Is better than any other camp at any park. The banda feels more permanent than a tent and better bath facilities. It's not unusual to see wildlife as you look over the river in morning or evening. The coffee and cookies in the morning is a nice touch. What really makes this place great are the people! We had a great guide, and the meals - who expects something that great in the bush? Of course, the highlight was the wildlife, and the only place I got a chance to see cheetah! Plenty of lions, elephants, giraffes, and the list goes on. ... read moreThe banda feels more permanent than a tent and better bath facilities. It's not unusual to see wildlife as you look over the river in morning or evening. The coffee and cookies in the morning is a nice touch. What really makes this place great are the people! We had a great guide, and the meals - who expects something that great in the bush? Of course, the highlight was the wildlife, and the only place I got a chance to see cheetah! Plenty of lions, elephants, giraffes, and the list goes on. As entertaining as all that is, I could have sat and listened to Chris Fox for hours about growing up in the bush and all the people he has encountered as he continues to fight for the wildlife and the forests. This was a no-brainer. If you have doubts, put them aside. You won't be disappointed. More read less
10goal11/22/2021I wish more stars were available - Amazing experience This camp will exceed your expecations from the wonderful location, outstanding large & well furnished accomodations with views of the lake bed, a manger who is attentaive beyond belief and the a well organized, orchestarted, and dedicated staff. Over the years we have stayed at a number of tented camps in Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania. This camp (Mwagusi) and one other from 5 years ago Chiawa) far exceeded others. The property: Accomodations meet or exced photos on the site incorporating earthyiness and rock walls, being one with nature. Some of the biggest room sizes we have... read moreThis camp will exceed your expecations from the wonderful location, outstanding large & well furnished accomodations with views of the lake bed, a manger who is attentaive beyond belief and the a well organized, orchestarted, and dedicated staff. Over the years we have stayed at a number of tented camps in Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania. This camp (Mwagusi) and one other from 5 years ago Chiawa) far exceeded others. The property: Accomodations meet or exced photos on the site incorporating earthyiness and rock walls, being one with nature. Some of the biggest room sizes we have experienced. Common areas were well appointed VERY CLEAN, and had lots of room and very comforatble seating. The food and eating areas - The breakfast and Lunches were creative, flavorful, and portions were more than ample (amazing desserts and snack). OH YEA - FAMOUS - Cinammon Bread you will not find anywhere else (at times cinnamon upsets my stomach - but i could not help myself it was worth the after-affect). Coffee and tea arrived at the tent each morning as part of the wake up service Breakfast was served in the bush everyday as part of the drive and locations selected were stunning. Dinners were held in unique open air locations every night with campfires, rock walls with lanters hung about and wonderful service and meals. The staff - First Trudy the manager went out her way to ensure we had an amazing... This camp will exceed your expecations from the wonderful location, outstanding large & well furnished accomodations with views of the lake bed, a manger who is attentaive beyond belief and the a well organized, orchestarted, and dedicated staff. Over the years we have stayed at a number of tented camps in Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania. This camp (Mwagusi) and one other from 5 years ago Chiawa) far exceeded others.
The property: Accomodations meet or exced photos on the site incorporating earthyiness and rock walls, being one with nature. Some of the biggest room sizes we have experienced. Common areas were well appointed VERY CLEAN, and had lots of room and very comforatble seating.
The food and eating areas - The breakfast and Lunches were creative, flavorful, and portions were more than ample (amazing desserts and snack). OH YEA - FAMOUS - Cinammon Bread you will not find anywhere else (at times cinnamon upsets my stomach - but i could not help myself it was worth the after-affect). Coffee and tea arrived at the tent each morning as part of the wake up service Breakfast was served in the bush everyday as part of the drive and locations selected were stunning.
Dinners were held in unique open air locations every night with campfires, rock walls with lanters hung about and wonderful service and meals.
The staff - First Trudy the manager went out her way to ensure we had an amazing time. Sharing some meals and stories with us daily. The servers, chefs and general staff were extremely professional and have been here many years - This reflects thier love of this camp and ownership.
Bolden our guide was SIMPLY THE BEST. Most guides in africa are professional and well versed and most have great passion. Bolden's passion rose above the rest and his knowlege from the most minute flower detail, to his vast knowlege of the birds and larger animals. He also shared and demonstrated how the local villagers use many of the plants for cooking or healing. - Thanks Bolden we wish you GREAT SUCCESS in the future!
