Local2542

We are traveling January 08, and getting our itinerary settled. We will be a group of 4 to 10.

Sandi has been VERY helpful, but I thought I would as the forum: Treetops Lodge or Swala? I know in January the game viewing may not be at it's best, but have had feedback that the unusual scenery at Tarangire is worth visiting. Several in our group at the end of several days of game viewing will enjoy just relaxing at our lodging, and getting ready for the next part of the trip.

This will be at the last stop at the end of a Serengeti/Crater visit. Our total visit in northern TZ will be about 10 nights, then on to an extension.

Thank you for any help.

lisa

How many nights would you be staying at either Treetops or Swala?

Local2542

Were thinking two - I just hate spending one night anywhere - feels too rushed.

jdavies

We stayed at the Tarangire Safari lodge. It is right there in the park. It had a gorgeous view, great dining and lounge area. The rooms were fine, not extremely fancy, but we loved having elephants behind our cabin, warthogs running around camp. There was also a pool.
J

lisa

I have not stayed at Treetops so can't compare (it looks great though), but Swala was FAB.
For more you can read the Swala part of our trip report here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarkt...ersonal14.html
and here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarkt...ersonal13.html
and you can see pics here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarkt...toAlbum18.html
and at the bottom here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarkt...otoAlbum3.html

jul_uk

I have to echo everything lisa says about Swala - it was fantastic. It was my favourite camp of our safari and would be the perfect place for you to relax at the end of your safari. Tarangire was very different to the Serengeti and the crater, especially in terms of landscape and vegetation. One reason in particular why I am glad we went was, in retrospect, we would not have had great elephant viewing without this park. Our very best elephant encounter was one in the serengeti but it was very much a piece of luck and without that it would only have been Tarangire, and particularly the southern swamp area that provided fab elephant viewing. We saw a lot more than just elephants there. As lisa says, the hosts are skilled and charming, the tents luxurious and the food superb. I could have stayed just at this camp and been happy, relaxing in front of the tent with animals to watch in camp and impala grazing a few feet away. The only thing I will say is that we stayed two nights and it was not enough. This was partly because we arrived late, just in time for dinner on the first night after a very enjoyable (but longer than for other camps) game drive through the park to Swala. If this will be the case for you - and then if you will have to leave early on the second morning, you may feel very very frustrated as I did on leaving. I knew I was leaving the perfect camp to unwind in, much too soon. If you can only go for two nights do try and arrange to arrive early and leave late if the idea is to relax. If you can't then perhaps a northern Tarangire camp is a good idea.
Personally I am not sure if I could stay at Swala again for less than three nights absolute minimum.
Julie

Roccco

I very much enjoyed my stay at Tarangire Treetops but my vote would still go to Swala. Swala is located within the national park while Treetops is a good 75 minute drive away.

That means 2.5 hours a day just transfering from the lodge to the park and in January there probably is not much resident game (or at least there was not for my February visit).

Don't give any thoughts to the fact that Swala does not offer night game drives because, really, there is not much to see at that time of year on the night game drives from Treetops. Okay, so you may see some hares, maybe some jackals, some other small mammals, but really not all that much or at least I did not on my night game drive.

Treetops did have excellent food (especially breakfast) and the lodge is quite luxurious. I would say only go for Treetops if luxury accomodations and food are your #1 goal...cannot go wrong there. However, if location and wildlife are more important then definitely go to Swala.

Julian ("Jasher&quot will be returning from Swala, amongst other places, next week and should have a (long and drawn out!) report.

Local2542

Thank you all for your information. It really helps!

Can't wait for Julian's trip report.

sandy222

Another vote for Swala. Don't worry about night game drives. We were there in early Oct for just 2 nights. There is a water hole for the animals near the front of the dining tent. As you eat your wonderfully prepared meal, you see elephants brush away other animals seeking water. (The elies think they own it and guard it all night long). We saw a lion try to get close to no avail. Many differnt animals roam the grounds during the night. You will love this place.

Lolazahra

Lisa -- love your trip report. So organized and nicely laid out. I am going to try to copy this after my trip in January. I am a little challenged in this area, but I am going to give it a go!

lisa

Thanks!