Reviews of Ikuka Safari Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
61 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
100% success
82% success
17% success
32% success
100% success
100% success
98% success
82% success
78% success
70% success
55% success
26% success
16% success
6% success
0% success
0% success
"Just an Amazing Camp"
How first impressions can be so wrong!! We had an amazing guide Geofrey who not only read tracks but anticipated where to go to get the best opportunities and positions for photos. The camp is lovely beautiful rooms with views to die for, food and friendliness of staff was excellent.
Ruaha is a vast dry expanse but there is so much on offer
To see from African wildcats, Servals, Leopards and wild dogs we would 100% return" See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
We were welcomed into the stunning main hall with a view out over the bush which stretched for miles due to the hilltop nature of the camp.
The hosts were very welcoming and there was always a drink and cold towel waiting for you when you returned from game drives.
We stuck with our guide for every drive which was a nice touch as you could really get to know your guide and he was making every effort to show us every animal we were hoping to see. The wealth of animals in Ruaha was second to none and we were able to see rare animals such as leopards and lions multiple times on different days.
Our bedroom was absolutely stunning with a true outdoor feel and the heavy duty tent that was set up for you every night kept the bugs at bay and allowed us to feel safe within the room.
Finally the food was stunning and we particularly enjoyed the group dinners where we got to know the other guests at the camp.
We loved our time at Ikuka and would recommend this for all looking for a luxury camp." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Buffalo
5 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Leopard
4 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Zebra
6 sightings
"Ikuka Safari Camp review"
Chevy and Tommy and their team were very welcoming. We enjoyed seeing/hearing the resident bull elephant Rambo crashing around camp in the evenings. The room was spectacular and always clean. Ikuka has an incredible view southwards across Ruaha and it was great to come back to relax in the pool between safari trips.
Our guide Luka was very knowledgeable and interesting to talk to and we were lucky in being paired with a great couple in our truck. We immensely enjoyed the balloon trip we arranged though the 4am get up was a shock to the system ;).
Ikuka's food was excellent and really well sourced - including catering for 1 x gluten free for us, and we enjoyed some excellent wine and cocktails while there.
We were very lucky in terms of animal spotting in Ruaha - including multiple leopards, wild dogs and a single honey badger." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"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
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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.
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 Zumbua
Kichaka Zumbua is a small, luxurious camp offering on outstanding walking safaris in a remote area of Ruaha.
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.
Jabali Ridge
One of Ruaha's most luxurious camps, Jabali Ridge nestles among kopjes and baobabs, with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Usangu Expedition Camp
Usangu Expedition Camp is a seasonal camp in the Usangu Wetlands – a remote and enchanting part of Ruaha National Park.
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.