Wlidlife was consitently present inside and outside of the camp. We enjoyed seeing the usual cast of characters
A final treat was the owner Chris Fox was in the camp for a few days and was kind enough to spend meals with us. lGenerations of his family have lived in this area for many, many years. His knowlege, care, and concern for the people and wildlife is a true passion. We learned so much about things outside what we may normally experience on a safari very enlighting and informative.
These camps are just starting to see tourists return after Covid. We hope many of you select this camp as you will not be dissappointed but we personnaly feel for the locals who have not had the ability to work for the past year and a half. Thank you Trudy, Barton, Chris and the amazing Mwagusi team! More read less801joed9/18/2021Always amazing and very addictive.. Mwagusi is the perfect getaway I am home from my second stay at Mwagusi and it will not be the last. Ruaha is a gem in Tanzania where you are sure to have much of it to yourself - and the guides from Mwagusi are the best we have experienced, ever! They make every drive unique and have a unique ability to tune in to your preferences and see what they can do to ensure your experiences are unique. We had the pleasure of having Baldon guiding us and as keen bird watchers, there is no one better. Besides that, the sightings in general are... read moreI am home from my second stay at Mwagusi and it will not be the last. Ruaha is a gem in Tanzania where you are sure to have much of it to yourself - and the guides from Mwagusi are the best we have experienced, ever! They make every drive unique and have a unique ability to tune in to your preferences and see what they can do to ensure your experiences are unique. We had the pleasure of having Baldon guiding us and as keen bird watchers, there is no one better. Besides that, the sightings in general are superp.. We were blessed with plenty of lions, leopards, a live buffalo kill, servals, many jackals and an amazing variety of birds. We even saw an Ardwolf on night safari.. All in just three days. And unfortunately, we only had three days - we could have stayed much longer because the Mwagusi Camp itself does not leave us wanting. Beautiful surroundings, luxury in an understated and perfect way, superb food with dinners and stories exchanged under the stars by the fire on the dried out river bed... Chris, the Owner og Mwagusi, and Trudie, the manager, were superb hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and they made our stay very personal - like coming home to a new found family. And almost needless to say, the rest of the staff were amazing throughout our stay. It comes with our... I am home from my second stay at Mwagusi and it will not be the last. Ruaha is a gem in Tanzania where you are sure to have much of it to yourself - and the guides from Mwagusi are the best we have experienced, ever! They make every drive unique and have a unique ability to tune in to your preferences and see what they can do to ensure your experiences are unique. We had the pleasure of having Baldon guiding us and as keen bird watchers, there is no one better. Besides that, the sightings in general are superp.. We were blessed with plenty of lions, leopards, a live buffalo kill, servals, many jackals and an amazing variety of birds. We even saw an Ardwolf on night safari.. All in just three days.
And unfortunately, we only had three days - we could have stayed much longer because the Mwagusi Camp itself does not leave us wanting. Beautiful surroundings, luxury in an understated and perfect way, superb food with dinners and stories exchanged under the stars by the fire on the dried out river bed...
Chris, the Owner og Mwagusi, and Trudie, the manager, were superb hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and they made our stay very personal - like coming home to a new found family. And almost needless to say, the rest of the staff were amazing throughout our stay.
It comes with our highest recommendations - we will be back. My third trip there is in the planning, and I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else when visiting Ruaha. More read lesspernille_fritz9/11/2021Safari Ruaha We have had a very nice stay for five days here. Very friendly staff, beautiful location, good cook. We will offen remember this time. The Dinner under the milky way together with elefants we will never forget. Thank you Chris and Trudi for the amazing time.
