Laba Jongomero camp located in the middle of the african bush and trees - Laba Jongomero in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Tanzania

Laba Jongomero

Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania

Tanzania Holiday Ideas

Refined riverside luxury, private game drives and a quieter side of Ruaha.

Laba Jongomero sits on a peaceful stretch of the Great Ruaha River in one of Tanzania’s most rewarding safari regions. With just ten suites, it strikes the right balance between space and service, allowing for a more personal and unhurried experience. Private game drives give you the flexibility to shape each day around what matters most, whether that is tracking predators, following elephant herds along the river, or slowing the pace to take in the detail of the landscape. Bush walks offer a closer connection to the environment, while night drives reveal a different side of Ruaha, from elusive nocturnal species to the changing atmosphere after dark. Evenings are a highlight, with sundowners set beneath baobab trees as the light fades across the river. Back at the lodge, the setting encourages you to pause between activities, with wide river views and a calm, considered feel throughout. Laba Jongomero works well for couples looking for space and privacy, while still being a strong option for families wanting a more exclusive safari experience.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Tanzania holiday today.

A team of real travel experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays that focus on boutique hotels and luxury hideaways

We had a wonderful time away, beautiful setting and such great staff. Especially Pongwe – again staff, food, location fantastic!
Emily Baker, Tanzania & Zanzibar
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look inside of the tented lodge at Laba Jongomero featuring large bed with white sheets, yellow overthrow, large white round wall decorations
inside of a tented lodge looking from the bed towards the terraces overlooking the dry river
Ruaha National Park
sundowner drinks set up under a baobab tree with table with white cloth
on the game drive looking out from the jeep over the guides shoulder, blue skies over dry high grass
seating area set up outside with chairs and tables overlooking the Ruaha River at Laba Jongomero
Laba Jongomero lounge area set with wooden table featuring safari books, open space area with armchairs
Laba Jongomero lounge area set with wooden table featuring safari books, open space area with armchairs
elephants walking through the bush in Ruaha National Park
a small pool rimmed with wooden two tiered steps, loungers and canvas sun umbrellas

"Our stay at Laba Jongomero felt like stepping into a quieter side of safari. Watching elephants move along the river from our suite became part of daily life, and the sense of space and privacy throughout the camp made it easy to completely switch off. It is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave."

Ruaha National Park
10 luxury tented suites and 1 private villa
Eco-focus
Wifi
On-site dining
Bush - Thermal Spa
River-view swimming pool
lifestyle interior photography

Why we love it here

  • Set on a quieter stretch of the Great Ruaha River, this is Ruaha at its most private and unspoilt.
  • Wildlife is right on your doorstep, with elephants, plains game and predators moving through the area regularly.
  • Private game drives give you full control of each day, no set timings, no compromises on sightings.
  • The guiding is excellent, knowledgeable, focused and tailored to you rather than a fixed routine.
  • Service is exceptional, warm, attentive and genuinely personal throughout your stay.
  • The luxury suites are spacious and well designed, bringing a level of comfort and luxury without losing the feel of a true safari.
  • It delivers an authentic safari experience with the space, flexibility and exclusivity that Ruaha does best.
wildebeest

Talk to us about your perfect trip to Tanzania

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Tanzania Holiday today.

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look inside of the tented lodge at Laba Jongomero featuring large bed with white sheets, yellow overthrow, large white round wall decorations

Rooms

Each suite is set on a raised wooden deck along the Jongomero River, with wide views across the bush where elephant, kudu and baboon are often seen passing through. The design feels spacious and considered, with a makuti thatched roof and a style that stays true to its surroundings while offering a high level of comfort. The private deck, complete with a daybed, becomes a natural extension of the room, an easy place to pause between activities or take in the rhythm of the river before heading out on safari.

table set up for lunch with yellow plates, green glasses, cuttlery and plates of local meals and salads at Laba Jongomero

Food

Food at Laba Jongomero is fresh, varied and thoughtfully prepared using locally sourced ingredients, with a focus on simple, well-executed dishes. Lunch is relaxed and flexible, served either in the shade of old trees, by the riverbed or out in the bush, depending on the day. Expect light, flavourful options alongside more traditional dishes, including a standout Tanzanian curry prepared by the lodge’s chef.

Evenings shift the pace, with the choice of dining in the main area or outside by the river, where the setting often becomes part of the experience. Meals feel generous and unforced, with a homemade quality that complements the overall feel of the lodge.

on the game drive looking out from the jeep over the guides shoulder, blue skies over dry high grass

Activities

Activities at Laba Jongomero are built around privacy and flexibility, offering a safari that feels far removed from busier areas. With private game drives as standard, you are not sharing sightings or working to a set schedule, allowing you to spend time where it matters and experience wildlife without distraction.

Walking safaris and night drives are included, adding a different dimension to your time in Ruaha. On foot, the focus shifts to detail and tracking, while after dark, the bush reveals a quieter, more elusive side that is rarely seen during the day.

For a broader perspective, flying safaris can be arranged at an additional cost, giving a sense of the scale and remoteness of the landscape. A hot air balloon safari (paid locally) is also available for those looking to experience Ruaha from above at first light.

A visit to the bush thermal spa pairs well with a morning game drive. Set in a quiet spot overlooking the river, the warm spring water offers a chance to slow down while elephants and other wildlife often gather nearby, adding a more unexpected and memorable moment to your stay.

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Well, we are back to reality after a fabulous trip to Tanzania – very much a holiday of a lifetime and one we will never forget.

Glenn Hanson, Tanzania

We were keen to see as many species of bird as possible and the guides were expecting this and each had amazing knowledge of where to find them. Not just that, but they made sure we also got to see many of the rest of the wildlife of the region - everything from amazing numbers of Impala, Giraffe, Elephant, Zebra, lions, Cheetah and Leopard, and even Wild Dog that we had hoped to see but doubted we would be so lucky!

Peter Haine, Tanzania

We had an amazing time. Everything was brilliant (even the baboon leaving a gift on the bed in the Serengeti!). I think Nick’s highlight was the lion cubs. I loved all the safari, but seeing the turtles hatch in Pangani was truly awesome. All the accommodation was exactly what we had hoped for. I hadn’t realised we would have a tent on our first night as well.

Jacqui Davids, Tanzania

Thank you for arranging a fantastic holiday. We both really enjoyed ourselves and felt totally refreshed upon our return. The game viewing was spectacular, we were so lucky to see the pantheon of game on offer including hyena, wild dog and leopard, as well as a different pride of lion on each day we went out.

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We had a wonderful time away, beautiful setting and such great staff. Especially Pongwe – again staff, food, location fantastic!

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