Activities available from Kwihala Camp:

 

Southern Tanzania is very uncrowded, particularly the Ruaha National Park.
At over 20,000 sq kms The Ruaha is the second biggest of Tanzania's National Parks, although when it comes to visitor numbers it certainly has one of the lowest totals. Perhaps it is because it is 'off the beaten track', or that it does not combine easily with the more popular northern parks that its natural splendours of scenery and wildlife are at the moment enjoyed only by the privileged few.
The life-blood of the park is the Great Ruaha River and its many seasonal tributaries and pools, making this amazingly beautiful semi-arid landscape home to some of the greatest herds of elephant of any National Park in East Africa. The current total population of elephant is estimated at 10,000. Game viewing is varied and spectacular with large prides of lions as well as leopard and cheetah, but it is the species of wildlife not seen in the other Tanzanian parks that excite - the Sable and Roan antelope, the African Wild Dog and unusually both lesser and greater Kudu, together with good numbers of plains game, Buffalo and Giraffe. The birds of Ruaha are also colourful and a big feature of the park. There are over 540 species recorded including both northern and southern migrants.
Game driving in Ruaha is a constant delight, not only for the fauna and bird-life, but it is the landscapes of Ruaha that so impress - this is where you see the true splendour of wild Africa in all its majesty - unspoilt and untouched.

Game Drives

Our guests often experience hours travelling about the Park without seeing any other vehicles. In the busiest periods they may see a maximum of 3 or 4 other cars.

 

 

For the most classical of the safari activities, the traditional game drive, Kwihala Camp has 2 4WD vehicles. If the camp is full, both may be out at the same time, with the current Manager Guide in one, and the other group being led by a highly trained Tanzanian guide.
The shaded open vehicles have three rows of seats, so everyone gets a "window seat".

 

 

the classic "Kwihala Bonnet Breakfast" - the guides stop the car at an attractive spot with some shade, round about 9am - after an early morning start.
Breakfast is set out on the bonnet of the car and the guests have the chance to stretch their legs, and help themselves.

 

In the dry season we can organize full day or half day game drives. The full day activity usually starts after breakfast at the camp and includes a bush lunch. The guests can enjoy a long drive in the wilderness coming back to the camp at sunset. This is suggested at least once for “safari lovers” who are coming to the Ruaha perhaps with some specific game or bird viewing aims.

 

The half day activities are advisable in the wet season when the heat of the day can become too heavy; or for those people who think that 8/9 hours in a car is a little bit too much. You can leave the camp early in the morning and have a full breakfast outside in the bush under a nice shady tree, or if you prefer, start out a little bit later after your breakfast in camp. You will be back at the camp for lunch.

Sundowners

 

 

The afternoon game drive starts at about 16:00 and you will be out until sundowner time, which can either be at a nice bush spot on the way back to camp, or round the campfire in front of the dining tent.

Walking Safaris

 

Steven Roskelly on a walking safari

In the past, the national park allowed a certain amount of walking, always accompanied by an armed park ranger. Walks were arranged early in the morning along the Ruaha River, which provides spectacular wildlife and birdlife activity..

We are now pleased to be able to offer walking safaris and night drives - at extra cost - from the camp, with our own armed guides together with a TANAPA armed guide.