We hope we see you again. Warm greetings Achim and Anken from Germanyankens20218/19/2021Africa the way it should be seen. Mwagusi Safari Camp July 2021 I have been on over a dozen photo safaris to Tanzania over the last 30 years and Mwagusi is the best I’ve seen hands down. The heartbeat of Old Africa still beats strongly here. There is a palpable sense of the great love for this land, it’s people and creatures. This is a place that should not be missed. - Owner /Operator Chris Fox: a wonderful gentleman of indeterminate age a wry smile, and a great sense of humor. He is famous in all of Tanzania as being... read moreMwagusi Safari Camp July 2021 I have been on over a dozen photo safaris to Tanzania over the last 30 years and Mwagusi is the best I’ve seen hands down. The heartbeat of Old Africa still beats strongly here. There is a palpable sense of the great love for this land, it’s people and creatures. This is a place that should not be missed. - Owner /Operator Chris Fox: a wonderful gentleman of indeterminate age a wry smile, and a great sense of humor. He is famous in all of Tanzania as being one of the few elite guides in Tanzania. His sense of history and extremely deep knowledge of the land and its inhabitants is stunning. You will learn more from Chris in one afternoon than you are likely to learn in many trips with other companies, I know because it happened to me. -The future: Kiasile Fox. Chris’s son, a fine young man who is really hitting his stride, extremely bright and knowledgeable he also possesses a great sense of humor. The men and women that work with him clearly hold him in high regard, as he holds them in high regard. You would be fortunate to have him with you on a game drive The staff is top notch from top to bottom. -The Guides: these folks go thru literally years of training and have to pass very difficult exams before ever leading a game drive. My... Mwagusi Safari Camp July 2021
I have been on over a dozen photo safaris to Tanzania over the last 30 years and Mwagusi is the best I’ve seen hands down. The heartbeat of Old Africa still beats strongly here. There is a palpable sense of the great love for this land, it’s people and creatures. This is a place that should not be missed.
- Owner /Operator
Chris Fox: a wonderful gentleman of indeterminate age a wry smile, and a great sense of humor. He is famous in all of Tanzania as being one of the few elite guides in Tanzania. His sense of history and extremely deep knowledge of the land and its inhabitants is stunning. You will learn more from Chris in one afternoon than you are likely to learn in many trips with other companies, I know because it happened to me.
-The future: Kiasile Fox. Chris’s son, a fine young man who is really hitting his stride, extremely bright and knowledgeable he also possesses a great sense of humor. The men and women that work with him clearly hold him in high regard, as he holds them in high regard. You would be fortunate to have him with you on a game drive
The staff is top notch from top to bottom.
-The Guides: these folks go thru literally years of training and have to pass very difficult exams before ever leading a game drive. My guide was Beldan. Superb at spotting game and able to get you very close without spooking the animals. I was amazed daily with his knowledge of animal behavior, insect behavior (ask him about termites), he knows more about plants and their medicinal application than I could ever imagine. Fascinating stuff.
-Cooks: excellent food, breakfast, lunch, and, dinner great variety and presentation. It’s really amazing when you consider that this is all done over live coals.
Dinner is always something special. In the dry season it’s served in the dried bed of the sand river that right next to the camp. When the sun sets a large fire is started, camp chairs are positioned around the fire. This is where drinks are served and the stories of the day are exchanged. The simple pleasure of a good fire a stiff drink and good company cannot be underestimated. It’s primal. When you look up into the night sky the stars are dazzling. Beldan also knows a lot about these too. After a leisurely time dinner is served on a long table with linens, china and candlelight. I will think of these dinners for many years to come with a quiet smile. After dinner you are accompanied back to you “Banda” for a good nights sleep. Hot tea and biscuits will be brought to your tent in the morning.
Accommodations: the photos and descriptions on their website speak clearly to the quality of the bandas.
Camp aids. Everyone knows their job and does it well. They also respond pleasantly to any requests you may have.
Logistics: pretrip: I dealt with Lynn at Wings over the Wild, she is a gem. There was not one hiccup in getting me there and back. Excellent work. Many thanks Lynn.
Trudy: another gem. She is the in camp person that will help you out with any coordination issues you need to resolve locally. Thanks Trudy for coordinating my outbound COVID test local flight logistics etc.
I haven’t done the camp justice in this review. It’s a place that must be experienced, not just written about.
