Overview

 

Set up high on the Ikuka escarpment overlooking the Mwagusi river, our central communal area is comprised of a well stocked bar, a comfortable lounge area, an airy dining space, a swimming pool with a lounging deck and an upstairs chill-out library area. The light, contemporary and airy communal spaces are all intimately designed to make you feel at home and relaxed during your stay.

 

 

A New Season Awaits in Wild Ruaha!

As the dry season draws in and wildlife flocks to the great Ruaha River, we’re thrilled to welcome you back to another unforgettable season in the heart of Tanzania’s largest national park.

Ruaha is coming alive again — elephants tracing ancient paths, lions lounging under baobabs, and the calls of birds echoing across the savannah. Whether you’re a returning guest or planning your first safari, this season promises moments of raw beauty, tranquility, and connection with nature.

Join us in the Wild…….The bush is calling, and Ruaha is ready to share her secrets once more.

We can’t wait to host you where wilderness meets soul.

 

Color in the dry season- Flowers of Ruana

As the rains retreat and the new season awakens, Ruaha National Park begins to bloom in the most subtle, breath-taking ways. The landscape, often known for its dramatic baobabs and vast savannahs, now reveals delicate bursts of colour — a quiet celebration of renewal. For returning guests and first-time visitors alike, it’s a reminder that the beauty of Ruaha is not just in its big game — but also in the quiet, flowering resilience of the bush.

Ruaha is home to an astonishing 1,600 species of plants and we have pulled out some of our favourite blooms to look out for here;

 

Combretum Longispicatum or the Large toothbrush tree flowers are a favourite with pollinators attracting bees, moths and many other creatures due to their striking red blooms. They are also a favourite of the Impalas and Kudus.

Adansonia digitata or the iconic Baobab tree is another dry season flowering species, with the new buds being seen in early October. Baobabs are mainly pollinated by bats, especially the large fruit bats, these bats are attracted to the baobab’s large, bright white night-blooming flowers that give off a strong, musky scent. Other occasional pollinators include moths, beetles and bush babies.

 

 

Camp Facts

  • Owner run & managed by Chloe & Mark Sheridan Johnson who have worked and guided all over Africa.
  • 6 x large private tented suites with sitting areas, decks, en suite bathrooms with extensive views towards the
  • Mwagusi river (two of which have a private plunge pool)
  • 1 x family suite accommodating up to 2 adults and 3 children with shared bathroom and plunge pool.
  • Panoramic main lodge with endless views comprises seating area, dining room, sun terrace, infinity pool, library and boutique.
  • Children welcome from 7 years +
  • Game drives in open 4×4 shared vehicles – private vehicles available on request.
  • Full day / Half Day walking safaris for 16yrs +
  • Rock House / fly camping sleep out under the stars supplement of 220$ pppn pre booking required (June-Oct)
  • Hot air balloon safari along Great Ruaha river (June-Oct)
  • Safari Parking list

 

Safari Packing list is critical for any holiday to be successful and enjoyable

View details here

 

During your stay at the camp, you will enjoy Balloon Safari among other activities available at the Camp

View details here 

 

You May also Check

  • Location

    The Camp is located in the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, perched on the edge of the Mwagusi escarpment, with spectacular views across the Ruaha valley.

  • Facilites

     

    Property Facilities

    √24-hour Security
    √Bar
    √Battery Charging Facilities
    √Communal Dining
    √Eco Friendly
    √Internet Access (Complimentary)
    √Laundry Service (Complimentary)
    √Library
    √Meal on Request
    √Mobile Connectivity
    √Pool
    √Private Vehicle Available
    √Restaurant
    √Secure Parking

     

    Room Facilities

    √Balcony / Deck
    √Detached Private Bathroom
    √Dressing Gowns
    √Electrical Outlets
    √En-Suite
    √Fan
    √Laundry Service (Complimentary)
    √Lounge Area
    √Pure Cotton Linen
    √Safe
    √Shower
    √Verandah

     

  • Accommodation

    Unit Types

    Family Tent
    (1 UNIT / VILLA)
    2 Storey room; sleeps 2 or 3 children upstairs and 2 adults downstairs; shared bathroom and shared sitting room, pool deck and plunge pool.

     

    Double/Twin Tent
    (6 UNITS / VILLAS)
    Tents can be double or twin or triples; shared bathroom and sitting room. 1 tent also has a private plunge pool.

