Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp
Comfortable
Comfortable
Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp (formely just Tararangire River Camp) is set within 25,000 hectares of game management reserve, adjacent to Tarangire National Park. This small friendly camp has a fabulous location on a cliff overlooking the river. The property is a superb base for game viewing activities since it is only 3.5km from the main entrance to the national park (15 minutes game-viewing drive). As Tarangire is relatively under-developed, you have the benefit of getting away from the crowds and experiencing a more exclusive safari here.
Traditional grass thatching adorns the roof of the main lodge, which is set off the ground on an elevated deck, so as to make the most of the stunning vistas. The breezy lounge boasts ample seating in a relaxing open-air environment. The dining area, where culturally inspiring meals are served, consists of simple safari style seating and the elevated position allows for excellent views over the riverbank below.
Both the dining and lounge areas lead down to a proper campfire area and game viewing deck that boast the same stunning views. A smaller, secondary game viewing deck offers a high, intimate perch above it all. The lodge's small, informal gift shop offers the families of the nearby Maasai villages a chance to sell some of their handmade wares. There is also a generous sized swimming pool on the main deck, where breakfast is usually served.
Accommodation consists of 20 spacious tents built on wooden platforms with a thatched roof, all of which are en suite. Each tent has a generously proportioned private veranda offering stunning views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Thatched roofs and trees keep the tents cool even at midday. Most of the safari tents also offer views of the river, which morphs to a dramatic sand bed in the dry season. There are 5 family safari tents away from the river edge, which can cater for a families of 3 up to 5. The most secluded tent is the luxury honeymoon tent, built around a baobab tree overlooking the river. Instead is a king-sized bed. Outside the deck has a spa bath overlooking the river and an outdoor shower.
Activities at the camp include game viewing in the Tarangire, bird watching on the shores of Lake Manyara and cultural visits to the bomas of the Maasai and Datoga people. In between game drives, you can cool off from the days adventures in the swimming pool.
Tarangire is a great mid-range tented camp in the tarangire area (as you might imagine). It has a stunning cliff-top setting with vistas over the river to the park. I wasn’t truly crazy about this camp but the setting is a winner.