Jim Kursar
2021. More read lessJkursar8/04/2021Tanzania As It Was Meant To Be Seen If you long for the days when you weren't sharing a sighting with 14 other trucks, when you could enjoy the sounds of the bush seated by a campfire, when you could be immersed in the experience of being in nature unmarred by the din of CNN International, come to Ruaha and stay at Mwagusi! Chris has created an oasis that hearkens back to the safaris of old without sacrificing comfort or quality. His staff are welcoming, friendly, eager to share their knowledge of the landscape, its fauna, and tireless when it comes to seeking out the best... read moreIf you long for the days when you weren't sharing a sighting with 14 other trucks, when you could enjoy the sounds of the bush seated by a campfire, when you could be immersed in the experience of being in nature unmarred by the din of CNN International, come to Ruaha and stay at Mwagusi! Chris has created an oasis that hearkens back to the safaris of old without sacrificing comfort or quality. His staff are welcoming, friendly, eager to share their knowledge of the landscape, its fauna, and tireless when it comes to seeking out the best of what this park has to offer. I traveled here during Covid and for anyone who is yearning to travel again, please consider coming to a place that naturally allows for social distancing. This is the perfect escape and it comes without sacrificing security. You're outdoors for most of the day and the camp has modified meals and other interactions to ensure your safety, while not compromising your experience. Much like the lodge itself blends into the landscape, the Covid protocols blended into the experience seamlessly. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know everyone at the camp and thank you hardly seems sufficient for the one-of-a-kind experience I received from Chris, his manager Trudie, my amazing and amazingly knowledgeable guide, Baldon, my pro-am drivers Yona and Geoffrey, the delicious and varied cuisine served up by Mohammed and staff, and the helpfulness and... If you long for the days when you weren't sharing a sighting with 14 other trucks, when you could enjoy the sounds of the bush seated by a campfire, when you could be immersed in the experience of being in nature unmarred by the din of CNN International, come to Ruaha and stay at Mwagusi!
Chris has created an oasis that hearkens back to the safaris of old without sacrificing comfort or quality. His staff are welcoming, friendly, eager to share their knowledge of the landscape, its fauna, and tireless when it comes to seeking out the best of what this park has to offer.
I traveled here during Covid and for anyone who is yearning to travel again, please consider coming to a place that naturally allows for social distancing. This is the perfect escape and it comes without sacrificing security. You're outdoors for most of the day and the camp has modified meals and other interactions to ensure your safety, while not compromising your experience. Much like the lodge itself blends into the landscape, the Covid protocols blended into the experience seamlessly.
I enjoyed meeting and getting to know everyone at the camp and thank you hardly seems sufficient for the one-of-a-kind experience I received from Chris, his manager Trudie, my amazing and amazingly knowledgeable guide, Baldon, my pro-am drivers Yona and Geoffrey, the delicious and varied cuisine served up by Mohammed and staff, and the helpfulness and camaraderie shown me by Getruda, Mizengo, Elai, Rosemary, and Omary.
Do yourselves a favor and add this to the top of your safari to-do list! More read lessymalcolm11/14/2020Wir kommen sehr gerne wieder! Unser Aufenthalt im Februar war durch die Wetterlage nicht optimal, um viele Tiere zu sehen. Bei Nässe kommen die Löwen sehr selten unter den Büschen vor. Dafür war der Service in Camp hervorragend, alle Mitarbeiter mit Hendrik als Manager waren super freundlich und sympatisch. Unser Banda war wunderschön eingerichtet, ein sehr bequemes Bett und und ein sehr großes Wohnzimmer mit Blick zum Fluß. Auch der Gamedrive samt Fahrer und Führer mit erstklassigem 4 Wheel Drive hat immer geklappt. Insgesamt ein hervorragender Aufenthalt, wir kommen bestimmt mit der Familie wieder! Aber diesmal in den Monaten August oder September, da herrscht Trockenzeit... read moreUnser Aufenthalt im Februar war durch die Wetterlage nicht optimal, um viele Tiere zu sehen. Bei Nässe kommen die Löwen sehr selten unter den Büschen vor. Dafür war der Service in Camp hervorragend, alle Mitarbeiter mit Hendrik als Manager waren super freundlich und sympatisch. Unser Banda war wunderschön eingerichtet, ein sehr bequemes Bett und und ein sehr großes Wohnzimmer mit Blick zum Fluß. Auch der Gamedrive samt Fahrer und Führer mit erstklassigem 4 Wheel Drive hat immer geklappt. Insgesamt ein hervorragender Aufenthalt, wir kommen bestimmt mit der Familie wieder! Aber diesmal in den Monaten August oder September, da herrscht Trockenzeit und die Tiere sind besser zu beobachten! Danke an das Team von Mwagusi Camp für die schönen 5 Tage bei euch! read less
