Mdonya Old River Camp

Mdonya Old River Camp is a classic, traditional East African bush camp with a wonderful location in the heart of Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's second-largest safari park. The camp is situated in the centre of Ruaha, occupying a wonderful position secluded among acacia trees and sycamore figs, just a few kilometers from the Mdonya Falls and an exciting 1-2 hour game drive from the nearest airstrip. Located on the banks of the Mdonya sand river in the far west of Ruaha, close to Mdonya Falls where a cool spring gushes through huge granite boulders, the camp offers a simple but comfortable tented experience ideal for adventurous travelers seeking authentic wilderness.

Rooms

The camp consists of 11-12 large permanent Meru-style tents (sources vary slightly), each spacious, airy, and cool, with relaxing open verandahs at the front and en-suite bathrooms at the back. The tents are pitched in the shade of large plane trees. The public areas, including a small library and dining room, are housed within open-sided marquee tents decorated with gnarled wood, flowers, and feathers from the bush. The camp is lit by candles and kerosene lanterns, creating a warm, rustic atmosphere harking back to the early days of safaris, with little luxury but plenty of atmosphere and adventure.

Restaurant

The dining and lounge tents lie in the shade of fig trees and offer comfortable seating, overlooking the dry riverbed which is used by game as a corridor. This positioning means guests can enjoy game viewing while having breakfast, lunch, or simply relaxing from within the camp grounds. Comfortable sitting areas, game-viewing hides at both ends of the camp, and the open-air campfire provide atmospheric settings for sharing sundowners to the sound of crickets and distant roars of lion. Wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, and antelope use the sand river as a corridor, making sightings from the camp common.

Activities

Activities focus largely on game drives in open-topped 4x4 vehicles, with full day drives where you can maximize time out in the bush and enjoy meals out in the open – colonial style. Game drives usually go out with two guides, one as driver and the more experienced standing up to spot wildlife such as elephant, lion, and giraffe. The camp is so immersed in its surroundings that wildlife wanders freely through the camp, completely at home, making setting and wildlife truly the hero of the safari experience.

About

All meals are plentiful and freshly prepared, with dining taking place with other guests at Mdonya Old River Camp, making it a very sociable event. The camp offers alfresco dining and an open-air sitting area. The friendly and attentive staff encourage a relaxed and fun atmosphere, with good quality guiding. Despite its relatively simple appearance, Mdonya Old River Camp is a favourite thanks to its unique location, consistently great service, and easy-going atmosphere, getting all the basics right and offering a top game-viewing experience in a remote pocket of Ruaha far from everybody else.