Ikuka Safari Camp - A truly wild escape of exclusive indulgence.
Perched on the edge of the Mwagusi escarpment, commanding spectacular views across the Ruaha valley, Ikuka Safari Camp offers a classic luxury wilderness experience in the heart of Ruaha National Park.
Comprised of just 7 beautifully appointed rooms, each with its own panoramic vista of the Ruaha wilderness, Ikuka offers a compelling insight into the dramatic wilds of Ruaha and Tanzania. An owner run property, Ikuka fuses stylish simplicity with luxurious comfort into a camp which feels like a home from home in the bush.
Unlike many lodges in Ruaha the elevated location of Ikuka means that the lodge enjoys a cool breeze throughout camp in the heat of the day so guests can relax in comfort after their morning game drive, enjoy the pool or simply soak up the incredible views. Ikuka is perhaps best known however for its excellent guiding offering both in-vehicle game drives or more immersive walking safari experiences. Ikuka is the ideal camp for couples, friends or families looking for a truly luxurious but authentic safari experience.
Ikuka has welcomed families to for many years now allowing children from 7yrs + in camp. Last year they launched a stunning new family unit in camp to accommodate families of up to 5 pax comprising 2 bedrooms over 2 stories, a private seating area and plunge pool along with a shared bathroom.
The new family tent at Ikuka across 2 stories with private plunge pool
New for 2022 Ikuka also added a stunning ‘sleep out’ experience to the camp with their Rock House. Only 10 mins from the main camp, but a world away, the Rock house is situated between two gigantic rocks looking out across the plains. This is a luxurious way to enjoy a night under the stars in your own private fly camp. Complete with bucket shower, toilet and coolbox packed with all your favourite drinks, guests can relax in total peace in the knowledge a guard is patrolling, and a dedicated guide is available on the radio any time!
Ruaha offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Africa, it is Tanzania’s largest national park but receives only 20,000 visitors per year as opposed to the Serengeti which welcomes in excess of 350,000 guests per year. This fact alone hugely appeals to us at Green Travel Marketing and we are enjoying educating the trade on Ruaha as much as we are Ikuka and all that the camp stands for. With this in mind we are looking to welcome agents on FAM trip into 2023/2024 as it is always the best way to fully understand the magic of a place!
Ikuka’s journey with Green Travel Marketing
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Since its conception, Ikuka has strived to have the lightest footprint on the landscape which sustains the camp.
The design of Ikuka reflects the authentic and raw beauty of the nature that is all around them in Ruaha. Set in some of Africa’s true wilderness, their 7 tents are nestled into the escarpment so as to blend in with the bush and offer a closeness to nature. The tent structures emphasize the environment through the use of locally sourced materials, shapes and textures all blended together in a truly stylish and luxurious way.
Behind the scenes Ikuka operates with sustainability as one of their main priorities via various infrastructures and initiatives;
They have invested in photovoltaic panels as well as solar water heaters to power the camp sustainably with a minimal environmental impact. To reduce the waste they produce and protect the environment they are plastic conscious; all guests and staff drink from reusable water bottles which are cleaned and sterilized between uses. Their water comes from their 250 meter deep, on site, borehole, the water is then filtered at least 5 times before being served. They also do not use plastic straws or single use plastic in guest amenities. Any plastic or nonrecyclable items from food or drink or other packaging are safely stored (for maximum 1 week) until they can be transported to a local waste management NGO in Iringa town (EnviBright). Their compost waste is put into a deep underground and covered pit.
CONSERVATION TOURISM
Ikuka have developed long term supporting partnerships with conservation and wildlife based NGOs such as the RCP (Ruaha Carnivore Project), The Wildlife Connection and STEP (Southern Tanzania Elephant Program). Their guides gather useful data on carnivores which they share with the RCP team. They host elephant researchers from STEP in their camp each month to aid them in their monitoring of the elephant population and herd structures in their area of Ruaha. They also work closely with the national park authority (TANAPA).
98% of Ikuka’s employees are Tanzanian and many from the local villages that buffer the national park and beyond, this contributes to the local economy and has a vital trickle down effect in the neighbouring communities.
Ikuka also work closely with a local guide school from a close by village, taking on interns who can then gain experience working in tourism in their camp.
Finally Ikuka strive to support the local community by also buying as many of their provisions as possible locally, thus having a positive impact on the local economy demonstrating the value that conservation tourism can bring.
