There are several choices when it comes to accommodations in Ruaha National Park. Luxury stays include lodges inside the park run by private innholders, while more affordable options are offered by the park service itself, and include cottages, bandas, and a hostel.
Ruaha River Lodge: Pull up a ringside set to the wildlife action at this luxury lodge located on the banks of the Great Ruaha River. This lodge offers 24 stone chalets, each with comfortable double beds, an en-suite bathroom, and a spacious veranda for game-viewing. Two dining areas, one at the river’s edge and one perched up high, offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, and a reading area, complete with sofas.
Msembe Headquarters Bandas, Cottages, and Hostel: Tanzania Parks offers a range of more affordable accommodation options, including self-catering cottages, bandas, and a hostel. The bandas sit directly on the river; several have private bathrooms. If you stay in a banda, you can cook in or arrange for prepared meals. The cottages sit on a rise overlooking the river and all have private bathrooms. A dining hall next door serves inexpensive meals. The hostel can be booked for large groups and contains no-frills beds and a kitchen.
Ikuka Permanent Tented Camp: This tented lodge is located in the northern part of the park overlooking the Mwagusi River Valley. Accommodations at Ikuka include seven luxury, open-sided tents with thatched roofs, king or twin beds, a dressing area, a walkway to a bathroom with rain showers, and a large deck and seating area to take in the view. An on-site pool tops off this elegant stay that is slightly less adventurous than some of the other camping options.
Kigelia Camp: The simple Kigelia Camp is located in a grove of Kigelia trees and contains six tents in a bush setting. Each tent is furnished with locally crafted wood furniture, an en-suite bathroom, and a safari-style outdoor bucket shower. The dining tent offers tasty locally-inspired meals and evening cocktails. The birdwatching from this location is unparalleled.
Kichaka Expedition Camp: At Kichaka, you can choose between three accommodation options. The first includes one of three spacious, airy, and well-furnished tents that hold a maximum of 8 guests. The second option takes you into remote sections of the park where you’ll set up fly camps amid the bush. The third option allows you to book out either the entire property, complete with en-suite tents, or the fly camp, for a completely private experience.
Tanzania Parks Public Camping: Public camping is available at three campsites within the park (Tembo, Kiboko, and Simba), as well as two special campsites (Mbagi and Ifuguru). The better-equipped public campgrounds have basic facilities, including toilets, showers, and a communal kitchen. Whereas, the special campsites are wild camps with no facilities and should be booked in advance.