sunrise, and rooms 4, 5 and 6 facing the sunset.
Rooms
The design of Ikuka’s rooms are, in our opinion, a perfect blend of authentic safaris, and ultimate luxury. The individual tented rooms are incorporated into the escarpment and built with local stone, thatch and wooden decks to create an open-air, wilderness feel to it. The cozy rooms each have large super-kind beds, well-appointed en-suite bathrooms, a comfortable lounge/seating area and a private balcony to take advantage of that breathtaking view.
Activities
Game drives in Ruaha National Park are done in open-sided vehicles and offer early morning and late afternoon every day. The game viewing in Ruaha is spectactular, with some of the largest populations of elephant and lion in Africa! Walking safaris are also done (at an additional charge), which are conducted by Mark Sheridan Johnson himself. Photography lessons and community project visits are also done on request.
3.Mwagusi Safari camp
The history and pedigree of Mwagusi Camp like many of the greatest camps in Africa, has become somewhat of a legend. Similarly, like many of Africa’s greatest guides, Chris Fox, the owner and manager, is one of those people that you need to meet to believe. Originally a hunting guide in the area, long before it was a national park, Chris spent many years wandering on foot through the region. When the government decided to protect the land they asked him if he would like to establish a camp and, choosing the best location for game and habitat, Chris chose Mwagusi.
Rooms
The rooms themselves are airy and spacious, with comfortable bedrooms and relaxing areas out the front in which to lounge and watch the many elephants that wander in between the bandas, looking for palm nuts to munch on….there really is nothing like an afternoon of watching and listening as an elephant snuffles his way around your banda only a foot away!
Service
The service and home cooked food that Mwagusi Camp offers is unlike other top end lodges in that it is wholesome and very good, rather than fancy…it suits the camp and the feel of the place. All in all, in case you hadn’t realised, if clients can afford it, then Mwagusi really does offer a once in a lifetime chance to stay in one of the most authentic camps in Africa.
4.Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha River Lodge is located on the banks of the great Ruaha river. It is a short drive from the main airstrip, Msembe. The river is the perfect backdrop to the lodge and all of its rooms, whether it’s going on a game drive along the banks, or sitting out on your private veranda watching the wildlife go by.
Layout
The camp is the largest in Ruaha, accommodating a total of 24 chalets. It sets out in two main dining and lounge areas to give it a more intimate ambiance. Each camp is self-sufficient.
Rooms
The lodge and its 24 chalets are extremely spacious, and also made from local stone and makuti thatch. Each chalet has an ensuite bathroom with running water and flushing toilets. The best part about the rooms is the large, private verandas that look out onto the Ruaha River. With chairs already positioned on the veranda, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy an armchair safari.
Activities
Game drives are the main activity in Ruaha National Park. These are in open-sided safari vehicles with a maximum of either 4 of 6 people. Usually game drives are in the morning and afternoon. There is time in the middle of the day to relax in camp and enjoy a delicious lunch. If guests do a full day game drive, they offer them packed lunch.
5.Kigelia Camp
Location
Kigelia Camp sits in the northern part of Ruaha National Park, in southern Tanzania. The camp itself is in a woodland area, characterized by giant baobab trees. It is also along the dry Sand River. Its location means guests can enjoy total seclusion and also privacy.
Layout
The beauty of Kigelia is that it has only six safari tents. Even with full occupancy, it still feels cosy and intimate. The whole camp is under canvas, offering an authentic, yet luxurious safari experience. The main area is very open, with a lounge and dining area. This is under canvas, all looking out onto the Sand River. The rooms are along the banks of the river, next to one another but with a good space between them.
Rooms
The rooms at Kigelia offer an authentic safari experience . They have canvassed tents, private verandas, solar powered lighting. There is also outdoor bucket showers under the stars. The extra touches at Kigelia make the tents all that more luxurious. These include crisp white bed linen, the cosy dressing gowns, soft lighting and elegant rugs and decor.
Activities
The game viewing in Ruaha is truly incredible. Exploring the park in an open-sided safari vehicle is the most common activity in Ruaha. There are lots of big cats, herds of elephant, greater and also lesser kudu. There are also more than 580 species of bird and many more. Kigelia also offer walking safaris, sundowners and bush breakfasts.
