Ndarakwai Ranch Camp, West Kilimanjaro | The Ulimate Guide

A confidential booking Ndarakwai Camp in the Kilimanjaro region faces a profoundly challenging and terrible destiny. The First World War occurred in the hills of this region, severely impacting the animals; so, even now, one may observe the remnants of the trenches from that era when traversing the park. Following Tanganyika’s independence in 1961, Ndarakwai transformed into an area characterised by grazing, poaching, and deforestation, which decimated the populations of elephants and other wildlife. Due to the coercion of the local tribes, they were compelled to vacate these territories.

The 11,000-acre tract, which faced the prospect of becoming a wasteland, was preserved solely due to the efforts of Peter Jones, who acquired the site for a private reserve in 1995. Annually, due to the protection and stewardship of Reserve personnel, numbers of elephants, zebras, eland, giraffes, wildebeests, buffalo, kudu, and the uncommon gerenuk have begun to flourish. Since December 2010, lions and cheetahs can be encountered here. Currently, Ndarakwai Lodge encompasses a habitat for more than 70 species of mammals and 300 species of birds.

Ndarakwai Ranch Camp

Ndarakwai Ranch is an 11,000-acre privately owned wildlife sanctuary and luxury tented lodge located in the Siha District of West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Established in 1994 by conservationist Peter Jones, the ranch is a highly celebrated success story in self-sustaining land and wildlife rehabilitation, transforming a degraded former colonial cattle ranch into a thriving ecosystem. Today, it preserves a crucial seasonal migration corridor for elephants traveling between Amboseli National Park in Kenya and Arusha National Park.

What Makes It Unique

Unlike traditional Tanzanian national parks, the private status of Ndarakwai Ranch grants visitors exclusive access to immersive activities that are typically restricted elsewhere:

Walking Safaris: Half-day or full-day guided bush walks allow you to track wildlife safely on foot.

Night Game Drives: Open-sided vehicles explore the savannah by spotlight to find rare, nocturnal creatures like bushbabies, aardvarks, and servals.

Stunning Visuals: Nestled in a protected forest of massive fig and yellow-barked acacia trees, the ranch offers magnificent panoramic views of both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

Included in cost

  • Pick-up from Moshi;
  • Experienced English-speaking guide;
  • SUV Land Cruiser 4×4 with pop-up roof;
  • Entry park fees;
  • Guided walking safari tour;
  • Soft drinks and bottled drinking water;
  • Picnic lunch;
  • Binocular (1 piece in the car).
  • Drop-off in Moshi

The price does not include

  • Tips for the safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).