Seasonal Trails Camp in Ruaha

Ruaha National Park is made for adventure and exploration, and the Usangu Expedition Camp is the perfect base.

Located at the edge of the seasonal high water mark in the Usangu wetlands, the camp is in an area well suited for walks, with grasslands that thin out as the season progresses, giving good visibility. With such a large area to explore, it’s good to hear that multi-day walks will be offered. Guests and guides will walk in remote areas with day-packs and overnight in leave-no-trace fly camps. Multi-day trails (pre-booking is required) can be combined with boat and vehicle travel for the ultimate safari – immersion in the widest possible range of habitats.

Read more about the camp in this news blog.

Boating and canoeing through the waterways amongst an array of birdlife, walking the wide open grasslands during the dry season months, or sleeping under the enormous canopy of the African night sky, Usangu Expedition Camp offers a safari experience like none other.

The neighbouring Douglas Bell Eco Research Station offers the opportunity to engage with research projects and develop a deeper understanding of the work being performed in the area, from the placing of camera traps and the identification of predators against the research database, to tracking lions with telemetry and contributing to global research. Late afternoon presents the perfect time to wallow in the natural hot springs before enjoying the sunset over the Usangu wetlands.

Usangu Expedition Camp offers a wide variety of activities, allowing for your days to be tailored around your preferred interests. Each group in camp has a private vehicle and guide, allowing for complete flexibility within the daily structure. Early mornings are typically best for walking safaris while the temperatures are slightly cooler, and wildlife is more active. Mid-afternoons are the perfect time to relax under the trees with a book or, for the more active, visit the Douglas Bell Eco Research Station for a first-hand explanation about the conservation work and research being conducted in the wetlands. Afternoons offer the opportunity for boating safaris or relaxing in the natural hot springs.

Breakfast is often a picnic to allow for an early start from camp, but lunch can either be enjoyed in camp under the cool shade, or a picnic can be provided for those who wish to stay out longer. Whether you are in the main camp or a star cube in the Trails Camp, dinner is prepared on the open fire in a communal setting.

• Full board accommodation
• All house drinks (except champagne)
• Game drives, night drives, guided walks,
• Trails Camp, multi-day walking (must be booked in advance),
• Canoeing, boating
• Transfers to/from Jongomero Airstrip and to/from Usangu Expedition Camp, TDL.
• Access to the Douglas Bell Eco Research Station: Predator ID Research, interaction with researchers and explanations of projects, telemetry tracking of GPS collared key species.

• All park, camping and activity fees
• Transfers other than to/from nearest airstrip or Usangu Expedition Camp
• Flying doctors/medical evacuation insurance
• Flights & airport taxes
• Gratuities
• Items of personal nature
• Additional lunch (picnic or in house) $25pp