     

     

  • Activities

     

    Walking Safari

     

    On foot you are a participant in the world of wildlife rather than a spectator.

    Imagine walking the same path as elephants, hear a lion roar in the distance or smell the bush and wildlife. One of the allures of exploring the bush on foot are the smaller things which often get missed in the vehicle – the tracks and trails of animals as well as seeing how important each and every creature is in making nature work.

     

     

    Game drives.

    Game drives timings & details.

    Game drives offered in open 4WD safari vehicles.

    Morning safaris with a picnic between 6-6.30am and then return for lunch and a rest at the camp.

    Afternoon between 4-4.30pm and return to camp by 7pm.

    Prefer different timings are considered as per clients wishes.

    The game drives are all done within Ruaha National Park. The routes will vary depending on seasons, time of day and animal location to give the guests the best possible experience.

     

     

    The experience

     

    Sundowner in style

    WhatsApp Image 2024-03-25 at 17.03.02_93213342

     

  • Ruaha National Park

     

    A trip to the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania is an exhilarating adventure into the unknown. Very few other wildernesses in Africa can convey the sheer isolation and expanse of this land that epitomises the Africa of ‘old’ that was felt in times gone by. Far far away from the ‘madding’ crowds which haunt the famous Northern Circuits, Ruaha lies in an untouched and incredibly remote area of Southern Tanzania, and is visited by relatively few tourists making it one of Africa’s wildest Parks for the safari enthusiast.

     

    Ruaha National Park is one of the last true great wilderness areas Africa has to offer, with a connected ecosystem of around 45,000sq kilometers. Winding riverine systems, sweeping vistas, rolling hills, jagged rocky outcrops, and endless miomba woodlands are just some of the things that make Ruaha special. This fusion of many different habitats allows for a wide variety of fauna to inhabit the park, a mixture out of the norm.

     

    At the parks heart is the well named Great Ruaha River, a massive water course that is fed by a multitude of sand rivers. The Great Ruaha River flows through the Usangu wetlands eastwards into the Rufiji River and it marks the borders between the Iringa Region, Dodoma Region and Morogoro Regions.

     

    Green season is a magical time to also enjoy the diverse butterfly and moth species which fill the air in busy flutters as they pollenate the grasses and flowers. Some of my favourites are the vibrant Yellow PansyCitrus Swallowtails and Foxy Emperors but the Lunar moth, which can have a wingspan up to a huge 178mm, is a pretty memorable sighting too.

     

  • Getting there

    Access

    Most commonly reached by plane from Dar es Salaam, Ruaha features among the southern circuit safari destinations of the Nyrerere, Katavi and Mahale National Parks.

     

    DAILY FLIGHTS FROM ALL MAJOR SAFARI PARKS & CITIES

    –  DAR ES SALAAM – RUAHA 2HR

    –  SERENGETI – RUAHA 1hR30

    –  RUAHA – NYRERERE 30min

    –  RUAHA – ZANZIBAR 2HR

    AIRLINES INCLUDE: SAFARI AIR LINK (SAL), COASTAL, AURIC AIR

     

    Camp is 45 minute drive from Msembe airstrip

    Camp is open from June-March

    WE CAN ARRANGE YOUR INTERNAL FLIGHTS AND TRANSFERS FOR YOU.

    GET IN TOUCH

  • Wildlife and bird life

    Ruaha National Park’s positioning in the middle of Tanzania means that we get cross over between the Northern, Eastern and Southern mammal species such as Grant’s Gazelle (typically a northern species) and Impala’s (typically a southern species).

     

    The rare Sable antelope and Roan can also be found cohabiting the same ecosystem, Sable’s distribution is from the northern tip of South Africa, though Zambia, Mozambique up to Tanzania, whereas Roan is Western/Central Africa, with Tanzania being on the eastern limit of its range.

     

    The beautiful Lesser Kudu and Greater Kudu are also both found in Ruaha, Lesser Kudu is a Northern Species, found from Somalia though Kenya down to Ruaha. The Greater is very much a Southern species, being found in many of the Southern African Countries with its range stretching up the eastern side of the continent.

     

    Seeing all of these different species’ side by side in such a beautiful setting, is something everyone should experience.

  • Special offers

     

    Long stay offers

    Long stay offers 4 for 3 has continued all year round this is because 4 nights is always better than 3 to make the most of your stay in Ruaha. Get in touch to know more.

