Kigelia Ruaha

Kigelia Ruaha is one of our all-time favourite camps in Tanzania, for its deceptive simplicity and the way it brings you right into the heart of beautiful, wild Ruaha. They just don’t make them like this any more!

This is not a camp for everyone – the tents are set directly on the Ifuguru river bank, you can sense the ground under your feet, beneath canvas. The showers are wonderful safari bucket showers, and there is just a canvas wall and thick mosquito netting windows between you and nature. For some, this is heaven. If you want to get up close and personal with whatever is visiting camp at that time, look no further!

The family tent is two tents under the same thatched roof (both with en-suite bathrooms) connected by a simple walkway, closed off with zippered canvas flaps at night.

The name Kigelia derives from the so-called sausage trees under which the camp is pitched – Kigelia Africana is the latin name for these striking trees, which have long sausage-shaped fruit, and, much like our beloved coral trees, bright orange flowers.

The lovely thatched mess area is breezy and cool, featuring a swing seat and bird bath that attracts all manner of colourful, feathered visitors. At night, the day’s tales can be exchanged around the campfire, which is also excellent for toasting marshmallows.

This camp is right in the heart of the best game viewing area in the park – game drives and walks are rich with encounter after encounter, from herds of elephants to tiny trails of safari ants.