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.

Take a 360 view around the camp

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?

Views to the river, perfect for a sundowner

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

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.

Reviews

A. Speed

Review for kigelia

Warm and welcoming staff

The staff are so welcoming and the food delicious. Bedrooms rustic, beautiful and comfortable. At one with nature. Guiding perfect.

Camps visited:

C. Soeder

Review for kigelia

Great camp atmosphere and wonderful team

The camp and the team are great.

Camps visited:

PEPE

Review for kigelia

Impeccable, attentive yet discreet service

Absolutely loved the atmosphere of the camp. Service was impeccable, attentive yet discreet. The classic architecture and decor blend beautifully with the bush, as a proper safari camp should.

Camps visited:

Anonymous

Review for kigelia

Fabulous location

Fabulous location, amazing staff. Accomodation fabulous - if a little hot! have love loved our stay, thank you.

Camps visited:

Anonymous

Review for kigelia

Fantastic guiding and wildlife spotting

Everything from the room to the food to the fantastic guiding and spotting made our stay truly unforgettable. We can't wait to come back and see you all again soon!

Camps visited:

Anonymous

Review for kigelia

Outstanding staff including Julius, Caliste, Mel, and Goodluck

Julius, Caliste, Mel, Goodluck and the entire staff made this the trip of a life time.

FAQs

What should I take on Safari in Tanzania?

This is the trip of lifetime so you must have a good camera (or phone) to capture those wonderful memories. More importantly is a decent pair of binoculars - essential for your time in the bush. Sunscreen and insect repellant should be in the bag as well as a good water bottle, although you will be provided with a Nomad water bottle as part of your stay - hydration is really important on safari and in dry climates. Check your luggage restrictions with your tour operator as there are restrictions on luggage allowance for domestic flights in Tanzania. Also, if you react to insect bites be sure to bring antihistamines. It is a good idea to carry loperamide (commonly sold as Imodium) just in case.

How much do I tip my safari guide?

Firstly, you should only tip of you genuinely feel that the service you have received warrants it. Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. Tipping amounts very much depends on your experience but we tend to work with a range of 10-15 US dollars per guest per day. Equally, it's not unusual for a family or group to pitch in slightly below this as a group tip.

What vaccinations or health precautions do I need?

Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.

Do lodges offer honeymoon packages or upgrades?

Many do, yes - private dinners, spa treatments or surprise sundowners that add thoughtful moments to the trip. Occasionally, there are discounts for one spouse and it can be worth researching.

How many days is enough for a Tanzania safari?

Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible. 

There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.

Can I go on safari and visit Zanzibar in one trip?

Yes absolutely, Tanzania has superb transport links from the mainland to Zanzibar as well as neighbouring islands too. Many travellers choose to spend some time in the wild on safari before heading to the coast for some R&R.

How much does a safari cost?

The cost of a safari does vary, from simple bush camps or tented camps to high-end luxury or private houses. In Tanzania, there is a wide spectrum of accommodation allowing travellers to mix and match, building tailormade itineraries to suit a budget. Specialist tour operators are able to advise on the best options for your budget. Included in the safari cost is access to the wild, expert guides and unique experiences.

What is the typical food when on safari?

Fresh, locally sourced, and surprisingly varied given the remote locations of some camps. Imagine homemade bread, seasonal veg, cooking with delicious Swahili spices. All accompanied by far-stretching views or enjoyed under a shady tree.

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