Ndarakwai Ranch

Nestled in the Kilimanjaro region, Ndarakwai Camp is more than just a private nature reserve—it is a symbol of resilience, recovery, and hope.

The land bears scars from World War I, which left deep trenches still visible across the hills, remnants of a time when this now-serene area was a battlefield. Following Tanganyika’s independence in 1961, the land suffered further devastation from overgrazing, illegal poaching, and deforestation. Wildlife populations, especially elephants, were driven to the brink, and the land was left barren under immense pressure from local communities.

But in 1995, conservationist Peter Jones stepped in and changed the course of this region’s fate. He purchased 11,000 acres of this degraded land and began the painstaking work of restoring it. Through years of dedicated conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and reforestation, Ndarakwai has become a thriving sanctuary for wildlife once again.

Today, the reserve is home to over 70 species of mammals—including elephants, zebras, eland, giraffes, wildebeest, buffalo, kudu, and the rare gerenuk—as well as more than 300 species of birds. Since 2010, even lions and cheetahs have returned, signaling the strength of the land’s rebirth.

A stay at Ndarakwai isn’t just a peaceful retreat—it’s a journey through history, a celebration of conservation, and a powerful reminder of nature’s ability to heal when given a second chance.