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US DOLLARS ($)

+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip

+44 207 384 2332 Plan your trip

Safari Camp
Tanzania

Kigelia
Ruaha National Park

HIGHLIGHTS
GALLERY
GOOD TO KNOW
ENQUIRE

Highlights

Prime wildlife location: Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest and most diverse park, home to vast elephant herds, Africa’s largest lion population, and significant populations of leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. Game densities are high, yet visitor numbers remain low, offering an exclusive safari experience.
Authentic safari experience: Kigelia Ruaha is a small, low-impact tented camp, designed to blend into its wild surroundings. The open-fronted tents provide an immersive bush experience, with comfortable furnishings and alfresco bucket showers under the stars.
Exceptional game drives: Explore Ruaha’s dramatic baobab-dotted landscapes, dry riverbeds, and open plains with expert guides. The region’s varied terrain attracts large predators and prey alike, making for thrilling wildlife encounters and action-packed safaris.
Walking safaris: Step away from the vehicle and explore on foot, gaining a deeper understanding of Ruaha’s ecosystem, animal tracks, and medicinal plants. This intimate experience reveals the park’s hidden details and allows for close encounters with smaller wildlife.
Diverse birdlife: With over 570 recorded bird species, Ruaha is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Spot endemic species like the Ruaha red-billed hornbill, vibrant bee-eaters, and large flocks of carmine bee-eaters during the green season.
Uncrowded wilderness: Unlike Tanzania’s more famous parks, Ruaha remains largely undiscovered, with few other vehicles in sight. This ensures a wild and exclusive safari, where sightings feel personal and undisturbed.

Gallery

Good to know

How to get there

The easiest way to reach Kigelia is a light aircraft flight, this takes between 2-3 hours from Arusha and you land around 40 minutes drive from the camp.

Are children welcome?

Children over 8 years old are welcome at Kigelia Ruaha. However, due to the remote location and the nature of safari activities, the camp is best suited for older children who can fully appreciate the experience and follow safety guidelines.

For families, private game drives can be arranged, allowing for a more flexible schedule tailored to younger guests. Walking safaris, however, are usually restricted to those over 12 years old for safety reasons. The camp provides a comfortable yet immersive bush experience, making it ideal for adventurous families seeking an off-the-beaten-track safari.

Giving back

Kigelia Camp, situated in Ruaha National Park, is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. The camp is designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding bush, minimising environmental impact.

In partnership with the Ruaha Carnivore Project, Kigelia Camp supports the conservation of large carnivores in the area. This collaboration includes initiatives such as village film nights to educate local communities, GPS collaring of lions to monitor their movements, and the construction of predator-proof enclosures to protect livestock, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Additionally, the camp engages with the nearby Tungamalenga village, supporting the local school and clinic by providing educational and medical supplies, as well as facilitating outreach programmes. These efforts aim to foster a harmonious relationship between the camp and the local community, promoting both environmental conservation and social development.

What wildlife can you expect to see?

In Ruaha National Park, where Kigelia Camp is located, you can expect to see a diverse range of wildlife, including:
- Big Cats: Lions (including large prides), leopards, and cheetahs, with Ruaha being home to one of the largest lion populations in Africa.
- Elephants: One of East Africa’s largest elephant populations, often seen in large herds.
- African Wild Dogs: A rare and highly endangered species that thrives in Ruaha.
- Buffalo: Large herds are common, often attracting predators.
- Giraffes: Abundant in the park, gracefully moving through the woodlands.
- Zebras & Antelopes: Including greater and lesser kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, impalas, and elands.
- Hippos & Crocodiles: Found in the park’s rivers, particularly the Great Ruaha River.
- Birdlife: Over 570 species, including fish eagles, kingfishers, bateleurs, and the striking violet-crested turaco.
Ruaha is known for its remote, wild setting, making wildlife sightings feel more exclusive compared to busier parks like the Serengeti.

Why we love Kigelia

Ruaha is such a special place with incredible wildlife and so few people compared to the Serengeti and Kigelia is in one of the best game-viewing areas to take advantage of the best the National Park has to offer.