Owned and run by an experienced safari couple and employing expert local guides, Ikuka Safari Camp is the perfect answer for travellers looking to explore Tanzania’s remote and wild Ruaha National Park. Consisting of only six thatched, open-sided suites, Ikuka enjoys a magnificent setting on a ridge overlooking the sprawling Ruaha valley; the views are sensational and the accommodations quietly luxurious.

The focus at Ikuka Safari Camp is on the twice-daily game drives. Little-visited Ruaha is one of Africa’s biggest national parks and spans both typical southern and east African environments. The result is a great diversity of wildlife as well as some of the largest lion and elephant populations on the continent. The bird count is around 500 species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise, and guided safari walks can also be arranged at camp.

Open all year except April and May (the heavy rain season), the camp is a fly-in destination, usually accessed from Dar es Salaam. It combines well with wildlife destinations in central and southern Tanzania such as the Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) as well as Katavi and Mahale National Parks. With Dar es Salaam as its logistics hub, Ikuka Safari Camp is also a good choice for travellers looking to combine a safari with a beach holiday on the Tanzanian coast or Zanzibar archipelago.

Highlights

• Intimate camp in a breath-taking wilderness setting
• Game drives & guided walks
• Excellent big game viewing & birding
• Great for adventurous safari lovers

Activities

• GAME DRIVES
• GUIDED WALKING SAFARIS
• PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

A hidden gem! This owner-run and managed camp offers the best views over the Ruaha National Park. Spacious and open-fronted rooms offer luxurious retreats and panoramic views after a day’s safari exploring the dramatic landscapes of this diverse wilderness area.

Rooms

Safari Tent

Open-sided to catch the breeze and thatched for a comfortable interior temperature, Ikuka’s six rooms are each dominated by an enormous bed surrounded by draped cream curtains. The neutral colour scheme and use of local natural materials create a sophisticated and serene ambience, augmented by sensational views from almost every angle. Step outside and you find your private deck with chairs; back inside you will find the room has its bathroom with a rain shower, flush toilet and twin washbasins. The room is furnished with chairs, a writing desk and a leather sofa; there is hot water 24 hours a day and electric lighting.

Facilities

Built on polished wooden decking and shaded by thatch roofs, the camp’s communal areas are open, light and breezy. There is a lounge, dining area and a well-stocked bar as well as an outdoor pool and sundeck; a flight of stairs takes you to the cosy library. Hot water and electricity are available 24 hours a day.

Dining

The day begins with a buffet breakfast at camp before your morning game drive; alternatively, you may start the day with a light breakfast and then have a bush brunch while out in Ruaha. Lunches are light and served buffet style; dinners are 3-course affairs served by candlelight or under the stars. Meals are enjoyed communally in the dining areas but private dining may also be requested.