Camp life: Our home

Our home consists of a large safari tent under a grass thatched roof, locally called a "banda". We've got a brick wall, a vestige of a previous manager that was, believe it or not, scared of wildlife entering her tent! Our camp has a garage, a kitchen, and about 10 other bandas scattered about. They are spaced nicely so each tent has some privacy but not so far that walking to visit a neighbor is a chore. We also have a small building housing a pit toilet and a bathing area.

We absolutely love our banda. People are often surprised to hear that we live in a tent but for us it's big enough for all our possessions and affords us the opportunity to basically be outside all day. We have a small veranda with a couch and a table which is where we spend the majority of our time. It is absolutely a treat to be outside 24/7 and I feel in tune with the sunrise and sunset. We wake up with the birds in the morning and frequently go to sleep with the sounds of hyenas calling and lions roaring in the distance.

Our camp is located on the outskirts of a small village and our neighbors are quite far, mainly all of them pastoralists with cows and goats. They frequently pass through our camp to graze, as does the wildlife. We've seen kudu, dikdik, and leopard, along with a host of smaller mammals. While not quite completely wild, it is certainly wild enough!

View from the side. 

Our veranda. 

View from behind. 

Another view of our seating area, with bananas on full display. 

Inside. 

Inside from another angle. 

Ruaha National Park: Jabali Ridge

Relaxation.

Jabali Ridge is the newest and the most luxurious lodge in Ruaha National Park. Nestled between large boulders and baobabs overlooking the Mwagusi River, the lodge offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area and is tastefully done without sacrificing any luxury. Staff is attentive yet not overbearing, the meals are delicious and varied, and the overall feel of the camp is relaxing. Each room is almost completely open and designed to carry the breezes through. Each room has a small outdoor seating area as well as a hammock looking over the landscape.

There are plenty of common areas, most notably the pool, a library and a small souvenir shop. Hyraxes and lizards scurry about the boulders in the day and Freckled Nightjars hunt insects at night. The guides are extremely well trained and intimate with the landscape. They conduct walking safaris for up close and personal looks at the wildlife as well as traditional game drives by vehicle.

If one is looking for the highest end experience in Ruaha, look no further than Jabali Ridge!

View from the room 

Bathroom

A nice porch attached to the room

View on the way down to the room

The pool. 

Ruaha National Park: After the first rains

Elephants are so happy eating grass

After the dry season, we have a period of short rains in December and January. These rains bring out the leaves on the trees and grass on the ground. The herbivores have the luxury of multiple water sources and begin to graze areas far and wide. Carnivores, easily seen in the dry season by the permanent water sources, also fan out in attempt to catch prey. So although the wildlife viewing is more difficult, the general environment is lush and welcoming. People who visit this time of year would not believe how dry it can get and vice versa. There are parts of the park that are seriously unrecognizable for us depending on the season and many roads become unpassable due to the mud.

The rivers aren't yet fully flowing, the grasses aren't yet too high, and the roads aren't totally waterlogged. It's a real unique time to visit the park although it can be hit and miss if you catch a rainy day. It's tons of fun to see the herbivores eating their fill and one can be surprised at lions slinking in the grasses. 

The Mwagusi river, dry for much of the year, has started flowing