Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Mwagusi Safari Camp is a long established camp, having been in operation in Ruaha for over a decade. As a result the game is well habituated to viewing. Set on the banks of the seasonal Mwagusi Sand River, the camp offers thirteen rustic styled ‘bandas' or chalets, all of which overlook the river. All the buildings are thatched with reed walls and polished red stone floors. Unusually, the camp is run by its owner, Chris Fox, who was born in Tanzania and has an in-depth knowledge of Ruaha and its wildlife. Activities range from game drives to guided safari walks and ornithological tours.
Mwagusi Safari Lodge is open : 1st June to 31st March
Luxury tented camps in Tanzania
When on safari in Tanzania, the traditional luxury tented camp offers a selection of canvas-sided safari tents, usually with thatched rooves, often raised on a timber platform with private verandah. Usually, the luxury safari tents feature comfortable double or single beds with mosquito netting, electric lighting (generator or solar powered) and luxury ensuite safari bathrooms (flushed WC, hot and cold running water, shower and vanity unit).
Activities
• Game drives in open 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Excellent birding.
• Game walks with professional walking guide and TANAPA ranger.
• Walking safari.
Wildlife
Ruaha National Park covers a unique transition zone- a meeting of Eastern and Southern African species of flora and Fauna. In addition to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and most of the common antelope, predators including elusive wild dogs, some of the rarer antelopes such as Sable and Roan, as well as greater and lesser kudu occur. Birding in Ruaha National Park is unparalleled, with some 530 species recorded.
The seasons
• June to October: Dry and warm days with temperatures cooling down considerably at night. Vegetation becomes sparser and animals are drawn to dwindling water sources. Nights can be cold.
• November - mid March: Hotter and greener. Nights still cool. This is the season for bird and plant lovers and is the main reproductive time of year so a good time for seeing young.
Ruaha National Park
Home of the ‘Great Ruaha River'
A pristine and largely undiscovered wilderness, the 12,950 square-kilometre Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's second-largest park. An unforgettable landscape, one of the last remaining tracts of the original Africa as it existed millions of years ago, Ruaha National Park is dominated by the Great Ruaha River, from which it takes its name (Ruaha means ‘great').
Undeveloped and undisturbed, Ruaha National Park offers spectacular wildlife, glorious scenery (more than 1,600 species of plants) and over 400 species of birds. With herds of more than 10,000 elephants, vast concentrations of buffalo, gazelle, and over 400 bird species, Ruaha's limitless wilderness, together with the surrounding game reserves of Rungwa and Kisigo -- stretches over 40,000 square kilometres. Elephants are found in some of the highest concentration in the country, travelling in matriarch-lead herds through ancient grazing lands and seasonal supplies of water.
Tanzania luxury safari tented camp: location
Ruaha National Park has two airstrips (Msembe and Jongomero), which host flights from Dar es Salaam (2.5 hours) and Zanzibar via the Selous, and from Arusha. Mwagusi Safari Lodge is a one hour's drive from the airstrip. Ruaha is 115km (4 hour's drive) from Iringa (502km from Dar es Salaam)
Your Tanzania luxury tented camp safari
Undeveloped and undisturbed, Ruaha National Park offers spectacular wildlife, glorious scenery (more than 1,600 species of plants) and over 400 species of birds. With herds of more than 10,000 elephants, vast concentrations of buffalo, gazelle, and over 400 bird species, Ruaha National Park‘s limitless wilderness, together with the surrounding game reserves of Rungwa and Kisigo -- stretches over 40,000 square kilometers.
Elephants are found in some of the highest concentration in the country, travelling in matriarch-lead herds through ancient grazing lands and seasonal supplies of water. The Great Ruaha River is the main feature of the park, and meanders through its borders. On its banks, the game viewing is spectacular, whether done by land or by water. Hippos yawn under the midday sun and crocodiles lie lazily along the banks. Fish eagles dive and swoop along the riverbanks, and at night the sound of frogs croaking in the reeds extends across the hills and plains. Boating safaris are starting to gain in popularity, and provide a popular alternative to viewing the area by car.
Most of Ruaha National Park is located on the top of a 900 metre plateau whose hills, valleys, and plains make the game viewing topography beautifully unique. Small mountains run along the southwest borders of the park and their tree-covered slopes are visible in the distance. During the rainy seasons, dry river beds swell with the biannual deluge and within days, a thin coat of green covers all the land in sight.
