Recently built, and ideally positioned in the northern area of Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, Jabali Ridge is a first rate safari lodge.
Overview
Opened in September 2017, Jabali Ridge is a contemporary wood build, and consists of eight bandas, a central lounge and bar, a dining room, a small library, a spa and an impressive infinity pool. A new addition (2017) to the excellent Asilia collection, the lodge promises to adhere to the company’s fine reputation for providing eco- luxury accommodations in the most remote parts of Tanzania.
Baobab trees and granite boulders characterise the lodge’s exterior, and its open design blurs the line between the outside and in, creating a truly immersive environment for guests to savour.
Food & service
Both the food and service at Jabali is outstanding. For breakfast, guests have the choice between a cooked brunch and a ‘bush bonnet’ picnic, the latter proving especially handy for morning safaris. A light lunch, served buffet style, is followed by a three course gourmet-style dinner. As much food as possible – including bread and even ice cream and sorbet – is homemade, and the camp chefs are more than happy to accommodate special dietary requirements.
Rooms
The bandas – timber builds complimented by a fine palette of soft, earthly colours and hanging lights – boast king sized beds, en suite facilities – rain showers and flushing toilets – and outdoor lounges. The timber louvred shutters allow complete privacy and the circulation of fresh air, giving the rooms an back-to-nature feel. Built very much with the views of Ruaha in mind, each banda offers stunning scenes of the surrounding park, which guests can enjoy in the peace and comfort of their own rooms. Wi-Fi is also available in the bandas.
Activities
Activities at Jabali Ridge include walking safaris, bird watching, day and night wildlife drives – the area is renowned for its lion and cheetah populations – and informational trips to the Ruaha Carnivore Programme (RCP), part of Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU).
Impact
Conservation
The lodge supports the Ruaha Carnivore Project, part of Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). The region is home to approximately 10% of the African lion population, as well as globally important populations of wild dog, cheetah, leopard and spotted hyena. The project works with local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and with other partners to gather baseline data in order to help develop effective conservation strategies.