Maisha Kikoti Camp is located on the eastern edge of Tarangire National Park. The word 'kikoti' is Maasai for 'the place where life began' which is how the Maasai regard the Tarangire eco-system. This camp recaptures the atmosphere of the traditional safari camp of yesteryear, built using traditional local materials to blend in with its environment. .
Accommodation is in 18 raised luxury bandas with thatched roofs whose design reflects that of the traditional safari tent. The rooms are simply but elegantly furnished and decorated in warm creams and caramels. Each has an ensuite bathroom and hot water is available. Guests can relax on their private verandah an enjoy views of the hills and Silale wetlands in the valley.
The restaurant serves fresh local produce including locally grown fruit and vegetables and freshly baked bread. Each morning a lavish breakfast buffet is served while breakfast boxes are available for guests on early morning game drives. In the evening sundowners can be enjoyed on Nasira Rock, a short drive from camp, while enjoying beautiful views of the bush and plains below. Back at camp, after a tasty dinner guests are treated to traditional Maasai singing and dancing. The camp also has a lounge bar with comfy sofas, the perfect place for guests to relax and exchange tales of game drives and bush treks. Additional facilities include a library and gift shop. There is a waterhole near the camp attracting a variety of passing game.
Kikoti's proximity to Tarangire National Park allows a wide choice game drives. As the camp is set just outside the park it can also provide a range of activities that are forbidden inside the park, such as Maasai-led nature walks and night drives. Guests are also welcome to visit local Maasai villages to learn more about their traditional culture. The camp works closely with the local community and a share of its profits goes towards the African Nature Conservation Trust, which among other projects has built a school and a clinic for the local village. The trust is also dedicated to conserving the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem.
