Ruaha National Park in Tanzania

Black and White Rhinos!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fig Tree Camp Maasai Mara

Kilima Safari Camp Amboseli

Saadani National Park

Located in the centre of the historic triangle of bagamoyo, pangani and Zanzibar, Saadani National Park covers 1100 Square km. I t is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania bordering the sea. The Climate is coastal, hot and humid. It offers a unique combination of both marine and mainland flora and fauna in a culturally fascinating setting. About 30 species of larger mammals are present as well as numerous reptiles and birds. Besides many species of fish, Green turtles, Humpback whales and dolphins also occur in the ocean nearby.

It encompasses a preserved ecosystem including the former Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch area, the Wami River as well as the Zaraninge Forest. Many villages exist around the boundaries of the park.

From East to West, the open ocean with coral reefs changes to brackish water ecosystems characterized by mangrove forests, salt pans and bare saline areas. Further inland, the Wami river is the most important fresh water source besides numerous temporary rivers and dams. The marine extension of the park includes the Mafui sandbanks, whose colourful coral reefs are important breeding sites for many fish species. At low tide the sea retreats up to 100 meters and forms a convenient passage for local people and wild animals. These beaches are the only place North of Dar es salaam where sea turtles are particularIy threatened by commercial fisheries and water pollution.

Evergreen mangrove trees grow in the transitional zone, just above the mean sea water level. These salt tolerant tidal forests provide a resting and feeding place for many bird species, bats, monkeys, hippos and reptiles. Numerous species of fish or prawns also lay their eggs in these protected habitats. The high demand for the resistant mangrove wood leads to overexploitation, making the protection of these forests even more important. In Saadani National Park, large mangrove forests grow along the Wami River. This is also the place where large groups of hippos  can be observed. At night they come ashore and wander inland, grazing up to 40 kg of grass per animal. Nile crocodiles also live here, some of them reaching 5 meters. The Wami River is also a good place for watching birds such as kingfishers, fish eagles and many species of wading birds.

In Saadani, elephants are relatively shy and usually hide during the day in woody parts of the park. Leopards also occur in dense bush and thickets. Seldom seen, these animals are mainly nocturnal and can live in close proximity to humans. Other showy animals living mostly in woody areas are the Greater kudu and smaller antelopes such as Suni and Duiker. The crowns of the trees are inhabited by Colobus monkeys which, unlike most other monkeys, subsist mainly on leaves, strictly nocturnal bush babies, as well as many fruit-eating bird species, insects and butterflies.

Typical inhabitants of the tall grass savannas are the buffalo, which weigh up to 850 kg. Several herds of hartebeest can be observed grazing in Saadani National Park. The common waterbucks occur all over the park area. Weighing up to 270 kg these grazers can be easily recognized by the white ring around their tails. The density of reedbucks is especially high in Saadani National Park, although this medium-sized antelope (45 kg ) might be difficult to spot in tall grass where they lay down for shelter. Warthogs are also present and even come into Saadani Village.

Saadani National Park is also known for its numerous giraffes, the national symbol of Tanzania and tallest animal in the world. Their tongues have special callus plates which make them particularly well adapted to browse on spiny acacia trees. Large herds of white-bearded wildebeests also graze in the short grass savannas. Other animals are zebra and eland.

The lion, the largest of the African carnivores, is also found in Saadani, although it is rarely seen. At night you may also hear the hyenas and encounter genets, porcupines and civets. Other species which can be observed within the perimeter of the park are bushbucks, bushpigs, yellow baboon or vervet monkey.

Accommodations found at Saadani National Park is mainly luxurious. A tent with a view and Saadani Safari Lodge.

Mara Intrepids Camp

Samburu National Park, Kenya

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park, also a world heritage site and recently proclaimed a 7^th world wide wonder, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants and giraffe and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and grant’s gazelle.

The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania’s greatest park. Golden-maned lion prides feast on the abundance of plain grazers. Solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera River, while a high density of cheetahs prowls the southeastern plains. Almost uniquely, all three African jackal species occur here, alongside the spotted hyena and a host of more elusive small predators, ranging from the insectivorous aardwolf to the beautiful serval cat.

But there is more to Serengeti than large mammals. Gaudy agama lizards and rock hyraxes scuffle around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite koppies. A full 100 varieties of dung beetle have been recorded, as have 500-plus bird species, ranging from the outsized ostrich and bizarre secretary bird of the open grassland, to the black eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills.

