Kigelia Camp - Ruaha Tanzania

Let us take you on a journey ………

Our small, discreet camp operates in a socially and environmentally responsible way, placing a minimal footprint in these precious areas of natural beauty.

Kigelia Camp is accessed by light aircraft to Msembe Airstrip from either Dar es Salaam or Arusha. Your adventure with us begins with the 14km game drive from the airstrip to our camp, where you will be met by our Camp Manager, who together with his well trained staff will make sure your experience within the camp is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

   
The team at Kigelia Camp

Kigelia has seen the coming together of three individuals - Rob, Philip and Pippa - who share a passion for Africa, a love of the wilderness and a commitment to sharing their unique world with discerning clientele from around the globe.

All of us are hugely experienced in the 'bush' and in 2007 began to create what we firmly believe is the perfect haven for wildlife lovers to experience Africa the way we believe it should be done.

Each of us has a different - and hopefully interesting and relevant - story to tell.

Rob Barbour - General Manager and Professional Guide
Pippa Brewster - Camp Designer & Partner
Philip Masonda - Professional Guide and Partner

Our involvement with Ruaha goes further than providing a very special experience for the discerning traveller; we wanted to also consider the importance of local people and their needs and aspirations.

As far as possible we intend to employ people with ties to the local communities and culture and one of our partners in the creation of Kigelia is truly local. The history and culture of the people in the Ruaha area are a fascinating feature of any safari to this region. The predominant tribe are the Hehe with a proud history and sense of tradition. In keeping with our philosophy and vision we are endeavouring to work together with communities and people, assisting with different projects and helping to create an understanding and appreciation of wildlife and its benefits.

In putting Kigelia in place we have endeavoured to create a unique experience where a number of critical factors are combined to ensure the product is special. Along with our passion and love for Africa we have identified the elements that make a camp stand out. Great wildlife and the true wilderness feel, an experience that exudes comfort and style with accommodation in an intimate environment and setting. Lastly, good food, company, guiding and management!

The camp at Kigelia

The lodge is located on the Ifuguru Sand River, close to the confluence of the Mwagusi River and the Greater Ruaha River.

Our camp offers six large double tents and can be booked individually or alternatively, exclusively by parties of eight people or more.

The comfort and safety of our guests is our prime consideration at all times.  The accommodation we offer within our luxury tents enables our guests to enjoy a refined, authentic camping experience within a totally wild environment without sacrificing any of the comforts of home.

To minimise the environmental impact of the camp, we use solar power wherever possible.

Each tent has comfortable, locally crafted beds and its own ensuite bathroom with flushing toilet and open air bucket shower for that true camping experience. There is nothing better than to stand under a steaming hot open air shower at the end of a long day’s game drive!

Our meals are prepared to the highest standard using wholesome fresh produce, offering plenty of choice and good vegetarian options where required.  For those who like their wines, a good selection of International wines are served with meals.

Laundry is done in camp on a daily basis for all garments except ladies’ smalls and daily toiletries are provided

   


When to visit Kigelia Camp and Ruaha

Pleasingly, the lodge is open year round, as almost any time is a good time to visit Ruaha. There are two main seasons :

The DRY SEASON (mid-May to mid-November) was traditionally the time to visit, because the game is often easier to find, as it goes in search of ever reducing water sources. Also the vegetation is reduced, improving visibility and many people find the dry season's colour palette of browns and yellows appealing.

Since improvements were made to the park's access routes along with the tracks within the park itself, the RAINY SEASON (mid-November through till mid-May) has become increasingly popular time to visit.

The main rainfall occurs within January, but during the rainy season, the park can look absolutely stunning. Although big game is a little harder to find, a profusion of birds, butterflies and wild flowers in bloom more than compensates.

Photographers and artists are in agreement that this time offers the most exciting light. So the choice is yours! Ruaha is a delight all year around.

 
 

The day starts early in the bush with a hot beverage brought to your tent as the sun comes up and the sounds of the night are replaced by the calls of the dawn whilst the sun gently warms the land.  Our camp staff will bring hot water to your tent for early morning ablutions.  Breakfast is either in camp or out in the bush, according to your chosen itinerary for the day.  As our guest you will be free to choose how much relaxation time you wish to spend in camp. Lunch is served either in Camp at the end of the morning’s drive or out in an interesting location with a delicious picnic.

The Ruaha National Park boasts a spectacular array of animals and birds, so our activities during the day are varied to include game viewing not only by vehicle in our fully adapted 4x4 safari vehicles but also on foot.

