Asanja Ruaha Ndembo: Our full report

Asanja Ruaha Ndembo is a smart safari lodge in the southern section of Ruaha.

With eight stylish tents this looks to be a luxurious base from where you can explore the wilds of Ruaha.

Asanja Ruaha Ndembo is located in a remote region of Ruaha National Park overlooking the Great Ruaha River. The name Ndembo means elephant in the local Bantu language, a nod to the high numbers of elephants found in Ruaha. Elephants are regularly seen around the camp and wading in the river nearby.

The lodge has been designed by Neil Rocher who is the designer behind a number of top safari and beach lodges, including Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha and White Sand Villas on Zanzibar. The lodge has quite a modern aesthetic, with an open-plan design, oversized furniture and a colour scheme of creams and soft greys. All areas are open-fronted to take in the views, and everything blends in well with the landscape.

Asanja Ruaha Ndembo has eight luxury tented suites, each of which has double or twin beds, and a small lounge area. The bathroom is open plan style with a freestanding bath and outdoor shower. To the front of each suite is a verandah and small plunge pool, making this the only lodge in Ruaha to have private plunge pools for every room. The suites are equipped with all the normal amenities, such as a writing desk, power points for charging batteries. There is also a ceiling fan, which is welcome during the hotter months of the year!

There is a lounge and dining area where meals are taken, although in good weather these can be served outside. As with all good safari camps, there is a fire pit surrounded by directors’ chairs where guests regularly gather for a pre-dinner drink.

Activities at Asanja Ruaha Ndembo revolve around game drives in remote areas of Ruaha National Park. The wildlife in Ruaha can be fantastic, particularly in the dry season, and the park is known for its high numbers of lions and elephants. Walking safaris are also available, at an extra cost, and focus on these is usually on the plants, birds and other smaller animal species which you often miss when driving. The camp also offers night drives, fishing and a fly-camping experience, ‘Asanja Under the Stars’, which is a small, exclusive camp set up for you in the middle of the bush. This experience is best booked in advance.

Our view

With slick service, beautiful views and comfortable, spacious rooms Asanja Ndembo is an exciting addition to this remoter area of Ruaha National Park.

Lyndsey Marris

Tanzania expert

Geographics

Location: Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay: Stay for at least three nights to try the activities and explore the area.
Directions: Asanja Ruaha is around an hour drive from Msembe Airstrip or one hour drive from Jongomero Airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We found the food at Asanja Ndembo to be very good.

Breakfast is served either in camp or taken as a picnic if you have an early morning game drive. In camp, we enjoyed a selection of tropical fruit, a platter of freshly baked bread and cakes, as well as hot food cooked to order.

Lunch was three light, well portioned, courses, which we ate outside admiring the view. We enjoyed a Mexican tortilla style wrap with pineapple salsa, sweet potato and green bean salad.

Dinner is a three-course meal served to your own table. We had a delicious vegetable soup for starter, then for the main course we were served a warming curry with chapatis, rounding the meal off with crepes and fruit.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Room service is available on request
Drinks included: Drinks are at extra cost, and we expect these to be around $5 USD for a beer or glass of wine.

Children

Attitude towards children: Asanja Ruaha accepts children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: None
Notes: Asanja Ruaha is unfenced and wildlife wonders through the camp. Children should be supervised at all times.