Mdonya Old River Camp, Ruaha

Mdonya is undoubtedly the best-valuecamp in Ruaha National Park.

It has the same charm and character as its famous sister camp in the Selous, Lake Manze Tented Camp.

Mdonya may be basic and straightforward, but this is what Ruaha is all about.  It is a rugged park, and Mdonya is in a particularly wild area.

With its excellent location, you can rely on quality game viewing, and you don’t necessarily need to spend that extra cash if luxury is not your priority.

Mdonya has always delivered, and we have a lot of faith in this little camp.

Mdonya Old River Camp  in Ruaha

Mdonya Old River Camp is located in a remote region of southern Ruaha National Park.

The main area of the park is the southern boundary by the Ruaha River.  Mdonya is luckily north of the few other camps in this area.  It is a 45-minute drive from the airstrip.

Often used in conjunction with its sister camp in the Selous, Mdonya is a vital piece of your Tanzanian safari holiday jig-saw.

The main area of Mdonya is open on all sides.  The roof is a large khaki canvas that spans several armchairs, cabinets, and a small bookshelf.

It looks empty, but when you are sitting in this area with elephant, buffalo, zebra, impala, and the rest walking past, you get a sense of how alive this camp is.

The rooms are basic Meru-style tents, and all 11 are well spaced, providing good privacy.

Each has an extended bathroom with a shower under the stars.

There is no electricity in the rooms, but the lanterns and candles make for an even better African atmosphere.

During the day, you can enjoy peace from a deck chair on your veranda, and at night, the stars glisten above as the lack of light pollution allows for breathtaking views.

Mdonya offers a great Ruaha Safari, to say the least, and this is due in part to the Park itself. Because it is the size of a small country, Ruaha National Park has only a handful of lodges.

This allows it to maintain its wild and untamed feel. The wildlife viewing here is incredible.

In addition to the healthy populations of lions, elephants, and buffalo, leopards are regularly seen alongside rarer, more elusive species such as serval, aardwolf, and lesser kudu.

For a wildlife enthusiast, it is ideal, offering a blend of Southern and Eastern African wildlife.

Mdonya offers vehicle safaris in open-sided game viewers and walking safaris.

If you want an all-day safari to explore more of Ruaha, ask! Your guide will be happy to accommodate you as best we can and ensure you get the most out of your stay.

Mdonya is a perfect complement to its sister camp in the Selous, Lake Manze.

Structured similarly and maintaining the same ethos of being eco-sensitive and delivering an authentic and rustic safari, a mix of the two complements each other.

As do the contrasting landscapes between the two parks. Whilst Ruaha is dry and rugged, the Selous is lush and vibrant.

By combining the two parks, you can experience the best of two distinct habitats.

A typical Southern Tanzania itinerary would also see you head to the island of Zanzibar after a week or so on safari.

Here you can rest, relax, and enjoy some time to unwind after an action-filled safari. Nothing quite rounds off a trip better than sipping a cool drink whilst watching the sunset!

For a great value option in Zanzibar, Pongwe Beach Hotel beautifully blends luxury with value, and for those on honeymoon, the sea-view suites are a must!

If you can afford to spend a bit more, then our favourite hotel on the island, Zuri, offers a non-tidal beach and is a brilliant place to rest and relax, either by one of its numerous pools or at the spa.

Prices start from $510  per person