At all times our guests are accompanied by expert guides who have many years of experience and have a deep knowledge and understanding of the Ruaha, its game, its flora and its bird life.  You will be invited to design your own programme of activities in consultation with the guides to maximise the quality and pace of your experience according to your own particular interests and desires. 

Photographers will be amazed at the opportunities - we promise our guests an experience that is truly “up close and personal”!  And, if you miss that all important shot, we offer a portal site on our website that will enable you to purchase images taken by the guide on the trip so that you have the memory to savour when you get home.

At the end of the day, before a carefully prepared dinner, our guests are invited to enjoy that great tradition,  enjoyed since the days of Hemingway. The Sundowner ! Sitting round the fire in front of the camp, watching the sun go down over the sand river, comparing stories of the day’s adventures whilst the hush of the evening starts to come alive with the magical sounds of the night.  The haunting call of the night  jar, the roar of the lion?  The cackle of Hyenas as they go out to hunt  – perhaps even the cough of a leopard? 

This is the true magic of Africa that seeps deep into your soul…………………..



The flora and fauna of Ruaha National Park

The Geography : At the centre of the Park is the Ruaha River which flows into the Rufiji River in the Selous, and on to the Indian Ocean. A number of smaller, seasonal rivers all flow into the Ruaha, including the Mzombe and the Mwagusi, forming an important and visually stunning setting. Complementing this picture are the many low hills and the escarpment that is really a part of the Rift Valley. Between this and the plateau that rises in the southwest and runs all the way towards Lunda in the north, is the low lying bush at Ruaha's heart.

The Habitat : Much of this area is combretum, acacia and commiphora woodland, combining with the mosaic of riverine habitats that characterize the many watercourses. This central valley is covered  by  numerous Baobab Trees and the four distinctive main ecological and vegetation zones that occur in the Park. The Ifuguru River where Kigelia Camp is located is a seasonal sand river. Along the river area are Baobab forests, Jackal berry Ebony, Sausage (Kigelia Africana), Tamarind, Acacia and Sycamore Fig Trees. From here there is a gradual change to Miombo woodland. This part of the Ruaha region has its own unique flora and fauna, dominated by the Brachystegia family. This makes for fascinating walking and driving country, and there is always good resident game in the area of camp.

The Wildlife : No other National Park in Tanzania has the diversity of Ruaha. Elephant in huge numbers are a common site, as the population seems to be growing. Giraffe are everywhere, as are the more common species such as Zebra and Impala. Both the Greater and Lesser Kudu occur here, as do the magnificent Eland, Sable and Roan antelope. The Ruaha River also provides an ecosystem on its own with its huge Nile Crocodiles, pods of Hippo and all the other smaller mammals, reptiles and creatures of interest.

Ruaha has an abundance of predators,  It’s lion population is very healthy - it's not uncommon to see a pride with twenty or more members. Large male lions with spectacular manes are a common occurrence. The habitat is perfect for leopard and they are seen regularly in Ruaha with its rugged terrain and habitat. The African Hunting Dog also occurs in the Park although their huge ranges make them a little more difficult to find. The same is the case with Cheetah. The Hyena and Jackals are a common camp visitor and often heard after dark – the whooping call and cackling laughter often splitting the night, especially when near camp or traversing the area.


Factual Information:
© Kigelia Camp Ruaha 2009. Correct at time of writing, December 2008

Location
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, East Africa
Set on Ifuguru Sand River, North East of Msembe Airstrip
Close to Mwagusi River and Great Ruaha River confluence
GPS coordinates: South 07degrees, 33', 46.7'East 34 degrees, 57',49.3'
Elevation: 2734 feet above sea level

Flight times
Daily scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam by Coastal Aviation and Safari Aviation.
Depart Dar es Salaam for Msembe Ruaha at approximately 0830hrs daily. Depart Msembe
for Dar es Salaam at approximately 1100hrs.
Charter flights available on request.
Flight time Dar es Salaam to Msembe Ruaha is 2 hours and 15 minutes by Cessna
Caravan

Airstrip details
Msembe Airstrip - Ruaha

Accommodation
6 guest tents - Twin or double configuration for all tents.
One twin guide tent
Camp can accommodate 12 guests with guides.

