Kigelia Safari Camp

Kigelia Safari Camp is a classic tented bush camp located in the heart of the Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania.

Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic reserves, with vast baobab-studded plains, sand rivers, and granite boulders surrounded by incredible wildlife. Nestled in the middle of the park, Kigelia offers an intimate experience, with just six tents and one family tent. The camp is operated by Nomad, a company renowned for offering authentic safari experiences throughout Tanzania.

Ruaha is one of Tanzania's most remote parks with fabulous game, particularly big cats (the park is home to 10% of Africa's lion population), vast herds of elephant, greater & lesser kudu. There are very few camps in the Ruaha which is characterised by breathtaking scenery including epic baobab trees studding the open plains.

Accommodation

Kigelia Safari Camp maintains a real bush-camp feel with big airy safari tents sitting under shaggy thatch roofs to keep things cool, all set in the deep shade of the Kigelia trees from which the camp gets its name. Each tent features comfortable beds and traditional safari en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and outdoor safari style bucket showers, as well as large verandahs. There is one large family tent with two en-suite bedrooms under one thatch roof.

At Kigelia, each safari tent features a special star bed, inviting you to sleep under a glittering canopy of stars and embrace the magic of the African night. Seamlessly integrated into each tent, these star beds promise an unforgettable connection with the wilderness under the Tanzanian sky.

Activities

The wildlife viewing opportunities here are superb. Ruaha has one of the highest populations of lions left in Africa. It is also home to sizeable elephant and buffalo herds and is a melting pot for bird life (it is the point where southern and eastern species meet). This is an exciting park for game viewing and the camp's location means it is all literally right on the doorstep. For this reason, walking Safaris take centre stage at Kigelia. Guests are accompanied by an armed Nomad walking guide as well as a TANAPA park ranger.

When to Visit

June to September; warm days and cool nights. This is the best time of year for walking safaris with great elephant and buffalo sightings

October-November; the weather is dry and hot in the day and there are heavy concentrations of game around the Ruaha and Mwagusi rivers

December-Jan; weather starts to get more humid, with the possibility of rain. There is prolific bird life at this time of year and many animals calving

Children

Children over the age of 8 are welcome at Kigelia Safari Camp, however they must be over 12 years old to take part in walking safaris.

Location & Getting There

Access to Kigelia Ruaha is via Msembe Aistrip in Ruaha National Park with free airstrip transfers.