Ruaha

TANZANIA | RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second-largest on the African continent.

It is also Tanzania’s most sizeable elephant haven and home to a profusion of bird species, including kingfishers, plovers, egrets, hornbills and sunbirds. Crocodiles and hippos thrive in the Great Ruaha River, which flows along the sanctuary’s eastern border and in the dry season between July and November, animals flock to the last remaining water sources, presenting an exceptional wildlife spectacle.

There are a number of accommodation options available but some close for the wet season in March and April.

REGION HIGHLIGHTS

You get a tremendous feeling of anticipation when you’ve grabbed cameras and shades, and left camp with a Nomad guide, in our open vehicles. Who knows what we’re going to find, but for sure there’ll be moments of excitement, fascination and peace amongst the great beasts and herds of Ruaha.

View game in the area from a different perfective!

There’s no better tree to hug than a baobab, with their strangely human form. Smooth bark - dust scented. The crevices are home to reptiles, bats or owls. Round the trunks lie crunchy shells of their furry seeds, lemony to taste. It’s only when you walk, that you find this out -and many, many other things about the bush.

ACCOMODATION

These are a selection of lodges that we feel combine well for this journey. However we do also have a range of options to consider in each region, and can tailor them to you preference.

Kigelia Ruaha

Kigelia Ruaha is where you go when your soul seeks the humbling solitude of giant baobabs, the exhiliration of encountering Africa's big cats or great herds of elephant; where the focus is on experiencing nature and not the gold taps, and where you can feel at home while simultaneously enjoying the care of a dedicated team. The camp itself has just six airy tents set beneath the boughs of the Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) after which it was named. It has a charm and simplicity which, for us, means that it highlights the surrounding landscape rather than detracts from it. Falling asleep under canvas to the calls of leopard, and waking in the dappled light of the sun as it peers through the bush is simply magic.

Jongomero Camp

Under the magnificent shade trees, on the banks of a seasonal river in the remote southern sector of the Ruaha National Park, Jongomero is gloriously isolated. Far from the madding crowds, this secluded idyll offers a chance to discover true unadulterated wilderness. On a sweeping river meander lies the camp bar, lounge and restaurant; an open wooden terrace shaded by a high thatched roof and filled with sumptuous sofas and striking furniture made of reclaimed dhow wood. After game experiences by vehicle and on foot laze around the elevated pool and enjoy the sights and sounds of being so close to nature.