Jongomero Bush Manor
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
- 8 guests
- 4 bedrooms
- 8 beds
- 4 bathrooms
There are places that hum, and there are places that fall still. Jongomero Bush Manor belongs to the latter. Tucked into a quiet bend of the seasonal Jongomero River, deep inside the vast and barely-trodden Ruaha National Park, this is a private bush residence designed for those who prefer their wilderness whispered rather than shouted.
The Manor was conceived in the spirit of the great elephant herds that pass through Ruaha: quiet, dignified, unhurried. Step inside and the world softens. Earth-toned velvets from leading French houses fall in long, generous folds; leopard-print fabrics, a clever deterrent for the boldest of the local monkeys, drape across the daybeds. Clay chandeliers, each bead hand-crafted by African women, cast a warm amber light, while a second extraordinary chandelier, made from recycled glass beads by disabled artisans at the Shanga workshop in Arusha, hangs above the dining table. Amber, safari green and antelope brown bubble glassware sits on a custom-made antique teak table; Indian and Syrian armchairs in colonial inlay invite long, lingering conversations.
The two principal bedrooms, each a generous 90 m², gaze out over the seasonal river. En suite bathrooms are clad in hand-crafted zellige tiles, with free-standing roll-top brass bathtubs, double washbasins and walk-in showers; organic satin cotton bed linen, Healing Earth toiletries and large dressing areas complete the picture. Two additional tented suites, identical in finish to those of the wider camp, sit just 15 metres away, bringing total capacity to eight in complete privacy.
The Manor's heart is a 156 m² living area incorporating a sitting room with TV, a dining room and an open kitchen, opening onto a wide elevated deck and a private infinity pool with shaded sunbeds. A dedicated private chef, butler and askari (the traditional Swahili security guard) attend to every detail, ensuring the Manor functions as a true private residence and not a hotel.
Beyond the deck, Ruaha awaits: Tanzania's largest national park, holding the country's greatest concentration of elephant alongside lion, leopard, the rare wild dog, kudu, sable, roan and over 570 bird species. Private game drives, seasonal walking safaris, night drives and bathing in the Bush Thermal Spa's natural volcanic pools are all included. Hot-air balloon flights, multi-night fly-camping expeditions and luxury walking safaris along the Ruaha River can all be arranged.
Built exclusively from natural, local materials and 100% solar-powered, Jongomero Bush Manor is an invitation to enjoy every moment, to contemplate, to dream, and to feel the animal and vegetable energy of the bush penetrate and soothe.
Amenities
Living Spaces
At the heart of the Manor lies a 156 m² central living area incorporating a sitting room with television, a formal dining room and an open kitchen, all flowing onto a wide elevated deck that overlooks the seasonal Jongomero River. The bespoke antique teak dining table comfortably seats eight, attended by Indian and Syrian colonial-inlay armchairs and lit by hand-crafted clay chandeliers from Morocco and a striking recycled-glass-bead chandelier by Arusha's Shanga workshop. Earth-toned velvets from the leading French houses of Nobilis, Élitis and Maison de Vacances dress the room, lending it an air of quiet, considered luxury.
Bedrooms & Laundry
The Manor offers two principal bedrooms, each a generous 90 m² and oriented to enjoy the views over the seasonal river, with two further tented suites located just fifteen metres away. Each room may be configured as a double or as twins, with the twin arrangement extending to a triple where a child accompanies their parents. Beds are dressed in organic satin cotton linen, and every room benefits from a large dressing area, an electronic safe, a ceiling fan, a mini-bar and walkie-talkie radios for communication across the property. A complimentary laundry service is offered throughout the stay.
Kitchen & Dining
Dining at Jongomero Bush Manor is composed by your private chef, with a butler attending to service throughout. The open kitchen sits within the Manor's central living area, opening onto the bespoke teak dining table, and meals can be taken in the formal dining room, alfresco on the deck, by the infinity pool or, should the mood take you, at the wider camp's restaurant a short walk away, where indoor and outdoor settings are available. Full-board dining is included throughout the stay, with premium-brand alcohol other than Champagne, and bush breakfasts, sundowner cocktails and bush lunches accompanying game drives as guests wish. Special dietary requirements are warmly accommodated when arranged in advance.