Tent details:
Low water usage, internal flushing toilets
Outdoor luxury bucket shower under the stars
Large canvas tents set on the ground under shade of Sausage and Baobab trees
Veranda in front of each tent ? views onto and across sand river
Solar lighting in sleeping and bathroom areas
Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each tent
Lockable trunk in each tent

Camp Description
Camp situated beneath large trees set high on banks of the scenic Ifuguru Sand River
Dining and lounge area in one large dining tent
Comprehensive library of relevant reference books
Sand paths connect the tents to the main living area
Gift shop available
Electrical charging facility available from dining tent
Fire pit and sitting/dining area overlooking sand river for outdoor dining under the stars
Picnics on drives offered allowing for all day excursions

Wildlife Viewing
Ruaha is renowned for its shear size, primeval landscapes and a large population of
elephants and greater and lesser kudu. It is also a predator haven with frequent and
excellent sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah. Wild dogs and jackal can be seen and
inter-predator interaction is common. Plains game is prolific - zebra, buffalo, giraffe and
many species antelopes are present in numbers. Year-round birding is superb.
The stark beauty of Ruaha?s landscape of baobab forests, rocky hills and the Great Ruaha
River provides a great backdrop to wildlife viewing.

Activities
Game drives via open top Land Cruiser game drive vehicles to maximize visibility. Each
vehicle accommodates a maximum of six or seven guests. Each vehicle is equipped with a
relevant books, spare binoculars and drinks. Configuration may be altered due to
environmental conditions such as dust, wind or rain. Game drives are tailored to client
wishes in terms of length and nature. Full day drives with a packed picnic meals can be
arranged on request. Private vehicles are available on request.
Guided walks are available on request and are accompanied by a National Parks Ranger.
Guides will brief guests on safe and appropriate behavior to maximize the pleasure of the
experience for all guests.

Sample Daily Activity Schedule
0530hrs/0600hrs.
Wake up call with coffee or tea. Light continental breakfast consisting of seasonal fruit,
cereals, tea/coffee/juices and pastries to be served in the dining area or departure
with a picnic breakfast to be taken whilst on game drive.

0600hrs/0630hrs
Depart on morning activity, returning to camp at approximately 1000hrs or 1130hrs.
Brunch will be served, consisting of a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes.
From now until afternoon tea, guests will be at leisure.

1530hrs/1600hrs
Afternoon tea will be served consisting of a selection of tea, coffee and juices and sweet
and/or savoury snacks.

1630hrs
Depart on afternoon game viewing activity ? drinks and snacks may be served for
sundowner during the course of the activity. Sunset - return to camp prior to darkness.

1930hrs
Pre-dinner drinks and snacks will be served around the camp fire

2000hrs
Three-course dinner generally served at a communal dinner table unless specific requests
for separate dining.

2100hrs
Coffee and liqueurs may be served at the camp fire.
This sample program can be modified to suit guest wishes.


Electricity & Water
Camp has 220v generator powered electricity run in kitchen and main areas when guests
are not in camp.
220v battery power (charged by the generator) is used for lighting in communal areas.
Lighting in guest accommodation is solar powered.
220v plugs available in dining tent for charging.
Drinking water is bottled.
Shower, ablution and laundry water is bore or river water and hand delivered to the tents.
Water is scarce and water conservation is an important consideration year round.

Drinks Policy
All drinks are included in the nightly tariff. Additional premium wines and champagne,
and premium liqueurs and spirits can be purchased on request from the bar list.

Laundry Policy
Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff.

Extras Payment
Curios, additional drinks and tips/gratuities may be settled on checkout in cash only.
Tanzania Shillings, US dollars are the preferred currencies but Euros and British Pounds
are also accepted at the prevailing camp exchange rate of the day.

Communications
Cellular phone signals are received with Vodacom and Zain networks in the camp area
and many parts of Ruaha. So as not to intrude on other guest?s privacy guests are
requested to please observe the following courtesy:
1) Please ensure the ring tone is kept at a low volume to avoid disturbing other guests.
2) Please use your phone in the privacy of your room and not any of the common areas:
dining room, bar/lounge area, or on any of the vehicles or on game drives.

Child Policy
Children over the age of 10 are welcome. If a client makes an exclusive booking for the
whole camp then any age children are welcome.

Rates
Kigelia Camp rates are available on request and we reserve the right to change our rates at
any time.

Gratuities
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good
service, below is a brief guideline to assist you:
Camp Guides : We recommend US$10 per guest per day. This tip may be given directly to
the guides.

The General Camp Staff : We recommend about US$5 per guest per day for camp staff.
This should be placed in the communal tipping box at the end of your stay to be distributed
equally amongst all the staff by the camp staff.

Binoculars
It is highly recommended to bring a pair of binoculars in order to get the most out of the
safari.8x40 or 8x42 are recommended to offer good magnification for most safari
purposes.