As enduring as the game-viewing is the liberating sense of the space that characterizes the Serengeti Plains, stretching across sunburnt savannah to a shimmering golden horizon at the end of the earth. Yet, after the rains, this golden expanse of grass is transformed into an endless green carpet flecked with wildflowers. And there are also wooded hills and towering termite mounds, rivers lined with fig trees and acacia woodland stained orange by dust.

What to do

Hot air balloon safaris, walking safari, picnicking, game drives, bush lunch/dinner can be arranged with hotels/tour operators, Maasai rock paintings and musical rocks.

Visit neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai George, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron’s flamingos.

When to go

To follow the wildebeest migration, December-July. To see predators, June-October.

Accommodation

Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Mbalageti Tented Camp

Life: Tanzania - Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti, a Tanzania Photo Trip

Lions Hunting Buffalo

Wildebeest crossing Mara river

Kirurumu Under Canvas

Kirurumu Under Canvas has been operating for over two decades. The genesis of the company came from the directors background in logisitcs, catering and camp provision to remote areas - in place such as Kenya, Sudan, Yemen among others. Here in Tanzania a permanent tented camp was erected on the edge of the rift valley wall, and Kirurumu is today a very well established property in the Northern circuit.

Kirurumu was one of the pioneering eco lodges in Tanzania and our commitment to communities and eco friendly approach opened up avenues of opportunity in other places and lead to relationships with Maasai communities all the way from West Kilimanjaro to East Serengeti where we now work hand in hand with the communities in an effort to conserve some of the remaining wilderness in Tanzania, ensuring that the communities themselves derive benefits from the resources they are custodians of. 

Your visit to our camps and lodge means benefits for the local community in a number of ways:

• Direct bednight fees to the local community: a per paying guest amount goes into the community coffers.
• Employment for guides, scouts, and other crew: we always try to employ from the local community to increase the benefits derived from the resources guests are here to see and thereby generate more awareness of the benefits wildlife and wilderness can bring to communities.
• Direct income from boma visits: we always try to keep visits to homesteads as unobtrusive as possible but these are rich opportunities for guests to learn about a different culture and the experience is reciprocal. Fees are also charged and these go directly to the boma being visited. 

Kirurumu Manyara Lodge is set high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, enjoying a marvellous, uplifting and panoramic view eastward over Lake Manyara, the Rift floor and Mt. Losimingori. Behind Kirurumu, the Ngorongoro Highlands rise in green and fertile splendour and form the gateway to Ngorongoro Crater and, finally, Olduvai Gorge.

Manyara Lodge has the following facilities :

• 27 tented rooms
• 2 honeymoon suites and 2 family cottages.
• Fully ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold running water
• Electricity
• Bar complete with sun-deck and panoramic views of the rift valley
• Dining room with waiter service

Activities
Manyara Lodge overlooks the Rift valley escarpment over Lake Manyara. The following activities are all possible:

• Maasai guided ethno - botanical walks.
• Mountain biking available on request
• Half-Day treks / hikes
• Fly camping in forests on special request

Kirurumu Ngorongoro camp is a luxury mobile camp set in one of the most strategic and beautiful areas in the Ngorongoro Highlands overlooking the Ngorongoro Conservancy, the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and Lake Eyasi. As a small and intimate camp the staff are on hand just to look after a very limited number of guests and so the level of attention and service is always excellent. The camp has easy access to cultural attractions or as a base for a walk, climbing the slopes of nearby Olmoti mountain to the waterfall that breaches its rim to become the Munge river that feeds a game swamp in the crater. Day trips and walking opportunities to many of our Maasai community neighbours, and hiking around Mt Makarot, one of the most scenically attractive areas of the conservation area.

Rooms / Facilities 

Our Ngorongoro camp tents are 7 double and twin customised safari tents. The largest tent available for safari camping. Each tent is fully and tastefully furnished with:

• Comfortable, (twin or double) beds with 6” mattresses, pillows, blankets & sheets.
• Luggage rack, table, safari chairs, mats & soft furnishings in individual style.
• Solar lighting in both the bedroom and ensuite loo and shower room
• Dining room with waiter service

In addition, the camp has:

• A locally furnished dining tent for breakfast, lunch and romantic, candle-lit dinners.
• A campfire area

Activities 
The Ngorongoro camp has easy access to cultural attractions or as a base for a walk, climbing the slopes of nearby Olmoti mountain to the waterfall that breaches its rim to become the Munge river that feeds a game swamp in the crater. Day trips to one of the most scenically attractive areas of the conservation area, Empakai, with its deep lake famous for its flamingos and shore birds and outstanding beauty.

Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge is set high in private land on the northern tip of the Tarangire National Park. The tented lodge has stunning views over a water hole and into the park and it ideally located only fifteen minutes off the main Tarangire road and again only fifteen minutes drive away from the main Tarangire National Park gate.

Tarangire Lodge has the following facilities :

• 10 tented cottages consisting of 2 Double Rooms, 2 Family Rooms and 6 Twin Rooms
• Fully ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold running water
• Electricity
• Verandah
• Bar complete with wonderful views of the watering hole and the park
• Dining room with waiter service
• Internet facilities available at reception

Activities
Tarangire Lodge is in a prime location outside the park. The following activities are all possible:

• Maasai guided ethno - botanical walks.
• Mountain biking available on request
• Day treks / hikes
• Game viewing in the Tarangire National Park

Kirurumu Serengeti Camp is a luxury mobile camp, moved seasonally to take best advantage of the vast Serengeti. The camp is used as a base, a spring board for an early morning game drive, a break for a sumptuous lunch, a respite from the heat of the day and the finale to a days adventure where stories can be swapped around a fire. As a small and intimate camp the staff are on hand just to look after a very limited number of guests and so the level of attention and service is always excellent.

Rooms / Facilities 

Our Serengeti camp tents are as follows:
7 double and twin customised safari tents. The largest tent available for safari camping. Each tent is fully and tastefully furnished with:

• Comfortable, (twin or double) beds with 6” mattresses, pillows, blankets & sheets.
• Luggage rack, table, safari chairs, mats & soft furnishings in individual style.
• Solar lighting in both the bedroom and ensuite loo and shower room
• Dining room with waiter service

In addition, the camp has:

• A locally furnished dining tent for breakfast, lunch and romantic, candle-lit dinners.
• A campfire area

Activities
The Serengeti camp is your springboard into the Serengeti, essential for the migration and seasonally well located to take advantage of activities such as hot air ballooning (note that access to hot air ballooning is seasonal as the balloon rides start in central Serengeti). The Serengeti is the place to game drive and has the largest concentration of wildlife in the world.

Our private luxury camping is a boutique product designed for guests that require and entirely private experience - in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire or indeed any location in Northern Tanzania. We simply provide the camp and crew and make sure that your guests are never left wanting for anything. Our private camps are NOT branded and we can even brand the camp according to requirements.

Rooms / Facilities 

The camp is set according to a location specificied by the ground handler. Camp size is like wise specified and we set up accordingly. Currently we have a maximum of 10 tents (20 beds) but can accommodate more by special arrangement.

Each tent is fully and tastefully furnished with:

• Comfortable, (twin or double) beds with 6” mattresses, pillows, blankets & sheets.
• Luggage rack, table, safari chairs, mats & soft furnishings in individual style.
• Solar lighting in both the bedroom and enuite loo and shower room
• Dining room with waiter service

In addition, the camp has:

• A locally furnished dining tent for breakfast, lunch and romantic, candle-lit dinners.
• A campfire area

Activities 
Entirely depends on the area, but we can supply Maasai walking guides on request (again, area dependant).

Ndutu Safari Lodge

Ndutu Safari Lodge is situated in the South – eastern part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Shaded by majestic acacia trees, each of the 34 cottages, which are built from local materials, has a private verandah facing Lake Ndutu. The lodge is surrounded by indigenous trees and shrubs which encourage a host of birds and mammals to come right to your front door. Tucked well away from the busy tourist circuit, Ndutu offers peace and tranquility far from the madding crowd.

Spend some time with us and unwind. Relax to the rhythm of an African day as a myriad bird calls herald the rising sun. Stay close to the lodge and enjoy our resident wildlife, or go for a drive and explore the range of habitats that lie within easy reach. After sunset return to the homely warmth and hospitality of Ndutu Safari Lodge.

Our friendly staff have been here for years wanting to welcome you and make you feel at home. Ndutu lodge still has the informal, intimate feeling of the original bush camp, built by legendary hunter George Dove in the 60’s. Now, comfortable cottages have replaced tents, but our main buildings place no barriers between you and nature.

Wildlife photographers and biologists have been coming to Ndutu for decades. It is true we have the only bar and the best food within at least a 50km radius, but besides our friendly atmosphere, appreciators of wildlife know that the Ndutu area attracts like minds as well as a huge variety of animals. So talk to your companions in the lounge and around the campfire – researches, rock stars, rangers, royalty. You might even meet someone from your home town who has come all this way to partake of the joy of being on a safari at Ndutu.

