Usangu Expedition Camp

About usangu Expedition camp

Boating and canoeing through the waterways amongst an array of birdlife, walking the wide open grasslands during the dry season months, or sleeping under the enormous canopy of the African night sky, Usangu Expedition Camp offers a safari experience like none other.

The neighbouring Douglas Bell Eco Research Station offers the opportunity to engage with research projects and develop a deeper understanding of the work being performed in the area. From the placing of camera traps and the identification of predators against the research database to tracking lions with telemetry and contributing to global research. Late afternoon presents the perfect time to explore the surrounding area on foot before enjoying the sunset over the Usangu Wetlands.

accommodation

Rooms

The four guest tents at Usangu Expedition Camp are simple yet comfortable, positioned on raised wooden decking with views towards the wetlands and a shaded veranda on which to relax. En suite bathrooms feature flushing toilets and plumbed showers.  

Experiences

A safari like no other

Ruaha’s wildlife is renowned throughout East Africa and we aim to provide the best opportunities — from game drives to walking safaris — for all kinds of animal sightings. Explore this little-known area within Ruaha: go boating through the waterways, and walk the wide-open grasslands.

Experience

A typical day on safari at Usangu Expedition Camp

Usangu Expedition Camp offers a wide variety of activities, allowing for your days to be tailored around your preferred interests. Each group in camp has a private vehicle and guide, allowing for complete flexibility within daily structure. Early mornings are typically best for game drives and walking safaris while the temperatures are slightly cooler, and wildlife is more active. Mid-afternoons are the perfect time to relax under the trees with a book or, or the more active, visit the Douglas Bell Eco Research Station for a first-hand explanation about the conservation work and research being conducted in the wetlands. Afternoons offer the opportunity for boating safaris or spending time in the field with a researcher.

Participate in research activities such as the positioning of camera traps, image analysis for predator identification and tracking collared lions using telemetry.

Breakfast is often a picnic to allow for an early start from camp, but lunch can either be enjoyed in camp under the cool shade, or a picnic can be provided for those who wish to stay out longer. Whether you are in the main camp or a star cube in the Trails Camp, dinner is prepared on the open fire in a communal setting.

Experiences

Game drives

The best times to depart on a game drive are early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat when animals are less active. With your private vehicle and guide, you have the flexibility to explore any (accessible) area of the Usangu wetlands. Usangu has five biozones and offers many different habitat types that are waiting to be explored. Our up-cycled Land Rovers have been re-built from the ground up and are powered by green alcohol fuel (ethanol). This five-seater, safari vehicle offers unobstructed views — built for comfort, bush driving and remarkable off-road capability.

Experiences

Walking safaris

Walking safaris give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, away from the noise of the land cruiser and closer to the ground to observe the smaller and less obvious parts of the African wilderness. This is a completely different way to experience the bush, encouraging your senses to engage as you spot tiny but fascinating creatures you’d never see from the vehicle.  

Experiences

Night drives

See a different side of Usangu with a night drive. It’s a special opportunity to spot shy, nocturnal animals and the those that prey on them. With the aid of your knowledgeable guide, keep your eyes out for leopard, genet, serval, honey badger, civet and African wildcats on the hunt; as well as bush babies, mongoose, bat-eared fox, nightjars and owls going about their business. Don’t forget to take a moment to a gaze up at the breath-taking night sky. 

Experiences

Boating safaris

The wetland area and the intricate waterways that swell and contract throughout the season create a variety of conditions for boating. Our swamp boat is designed for these marsh-like conditions, offering the opportunity to explore the wetland narrow waterways year-round. Elephant are regularly seen along the shallows, and the birdlife is fantastic.

Experience

Camera Traps

The placement of camera traps in close proximity to frequently used game trails provide useful information about wildlife numbers and the movements of game. On arrival, you will receive a camera trap to place near camp for the duration of your stay. On your last afternoon in camp, retrieve the images to see what your camera has captured.

Experience

Douglas Bell Eco Research Station

The Douglas Bell Eco Research Station is the central hub for all research and conservation efforts taking place in the Usangu Wetland. Situated alongside Usangu Expedition Camp, it provides guests with the opportunity to engage with researchers and develop a deeper understanding of the important work being performed in the region. The experiences on offer will vary slightly depending on which researchers are on the ground at any given time. However, a research coordinator is always present ensuring quality research immersion for visiting guests at all times.

Experience

Predator Identification

If your camera trap has caught any inquisitive predators, or if you have captured any good images on your camera during your stay, you can upload these images to the Predator ID Hub at the station to compare against the existing database. Researchers will work with you to analyse identifying features and determine if this is a new specimen or an existing. This tracking of information helps to plot territories and allows you to actively contribute to the ongoing research.

Experience

Telemetry Tracking

Join the researcher on a half-day tracking of collared animals using radio telemetry to track and locate them. Start the day by reviewing the latest locations of the animals of the days before and join the researcher in a vehicle to learn how radio-collaring and telemetry works, and how to locate the collared animals. Collared species differ over time depending on advancing research but usually focus on key species in the area such as lion, wild dog (yet to be collared), roan, and sable antelope.

Experience

Family safaris

We welcome families with children over 12 years old. If the camp is booked on an exclusive use basis, younger children can be accommodated, but participation in walking activities and canoeing will not be permitted.