Tarangire Safari Lodge
 

Has anyone ever stayed at the Tarangire Safari Lodge? If so, can you please let me know what this lodge is like and whether it is a good lodge? I cannot seem to locate any reviews on this lodge. Thank you.

I stayed at the Tarangire Safari Lodge. (search for my trip report titled Ann's adventures in Africa. You should find a description as well as pictures).

I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled with this particular lodge.
The location is lovely, overlooking a ravine with lots of wildebeest, etc.
The food there was my least favorite of my trip.
The service was the least professional of all the lodges I was at.
The tents were comfortable.

You were completely right about the food at this lodge, however, I have to say that the view is unbeatable and when we arrived at this lodge, the gorge (which all of the tents overlook) was teeming with animals moving back and forth between the river and the floor of the gorge - there were hundreds if not thousands of elephants, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe milling about. It was an amazing view and just for the view alone I would recommend this lodge.

Location, location, location for the view of animals at the river. None match it.

Price is better than many other Tarangire options.

Tents are nice, fairly close together. You are not secluded and removed from other guests. Though you stay in tents, it's like little cottages maybe 10 meters apart. But oh, the view from "veranda" in front of your tent!

It is near the entrance to the park so there are more vehicles. But I was out early and had a good guide so it never felt crowded. Most sightings were alone or shared with only 1 or 2 vehicles.

The northern part of the park, where this lodge is, has more animals in general.

The food was fine, in fact very good. Many choices, some buffet, some served at your table. Do you go to Tanzania for lunch or to sit in your tent and look out over hundreds of wildes, herds of eles, giraffes coming to the river? If I had a Tarangire Lodge dinner to look forward to tonight, I'd be salivating right now.

Here is what I wrote in my Sept 2011 report . Tarangire Lodge = Tarangire Safari Lodge = Tarangire Tented Lodge = Tarangire Tented Safari Lodge

<i>
For 25 years Tarangire Safari Lodge has been operating inside the northern part of the park. The term “breathtaking panorama” is not an exaggeration to describe the view from the lodge of the river, the baobab backdrop, and the multitude of animals coming to drink. Most of the units are luxury tents along with a few bungalows. The tents are fairly close to each other and it is a big, bustling lodge, not secluded and remote. But, oh that view! Plus there is accommodating staff and a sizeable variety of good food—several menu choices served at your table at night and buffet for breakfast & lunch.

I had tent #15, which had a great view. Between #10-#22 were all nice, unobstructed views, and so were #4-#7. For anyone who wanted to limit walking distances, #4-#7 would fit the bill and provide a wonderful view. #4 is closest to the lodge. The vegetation played a role in my rating the tents’ views, and that can change season to season. On the opposite side of the lodge are units #23 and up. The bungalows are on that side too. I think the views are superior on the side I was on, Tents #1-#22, with #22 farthest away from the lodge. Regardless of the tent, the veranda always offered a “breathtaking panorama.”

From dusk on, it was necessary to be escorted to/from the main lodge because of the wildlife that migrated through camp, especially elephants. I was commending one of the night guards on his bravery for facing wild animals with only a torch and a radio and for his toughness enduring cold temps in the night. He was appreciative of the compliments, but he was most proud of his job making the morning coffee and tea for the guests, his final duty before retiring in the early morning.

Tarangire Safari Lodge manager, Annette, does a marvelous job of knowing the many guests by name and taking a moment to visit with them each day.</i>

She even allowed me a later checkout, no charge, to accommodate my schedule even though the place was fully booked!

We have enjoyed stays at TSL for three safaris and have no regrets. Had tent #22 all three times. This last trip, May 2012, had impala around the tent several times and elephants particularly the last morning there. As previously mentioned great views from the front porch. Plus, sounds of the bush at night are great! Tents may be a bit close particularly during peak season in regards to human noise. But, for us, was great (Nov and May visits). Quite a variety of birds immediately around the tent for special incamp time. No issues with food and staff were always accommodating.

See trip report I submitted around mid June for more details.

I was there in 2006 and liked it a lot.

Trip report here; http://safaritalk.net/topic/1741-tri...ania-zanzibar/

Pics have gone, but some can still be seen in the trip report (in Dutch) on my own website; http://safaris.marulacamp.com/resour...agen/RV003.php

Ciao,

J.

While the view is wonderful, we thought that the tents were much too close together. You could hear people cough and sneeze and they could hear you. Next time we would look into the stone bungalows for more privacy.

Great views, no doubt, but again... tents are simply too close to one another.

For Tarangire Safari Lodge, bring your eyeballs, camera, and earplugs and have a great time.

We watched 2 lions go after a baby buff on the walk in from our stone cottage one morning in Feb 11. They failed but it was great action watching the big buffs go after the lions down by the river. We love this lodge and Annette, the owner, is wonderful. We've stayed twice and prefer the stone bungalows as they have electricity and charging in the rooms. You can't beat the location and we've seen leopard, cheetah, lion and tons of ellies in this park that is considered not very good in the green months. They also have a great gift shop!

My operator booked us here last minute, and we were fine despite a goof. We were supposed to get one of the 3 person stone bungalows, instead we were 3 in a two person tent. The Lodge did set up a 3rd bed, but you can imagine how tight it was in there. The shower wasnt the greatest, but the location and food more than made up for that.

While I would love to stay there again, my wife would veto and set us up at one of the nicer(but more expensive) properties nearby.