RUAHA - 'Mwagusi Safari Camp' Facts Southern Tanzania

8/14/2019 RUAHA - 'Mwagusi Safari Camp' Facts Southern Tanzania

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'MWAGUSI SAFARI CAMP'

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTHERN TANZANIA

AFRICAN WILDERNESS SAFARI

Ruaha, the second largest (after the Serengeti- fact is it has just become the largest!!) of Tanzania's variedNational Parks, with its dramatic geography, is truly a vast unspoilt wilderness of some 13,000 sq km. andamongst the wildest in Africa.

It is part of an enormous expanse of protected land - the 30,000 sq km Rungwa - Kisigo - Ruaha ecosystem,most of which made up the Saba Game Reserve in former German colonial times. Ruaha is also interesting as itrepresents a transition zone where eastern and southern African species of fauna and flora overlap.

The shining river, after which the Park is named, winds through the eastern section, fringed by tall trees: AcaciaAlbida, Tamarind and Wild figs, as well as the majestic Baobab, almost a signature of Ruaha. The valley of theGreat Ruaha River is thought to be an extension of the Great Rift Valley and the Ruahaflows along the Park'sentire eastern boundary through rugged gorges and open plains.

A rich diversity of animal and plant life is sheltered by the Park: Ruaha is a hauntingly beautiful and wildlandscape of miombo forest, rolling woodlands, hills, rivers and plains and possesses a great variety of wildlife,including lion, leopard, cheetah, hunting dog, warthog, giraffe, zebra, huge herds of buffalo and largeconcentrations of elephant.

It is the only East African Park where it is possible to see the greater and lesser kudu, as well as sable and roanantelope. Whilst rhinos are rarely seen today, the elephant population has more than doubled in the last dozenyears, not least due to steady eradication of poaching, by involving the village communities around the Park ina largely successful joint effort that has become a example.

The diversity of bird life too in Ruaha, more than most other East African Parks, is extraordinary; itsgeographical location meaning that it is visited by both northern and southern migrants. These include the

Red-billed Wood Hoopoe, Violet-crested Turaco, Racquet-tailed Roller, Red-billed Firefinch, Dickinson's Kestreland Pel's Fishing Owl. Some 440 species of bird have been sighted within the Park and the first third of theyear, during the wet months, is appreciated as the most interesting for birders.
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Ruaha is Africa as it once was generations ago, yet you'll find the comforts that today's traveller expects, for

deep inside the Park, on the northeast side, nestling into the banks of the Mwagusi sand river, stands theexclusive 'MWAGUSI SAFARI CAMP', with its accommodation of heavy duty tents, enclosed within thatched

bandas, in keeping with traditional African style and blending with the surrounding bush.

Each tent, containing twin beds, or if preferred, a double bed, and through the rear, an enclosed en suitebathroom and shower, has a verandah looking out onto the sand river, with its abundant animal and bird life.

More than 80 species of animal can be found within 45 minutes drive from the Camp. With knowledgeable

guides, under the leadership of 'Mwagusi' owner, Chris Fox, who was brought up in the region and who hasspent a good many years in the Park, guests track wildlife quietly on foot or in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Furthermore, guests are offered rewarding, quality wildlife viewing without the disturbance of lots of othervehicles.

Ruaha is interesting most of the year round and there are climatic variations, not least owing to global warmingand the El Nino phenomenon. However, June to October is the Yellow Season, when game is most visiblebecause the grass is shorter and the animals come to the Great Ruaha River to drink.

November and December are hot, and the short rains make the climate more humid, though these certainly donot preclude a visit. January and February are predominantly hot and dry but again a good time to visit, aperiod increasingly favoured by bird watchers. March can be wet and movement around the Park a little moredifficult. April and May are usually very wet and the camp is closed during these months for annualrefurbishment.

Ruaha's remoteness is part of its great attraction and charm. Less than fifteen years ago, one would cross intothe Park on a simple car ferry of lashed-together 44 gallon oil drums, heaved across by ropes and pulleys.

Now there is a strong bridge and as importantly for the international traveller on the move, an airstrip and aconvenient daily scheduled air service connecting Arusha, Lake Manyara, Dodoma, Ruaha, the Selous, Dar esSalaam, Zanzibar and Pemba; and alsoMafia via the Selous.

Ruaha, a paradise of the outstanding natural world, is a marvel and delight to the adventurous safarienthusiast, a personal experience to remember. Its special attraction, aside from the spectacular scenery, is itsunspoilt wilderness.

