The rooms at Mwagusi Safari Camp are known as 'bandas' – and are spacious tented rooms encased within a larger reed-and-thatch building. The thatched building extends at the front, to incorporate an open-sided veranda, and at the back, to include the large en-suite bathroom.

As you enter your room, you pass across the veranda. Each banda's veranda is unique in design, depending on the room's location, but all share some common features. Every one looks out over the (usually dry) river and offers a large built-in sofa for relaxing on; some also have a hammock. All of the verandas are peaceful spots to while away the hours between lunch and an afternoon activity. Most are great vantage points from which to look out for wildlife, especially the busy birdlife in the shady, riverside vegetation.

The banda's bedroom stands within a large canvas tent. Inside are large, comfortable beds, a writing desk and a bedside light. Brightly coloured throws and makuti mats on the floors offer colour and character. None of the features match perfectly or blend into a seamless uniform style – but this adds to the under-designed charm of Mwagusi.

The bandas at Mwagusi have no fans or air-conditioning – though the thatch over the top of the tent, and the flow-through of air, helps them to remain naturally fairly cool. There si however electricity for lighting.

There are no power points in the bandas – however, you can pass anything on to the office, who will arrange for batteries to be charge whilst you are out on a game activity.

The bathrooms at Mwagusi are large, and built onto the back of each banda. The walls are made of rustically cut stone, to about waist height, and then thick reeds above that.

Between each tent and its en suite bathroom is a large vestibule area – with space for hanging and folding clothes. Then the bathroom extends beyond, with a slight dividing wall between the flush-toilet and hot-and-cold shower.

The bathrooms have a very rustic feel to them – largely due to the use of natural materials. They are unique and thoughtfully put together, quite unlike any others that we know of in Africa. Lovely touches include the hanging rails for towels which are made from reclaimed drift wood – cleverly built into the stone walls.

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