Safari Series: My Adventure in Tanzania with Lemala Camps & Lodges
The last big trip that I took pre-COVID was an international adventure to Tanzania. It’s not everyday that your boss asks if you want to go to Africa just a few weeks prior to departure. Now looking back, I am especially grateful that I said yes to the invitation.
It was also my first group educational FAM trip. In the travel industry, a FAM (familiarization) is a trip where travel professionals get to experience hotels, touring, and airlines at a reduced cost. By going on site inspections and learning about the destinations firsthand, I provide excellent personal recommendations upon my return. Essentially it makes me better at my job, and I’m lucky as I get to go to some pretty incredible places. Usually I go on solo adventures where I check out multiple accommodation and touring companies, but on this trip, I went on an organized small group trip through Lemala Camps & Lodges. Seven strangers from the travel industry quickly became close friends and I will remember the memories forever.
Location // When to Go
I flew on Qatar Airways from Philadelphia to Doha and then to Kilimanjaro, one of the main international airports in Tanzania. It was longgg journey of over 24 hours, but it was so worth it. If you can splurge for Business Class, this is the kind of trip where you should go for it!
Peak season in Tanzania is during the dry season, from June-October. November-March is the green season and is much quieter due to the potential for rain. Avoid the months of April and May due to heavy downpours and camp closures.
My Tanzania Northern Circuit Itinerary
I stayed at Lemala properties in Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Serengeti National Park. This loop is known as the Northern Circuit. Lemala has a variety of accommodation styles, from permanent luxury lodges to mobile tented camps. Though different, they all share the magic of Tanzania and are located in ideal locations.
Since I was on a FAM trip, we purposefully visited all of the Lemala properties in the region. If you are not traveling for business, I recommend choosing 3-4 properties, so you can really relax and enjoy safari life.
Here was my schedule:
1 night Lemala Hamerkop House
2 nights Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge
1 night Lemala Ngorongoro Crater Camp
2 nights Lemala Ndutu Camp
1 night Lemala Nanyukie Lodge
1 night Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge
Day One:
I was greeted with a warm welcome after arriving in Tanzania in the late afternoon. The FAM group got to know each other over cocktails and canapés by the pool before a delicious multi-course dinner. Lemala operates a few villas located on a private wildlife and golf estate, Kiligolf, halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha. The recently built Hamerkop House is the most luxe option. It’s a perfect home away from home to start your journey in Tanzania.
Day Two:
In the morning we visited Shanga, a creative social enterprise empowering people with disabilities. Here individuals give recycled materials a new life, creating beautiful jewelry, handicrafts and home goods. It’s a must for those passing through Arusha and is located at Arusha Coffee Lodge.
Before entering Tarangire National Park 90 miles West of Arusha, we stopped by a Maasai village to learn about their culture and proud traditions. We danced, sang, and got a glimpse of their fascinating lifestyle. Lemala has excellent relationships with local Maasai villages scattered throughout Tanzania and works with them to provide meaningful employment.
We stayed at Lemala Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire National Park for the next 2 nights.
Day Three:
We spent the full day game viewing in Tarangire National Park. It’s one of the best places in Africa to see elephants from June through October, but during green season, most herds migrate out of the park. Still, the serene landscape with giant, majestic baobab trees was worth traversing. It is a great place to start or end your safari loop, as you can soak up the solitude of a relatively empty national park.
Set on an escarpment, Lemala Mpingo Ridge has mind blowing views of the valley and Tarangire river below. Impressively, it is 100% solar powered. One of my favorite design features is the raised walkway, linking the 15 individual villas. The private balconies are gorgeous, with a sunken daybed and bathtub perfectly positioned to enjoy the scenery.