Lothar K3/05/2020Fantastic experience with expert service! I stayed with two other people in the Phillips banda. The banda was stunning with a great afternoon view of elephants and giraffes eating.Our guide Baldon was awesome and I would highly recommend him. He was able to see things far before the rest of us and was incredibly knowledgeable of all of the animals that we saw and then some. More
jacobpO2435WI3/03/2020There is a reason why I keep returning OK, first things first - since October last year the weather in Tanzania has been "challenging", to say the least. But over the past few years i have learned that the mark of a really good Safari camp is how the challenges are met. Even at the best of times, the logistics involved in running a camp in the middle of Africa are far from easy - from getting fresh supplies to keeping the vehicles in working order - but when rains make the rivers flood and snap concrete access bridges as easily as if they were made... read moreOK, first things first - since October last year the weather in Tanzania has been "challenging", to say the least. But over the past few years i have learned that the mark of a really good Safari camp is how the challenges are met. Even at the best of times, the logistics involved in running a camp in the middle of Africa are far from easy - from getting fresh supplies to keeping the vehicles in working order - but when rains make the rivers flood and snap concrete access bridges as easily as if they were made of wood, the business of keeping guests happy and well fed and watered, requires very special skills. In this respect all the staff at Mwagusi are marvelous. The food was always delicious, the beer was always ice cold and did not run out, and game drives continued as a matter of routine. I have always felt completely safe and well looked after at Mwagusi, leaving me free to enjoy one of the most beautiful game parks in Africa with all its wonderful animals and birds most of which also seem to appreciate the camp's position on the seasonal river and wander through it from time to time. February should not usually see that much rain, but 2020 was as wet as I have ever seen the park, althoughto be honest it did not spoil my enjoyment of it one little bit. I stayed eight days with a friend and we could easily have stayed longer. Asante sana to Heinrich and all the wonderful guys who make me feel one of their family. I will of course be back next year, whatever the weather. read less
mruth142/16/2020Third visit to Mwagusi Second trip to Mwagusi this year for the wildlife photography. Excellent location, staff, safari guides and Management team. Totally recommended. This time we booked a night time safari and came across Bat Eared Foxes, Serval, Civit, African Wild Cat, Lions, Bush Babies and an Aardwolf. The evening meals are an experience in themselves, under the stars, on the dry river bed around a large fire. It doesn't get much better.
ahtrains12/12/2019Unique landscape and sightings of wild dogs and leopards The game and the camp were amazing. We had an excellent guide in Baldon, He was eagle-eyed on every drive. I loved the baobabs sprinkled everywhere.
The food was the best by far of the camps I have stayed in Ruaha and dinners in the dry riverbed with a full moon gave memories to carry for ever. My tent was beautifully furnished and large, I had monkeys, elephants and a few fruit bats keep me company.mariagrip11/27/2019Wildlife Safari holiday A wonderful holiday experience.
Thank you to all the staff for such a special time. Everything worked well, the game drives were informative and much wildlife was seen thanks to the guides incredible eyesight.
The food was the best by far of the four different camps we stayed in. Delicious.
The setting was special..... lovely to loll in a hammock by the river (though dry in the yellow season) and see giraffe, elephant, Impalas and baboons wandering through. I had rock plated lizards visit and a python too! Nature at her best and best of all, a leopard sighting,... read moreA wonderful holiday experience.
Thank you to all the staff for such a special time. Everything worked well, the game drives were informative and much wildlife was seen thanks to the guides incredible eyesight.
The food was the best by far of the four different camps we stayed in. Delicious.
The setting was special..... lovely to loll in a hammock by the river (though dry in the yellow season) and see giraffe, elephant, Impalas and baboons wandering through. I had rock plated lizards visit and a python too! Nature at her best and best of all, a leopard sighting, perfect.