Perhaps Tanzania's best kept secret, this vast wilderness protects a variety of species that may be unequalled in

East Africa. Comparatively unknown and only recently developed for tourists, the Park's isolation and peace willhopefully remain undisturbed for a while to come.
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To sum up, Ruaha's 'Mwagusi' promises a special and truly memorable 'African Wilderness Safari'. Analysing

feedback, four to five days based in camp has been found to be the optimum by guests on a first visit, in orderto explore the area and enjoyRuaha to the full; those on a return visit often stay six or more days; certainly a

minimum three day stay is recommended, for there is much to see and absorb in this marvellous, diverselandscape.

GENERAL INFORMATION on MWAGUSI SAFARI CAMP

Airstrip to Camp.

... Approximately twenty-five minutes, though treated as a mini Game Drive, it can enjoyably take a littlelonger;

Activities:

... Predominantly early morning Bird Walk, Game Drives, morning and afternoon, and, Game Walks, pre-arranged in camp, as desired.

Walking Safaris from Mwagusi:

For those guests desirous of a walking safari during their stay in the Park, it is highly advisable to expresstheir intention at the time of booking and for their agent to now give advance notice (at least three days) inorder to secure the services of a Parks armed ranger to accompany the group.

There are two walking safari options:

one, to walk along the edge of the Great Ruaha River ending up at the park gate by pools of hippos andcrocodiles;

two, to walk through the bush amongst the game and end up back in camp.

Both walks are excellent opportunities for bird watching also, though obviously more water orientated birds willbe seen by the river. Each walk is approximately 3 hours long and start early in the morning. Clients are

accompanied by a Mwagusi guide and a Parks armed ranger. The minimum age for participation is 16 years.Each walk costs US$10 per person and a ranger fee of $25 per group, with a maximum group size of six people.

All fees for walking are payable locally in camp.

Walking in the bush is one of the greatest thrills that Africa has to offer and it's highly recommended.

Vehicles:

... Four Toyota Landcruisers, with very well padded, high tiered seats normally seating six and open sides;supplemented by others when necessary; Optional exclusive use of a vehicle at US$255 Nett per Game Drive

Day;
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Accommodation:

... Heavy duty tents, zip-up at both ends, housed within more spaciously redesigned thatched bandas createdpredominantly from traditional local materials; the emphasis in the interior is on appealing design, comfort andthe well-being of guests rather than absolute luxury;

Communal area:

... A redesigned, more spacious meeting area, bar, dining room and, adjacent l ibrary, all under thatch, has beenadded in the close season;

Air transportation:

... The commencement of the 2007-2008 Season (the first day in June) sees further upgrading, as internal airtransportation links continue to improve the infrastructure of Tanzania's very special Southern and Western

Parks.

Charging of Batteries:

... The source of power in camp is solar. Besides a power source at the Parks' Msembe HQ to charge batteries,there is also a small inverter in Camp of 125 watts. Additionally, Camp has a Lithium-Ion CPU quick chargeVideo Battery Charger, suitable for almost all 3.6 volt and 7.2 volt camcorder batteries, operable off a vehiclelighter socket. Clients are recommended to bring their own chargers with them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & BOOKINGS, PLEASE CONTACT:

All bookings must be confirmed by e-mail through [email protected] US!Tel: +255 (0) 777 844417www.ZanzibarMagic.com
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GETTING TO & FROMMwagusi Safari Camp Ruaha National Park Tanzania

MWAGUSI SAFARI CAMP,

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Recent seasons have seen much improved internal air transportation links to Tanzania's Southern Parksenabling one to reach Ruaha by a scheduled service every day of the week:

COASTAL AVIATION's mainstay clockwise scheduled flight from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, via theSelous,to Ruaha, with a potential inducement stop in Tarangire, utilizing a comfortable 12/13 seater Cessna C-208BGrand Caravan aircraft, operating throughout the season (1st June 2008 to 29th March 2009) now DAILY:

dep ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 08.00 arr DAR ES SALAAM (DAR) 08.20dep DAR ES SALAAM (DAR) 08.30 eta SELOUS 09.15

(Beho Beho, Impala, Kiba, Kinyanguru, Matambwe, Mbuyu, Mtemere, Siwandu, Stieglers, Sumbazi)etd SELOUS 09.30 eta RUAHA (Msembe) 11.25

dep RUAHA (Msembe) 11.45 eta DODOMA (DOD) 12.40dep DODOMA (DOD) 13.00 arr ARUSHA 13.55

etd ARUSHA 14.25 arr LAKE MANYARA 15.00

Similarly, COASTALs anti-clockwise scheduled flight connecting Ruaha, utilizing a Grand Caravan aircraft, fromArusha

via Lake Manyara, with a potential inducement stop en route in Tarangire, operates now DAILY throughout theseason

