Jabali Ridge : Best lodges in Ruaha National Park
Situated in the Northern part of Ruaha National Park you find Jabali Ridge, a luxurious safari lodge that perfectly blends intimacy and exquisite comfort while on safari in Tanzania. Jabali Ridge offers stunning views of the national park dotted with spectacular golden sun sets and sun rise views in the midst of one of Tanzania’s most remote national parks. Jabali Ridge is loved by guests because it is located in a remote location amidst giant boulders and baobab trees hence offering a typical safari experience with un-interrupted views. Ruaha National Park is less visited by tourists and this makes ground for an excellent bush experience as areas of the park are less crowded.
Ruaha National Park lies on the western bank of the Great Ruaha River and is part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem. The park which is less visited is well known for its abundant wildlife and incredible sightings, game drives in the park will have you looking out for lions, spotted hyenas, giraffes, cheetah, African leopard, buffaloes, wild dogs, sable antelopes, roan antelopes and greater kudu. In addition to game viewing Ruaha National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise as it hosts over 571 species of birds including seven species of the Zambezian biome, this makes the park a great destination for specialist birders. Jabali Ridge is the a great base lodge as it offers much needed comfort and privacy while on safari in Tanzania.
Accommodation at Jabali Ridge
The lodge feature eight suites elegantly decorated with stylish pieces and wooden materials. The luxurious suites have been built in such a way that they blend in with the environment, the spacious suites consist of earthy colors, wooden flooring and stone materials. Guests are able to enjoy stunning views of the expansive plains from the comfort of their room as the suites are designed with an open plan giving you a glimpse into the outside. The suites also include a family house which is perfect for family on safari together with interconnecting rooms and large area for relaxing.
Each suite at Jabali Ridge consists of;
A comfortable King sized bed with clean white linen bed sheets, a duvet and plush pillows.
En-suite bathroom with good quality bath essentials, a rain shower, a flush toilet, his & hers wash basins, mirrors and clean towels.
Hot and cold water throughout the day.
A reading desk and chair.
Tea and coffee making station.
Charging sockets.
A mini bar.
Hangers for clothes.
Bathroom robes and bathroom slippers.
A ceiling fan for hot days.
A wrap around deck with comfortable seating area, a great place to relax and take in the views of the park.
A suite at Jabali Ridge
PS: All the suites at Jabali Ridge are surrounded by giant boulders and connected to the main areas by raised wooden platforms, the rustic design of the suites is what makes the safari lodge quite unique in comparison to other camps in Tanzania.
Facilities and Services
Infinity Swimming Pool – Jabali Ridge has a stunning swimming pool overlooking the expansive plains of Ruaha National Park. The infinity pool is arguably the best feature at the luxurious lodge and is a perfect place to relax especially after a long day of activities in the park. As it gets hot on certain days one can choose to cool off in the pool, relax by the pool side or order a cocktail from the bar and enjoy it while being treated to breath-taking views. The swimming pool area has sun loungers and a pool attendant ready to attend to any needs.
Lounge and Bar – The lodge features an elegant lounge with comfortable cozy sofas. The lounge also has contemporary earthy décor and the bar is also situated in the same area, the lounge and bar is centrally located at the property hence can be accessed easily from the suites. The bar has premium wines, spirits, and international and local beer brands. The mixologists at Jabali Ridge also make amazing cocktails so you can choose to end your day with a cocktail.
Library – The lodge has a library that is stocked with books about Serengeti National Park, field guides, wildlife books and books about nature. In addition the library has books about Ruaha National Park, the wildlife, birds and key information about the national park, it’s a great place to stop by pick a book and immerse yourself in knowledge.
Dining Area – The dining area at Jabali Ridge has such a warm ambiance with spectacular views of the landscape that can be enjoyed from inside the dining area and on the outdoor wooden deck. The outdoor deck has comfortable seating and is spacious, perfect for dinner under the beautiful African sky. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served daily with great tasty options, the meals are prepared by the well trained chefs at the camp. The food served includes Traditions Swahili cuisine and international dishes so choice of food is entirely dependent on you, the kitchen also caters to any dietary requirements.
Spa – Jabali Ridge features a spa that is a recent facility addition to the lodge. Rejuvenating massages are offered by the skilled therapists on site as well as holistic therapies and relaxing treatments. These can be done at the spa or in the comfort of your suite, you can always pre-book with the manager and choose what treatment you would like.
Our Review
Jabali Ridge is a top luxury lodge that is dedicated to offering guests an excellent bush experience while on safari. Jabali Ridge is what we consider “an intimate luxury lodge”. The food is delicious, the staff dedicated and attentive and the location is superb. This lodge is arguably the top recommended property to our guests interested in exploring Ruaha National Park, the lodge offers comfort amidst the wilderness. It also offers an intimate feel and a sense of privacy as the property features only eight suites.
Attractions and Activities
Game Drives: Game drives are the best way to enjoy the safari experience in Ruaha National Park. The park which is home to abundant wildlife species can be explored on a morning game drive, afternoon game drive, full day game drives or night game drives. Night game drives are usually done so that one has a chance of looking out for nocturnal animals. The full day game drives last an entire day and the staff at Jabali Ridge always put together a bush lunch for guests. Morning game drives are the best for a chance to see nocturnal species before they go into hiding and also good chance to spot predators as they start their day in search of what to eat. During the game drives you are accompanies by expert field guides who are great and conversant with the trails in the park.
Bird watching: Ruaha National Park is home to about 571 species of birds hence making it a birder’s haven. The park is home to woodland species, savanna specials and Tanzania endemics. For the specialist bird watcher, the park is a rewarding hot sport for spotting incredible species. Birds to look out for include Ashy Starling, White Stork, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Abdim’s Stork, Bateleur, Collared Palm-thrush, Tanzanian Red-billed hornbill, African fish eagle, Namaqua Dove, Meyer’s parrot, Sooty falcon, Southern ground hornbill, Crested barbet and many other species.
Guided Walking Safaris: The safari walks offer an opportunity to track animals in the wilderness on foot. The safari walks are done with expert field guides who take you on a journey into the bush. It’s a great way to learn and follow closely the animal tracks as well as enjoy the lush magnificent landscape. Animals to look out for include zebras, lions, buffaloes, leopard, giraffes, wild dogs and antelope species.
Sun downers and Bush Meals: Jabali Ridge is a perfect destination for bush meals amidst the wildlife reserve and around the lodge. With its rocky kopjes and outcrops the area offers perfect spots for bush breakfast, a private picnic or bush lunch all while enjoying expansive views of the plains. Sun downers are also another great way to spend your time especially after full day game drives in the park, you get to end the day watching the sunset while sipping on your favorite drink. The lodge staff always arrange the bush meals and intimate picnics for you.