Thank you. read lessjanemmontana11/15/2019Ultimate Safari Experience Chris Fox and his staff has created the ultimate safari experience in relatively unknown and uncrowded Ruaha National Park. The accommodations are fabulous; private, self contained, secure tents, under expansive thatched canopies each looking out over the sand river. From our comfortable bed, we observe elephant, giraffe, zebra, baboons, monkeys and many birds. From our bed! When we got up and had the fresh brewed coffee, which was delivered to our tent, and a hot shower, we went off on incredible early morning game drives with the best trained, and nicest guides in Africa, with... read moreChris Fox and his staff has created the ultimate safari experience in relatively unknown and uncrowded Ruaha National Park. The accommodations are fabulous; private, self contained, secure tents, under expansive thatched canopies each looking out over the sand river. From our comfortable bed, we observe elephant, giraffe, zebra, baboons, monkeys and many birds. From our bed! When we got up and had the fresh brewed coffee, which was delivered to our tent, and a hot shower, we went off on incredible early morning game drives with the best trained, and nicest guides in Africa, with separate drivers (Many other camps the guide is the driver, making it very difficult to accomplice either task well). Our guide knew every animal and bird, their scientific name, their behaviors and their place in the ecology of the park. We were then served an excellent breakfast, in the bush! Back to the camp for a rest and a delicious lunch in the main lodge. One day we were a little late for lunch as there was an elephant blocking the trail from our tent to the dining hall! Afternoon game drive was followed by an incredible dinner, cooked and served down in the river bed one night, observed by a tree hydrax, and out in the bush another. In our group, Mwagusi was able to cater to dietary preferences (gluten free, vegetarian). Ruaha is not cheap to get to, and you can pay more at other camps but you won't find a better safari experience anywhere in Africa! read less
Charles L11/05/2019An amazing experience What an amazing experience it was to stay at Mwagusi Camp! Our childrens' first experience of a safari and a real bucket list holiday. The bandas were so much better than they appeared in the photos, which do not do them justice. There always seemed to be a cooling breeze on the veranda or inside the room. All the staff were so friendly and could not do enough to help - even managing to mend a flip flop! Evening meals in different locations around the river bed were a real treat and it was lovely to get to... read moreWhat an amazing experience it was to stay at Mwagusi Camp! Our childrens' first experience of a safari and a real bucket list holiday. The bandas were so much better than they appeared in the photos, which do not do them justice. There always seemed to be a cooling breeze on the veranda or inside the room. All the staff were so friendly and could not do enough to help - even managing to mend a flip flop! Evening meals in different locations around the river bed were a real treat and it was lovely to get to know other guests from around the world. The quality of the food was fantastic! The wildlife was abundant, with many close encounters that will live on in the memory for years. We would certainly recommend a morning walking safari, which provided sightings of countless crocs and hippos. Thank you to Trudie and the team for making it such a special trip and especially to Godfrey and Abdullah for their great spotting skills! If you're considering booking - go for it, you won't regret it. read less
STaylor65111/05/2019Amazing Experience What a beautiful two days in Ruaha. Of course, seeing the animals was amazing. But the combination of the gorgeous camp, great guide, truly hospitable staff made it all even better. There are so many moments that I'll never forget. The meal outside under the starts was magical. The sound of lions off in the distance roaring on our first night was amazing, and the baby elephant that stood just outside my patio in the evening was so cute. The tents were much more extravagant than I thought and so comfortable.
BradleyTwinCities11/05/2019a lovely safari experience We enjoyed our stay at MwagusI immensely. Our banda was very comfortable and allowed for game viewing while we drank our morning coffee. One day a whole family of elephants walked through right next to our veranda. The hosts were friendly, fun and very accommodating. . It was obvious that the chef at Mwagusi took pride in his kitchen, and being a person who rejoices in salads, vegetables and fruits, I was in heaven. Our guides were very knowledgeable and tried very hard to find us as many different kinds of animals as possible. When... read moreWe enjoyed our stay at MwagusI immensely. Our banda was very comfortable and allowed for game viewing while we drank our morning coffee. One day a whole family of elephants walked through right next to our veranda. The hosts were friendly, fun and very accommodating. . It was obvious that the chef at Mwagusi took pride in his kitchen, and being a person who rejoices in salads, vegetables and fruits, I was in heaven. Our guides were very knowledgeable and tried very hard to find us as many different kinds of animals as possible. When we wanted to deliver some soccer balls and frisbees to a local school, they quickly arranged a drive to the closest village ( about an hour away) in place of one of our AM game drives.We had a great time with the kids.
