Reviews of Ikuka Safari Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
58 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ikuka Safari Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Great hosting from Chevy, Tommy, and Mark. Wonderful fellow guests. Food is high quality and staff is very good.
Great vehicle guiding form Luka and a nice bush walk with Mustapha.
Nice to be up on the escarpment, camps in the Mwagusi area do a pretty job of working together with minimal overcrowding at sightings. Stunning landscape and vegetation with animals that are quite relaxed around vehicles.
Excellent area to start one's visit to Ruaha and a nice complement to Kitchaka Zumbua.
The new "airstrip" near the park HQ is a strange development; hopefully, the wild nature of this core area with Ruaha remains intact." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
Buffalo
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Still, five leopard sightings in four days is not to be sniffed at, and many of the usual suspects were also spotted. Our guide was Luca, whose depth of knowledge, eagle eyes and ability to make a mean sundowner were incomparable.
Food was mostly locally grown and would not have been out of place in a high-end restaurant. We really don't know how they do it.
The setting, many little touches, amazing efficiency and friendly service, all made this a stay we won't forget.
Thanks to everyone involved - not least our fabulous fellow guests." See all these reviews: 5n in Tanzania; 4n in Rwanda
Buffalo
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
5 sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Buffalo
6 sightings
Eland
7 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Roan antelope
6 sightings
Sable antelope
4 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Cheetah
Multiple sightings
Eland
4 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp - November 2023"
My guide, Geoffrey, was excellent, and was particularly good in relation to the birds. He was also happy to stay out a bit longer than usual on my last day, so that we could try and see some new bird species.
We managed to find lions with cubs, five separate leopard sightings, and a couple of wild dog sightings. We also managed to spot some of the more unusual mammals such as bat-eared foxes, Grants gazelle, lesser kudu and klipspringer. In all we managed to find 22 different mammal species.
The Ruaha really is a special place, and probably my favourite place in the whole of Africa. Long may it remain as it is." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Comfortable camp, great wildlife"
My guide, Geofrey, showed me the largest group of Wild Dog that I have ever seen (26 individuals) which was spectacular but also a jumble of rocks that was home to a group of Tree Hyrax and a family of Banded Mongoose, all happily co-existing.
The camp itself was very nice; the 'tents' were larger than usual with a lounge area as well as a terrace. The only downside was that the bathroom and toilet area was outside the zipped tent surrounding the bed which meant for slightly cumbersome night time visits to the bathroom. The staff were very attentive without being intrusive.
I enjoyed the fine dining although I skipped lunches." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Buffalo
4 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
8 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Beautiful views of the park from rooms high in the escarpment, with an affinity pool for relaxing afternoons. The rooms are very well designed and the 'open' bathrooms a nice touch. Sitting areas and balcony well thought out. Fantastic hosts and staff. The food was excellent.
Excellent guiding from Festo, and wildlife encounters were very good, both in terms of variety, animal densities, and closeness. Large numbers of lions, encountering 4 different groups and seeing them on all but one drive. Large healthy elephant populations. Small numbers of the more exotic antelope (Eland, Defassa waterbuck) with good numbers of greater and lesser kudu, dikdik, impala and zebra. Plenty of giraffe and smaller numbers of ostrich. Saw a large herd of circa 300 buffalo. Great viewing of a bat eared fox and 3 cubs.
Animals not skittish so encounters were close and prolonged. Fantastic to see wild dog right outside the camp. Leopard also present although we didn't see them. Camp visited at night by honey badgers, hyena and serval amongst others.
This was my children's first safari and a very good overall experience. The scenary is spectacular - particularly the large numbers of Baobabs. Sadly cheetah numbers have declined over the past 20 years since I last visited and sightings are now rare. Likewise with the 'flagship' Sable antelope. There are apparently Roan, though far from the central areas.
Overall a great destination for both a first time safari or a more seasoned traveller. You won't tick off everything but a broad variety with quality encounters" See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania
Buffalo
2 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Zebra
7 sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
The team at Ikuka thought of every detail, always anticipating what you might need before you did. The food was fantastic, the accommodation was beautiful, and of course the safari was great.
We went to Ruaha as we wanted to see leopards and ended up with 6 sightings of them!
Every member of the staff from our guide, Luka, to Seif in the restaurant and Chavie and all the guys who helped us walk to and from the room were so friendly and welcoming (and knowledgable about the area and wildlife).
We definitely want to go back!" See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
Buffalo
3 sightings
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Leopard
6 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
From the welcome as we entered the camp property to the community cocktail time and dinners to the incredibly delicious food to the dreamy accommodations! I found my dream bathroom overlooking the wilderness - listening to elephants munch on trees while brushing my teeth!
Habibu, our guide, was phenomenal with his wealth of knowledge, kind spirit, and sense of humor. Throughout a few precarious moments with up close lions and elephants, our safety was always in check thanks to his assuring words and calm.
Mark and Chevy and all the staff were so fun to get to know and learn of their personal stories related to the lodge, their journey to Tanzania, their homes and families, and their commitment to preserving and sharing the beauty of Ruaha.
The decor of the camp was impeccable and the service wonderfully consistent." See all these reviews: 13n in Tanzania
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
The views are spectacular and the thatched rooms very spacious, well equipped and comfortable. It is really difficult to find anything to fault, food was great as was the service from the willing friendly team. If there is a downside, the location requires a 20 minute trip down to the park and back on every drive which is actually a fair chunk of evening drives in particular. This is very minor though.
The wildlife was excellent, both mammals and birds, and even though we stayed for five days, it was a wrench to move on. It was particularly good to catch the wild dogs. Unbeknownst to us the pack spent one night sleeping under the water tower in the camp!" See all these reviews: 17n in Tanzania
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
5 sightings
Wild dog
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Tanzania
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Tanzania.
Other lodges in Ruaha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Mdonya Old River Camp
Designed with simplicity in mind, Mdonya River Camp focuses on a great wilderness experience rather than creature comforts.
Mwagusi Safari Camp
Mwagusi is a long-established, permanent, tented safari camp, on an attractive bend of the seasonal Mwagusi River.
Kwihala Camp
Kwihala is a permanent tented camp in Ruaha National Park, offering a high level of comfort and guiding in a natural setting.
Jongomero Camp
A stylish and luxurious camp in a remote part of Ruaha, Jongomero offers excellent guiding and service in a remote, wilderness area.
Kigelia Camp
Kigelia is a stylish tented camp, set amid a grove of sausage trees, and combining a simple set-up with comforts and luxury.
Kichaka Expeditions
In a remote corner of Ruaha, Kichaka is a private mobile camp focusing on superbly guided walking safaris.
Ruaha River Lodge
In a lovely location beside a rocky river, the unpretentious Ruaha River Lodge is the largest and most economical camp in Ruaha National Park.
Kichaka Zumbua
Kichaka Zumbua is a small, luxurious camp offering on outstanding walking safaris in a remote area of Ruaha.
Jabali Ridge
One of Ruaha's most luxurious camps, Jabali Ridge nestles among kopjes and baobabs, with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Jabali Private House
Jabali Private House in Ruaha National Park provides luxurious accommodation for private groups booked on an exclusive basis.
Jongomero Walking
Fly-camping and walking safaris from Jongomero Camp give you the chance to explore remote safari areas in Ruaha National Park.
Asanja Ruaha
Asanja Ruaha Ndembo is a smart new safari lodge in a picturesque setting overlooking the Great Ruaha River.