Each evening we welcome our guests to join us around the camp fire. For those not wanting to sit outside, the bar provides a warm, cosy atmosphere. The Genets, small spotted cat like animals, usually make an appearance, as they gaze down at you from the rafters. The Genets have been here for years and as they are nocturnal it is a great pleasure for guests to be able to see them at such a close proximity.

The Manor at Ngorongoro

The Manor at Ngorongoro, with its 10 luxurious cottages (20 Suites) and magnificent main Manor House, is one of the first safari lodges of its kind to blend East African hospitality with old-world Afro-European architecture and decor. Located adjacent to the famous Ngorongoro conservation area and within a 1500-acre Arabica coffee estate, The Manor is reminiscent of an elegant up-country farm home in the Cape Dutch-style of architecture.

Every detail of The Manor has been designed with its guests’ comfort in mind. Each of the cottages has been carefully positioned to maximise the views of the adjacent verdant hills but at the same time to maintain the intimacy and privacy of this old-world Manor home.

The Manor at Ngorongoro provides the perfect environment to relax and take in the outstanding natural beauty of its gardens and the coffee-bush laden hills. However the drama that is Africa is but a short distance away. Ngorongoro Crater is famed as being the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, and is a ‘must see’ on anyone’s itinerary. This extinct volcano - with its 18-kilometre wide crater floor - is home to an abundant and unique ecosystem that encompasses almost all of the wildlife that you would wish to see in Africa. This spectacular setting is a ‘once-in-a- lifetime’ opportunity to experience the rawness and beauty of Africa’s natural flora and fauna.

And what better way to enjoy the Crater than in the knowledge that at the end of the day you will return to enjoy an incomparable dinner in The Manor’s restaurant followed by a deeply restful night in a cottage that has been designed both with your comfort solely in mind.

At the Manor,Your full day safari experience would not be complete without enjoying a delicious campaign style luncheon, served under canopy at one of the picnic areas in the Crater. Surrounded by game and the crater rim beyond, this is the most dramatic and beautiful picnic lunch you ever likely to take.



The Manor is blessed with excellent stables and horses to match. 

A most enjoyable way to take in the environ of The Manor is to take to the saddle and be taken on a one hour long trek around the hills that embrace the Manor. Our instructor will guide you and even though it is not required that you have riding experience, we feel all riders will enjoy all that is on view.

Wildebeest Migration

Serengeti Bushtops Camp, Tanzania

Mara Bushtops Camp

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge

Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge offers an unparalleled safari experience. The entire lodge is raised on high stilts above watering holes and feeding pastures offering a spectacular view of the wildlife from above and all around. The Lodge is situated in the midst of the Taita Hills Sanctuary, a private wildlife conservancy of 28,000 acres at the foot of the Taita Hills bordering Tsavo West National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves. The Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge offers luxury accommodation and facilities and is the perfect place in an unforgettable setting to explore the natural environment around.

The Sanctuary provides a safe environment to over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds within 28,000 acres of rolling savanna and woodland habitats. Large numbers of wildlife come to drink at the waterholes, so Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge provides a rare opportunity to view animals at close proximity in their natural habitat. The lobby, restaurant and terraced bar all provide excellent views and photographic opportunities, while an underground tunnel and bunker with ground level windows provides unbelievably close yet safe access to a variety of wildlife as they drink. The waterholes are illuminated by powerful floodlights as it gets dark, to make sure that you witness all the activity throughout the night.

The Sanctuary is a success story in sustainable conservation where wildlife - including elephant, lion, buffalo and giraffe - thrive. Game drives are tightly controlled to ensure that animals are not harassed and some areas are completely closed to vehicles. This commitment to responsible ecotourism, which has been so well supported by visitors, ensures that the Sanctuary and all its wildlife will continue to prosper.

The Sanctuary offers many diverse opportunities for you to experience the unique flora, fauna and culture of this fascinating ecosystem. Take a nature walk with a qualified ranger guide, where the emphasis is on the natural environment you encounter as you walk leisurely through the bush.  Marvel at the wildlife normally unnoticed during a game drive but evident on foot, yet still important through their impact on the ecology of this diverse ecosystem. 
Visit a local and authentic village where you can learn about local cultures, spend a day at Mzima Springs in Tsavo West National Park, famous for its thriving populations of hippos and crocodiles, or visit Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary or Lake Jipe, both also in Tsavo West.