Bathrooms
Each of the four bedrooms enjoys its own en suite bathroom, beautifully appointed with a large walk-in shower clad in hand-crafted zellige tiles, a free-standing roll-top brass bathtub and a double washbasin. Hairdryers and organic Healing Earth toiletries, including shower gel and shampoo, are provided in every room.
Entertainment
A television in the Manor's sitting room offers quiet downtime when desired, and guests have full access to the wider camp's lounge and bar. The true centrepiece of leisure, however, lies twelve kilometres away at the Bush Thermal Spa, where massages, treatments and bathing in natural pools of volcanic hot-spring water reward those who venture out for the day.
Heating & Cooling
Each room benefits from a ceiling fan, with the Manor itself powered entirely by solar energy. Fleece blankets and lined rain ponchos are provided in the safari vehicles for cooler early mornings and the occasional rains.
Internet & Office
Wi-Fi is available throughout the Manor, and each room is equipped with international plug points, USB charging sockets and phone charger sockets so that guests may stay connected as much, or as little, as they wish.
Location Features
Jongomero Bush Manor sits within Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's largest national park, on the banks of the seasonal Jongomero River, which flows generally from December to June with its peak between March and May. The Jongomero Airstrip lies approximately two kilometres from the Manor, while the Bush Thermal Spa is twelve kilometres distant, around thirty-five minutes by safari vehicle. The setting is entirely off-grid, surrounded by undisturbed wilderness, and home to one of Africa's largest elephant concentrations, alongside lion, leopard, wild dog, kudu, sable, roan and over five hundred and seventy bird species.
Outdoor Spaces
The Manor's private infinity swimming pool, exclusive to its guests, is the property's natural gathering point, framed by a shaded dining area and sunbeds. A wide elevated deck stretches above the seasonal Jongomero River, offering uninterrupted views over the surrounding bush. Guests are also welcome to use the wider camp's grounds, which include a second swimming pool and fitness area.
Parking
Parking is not applicable at Jongomero Bush Manor. Access is by scheduled or chartered light aircraft to Jongomero Airstrip, just two kilometres away, with road transfers to and from the Manor included in the rate.
Gallery
Location
Essential Information
Home Policies
Reservations at Jongomero Bush Manor are confirmed upon receipt of written confirmation and payment of a twenty per cent non-refundable deposit, with the balance due no later than forty-five days prior to arrival. Bookings made within forty-five days of arrival require full payment at the point of confirmation, and group bookings of three or more rooms require full payment sixty days in advance.
Cancellations must be made in writing and are charged according to the following schedule: more than sixty days before arrival, twenty per cent; between thirty and fifty-nine days, fifty per cent; and within twenty-nine days of arrival, one hundred per cent. For group bookings, these thresholds extend to one hundred and twenty days, one hundred and nineteen to sixty days, and fifty-nine days or fewer respectively.
No refunds are given for unused services, lost travel time, amendments made after travel has commenced, no-shows or late arrivals, early departures, or any circumstances beyond the property's control which may affect the itinerary. Any change of travel dates or postponement is treated as a cancellation and subject to the charges above, though in exceptional cases (such as force majeure, medical emergency or airline disruption) a credit note for future travel may be offered at the property's discretion.
Extras at the property may be settled by cash, Visa, Mastercard or American Express. All bank charges and transfer fees on the principal booking are for the account of the client. The property reserves the right to amend or cancel arrangements in the event of force majeure, including acts of God, weather conditions, civil unrest, pandemics, government actions or any event beyond its reasonable control. Travel to remote wilderness involves inherent risks, and guests are reminded that personal travel and medical insurance is required throughout the stay.
The property's annual closure runs from 15 March to 31 May.
Location & Getting Around
Jongomero Bush Manor sits in the heart of Ruaha National Park, in southern Tanzania, arguably Africa's least-visited great wilderness, and certainly one of its most affecting. The closest access is the Jongomero Airstrip, just two kilometres from the Manor, with scheduled flights connecting daily from Dar es Salaam and from Nyerere (the gateway to The Selous Camp, in the former Selous Game Reserve), and frequent flights from the Serengeti, making it straightforward to combine the Manor with our other Tanzanian properties.
