Kwihala Camp

traditional Camp | Ruaha Nat'l Park, Tanzania

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Hidden deep in Tanzania's southern frontier of Ruaha National Park, Kwihala Camp embodies the classic safari experience. Six traditional tents are draped in canvas and secured by ropes and poles, offering views into a vast land where big mammals still roam free from fences, wild and untamed, just as they did centuries ago. Witness all the big cats, wild dog, elephant, kudu and more from camp, on foot, and by open 4x4 day and night game drives.

Our Expert Says

Ruaha National Park is truly remote and lesser known, but so special. This wildlife-rich park is enormous. It's likely you'll see few if any other travelers from other camps during your safari here. Kwihala is that classic, quintessential tented safari camp that enhances this optimal nature and wildlife experience. Combine Ruaha with Selous National Park for a complete southern Tanzania safari.

– Rick Guthke

The Camp

Location: Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Number of Tents: 6

Kwihala Camp is one of Africa's secret gems, situated in a remote setting at Mwagusi Sand River. This intimate six-tented camp is set along the safari frontier of vast Ruaha National Park, deep within the southern reaches of Tanzania. Emphasis is on a high-quality guiding standard and the wild nature of Ruaha. The camp itself is a simple, elegant, traditional tented safari experience. Each spacious tent is made of draped canvas with mosquito-proof screen windows, a private veranda and classic furnishings. The camp is divided with just three tents on either side of the main shared area. Each tent has an en suite bathroom with safari shower and a flush toilet. Meals are enjoyed communal-style around a big table in the open-air mess tent or under the stars. A central lounge and dining area encourage socializing with fellow travelers.

Facilities & Amenities

En suite bathroom with safari shower
Shampoo, conditioner and soap
220v charging outlets in main area
In-room safe
Wi-Fi in main area
Laundry included
Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard), 6% surcharge
No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone, Internet or cellular coverage

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Ruaha National Park is part of the new safari frontier in Tanzania. As Tanzania's largest national park, it is both expansive and remote, making it one of Africa's wildest areas. The camp's location straddles the transition area between southern and eastern Africa's distinct vegetation zones, creating diverse habitats for more than 500 bird species, a tenth of the world's lion population with prides strong enough to hunt buffalo and elephant, and rare antelope species like greater and lesser kudu, roan and sable. Wild dogs also find sanctuary here, along with cheetah and bat-eared fox. Kwihala's location is hailed as the best area for wildlife drives in Ruaha, and you also have the option of guided walking safaris and night drives at an extra cost (ages 15 and up). Arrival at camp involve a 45-minute wildlife drive from the airstrip, and the rest is simply an unpredictably exciting adventure.

Each region has varying concentrations and species of wildlife, and the below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the area. Other typical sightings may include giraffe, zebra, impala, jackal, bat-eared fox and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.

Country	Park/Reserve	Buffalo	Cheetah	Eland	Elephant	Gemsbok / Oryx	Greater Kudu	Hippo	Leopard	Lion	Sable Antelope	Wild Dog
Tanzania	Ruaha Nat'l Park

Usually viewed

Frequently viewed

Occasionally viewed

Sporadically viewed

Rarely to never viewed

Climate

Month	Max	Min	Rainfall
January	77° F	59° F	5.83 in
	25° C	15° C	148 mm
February	77° F	57° F	4.69 in
	25° C	13° C	119 mm
March	77° F	57° F	4.65 in
	25° C	13° C	118 mm
April	75° F	59° F	2.68 in
	23° C	15° C	68 mm
May	73° F	55° F	0.2 in
	22° C	12° C	5 mm
June	72° F	52° F	0.0 in
	22° C	11° C	0 mm
July	73° F	52° F	0.0 in
	22° C	11° C	0 mm
August	73° F	52° F	0.0 in
	22° C	11° C	0 mm
September	77° F	54° F	0.0 in
	25° C	12° C	0 mm
October	81° F	55° F	0.24 in
	27° C	12° C	6 mm
November	81° F	57° F	1.61 in
	27° C	13° C	41 mm
December	79° F	59° F	5.94 in
	26° C	15° C	151 mm

Conservation

Through sustainable tourism, Kwihala strives to have a positive impact on Ruaha National Park, its local communities and Tanzania as a whole. The camp buys locally wherever possible, limits fossil fuel consumption and uses sustainable energy sources such as solar power while recycling or reducing waste. The camp contributes to its mother company, Asilia Africa, through community empowerment and education, supporting multiple primary schools and contributing to scholarships, such as the Justice Ole Keiwua Scholarship Fund and Koiyaki Guide School Scholarship Fund. Habitat restoration and wildlife conservation are key priorities for the company, with involvement in the Serengeti Cheetah Project and Ruaha Carnivore Project, among others in Kenya's Maasai Mara.