Because of its rather remote location, Ruaha National Park is largely unexplored. Because of this, a safari to the national park often has the feel of a private adventure and a unique experience. For the intrepid wilderness lover and the avid safari explorer, a trip to Ruaha is uniquely rewarding and a perfect piece of Africa.
Safari highlights
Safari sightings in Ruaha National Park will include: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, greater and lesser kudu and Grant's gazelle. Birds: more than 400 species of birds have been recorded.
Tanzania luxury safari tented camp: accommodation
Mwagusi Safari Camp offers 13 'bandas', which are spacious tented rooms encased within a larger reed-and-thatch building. The thatched building extends at the front, to incorporate an open-sided veranda, and at the back, to include the large en-suite bathroom. As you enter your room, you pass across the veranda. Each banda's veranda is unique in design, depending on the room's location, but all share some common features. Everyone looks out over the (usually dry) river and offers a large built-in sofa for relaxing on; some also have a hammock. All of the verandas are peaceful spots to while away the hours between lunch and an afternoon activity. Most are great vantage points from which to look out for wildlife, especially the busy birdlife in the shady, riverside vegetation. The banda's bedroom stands within a large canvas tent. Inside are large, comfortable beds, a writing desk and a bedside light. Brightly coloured throws and makuti mats on the floors offer colour and character.
The bandas at Mwagusi Safari Camp have no fans or air-conditioning - though the thatch over the top of the tent, and the flow-through of air, helps them to remain naturally fairly cool. All bandas have electricity (no power points - battery charging at reception).Between each tent and its en suite bathroom is a large vestibule area - with space for hanging and folding clothes. Then the bathroom extends beyond, with a slight dividing wall between the flush-toilet and hot-and-cold shower.
Mwagusi Safari Lodge offers limited medical support and flying doctors links. No room service. Drinks not included. 24-hour laundry service/limited email access. Mobile phone connection intermittent
Tanzania luxury tented camp: dining and bars
Mwagusi Safari Lodge offers a central dining room and lounge, both of which are accommodated in high-roofed thatched buildings that look out over the river. Rustically presented with wildlife and local heritage artefacts, there are also outside viewing decks and a campfire area where evening sundowners are traditionally served. The lodge also offers a small wildlife library/reading room. Typically offered on a full-board basis (exclusive of drinks), the camp has two chefs, who excel in the presentation of a varied menu, which features both international and local options. Typically dining is communal - inside or outside depending on the weather. Lunch and breakfast are typically buffet, dinner 3-course table d'hote.
Conference and event facilities at Mwagusi Safari Lodge
This luxury tented camp does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings.
Weddings and honeymoons at Mwagusi Safari Lodge
This Tanzania luxury tented camp makes an ideal Tanzania honeymoon destination.
Child-friendly facilities at Mwagusi Safari Lodge
Mwagusi Safari Lodge welcomes children of all ages, although we would not recommend the camp for very young children. We'd suggest it for children over the age of about eight years old who are mature and well-behaved. Because of the dangerous game that wanders through the camp, children need constant supervision by their parents. Cots on request
What to see and do at Mwagusi Safari Lodge
Birdwatching: Ruaha's unique position at the centre of Tanzania gives it an interested cross section of birds - and makes it a fascinating park for the bird-watcher. Early-morning bird-walks are a very popular activity at Mwagusi Safari Lodge - checking out the dawn chorus with a guide before breakfast.
Wildlife: Ruaha has all the usual big game, and the Mwagusi Safari Lodge team take a very enthusiastic approach to finding it for their guests.
• Activities
• Game drives in open 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Excellent birding.
• Game walks with professional walking guide and TANAPA ranger.
• Walking safari / mobile bush camping (fly camping) in pristine surroundings (pre-booking essential). From July to end of November. (subject to weather conditions and availability TANAPA ranger).
When to visit Ruaha National Park
Visiting a luxury tented camp is Ruaha National Park possible during both the dry ‘yellow' season and the wet ‘green' season, even in January when the rain is heaviest due to the fact that the rains here tent to be short and the roads are generally good. However, in the wet season the grass is long which can hamper game viewing. Optimum time to visit this luxury tented camp July-December.
Safari tented camp experiences in Ruaha National Park
Typical Tanzania safari experiences at this tented camp include: morning safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Tanzania safari guides), safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the safari campfire and guided safari walks. The tented camp also offers ornithological tours.
Mwagusi Safari Camp • Ruaha National Park • Tanzania Safari Tented camps
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