A stylish, understated camp with spectacular views of the Ruaha National Park
Lounge, dining room, bar, information center, communal pool, ‘star-bar’
Just three spacious suites, each with a bath, an outdoor shower, and a veranda with a private plunge pool
Walking safaris, game drives, night drives, birding, stargazing
Walking safaris are a highlight at Kichaka Zumbua, led by excellent expert guides who bring all the small details of Ruaha National Park to life.
Guided walking safaris are a cornerstone of the Kichaka experience, offering some of Africa’s most remote on-foot expeditions in one of its wildest parks. Guided by Moli, an expert with exhaustive knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna, you’ll venture far from the beaten track. Taking new routes daily, learn to interpret animal tracks, identify plants and their medicinal uses, and explore the phenomenal birdlife. You’ll also gain insight into essential bush skills like fire lighting, identifying spoor, and a few survival basics. Safaris are tailored to different fitness levels and distances depending on your group’s ages and abilities.
Action-packed game drives venture deep into the remote, lesser-visited corners of Ruaha. The park boasts an incredibly diverse ecosystem and one of the highest elephant concentrations in the world. It’s not uncommon to spend entire days out in the bush, complete with a private picnic lunch. Keep your camera ready for four of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – along with smaller predators like cheetah, serval, caracal, and the endangered wild dog. You’ll also spot abundant giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and numerous species of antelope.
Game drives often continue well into the dark hours when the park’s nocturnal species become active, including civet, genet, porcupine, and the rarely seen pangolin. Whether they feature a lion hunt, a leopard on the prowl, or the distant whoop of a hyena, night drives are always unpredictable and full of excitement. Spotlights and high-tech thermal imaging devices truly bring this experience to life! Please note, there is an additional $100 TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks) fee per person.
Ruaha National Park has nearly six hundred recorded bird species, making it a fascinating destination for bird enthusiasts. Sightings include Bataleur eagles, Tanzanian red-billed hornbills, herons, and black-collared lovebirds.
Zero light pollution makes Ruaha National Park a particularly striking wilderness for stargazing. Step out onto the viewing deck each evening to witness some of the clearest star-filled night skies in Africa. The camp even has its own powerful telescope, which easily displays the rings of Saturn!
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Kichaka Zumbua is located in the eastern part of Ruaha National Park. The closest airstrip is Msembe, and the flight time from Dar es Salaam is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, followed by a 3-hour game drive transfer to the camp.
The multi-level main area at Kichaka Zumbua includes an inviting lounge with comfy sofas, an information center, and an open-sided dining room where sociable meals are enjoyed communally.
Delicious meals are a highlight, and whether in camp or out in the bush, these are always accompanied by warm, friendly hospitality. The ‘Star-Bar’ comes to life after dark with plenty of ambience for gathering around the campfire for drinks, accompanied by the sounds of nocturnal Ruaha. The camp also has a shared pool with panoramic views, where guests can take a refreshing dip during the heat of the day.
Kichaka Zumbua currently consists of just three thatched suites, with plans to build a few banda-style accommodations in the future.
Each room is elevated on a raised platform with sweeping scenic views of the Ruaha River valley. The entrance and windows have mesh panels that zip up during the day, so the suites are open to the breeze, but at night they are completely insect-proof. Natural materials and simple details give the design an understated appeal that feels totally harmonious with the camp’s setting. Each comes with a wooden bed, bedside tables with reading lamps, a writing desk, a luggage rack, and a ceiling fan. Every room also has a spacious bathroom, a continuation of the indoor–outdoor style, featuring a beautiful stone bath-tub, a flush toilet, and an open-air hot-water shower, perfect for soaking up even more time in the great outdoors. Outside, there’s a veranda with cushioned wicker chairs and a small drinks table, plus a private plunge pool that offers some energizing respite after a busy morning of safari activities. Solar-powered charging is available for cell phones, cameras, and laptops.
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