Day Four:
After a decadent breakfast at the lodge, we packed up and left for Ngorongoro. On the way we visited Mto Wa Mbu and strolled through the vibrant local market. We met Makonda carvers, tinga tinga painters, rice farmers, and entrepreneurs who create 100% biodegradable lunch boxes made from banana leaves. We ventured around the village via tuk tuk and ate a local lunch cooked by the friendliest mama. The most impactful visit was the Majemgo Primary School, where we saw some of Lemala’s CSR projects at work:
plastic water bottles have been turned into modern desks
clean water is available for all students
trees were planted for both shade and to grow fruit to eat
new bathrooms have been built
little necessities like pencils, stationery, and snacks are provided on testing days, increasing attendance last year from 60% to 100%
That evening we stayed at the magical Lemala Ngorongoro, a permanent camp with 9 individual tents set under a canopy of acacia trees. Each tent is equipped with two double beds and an expansive bathroom with a flush toilet and a bucket shower. We got cozy by the campfire and sipped hot chocolate before a fun dinner filled with laughs and dancing. It was chilly as the camp is set 5,000 feet above sea level, so I appreciated the bush baby (hot water bottle) that was tucked in my bed to keep me warm. It worked so well that I now do this at home.
Day Five:
We woke up early and made it to the Ngorongoro Crater floor within a 10 minute drive. I was impressed by the permanent concentration of wildlife like buffalo, hyenas, lions, zebras, baboons, and endangered black rhinos. We saw varied habitats like seasonal wetlands, open grasslands, and lush jungles all within our game drive. As we traveled during the green season & it was muddy, our vehicle got stuck... right next to a lion. Exhilarating to say the least! Shortly after, Lemala organized a private lunch in the middle of the bush. Africa is wild and unforgettable.
We continued about 70 miles Northwest to Lemala Ndutu, our home for the next 2 nights. This 12 room migrating camp is located in the Southern area of the Serengeti during half of the year. This unique tented camp follows the iconic Great Migration and it did not disappoint; we saw thousands of gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras. In April, the staff members (only 20 of them) pack up the whole camp and transport it North, where they’ll unpack and transform it into Lemala Mara.
Day Six:
The Serengeti, meaning endless plains in the Maasai language, was exactly like the storybooks. It felt like we were traversing the edge of the word. We cruised the open savannah spotting African animals, or sometimes just trees & termite mounds that happened to be shaped like them. Fields of wildflowers added a colorful touch to the already dreamy environment.
Lemala’s service amazed me. Post game drive, I handed over my dirty boots to be cleaned and they handed me a gin & tonic to enjoy! Also, I was so impressed by the beautiful meals they created with limited capacities.
Day Seven:
After going on a site inspection and having lunch at another Lemala property in the Central Serengeti, Ewanjan, we made our way East to Nanyukie. The flat plains started to change and rock formations called kopjes dotted the landscape. We continued to spot incredible wildlife during the open air 4x4 drives.
Lemala Nanyukie is a permanent lodge with 15 chic suites, each with their own plunge pool and secretive outdoor shower. We had some time to relax and enjoy our stunning rooms, so that is exactly what I did. Then I was spoiled with a sumptuous massage and a candlelit dinner.
Day Eight:
We drove 45 minutes to the Seronera airstrip in the Central Serengeti and took a bush plane North to Kogatende. After landing, we noticed a cute table of drinks and snacks set up near the runway… of course we should have known, it was for us! We soaked up this luxurious treat and then made our way to Lemala Kuria Hills, located just 30 minute from the Mara River. The Northern Serengeti had even more kopjes, along with leopards hanging on rock fig trees and cheetahs hiding in the tall grass.
Lemala Kuria Hills was the first Lemala property and it still continues to shine seven years later. It felt similar to Nanyukie, with 15 contemporary-African suites each with private plunge pools. As the sun set, we had sundowners on top of a kopje. It was one of the most special travel moments of my life and was a remarkable way to cap off my trip.
My journey through Tanzania was a culturally enriching experience and a true adventure. As there are no fences in the national parks and conservancies, I was able to witness the magnitude of African wildlife just as nature intended. Lemala offers an authentic African safari with personalized service and touches of luxury along the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
