Mwagusi Safari camp
Location - On game rich bend in the Mwagusi River
Accommodation - traditional old style safari camp with 10 bandas
Experience - Potential for outstanding game viewing in heart of the park
Price Guide - $520 - 570 pppn
Mwagusi Safari Camp was the first tented safari camp in Ruaha National Park. Built and managed by owner Chris Fox along with a variety of helpers, it's the obvious choice if you're serious about seeing the best that Ruaha has to offer. This is a charming and quirky small camp with a great approach to game viewing and, amazingly, one of the few owner run camps left. Read more?
On the whole Mwagusi is just how a bush safari camp should be. It's comfortable in all the right places, but not over the top, and generally has good food and service. However, whilst you're looked after superbly by the crew, most of whom have been with Chris for 15 years or so, this isn't somewhere you should come if you are after abject luxury (try Jongomero camp if this is what you're after). That's not what the camp is about. Mwagusi has a great deal of charm and like all the best safari camps has a natural and spontaneous feel, stopping just short of unpredictability.
Of course the spontaneity (for which read Chris) is partly what makes the place exciting, but if you'd rather not be surprised when lunch is 3 hours late because your game drive suddenly got exciting, then there may be other places that would suit you better. Personally we'd recommend Mwagusi wholeheartedly, but forewarned is forearmed.
Chris started Mwagusi in the early 90s when Ruaha was a virtually unknown safari destination, and the game was shy. It was a bold move at a time when few people had heard of the park, and those who had believed (mistakenly) that there were few animals and numerous Tsetse flies. These days Ruaha's secret is out and Mwagusi is the most popular safari destination in Ruaha. It's also one of the best places to experience a real East African safari. What's more the animals in the vicinity of Mwagusi have become accustomed to the camp to the point where now just sitting in your tent you can watch animals - from elephant to even leopard - in the sand river below you.
The camp is comfortable, with large walk in safari tents under thatched structures and huge en-suite bathrooms. However, above all, this is a superb place from which to access the best game in Ruaha and a place with a great atmosphere. The whole focus of Mwagusi is, and always has been getting you to where the best game is. It's got an exciting feel underpinned by an excellent crew who look after your every need. The camp is located in easy reach of the best game viewing areas of the park - the Mwagusi River, the Ruaha River and flood plains and the escarpment, above which miombo species such as sable are found.
Mwagusi is simple, but underpinned by an excellent sense of adventure and fun. Chris along with his team of resident safari guides, will always go the extra mile to get you to where the game is.
Location - Ruaha
The dry season in Ruaha National Park rivals any location in Tanzania for sheer action and variety. This is somewhere you'll see a wide range of species from lion, buffalo and elephant to Greater and Lesser Kudu, Sable and Roan antelope and even a good chance of wild dogs. Low tourist numbers and open sided vehicles add to the experience. Jump to page?
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