Kikoti Safari Camp

Serengeti & the North

Rating: Mid-range

Kikoti Safari Camp overview

Maisha Kikoti Camp is on the eastern edge of Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania. 'Kikoti' is a Maasai word 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.

The rooms are simply but elegantly furnished and decorated in warm creams and caramels. From here you can sit and enjoy the views out over the park.

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 not allowed for most camps inside the park, such as Maasai-led nature walks and night drives. You are also welcome to visit local Maasai villages to learn more about their traditional culture.

In the evening you can enjoy sundowners 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 you will be treated to traditional Maasai singing and dancing. The camp also has a lounge bar with comfy sofas, the perfect place for you to relax and exchange tales of game drives and bush treks. There is a waterhole near the camp attracting a variety of passing game.

details

Open: Open all year except for April and most of May during the heavier rains.

Location: Kikoti is just outside of Tarangire National Park (1km). It is about a 3 hour drive from Arusha. Kuru is the closest airstrip.

Rooms: There are 18 raised luxury en-suite bandas (cottages) with thatched roofs. There are 8 with king-sized double beds and 10 with twin beds. All beds have mozzy netting. All rooms can be made into triples. The rooms have en-suite bathrooms and private verandahs with views of the hills and Silale wetlands in the valley.

Activities: You can have an excellent wildlife and wilderness experience here including game drives, night drives, and guided bush walks. Your guides can also teach to how to read animal tracks and give you some bush skills! Bush dinners and lunches are always fun, and sundowners are a must. Balloon rides are sometimes available (please ask), and then for something a bit off-the-wall how about elephant dung paper making!!

Facilities: There is a lounge bar, a library and a gift shop. A laundry service is available.

Dining: The restaurant serves fresh local produce including locally grown fruit and vegetables and freshly baked bread. Each morning a lavish breakfast buffet is served, and breakfast boxes are available for guests on early morning game drives.

Children: Children from 6 upwards are welcome at camp. All rooms can sleep up to 3 people.

Health: This is a malarial area.

Communication: There is free Wifi in the main lodge area. Mobile phone signals are intermittent at best.