Once at the airstrip, road transfers to and from the Manor are included in the rate and take just minutes through the bush. The Bush Thermal Spa lies twelve kilometres away, around thirty-five minutes by safari vehicle, making the safari-and-spa combination effortlessly possible. Charter flights can be arranged on request from any major Tanzanian hub, and a VIP lounge is available at Dar es Salaam domestic airport. Your concierge team is on hand to coordinate every leg of the journey, including connecting charters between Simba House in Arusha, the Serengeti camps, The Crater Lodge at Ngorongoro, The Selous Camp at Nyerere and Fanjove Island in the Songo Songo Archipelago.
Luggage allowance is typically fifteen kilograms or twenty kilograms per guest, including carry-on, depending on the airline, with soft bags recommended. Laundry is complimentary throughout your stay.
House Rules
The minimum age at the Manor is five years, though younger children may be considered at the discretion of the team, on the condition that they remain within the Bush Manor premises under the supervision and responsibility of an adult. The minimum age for walking safari is sixteen years, and for the hot-air balloon safari, seven years (occasionally six, by prior arrangement).
Smoking and naked flames are restricted to designated areas in keeping with bush-fire safety. Guests must be in good general health and reasonably mobile in order to enjoy the property and its activities to the full, given the nature of bush travel and the use of safari vehicles and light aircraft.
All activities take place at the discretion of camp management, who reserve the right to make on-the-spot decisions based on weather conditions, wildlife behaviour and guest safety. Wildlife sightings on excursions cannot be guaranteed, as nature remains unpredictable.
Optional Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover may be arranged on request at USD 15 per person, and all guests are required to hold personal travel and medical insurance for the duration of their stay.
Experiences Nearby
A daily programme of experiences is included in the rate. Private game drives may be taken in the morning, afternoon or as a full day, with bush breakfasts, sundowner cocktails or a bush lunch as guests wish. Seasonal walking safari is available from mid-June to mid-November for guests aged sixteen and over. Night safari offers a glimpse of Ruaha's nocturnal life, from genets to leopard, and bathing in the natural pools of volcanic hot-spring water at the Bush Thermal Spa is offered with drinks, towels and sunbeds provided.
A further menu of optional experiences may be arranged at supplement. A hot-air balloon safari over the Ruaha, complete with champagne celebration and breakfast, takes around an hour aloft and is available from mid-June to end October for guests aged seven and over. The Fly Camping Safari offers a minimum three-night expedition under canvas and stars, with armed walking guide, ranger, hot bucket shower and a dedicated open-fire chef. The expedition walk along the Ruaha River runs one to three nights in a luxury mobile camp, with around five hours of walking each day, escorted by armed guide, ranger, Maasai and chef. The "Exploration of all Ruaha" is a three- to four-night driving expedition through the wildest reaches of the park, with a private luxury mobile camp set up each evening. A full-day expedition to the central Ruaha's "Little Serengeti", complimentary in low season, leads guests onto iconic open plains with sweeping views and abundant wildlife, while a separate full-day expedition for sables and roans (June to November) ventures into pale-soiled miombo woodland in search of these rarest and most elegant of antelope. The "Ruaha River Ritual" offers a ninety-minute spa treatment for two beside the natural hot springs, and a full menu of Bush Thermal Spa treatments is available using Healing Earth's award-winning organic African products.
For longer journeys through Tanzania, your Grand Key concierge can pair Jongomero Bush Manor with Simba House in Arusha, The Crater Lodge at Ngorongoro, The Wanderer's Camp (which follows the great migration through the Serengeti), The Art Lodge at Grumeti, Karen's Camp on the Out of Africa concession in the Serengeti, The Selous Camp at Nyerere or Fanjove Island in the Songo Songo Archipelago. A special offer (Pay 7, Stay 10 / Pay 5, Stay 7 / Pay 3, Stay 4) applies in low season when Jongomero Bush Manor is combined with The Selous Camp in southern Tanzania.
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