Overview Accommodation Experiences When To Go

Imagine, with an eagle’s eye, one miniature encampment of tents in Ruaha's landscape of giants.

Our understated little bush-camp has been in the beating eastern heart of the park for years, where the wildlife is most concentrated. Sorties from here, encountering the great mammals of Africa, can be thrilling and hard to tear yourself away from. So, in camp we retreat - but with Nature up very close - a quiet, canvas refuge, only disturbed by our elephant visitors. They just don’t make them like this anymore.

Shaggy thatch, light and airy traditional safari tents with star bed attached. They just don't make them like this anymore.

Everything you need, nothing that you don't

Why be indoors when you don't have to be?

Each tent has space, a view and often the odd four-legged visitor that wanders by

Kigelia Ruaha has a charm and simplicity which, for us, means that it highlights the surrounding landscape rather than detracts from it.

Frippery-free tents, where the focus is what happens outside. Doesn't mean they lack comfort though.

A herd of curious impala in Ruaha National Park.

A pair of brothers, surveying their wilderness in Ruaha National Park.

On foot with the giants of the bush

Low-tech just suits this place. We don't want to spoil it with too much paraphernalia.

Kigelia Ruaha overlooks the dry river bed of the Ifuguru River, which often attracts herds of elephants who come to dig for water.

Dining with a backdrop of baobabs at Kigelia Ruaha.

Ruaha is known for very large herds of elephants, sometimes numbering in their hundreds.

Morning coffee with a view from your starbed

Lions move in big prides here, and some have adapted to hunting giraffe

Few things are more humbling than a century-old baobab tree.

Dining with your feet in the sand of a dry riverbed. Why? Because you can.

All creatures great, and small (which are often the most interesting)

The Rufiji River does not always flow, but when it does, it is a magnet for wildlife and a very welcome breakfast spot

Time. Time away from everything. Time with special people.

Breakfast never tasted better

Elephants gather at the waters edge in Ruaha National Park.

The freedom to roam in entirely open vehicles

Eles are such a feature of Kigelia and the Ruaha experience

This is big cat country

Greater kudu are among the animals you'll find here

Giraffe at canopy height Photo: Robert Michael Poole

Birdlife peaks in January to March but year round it is resplendent.

Some afternoons you just don't want to leave the mess

Early morning game drive

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Complimentary flights to the South

Book our 7-night Southern Tanzania itinerary, including Kigelia and Sand Rivers - and enjoy free return flights to Dar es Salaam and inter-camp flights.

New bookings only that travel before the end of October 2025 
This offer does not include inducement flights.

Enhancing lives at Kigelia

From enhancing dynamic careers to working with local communities and conservation projects, here are some inspiring stories from our camp in southern Tanzania.

Conservation & environment

Supporting conservation partners

Supporting conservation partners

Down in the south, we partner with Lion Landscapes to support the incredible work they do, and four of our Kigelia camp staff are involved in their carnivore sighting programme: eyes and ears on the ground that help them keep track of our precious predators.

Life long learning & growth

Creating career paths

The essence of Nomad

Spotlight on the very wonderful Ken Koskey, who's been part of the Nomad family for over 20 years.

He's a guide extraordinaire and specialist of the south, starting his career at Sand Rivers Selous where he walked the place flat, and brought alive the magic of fly-camping on the banks of the Great Rufiji River for countless guests.

He's worked in every one of our Nomad camps over the years, and is currently managing Kigelia, which he loves for its remoteness.

Southern Tanzania safaris

This is all about experience. A safari spent in the game rich plains of Ruaha, and the endless wilderness of Nyerere, the south is hard to beat.

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Reviews

18.09.2025

D. Vollenweider

Review for kigelia

Wonderful Nights Under Stars

We enjoyed our time in Kigelia: friendly staff, excellent Food, outstandig guide and wonderful nights under the stars- couldn‘t be better! We recommend this Place to everybody

Camps visited:
Kigelia, Ruaha Sand Rivers, Nyerere

18.09.2025

N. Galbraith

Review for kigelia

Homely, Friendly Camp

Kigelia is a homely, friendly little camp in a prime game viewing area. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the skybed is a unique experience, but best of all are the lovely staff. I was lucky enough to have the camp manager, Prim, as my guide and I can’t recommend him highly enough. He happily too...

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Camps visited:
Kigelia, Ruaha Sand Rivers, Nyerere

14.09.2025

J. and N. Carpenter

Review for kigelia

Sleeping Under Stars

Wonderful real experience with bucket showers and a night sleeping under the stars like days gone by .

Camps visited:
Greystoke, Mahale Mountains Chada, Katavi Kigelia, Ruaha Sand Rivers, Nyerere

11.09.2025

S. Oakes

Review for kigelia

Efficient Service

Very efficient service. Nothing too much trouble.

Camps visited:
Chada, Katavi Kigelia, Ruaha Sand Rivers, Nyerere Greystoke, Mahale Mountains

04.09.2025

M. Haldeman

Review for kigelia

Life Changing Kigelia Camp

How to you describe a 5 star hotel in the African plains but with one word Kigelia Camp. Simply put life changing!

Camps visited:
Kigelia, Ruaha Serengeti Safari Camp, Serengeti

02.09.2025

E. Meijssen-de Ridder

Review for kigelia

Love the Fire

Tent as i like it the most: bedroom and washroom in the same tent with everything you need and not to much space you do not need. No extra luxery you do not need.
Temperature of the water exact and enough. Animals around the tent. Friendly personal and an exellent driver/guide with respect for the ...

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Camps visited:
Kigelia, Ruaha

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