Luggage
There are strict weight restrictions (15kg of luggage) whilst travelling on light aircraft for
the following reasons:
· The aircraft are designed with a maximum bodyweight and luggage weight allowance.
· Some airfields are elevated and short and temperatures can be hot and therefore the
permissible aircraft carrying capacity is reduced.
· The aircraft have physical space restrictions.
It is highly recommended to bring soft sided bags so that your bags can easily be stowed.

Photography
The choice of appropriate camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your
photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera
and telephoto lens is necessary. A zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari and the
minimum recommended size is 70 - 200mm, though a 100 - 400mm is ideal but will require
the use of a tripod. Modern image stabilized lenses are best as they allow photographers to
hand hold their cameras at slower shutter speeds with sharp results.

The new high-resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give superb quality images,
especially if you are using a digital SLR camera body, with inter-changeable lenses.

Camera bodies like the Canon 20D, Digital Rebel and Nikon D70 are excellent. The
advantage of digital photography is that one can get instant feedback on images and
adjustments can be made in the field to ensure that your photographs are correctly
exposed.

Spare batteries are essential and a storage device of some sort is recommended. Make
certain you have enough card storage ? most people take more photographs than they
expect to. Camps have facilities for recharging batteries and storage devices. Strips for
charging more than one device are suggested for more serious photographers.

For people using film, colour reversal film (slides) will give better quality results than print
film. There are good high-speed films, 400 ASA, on the market that give good colour with
very little grain - either Fuji or Kodak. This is especially useful when using a big lens in
low light situations. The guides' personal preference is for slower film (either 50 or 100
ASA) as this gives almost perfect quality for normal light.

However, you may consider going to faster film for larger lenses in low lighting
conditions. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need good support,
either a tripod or bean bag, for the early morning and evening shots. It is recommended to
bring spare film and camera batteries.


Health
A physician experienced in travel medicine should be consulted prior to travel to any
destination in Africa to advise on all health issues including the need for preventative
medication. Further health information can be sort from www.who.org or www.cdc.org

Water
It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. It
is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit
the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as
diuretics and therefore can actually contribute to dehydration.
Bottled water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.

Malaria
Whilst malaria is a risk in Tanzania, Kigelia Camp is a long way from human settlements
and therefore the risk of infection is negligible whilst in camp. Ticks and tetse fly may also
be encountered on safari.
Please remember that the best precaution against any bites is the preventative kind:
· Avoid being bitten by using insect repellents liberally.
· Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
· Keep your tent closed at night to prevent insects entering.
· Carry antihistamine cream to reduce the discomfort and inflammation from any bites.

Dietary Requirements
For those guests with specific dietary requirements please ensure the camp is notified prior
to arrival. We can accommodate most reasonable requests.

Prior medical conditions
You notify camp of any medical condition you may have prior to your arrival. This
includes any allergies e.g. bee stings, nuts, shellfish etc.

Suggested packing list
Below is a list of suggested items to bring on your holiday.
1. Good quality sunglasses ? preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in
strong light
2. Sun hat
3. Golf-shirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved cotton shirts
4. Shorts/skirts
5. Long trousers/slacks
6. Track suit
7. Underwear (sports bra recommended on game drives as the roads can be bumpy and
uneven) and socks
8. Good walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine)
9. Sandals
10. Warm winter jersey or fleece.
11. Light rain gear.
12. Camera equipment and plenty of film /memory cards (batteries and chargers)
13. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case
you get irritation from the dust
14. Binoculars
15. Reference books to your personal taste
16. Personal toiletries (basic amenities supplied by most establishments)
17. Malaria tablets (if applicable)
18. Moisturizing cream & high SPF suntan lotion
19. Insect repellent
20. Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Immodium, antiseptic cream and Anti-histamine
cream etc)
21. Tissues/"Wet Ones"
22. Visas, tickets, passports, money.
23. Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras
24. Small hold-all bag to use on game drive
Please note bright colours and white are NOT advised whilst on safari due to the dusty or
sometimes muddy conditions.

Recommended Reading
We recommend the following books for all travelers to Eastern Africa. We also include a
list of recommended books appropriate to each specific region being visited in the pre-tour
information for that country:

Africa's Top Wildlife Countries - Mark Nolting
Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard Estes
Birds of Prey of Southern, Central, and East Africa - David Allan
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris & Tilde Stuart
The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
African Safaris - From Budget to Big Spending - David Bristow and Julian Harrison
Photographic Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa ? Braam van Wyk
The Scramble for Africa - Thomas Packenham