Mwagusi Safari Camp

This New Conservation-focused Safari Camp in Tanzania Offers Night Drives and Incredible Wildlife Adventures — See Inside

"A rustic-chic, four-tent expedition camp opened in summer 2022 that sits as the only accommodation for nearly 40 miles within the Usangu wetlands. Guests sleep in acacia-flanked tents with a 180-degree mesh wall that frames cathedral-like skies and the surrounding woodlands, and the intimate setup lends an immersive, slightly spine-tingling nighttime atmosphere driven by distant lion roars. The camp is purpose-built around conservation research: it hosts an on-site eco research station and operates through a partnership between a safari company, the national parks authority, and the country’s wildlife research institute. Visitors participate in hands-on citizen-science activities such as installing camera traps, uploading sightings to iNaturalist, and optionally funding animal-collaring and telemetry work; tourism revenue directly supports monitoring and future protections. Experiences blend traditional game drives with modern, lower-impact offerings — thermal-monocular night drives, boat and canoe excursions, and guided walking safaris — while local guides and staff share cultural knowledge, making the stay both a field-research contribution and an off-the-beaten-path wildlife immersion." - Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines