Jongomero is the sister-camp to Selous Safari Camp, which is quite similar – a stylish camp with a slightly colonial edge. It has smooth and seamless service and plenty of luxury, but despite this, Jongomero has retained a real sense of wilderness.
Located in the far south of Ruaha National Park, Jongomero is quite far away from any of the other camps in Ruaha, in a part of the park that is very quiet and spectacular – so if you're looking for a real wilderness experience, you won't be disappointed.
The camp is spread along the banks of the Jongomero River. In the dry season this river's bed is completely dry; you can sit on your veranda and enjoy watching a variety of animals walking down the dry riverbed. Elephants frequently wander past, digging into the sand, trying to tap into the water beneath the riverbed.
The tents at Jongomero all enjoy great views across the river – all eight tents are raised up on wooden platforms, spread along the river bank. All are large and stylish canvas constructions – 'tent' is really too simple a word – and inside they have high-quality furnishings on polished wooden floors. Expect touches of leather and chunky repossessed dhow wood.
Similarly luxurious, Jongomero's main lounge and dining room has polished wooden floors, sumptuous sofas and Persian rugs across the floors. This is probably the most luxurious option in Ruaha, yet its high thatched roofs, and odd bits of traditional African furniture and art, somehow keeps Jongomero in touch with its surroundings – and stop it feeling too contrived.
The safaris activities at Jongomero revolve around 4WD game drives – and timings are generally very flexible. Breakfast can be organized around what you wish to do each morning, and it's not unknown for guests to head off with a picnic lunch for a long drive.
We visited Jongomero recently, in 2007, and felt that the 'wilderness factor' here made it a fantastic experience; it felt really remote and out on its own. However, the densities of game in this area are not as high as the areas around the Mwagusi River, further north in the park. The game around Jongomero is also little more skittish – doubtless because it sees less visitors and less vehicles.
The camp has also recently started fly-camping and safari walks – ask us for the latest details.
When we first visited Jongomero, around 2003, this area of Ruaha National Park had a serious problem with high densities of tsetse flies – which make painful bites if they get a chance! This carried on for several years, as our subsequent visits demonstrated! We're delighted to report that on our most recent visit, in 2007, their efforts to tackle the tsetse flies had clearly been paying off, and the area seemed to have fewer of them that we'd experienced before. Tsetse flies certainly aren't now a reason not to go to this picturesque part of the park.
Jongomero's standards of service, food and comfort are very high – and you can certainly expect good guiding. So if you're looking for a 'wilderness' experience, it could be a good choice for you – especially when combined with the ability to fly-camp.
Ideal length of stay: Four nights to experience all this area has to offer; and for a longer stay in the park we recommend that you combine it with Mwagusi Camp.
Central facilities: The main bar and lounge area has been decorated in a rustic style with a slightly colonial twist. The high thatch ceiling, and bar are made entirely from repossessed dhow wood – yet comfortable sofas, coffee tables and Persian rugs on the floor, lend an air of style and comfort. The lounge is inviting - a welcoming place to relax for an afternoon drink. Wildlife enthusiasts will find a number of coffee-table books to thumb through.
Adjoined to the bar and lounge, is a dining room, also on a raised deck under thatch. As you walk between the two areas, there is a small shelf with a few curios for sale – the lodge's equivalent of a 'curio shop'.
Below this thatched structure, in front of main lounge and bar area, is a sandy terrace. Sometimes brunch or lunch is served down here - under the shade of a number of trees, and with open views across the Jongomero river.
But to focus entirely on all of the comforts of this camp is almost to miss the point. The highlight of a stay at Jongomero is its wilderness – being far away from all other camps in the park, means that you are almost never going to see a vehicle from another camp.
Directions: From Dar es Salaam, Jongomero is around a 12-hour drive. The more usually way to reach it is a 2-hour to a nearby airstrip, from where the camp is only about 2km drive.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: The food at Jongomero is fresh, tasty and the best we tasted in Ruaha. You can expect an imaginative and varied menu, with plenty of food to go around.
Breakfast usually consists of cereals, yoghurt, fruit and a full English for those wishing to indulge themselves. You can also have a light breakfast whilst out on safari and then head back for a slightly more filling brunch
Lunch was a light meal with plenty of fresh crispy salads, quiches and pasta dishes. The waiters come around with huge plates of food, and then you help yourself to as little or as much as you want.
Dinner is a slightly more formal affair – three courses and again this is brought around by the waiters and you take as much as you want
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No
Drinks included: Drinks are not included – you can expect to pay around $1 for a soft drink and $2 for a local beer.
Special interests
Birdwatching: Ruaha's unique position at the centre of Tanzania, north of Selous but south of most of Tanzania's other parks, gives it an interested cross section of birds; a fascinating park for the bird-watcher.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Tanzania
Wildlife: You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, lion, leopard, particularly good cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu; it's an excellent park for wildlife.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Tanzania
Children
Attitude towards children: Children who are over the age of 6 years are welcome at Jongomero
Age restrictions: Children must be aged 6 years or older
Activities: There are no special activities available for children
Equipment: There are no special pieces of equipment on offer for children
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: This camp is a wild and relatively quiet camp – however it does welcome children. We feel it would be best suited to sensible and mature children
Central communications
Communications: The camp has a satellite phone and a radio – however these are all for camp use unless in an emergency. However there is internet for guests to use – this costs $5 for 15 minutes, but the camp would prefer it was only used for important reasons.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio available at Jongomero
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The managers and a few of the staff at Jongomero are first aid trained and there is a first aid kit on site. For serious emergencies the camp can use the flying doctors.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: You will always be escorted to and from your room by an askari – this is for the wildlife. As Jongomero is so remote there is no risk of theft
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the rooms and communal areas and the staff at Jongomero are trained to use them.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Included
Money: There are no currency exchange facilities here
Accepted payment: The camp prefers payment for any extras in cash and they accept US$, Tanzanian Shillings, Pounds or Euros.
However they are also able to accept credit card; there is no charge for Visa (the preferred card), however charges do apply for Mastercard and Amex.
Our own private world at Jongomero Camp
Detours to avoid towering cumulus had delayed the arrival of our flight at Selous and our friendly lady pilot warned us that we would have to make further detours to avoid the worse of the turbulence ...
We want you to understand more about Jongomero Camp. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Camp hompage This is Jongomero's homepage - on the main website run by its parent company, Selous Safari Camp.