     

    4 for 3 (1)-1

     

    Repeat stay offers.

    This is to thank frequent repeat guests by offering an additional 5% discount on top of the current 4 for 3 offer

     

    4 for 3-1

     

     

  • Flycamping in our rock house

     

    Fly camping in our rock house

    Enjoy a romantic night under the stars including starlit dinner
    for an additional supplement of $220 pppn
    Open June – October

     

    Fly camping is an overnight experience that places you in the wilderness within a light camp where you sleep in a net tent that keeps out creepy

     

  • 2025 Ruaha National Park Highlights

    It’s green season in Ruaha and it feels like the whole landscape is alive with new birth, life and energy. From the migrant birds that join us from the south with their dramatic breeding plumage to the baby mammals that become more and more active daily, Ruaha seems like a garden of Eden, a far cry from the distant parched dry season behind us.

     

    Jan-March is a wonderful time to be in Ruaha particularly for those with a passion for birding. We love bringing new enthusiasts to the park as well as welcoming back old friends who are captured by the irresistible draw of this stunning spectacle where the air is filled with blooms of butterflies and colourful wild flowers seem to appear from nowhere.

     

    Whilst they never made the cut into the Big 5, hippos are fascinating animals in so many ways and ones which we never tire of seeing along the Mwagusi and Great Ruaha river systems. We felt they are often overlooked somewhat in favour of the big cats and so we have given them some special focus in this newsletter by sharing some expert facts – so enjoy mugging up on the mighty hippos below so you can impress your friends on your next safari!

     

    Finally looking ahead to ahead into 2025/2026 we are heading to Indaba for the first time and we also wanted to remind you of our 2 special offers which are a continuing to run – 3 for 2 offer valid 6th Jan-15th March and of course our year round special of 4 for 3. We find that guests who make use of the 4 night stay really love relaxing in camp and making the most of the broad range of activities and experiences we offer at Ikuka. A slow safari is good for the soul! We are also going to be at Indaba in South Africa in May so

  • Rates 2025 & 2026

     

    Rates 2025-26 (USD & PPPN)

    Offers

    4 for 3 offers on accommodation costs valid all season
    3 for 2 offers on accommodation costs valid 06th Jan-15th March 2026

     

    Open from 01st June – 15th March

    High Season: 01st July-31st October 2025, 20th December 2025 – 05th January 2026

     

    Low Season: June & November 2025, 01st-19th December 2025, 06th January- 15th March 2026

     

     ACCOMMODATION HIGH SEASON LOW SEASON
    RATEES (ADULT) $945 $745
    RATES (CHILD) $630 $495

     

     

     ADDITIONAL COMPULSORY COSTS ALL SEASON
    TANAPA PARK FEE $36 PER ADULT OR $12 PER CHILD PER 24 HOURS
    TANAPA CONCESSION FEE $36 PER ADULT OR $12 PER CHILD PER 24 HOURS
    BED NIGHT LEVY $2 PPPN
    MEDIVAC FEE $25 PP PER STAY

     

     

     OPTIONAL ADD ONS *Walking Safari for 16 years and over. Rock House open June-Oct*
    WALKING SAFARI, PP PER WALK $75 (CAN BE PRE-BOOKED OR BOOKED IN CAMP)
    PRIVATE VEHICLE (IF AVAILABLE) $395 PER VEHICLE (RACK) PER DAY OR $345 (NETT)
    ROCK HOUSE SLEEP-OUT $220 (RACK) PPPN OR $195 (NETT

     

     

    INCLUDED IN THE RATE: Full board accommodation, shared game drives, house drinks (except champagne & premium wines or spirits), Msembe airstrip transfers & laundry.

     

    EXCLUDED IN THE RATE: TANAPA fees, walking fees, rock house, flights, gratuities, champagne & premium wines or spirits, Medivac cover, bed night levy.

     

    *Child TANAPA fees are for children 15 years and under. **One single child in own room pays adult rate (no single supplement). Children from 7 years are welcome.

    *Child accommodation rate is for children 21 years and under. *Single adult room rate supplement is 50% of the PPPN rate.

     

    *Additional TANAPA fee of $18 USD PPPN applicable on the free night, if using the 4 for 3 or 3 for 2 offers

     

     

Tour Map

Google Map for Ruaha National Park, Tanzania.

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