(1st June 2008 to 29th March 2009):

dep ARUSHA (ARK) 08.00 arr LAKE MANYARA (LKY)08.25dep LAKE MANYARA (LKY) 08.35 arr DODOMA (DOD) 10.00dep DODOMA (DOD) 10.30 eta RUAHA (Msembe) 11.15dep RUAHA (Msembe) 11.45 arr SELOUS (choice of airstrip)13.05dep SELOUS (choice of airstrip) 13.15 arr DAR ES SALAAM (DAR)13.50dep DAR ES SALAAM (DAR) 14.00 arr ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 14.20dep ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 14.30 arr PEMBA (PMA) 15.05dep PEMBA (PMA) 15.15 arr TANGA (TGT) 15.35dep TANGA (TGT) 16.00 arr PEMBA (PMA) 16.25dep PEMBA (PMA) 16.40 arr ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 17.10dep ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 17.15 arr DAR 17.35

COASTAL AVIATION also operate a DAILY scheduled service ex Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to Mafia, withonward sectors, to Songo Songo* and Kilwa*, upon inducement*:

dep KILWA (KIY) * 06.15 arr MAFIA (MFA) * 06.50

dep MAFIA (MFA) * 06.45 arr DAR * 07.20dep DAR ES SALAAM (DAR) 07.30 arr ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 07.50dep ZANZIBAR (ZNZ) 14.00 arr DAR 14.20dep DAR 15.00 arr MAFIA (MFA) 15.30dep MAFIA (MFA) 16.00 arr DAR ES SALAAM (DAR)16.30dep DAR * 17.00 arr MAFIA (MFA) * 17.30dep MAFIA (MFA) * 17.30 arr KILWA (KIY) * 18.05


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Current Tariff (subject to change/possible fuel surcharge) - charged in either directionper individual leg of ones journey:

Arusha (ARK) - ZNZ / DAR US$250DAR - Ruaha (Msembe) direct US$360Arusha (ARK) - Ruaha (Msembe) US$360Arusha (ARK) - Selous (choice of airstrip) US$360Lake Manyara (LKY) - Ruaha (Msembe) US$360Ruaha (Msembe) Lake Manyara (LKY) US$360Lake Manyara (LKY) Selous US$450DAR - Selous (choice of airstrip) US$180/$200Arusha (ARK) - Dodoma (DOD) US$250DAR - Dodoma (DOD) US$440DAR - Mafia (MFA) US$140Ruaha (Msembe) - Mafia (MFA) US$425Selous (choice of airstrip) - Arusha (ARK) US$380Selous (choice of airstrip) - Ruaha (Msembe) US$310Ruaha (Msembe) - Kilwa (KIY) US$450Ruaha (Msembe) - Pemba (PMA) US$425Ruaha (Msembe) - Dodoma (DOD) US$300

Ruaha (Msembe) Tarangire (Kuro) * US$380Tarangire (Kuro) - Ruaha (Msembe) * US$380Ruaha (Msembe) - Seronera (SEU)Ruaha (Msembe) - Grumeti *Ruaha (Msembe) - Kleins Camp *Zanzibar - Ruaha (Msembe) direct US$380Zanzibar (ZNZ) - Selous (choice of airstrip) US$210/$230Zanzibar (ZNZ) - Dar es Salaam (DAR) US$85Zanzibar (ZNZ) - Mafia (MFA) US$185Zanzibar (ZNZ) - Pemba (PMA) US$120Zanzibar (ZNZ) - Tanga (TGT) US$140DAR - Pemba (PMA) US$140Pemba (PMA) - Tanga (TGT) US$130DAR - Herring (for 'Hotel Amani Beach') US$250 (5 seater charter)

Stops upon inducement

NB Subject to official TCAA ratification of COASTALs 2008-2009 season's flight schedules, and

logistics for the day in question, note too that various 'Upon Inducement' stops may be requestedon certain sectors:

Tarangire (Kuro) Kleins Camp Lobo Fort Ikoma Grumeti Kigali, Rwanda

NB Good time should be allowed for check-in, at least 45 mins. prior to departure; similarly, check-in foronward connections.

Re. conditions on domestic flights, note personal baggage allowance of 15kg, incl. hand baggage, preferably in

soft bags.

All local Airport Departure Taxes generally US$6 plus $1 Safety Tax - to be paid directly by clients to therelevant airport authority. Flight timings, serving an interconnected network of countrywide destinations, are

subject to change.


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RUAHA - 'Mwagusi Safari Camp' Facts Southern Tanzania