Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp
CEDARBERG RATING
Comfortable
Overview
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 at Mbali Mbali Tarangire
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
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.
At A Glance
Restaurants
Rural location
Wifi on premises
In Pictures
Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp on the map
Rooms
Luxury (Honeymoon) Safari Tent
The Luxury Safari Tent is built around an ancient big Baobab Tree overlooking Tarangire River. It has a king size extra length bed with comfortable mattress. There is an indoor bathroom with toilet, shower & basin. The outside deck boasts an amazing outdoor shower and bath, which enhances the romantic setting of this tent.
Safari Tent
All safari tents are equipped with private verandahs and en-suite bathrooms with toilet, shower and basin. Each safari tent has been built on an elevated wooden platform allowing for the movement of wildlife through the lodge and hence decreasing the interference of the lodge presence on the ecosystem. Thatched roofs keep the tents cool even at midday.
The Safari Tents offer a combination of twin or double bed room configurations.
Family Tent
The family tents are built with a little more room for parents traveling with their children. It allows for a delightful experience to have everyone together sharing their experiences of their safari adventures.
Two of our family tents have been configured to accommodate a family of four with a king bed and two single beds. Each tent has it’s own private veranda area and indoor bathroom with toilet, shower and basin.
Two of our family tents have been configured to accommodate a family of five with a king bed and three single beds. Each tent has it’s own private veranda area and indoor bathroom with toilet, shower and basin.
1 Family Safari Tent for 3 guests with one double bed and one single bed.
2 Family Safari Tents for 4 guests with one double bed and two single beds.
2 Family Safari Tent for 5 guests with one double bed and three single beds.
All these rooms can accommodate a maximum of 2 Adults as our family rooms are reserved exclusively for bookings traveling with children younger than 18 years.
Tarangire River Lodge review by Kate
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, especially if you take one of the river-side tents. The honeymoon suite, with spa bath and outdoor shower, is extra money, if you feel like treating yourself.
Note that the family tents are set away from the cliffside for safety purposes but this does mean that much of the charm is lost if you are a family.
I was surprised and pleased by the quantity of game we saw on our short (and quite bumpy) ride from the park gates to the lodge. In all the drive took only 15 minutes, plus stops for photos.
So positives ars stunning setting, good quality tents, friendly and engaging manager and staff and short distance to the park.
Negatives were that the food was a little hit and miss, some great options, some disappointing. I also felt that the main area decor could do with a softs refurb to give it a more upmarket ambience.