There are many other pluses from staying at Mwagusi. The only suggestion of anything to avoid, is that we found the optional night game drive was not very satisfying and an extra expense. If you have never stayed at a camp in a game preserve, the per night cost may seem exorbitant, but when you see how many people , and how much effort it takes to provision and maintain a comfortable game lodge , in the middle of what seems like nowhere, you realize that it is worth it to save your pennies to be able to have this kind of experience. read less175frederickb11/05/2019Fantastic Safari experience We spent four wonderful days at this beautiful camp and as other reviewers say, it simply isn’t enough. The camp is perfectly situated and the general area and bandas are decorated to a very high standard, but with a natural elegance that reflects the surroundings. Trudie, the manager, and all of her staff were excellent and took such good care of us. Our guide Godfrey and driver Abdallah were both very knowledgable and capable - and good fun to be with. The food at camp was first rate, each evening we ate at a different location, swapping stories around the... read moreWe spent four wonderful days at this beautiful camp and as other reviewers say, it simply isn’t enough. The camp is perfectly situated and the general area and bandas are decorated to a very high standard, but with a natural elegance that reflects the surroundings. Trudie, the manager, and all of her staff were excellent and took such good care of us. Our guide Godfrey and driver Abdallah were both very knowledgable and capable - and good fun to be with. The food at camp was first rate, each evening we ate at a different location, swapping stories around the camp fire, then escorted back to our bandas past hyenas and other wildlife. In between drives we sat on our veranda at the Banda and watch the vast array of animals wander past. On the drives we saw all the game we could wish for and often at incredibly close distance. This really is a beautiful spot in the world, definitely worth a visit and the Ruaha Park is far less busy than the northern options. Thanks to everyone at Mwagusi for a family trip we will never forget. Anton, Helen, Tom and Ollie More read less
27antonj8/11/2019Must-see camp Fabulous place - have been travelling in Africa for 40 years and this is the most sumptuous camp I have ever stayed at. Banda's excellent and spacious in the extreme!! Staff friendly and good natured and food out of this world and plenty of it with such variety. Will recommend to others as an ideal place to stay for relaxation and being pampered.
Johnsons19418/04/2019Fabulous camp This was a splurge camp for us, and in hindsight, we wish we had thrown the budget aside and stayed another night or two (we were there 2 nights -- not enough time). The bandas are huge with a large open area. While relaxing there one afternoon, a female elephant and her baby came within feet of our banda. The bathroom area is open, which means crawling and flying creatures can visit, but it's part of the experience and the overall experience far outweighs this. The sleep area is large and comfortable and zips up tight. Manager Trudy is a... read moreThis was a splurge camp for us, and in hindsight, we wish we had thrown the budget aside and stayed another night or two (we were there 2 nights -- not enough time). The bandas are huge with a large open area. While relaxing there one afternoon, a female elephant and her baby came within feet of our banda. The bathroom area is open, which means crawling and flying creatures can visit, but it's part of the experience and the overall experience far outweighs this. The sleep area is large and comfortable and zips up tight. Manager Trudy is a delight and owner/manager Chris Fox is fun and interesting. Drive Elie helped our guide track down a pride of lions and is a delight. Our walking safari was fabulous. We loved our stay here. read less
Lee A7/25/2019
By Polly Laszlo Brody
Leopard
Whiskers twitch at feathered grass
parting for her face,
yellow morning lights her eye.
Pelt flows pliant
over shoulders insinuated
between hillside boulders
where earlier, in darkness,
she climbed on silent pads—
the nightmare demon of baboons.
Soon she will recline aloft
stretched limpid on a broad acacia.
She’ll melt into light
and leafy rosettes—
druid waiting out the day—
so at one with the wood’s
sinuous contour, that we pass
unseeing, her dappled energy
pent in the tree,
flexed to spring.
Coming to Water
Smooth eddies whorl
over plated spines of crocodiles
waiting like stones, for antelope
coming to water.
Across the river
a leopard rasps rough as emery,
inhaling, exhaling night.
Baboons, treed dark clots,
bark terror.
And here, near enough to touch,
a genet cat,
its ringed tail banded with moonlight,
turns a pointed face toward us.