Kichaka Zumbua: Our full report

Kichaka is one of Tanzania's top walking camps, and we were very excited to see the opening of Kichaka Zumbua, ...

... a permanent sister camp in the remote north of Ruaha National Park, located close to the original tented camp. The owners Andy "Moli" Molinaro and Noelle Herzog have wanted to establish a permanent camp in Ruaha for some years. Opened in late 2021, Kichaka Zumbua provides a luxurious base for exploring the wilds of Ruaha, with stylish tents, private plunge pools, and rooftop terraces.

Kichaka Zumbua is located in the remote north of Ruaha National Park, close to the original site of Kichaka tented camp, which the owners describe as being their favourite walking area. There are no other camps in this region and you are likely to see few other vehicles. There is a real sense of space and wilderness here.

Kichaka Zumbua currently consists of three luxurious suites, and there are plans to build additional suites in the future. A spacious bedroom area with a wooden balcony to the front is connected by a short pathway to a thatch-roofed bathroom, with an open-air shower and a beautiful bathtub with views across Ruaha. On the other side of the tent a separate structure provides a seating area with a private plunge pool, while a set of steps leads up to a rooftop terrace – perfect for evening sundowners. The suites have been designed with plenty of natural materials to compliment their environment.

There's a communal lounge and dining area and, based on our knowledge of Kichaka, we are confident the food will be excellent. One of our favourite aspects of Kichaka is the friendly, personal feel. The owners Moli and Noelle spend lengthy periods living at the camp and typically host communal meals which are very sociable and enjoyable.

The activities at Kichaka Zumbua are similar to those at the simpler tented camp, and include a mix of walking safaris, game drives and night drives. The Kichaka team specialise in walking safaris, and this is where their knowledge and passion shine through. The two guides, Moli and Jaques, have a wealth of experiences leading walking safaris and this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and experience the African bush from a different perspective. There is a healthy population of elephants in Ruaha and during a walking safari you may have the chance to approach them on foot. During a previous visit to Kichaka we shadowed a herd of elephants for more than an hour, with our guide's expertise and caution keeping us enthralled but always safe.

The other activity at the original Kichaka is fly-camping, and this is offered to guests staying at Kichaka Zumbua. You can do fly-camping between the 1st April and 30th November, the usual dry season in Ruaha. You might combine a few nights at Kichaka Zumbua with a few nights at the much simpler fly-camp, allowing you to explore the wildest corners of Ruaha. This is an adventurous experience and can be a great option if you're looking for a longer stay.

Our view

We love the original Kichaka camp, and we were excited to hear about the new Kichaka Zumbua although we have not had a chance to visit yet. This looks like an ideal option if you're looking for top-quality guiding and walking in a remote area, combined with beautiful accommodation and creature comforts. Kichaka Zumbua was brand-new in late 2021 and this page will be updated when we know more.

Claire Scott

Tanzania expert

Geographics

Location: Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities

Special interests

Walking safaris: Kichaka is known for its outstanding walking safaris which take place in remote regions of Ruaha. The two guides, Moli and Jaques, are both highly experienced and their enthusiasm is infectious.; See ideas for Walking safaris in Tanzania

Children

Attitude towards children

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kichaka Zumbua

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kichaka Zumbua have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.