Biking Safari & Empakai to Lake Natron Trek

The Main house of the lodge was built in 1905, and it still retains many of the original features. Long colonial verandas stretch along the front of the house. There is a bar next to the reception as well as a fireplace in the living room. Furnished with stone benches and leather cushions, it is decorated with antiques commemorating Tanzania’s German colonial past. The 10 garden rooms are nested in the tranquil gardens with beautiful views of bougainvillaea and jacaranda from private verandahs. Rooms have Zanzibar beds and interiors are individually decorated with ethnic fabrics and handmade furniture like study tables and ottoman sofas. Each room has an en-suite toilet, a bath tub and a dressing room.

Tarangire Treetops sits serenely in a private game reserve bordering the Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania. The park is famous for its huge number of elephants, baobab trees and tree climbing lions. Visitors to the park can expect to see any number of resident zebra and wildebeest in addition to the less common animals. Other common animals include waterbuck, giraffe, and olive baboons. Home to more than 550 species, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts who can expect so see dozens of species even in the dry season. The swamps are the focus of the largest selection of breeding birds anywhere in the world. Yellow-collared lovebirds are a common bird sighting in the trees along the Tarangire River. As you arrive at the Lodge, you are immediately greeted by a blaze of color and a host of smiles all of which belong to the local Maasai tribesmen who have become part of the enchanting story that is Tarangire Treetops. Centered about a Main Lodge - which itself encases a thousand year-old baobab tree - Tarangire Treetops comprises of 20 treehouses all of which are perched high above the ground in the broad bows of marula and baobab trees. Each treehouse boasts one of the largest bedrooms to be found in any camp or lodge in East Africa – each with a floor space of 700 square feet – and all with an exotic double shower en-suite bathroom. With furnishings that create warmth and demonstrate a commitment to local craftsmanship, the ‘up-in-the-air’ experience is completed by the open-fronted room design affording views across the Tarangire plains from an expansive but private balcony. Dining at Treetops sustains the momentum of undeniably memorable moments. Whether enjoying a lantern-lit dinner in a traditional boma echoing to the sounds of Maasai chants, or eating poolside by candlelight whilst a wealth of wildlife comes to drink at the lodge water hole, Treetops creates memories by the minute and in so many differing ways. The Tarangire ecosystem supports one of the highest densities of large ungulates in East Africa - in addition to harboring important populations of oryx and lesser kudu, the park is home to the largest population of elephants in northern Tanzania, now numbering close to 2500 individuals. There is no better way to get up close and personal to the wild than to take a walking safari. Feels the ancient earth beneath every step you take as you tread on the tracks of animals that have walked the same path minutes before. In the company of an experienced guide, learn about the flora as well as the fauna, and begin to understand the true majesty of the indigenous peoples that live and thrive on the land. Enjoy night game drives to view nocturnal animals, a rare and exciting adventure only available in the Tarangire Treetops area.

The Plantation Lodge is set in wonderful coffee plantations between the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara which makes it the perfect place from which to explore this area of northern Tanzania and then retreat back to the lodge and relax in the gardens.

Plantation Lodge is located just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and surrounded by coffee plantations, giving its guests both the excitement of a safari and the comfort of a charming lodge. Each of the 25 rooms has their own individual style, all designed to give maximum relaxation after a dusty day out in the bush. Each room has its own veranda and bathroom and has been specifically designed using local African-safari antiques, arts and crafts. The rooms are in groups set amongst the pretty gardens and there are plenty of lounges and areas to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings when not out on safari.

Plantation Lodge also offers delicious meals with menu choices ranging from European specialties to exotic dishes prepared in the Swahili kitchen. Only the freshest ingredients are used which are taken from the lodge’s own vegetable garden. Together with the meal guests also have the choice of a selection of fine South African wines from the lodge's wine cellar. Daily safaris begin from the Plantation Lodge heading either west, crossing the legendary Maasai territory of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, towards the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater or east, through the rolling hills of the Ngorongoro Highlands, to Lake Manyara. Guests can also enjoy a tour of the coffee plantations, and visits to the colorful market town of Karatu to get a flavor of local life. There is a lovely swimming pool here, and the verdant gardens provide home to an array of pretty birdlife.

Designer chic meets eco-conscious at this Asilia safari camp north of the Ngorongoro Crater. The Highlands boasts eight unique glass and canvas tent pods tucked into the forest near the Olmoti crater and an array of Maasai walking trails to discover.

The Highlands offers a new experience in the Ngorongoro region, combining luxurious accommodation and access to some of the lesser known volcanic craters north of Ngorongoro on age-old Maasai walking trails. Tucked into the forest for maximum privacy, this low impact, high design camp has just eight chic dome-shaped tents with a mix of glass and canvas, beautiful wooden floors and wood-burning stoves to keep them toasty and warm even on the cool high altitude evenings. Creature comforts abound, with cosy sheepskin rugs, woollen blankets and even wifi in the rooms. Take walks with Maasai guides to a sundowner or picnic spot on the Olmoti crater, or descend into the beautiful Empakai crater to get up close to flocks of flamingos. Have lunch with a lion researcher, and visit local Maasai communities to learn about their rich culture. And of course no stay would be complete without a game-drive in the Ngorongoro crater itself with Asilia's expert safari guides. The main areas continue the dome-shaped architectural design, with a cosy lounge with chairs centered around a large wood burning stove, a cosy whiskey bar and an intimate dining room with wood-panelled walls.

Lerai Camp is set up every step of the way on the trip. Complete with guest tents, cots, duvets, pillows, wash basins outside, and shared toilet and showers for every 2 tents. The camp has a crew and cook to look after your every need with food and drinks.

A very comfortable point-to-point trekking & safari camp!

Lake Natron Camp is located on the very edge of Lake Natron, this 10 tent luxury tented camp is perfectly situated for amazing adventures! Located within walking distance are the hominid footprints and Lake Natron where over 1 million flamingoes come to breed. It is also ideally situated as an ending point for the Empakai to Lake Natron Trek as well as a number of other activities and expeditions combined with northern Tanzania safaris.

Lake Natron Camp holds ten spacious guest tents, cleverly disguised under camouflaged shade netting. Each tent is comprised of a porch area, main bedroom and en-suite bathroom with a shower and eco toilet. The main bedroom is furnished with a comfy king size bed*, luxurious Egyptian linen and furniture made from greenwood.

A private path leads from each tent to our natural swimming pool in the spring-fed stream.

As the sun rises behind Gelai the mess tent fills with exquisite colours of orange and pink. Soon after, the strength of the sun heats the land quickly but the material of our tent is designed to keep you cool even during the hottest of days.

Guests can enjoy 360°views of the striking landscape that surrounds Lake Natron Camp. Look north to the lake where hundreds of thousands of flamingos come to breed; or to the south where Ol Doinyo Lengai dominates the landscape in every way. To the west, watch the sunset with a gin and tonic over the Masonic Mountain above the famous escarpment of the Great Rift Valley or just relax on our Bedouin style furniture (also made from waste plastic) and watch the world go by in one of the most peaceful environments you can imagine.

The mess is equipped with a bar, fridge, wifi and charging point for your cameras and phones. Please note this is the only place to “plug in” throughout the camp. Outside, guests can sit around the campfire in the evening and gaze at the millions of stars overhead from both the northern and southern hemisphere.