Nimali Tarangire Africa
On my East African journey, I decided to visit four parks in Tanzania (Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro NP, and Serengeti NP). I have searched the web for the best accommodation there is and I found a company called Nimali, that runs two luxury camps, one in Tarangire NP and one in Central Serengeti.
The word Nimali means ‘wealth’ in Swahili language and it is reflecting the company’s view that nature is Africa’s finest asset. Nimali Tarangire has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor and has a bunch of wonderful reviews. So, the choice was easy!
Location
The camp is located outside Tarangire National Park, about an hour’s drive from the park’s Kuro airstrip. It’s about three-hour drive from Arusha and a four-hour drive from Kilimanjaro airport. That way it is a convenient start to every Tanzanian safari. The area is renowned for its excellent game viewing opportunities and the park itself provides excellent habitat for lion, leopard, buffalo, elephants, zebras, wildebeests and many antelope species unique to East Africa.
The lodge is set along the river in the shade of acacia and baobab trees, overlooking a waterhole that attracts all sorts of wild animals. It is a pretty spectacular view that you get every day!
Camp
The camp is set on the vegetated banks of a seasonal river and it is well hidden amongst the acacia and baobab trees to ensure total privacy. The use of natural materials and canvas assures Nimali Tarangire blends into this primal and untouched landscape. The camp is designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, because of that the whole camp operates on a solar system.
The central section of the camp consists of a spacious lounge, the main dining area, a small library and a bar that overlooks the swimming pool. The lounge has comfortable sofas and armchairs around coffee tables and a great selection of reading material. You will find wood, stones, leather, and canvas that blends with a contemporary decor and at the same time offers complete comfort for the guests. The open-fronted lounge overlooks towards the swimming pool and a waterhole, where different animals are gathering to drink the water. The view is spectacular! A short walk from the lounge you will find a cozy traditional firepit boma with comfortable chairs where you can gather with fellow travelers and share a drink or two by the fire.
Tented Suite
Nimali Tarangire features six luxury tented suites, three with king-sized beds and three made up as twins. An extra bed can be added to each suite to accommodate a young child.
The tents are large and beautifully designed with fixed bathroom walls, wooden doors, and river-facing terrace. Inside, the rooms have wood-effect tiled floors and charming modern furnishings. The amenities feature a king-size bed, bedside tables, a writing desk and chair, a reading corner with comfy armchairs and cowskin-covered seats out on the deck. Each suite has a private bathroom with double washbasins, flush toilet, and a walk-in rain shower. Solar-heated hot water is available at any time.
Dining
Usually when you are on a safari the day revolves around an early breakfast, before the morning drive, a lunch (in the camp or as a lunch box in the park) and dinner after the game drive.
At Nimali Tarangire you will have lots of choices for breakfast. They offer hot and cold options like eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes. A buffet is also available with cereal, yogurt, and bread options like croissants, sliced bread, and rolls.
For lunch you will be mostly on a full day game drive, so the best option is to take a lunch box with you and dine at the park. The lunch box typically contains a meat option like seasoned chicken or roast beef, pizza slice or vegetable dish as well as fruit and orange juice.
Dinner is usually a four-course a la carte menu with starter, soup, main dish, and a desert. The menu was different every night and the food was excellent.
Activities
When you are staying at Nimali Tarangire there are lots of activities offered in the camp itself as well in the park of Tarangire. Vehicle safaris are possible both within the reserve and in Tarangire National Park, providing opportunities to see a real wealth of wildlife! Like most of the guests, I chose a private driver-guide who was with me for the whole safari trip. There are lots of companies to choose from, but I can warmly recommend you Africa Tours Adventure. They were very helpful with all the safari procedures, and our guide George was friendly, knowledgeable and made the whole experience unforgettable. We saw elephants, buffalos, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, and gazelles.
If you don’t have your own guide, there are also different safari options available at the Nimali Tarangire. For example, there are bird watching tours available where you can spot rufous-tailed weaver and a yellow-collared lovebird. One of the amazing options is also a walking safari with a guide and a ranger, where you will be even more connected to nature. After the walking safari, you can choose to stay in a small and intimate lightweight camp in the exclusive area away from the main part.
If you wish to go on a hot air balloon safari to see the view over Tarangire from above, you can arrange all the details at the camp. You can also visit the local community, specifically a village and a school, to gain insights into their ways of life or you can take a trip to a neighboring Maasailand boma. For a special occasion, you can even have a romantic bush candlelight dinner under the stars or you can enjoy a champagne bush breakfast before your next safari experience. If you wish to visit other wildlife areas like Lake Manyara National Park and the spectacular Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you can arrange everything prior to your arrival at the camp!
Conclusion
Nimali Tarangire is a hidden gem and definitely worth a visit. Located only three hours from the city of Arusha, it is the perfect starting point for the northern safari circuit. The lodge is perfectly located outside of Tarangire National Park like an extension of the park and offers exclusive game viewing far from the crowds. The tents are luxurious and spacious, the food delicious and all the staff members are absolutely wonderful. Every effort is made to ensure that you feel at home and have an amazingly unique Tanzanian experience.
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OurWorldTravelSelfies would like to thank Nimali Tarangire Africa for welcoming this review. The opinion is as always, our own. Photos are courtesy of Our World Travel Selfies and Nimali.
