Walking safaris from Tarangire Treetops give you the chance to explore the area on foot.

Tarangire Treetops | Tarangire National Park One Of Tanzania’s Best Safari Lodges

Indulge in a luxurious treehouse vacation at Tarangire Treetops, one of Tanzania’s best safari lodges, with views overlooking the baobab-studded Tarangire National Park. Whether you want to get active with swimming, birdwatching or walking safaris, or simply relax with bush meals and sundowners, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences to enjoy.

The place

I swing my legs off the edge of our treehouse’s private balcony, feeling like a playful child. We are in one of 20 of these fun guest suites at Tarangire Treetops, a lovely safari lodge on a private concession just east of Tarangire National Park. The treehouses are set under canopies of marula and baobab trees, centred around the main lodge. The lodge itself encases a 1,000 year old baobab tree – home to a colony of bats that keep the camp mosquito free. Beneath me I can see the sparkling swimming pool; ahead, the rolling, baobab-studded hills of the park.

I swing my legs off the edge of our treehouse’s private balcony, feeling like a playful child. We are in one of 20 of these fun guest suites at Tarangire Treetops, a lovely safari lodge on a private concession just east of Tarangire National Park.

The treehouses are set under canopies of marula and baobab trees, centred around the main lodge. The lodge itself encases a 1,000 year old baobab tree – home to a colony of bats that keep the camp mosquito free. Beneath me I can see the sparkling swimming pool; ahead, the rolling, baobab-studded hills of the park.

The room

The sound of running water is almost obscured by the trills and chirps of birds, which could any of the more than 550 species that can be found here at Tarangire Treetops. My partner comes out of the en-suite bathroom, excitedly telling me to come see the ostrich-egg soap dispenser, the twin vanities and double shower heads! Our massive room – which is made of timber with polished wooden floors, a high-ceilinged thatched roof and rustic beams – dwarfs the king-sized bed and sitting room, which features oversized armchairs made from Zanzibari dhows. At 65 square metres, it’s apparently one of the largest lodge bedrooms to be found in East Africa … plus it opens up to an expansive private verandah that offers a great view over the waterhole and animal trail in front of the lodge, and panoramas of the African plains. Waking up to sunrise tomorrow is going to be incredible. I can’t resist using the two-way radio to call down to reception – just to make sure it works – and then decide on the spur of the moment to ask about tonight’s table d’hôte dinner menu. My partner proposes that we spend the intermittent time at the swimming pool. Going downstairs is another fun adventure; first we open the trapdoor that keeps out unwanted nocturnal visitors, and then we wind our way down a spiral staircase to the ground. After some happy hours basking in the sun, we join the other guests for drinks at the boma before we’re shown to our romantic, candlelit table. We can’t wait for the real adventure tomorrow – an early morning game drive and an afternoon walking safari.

The sound of running water is almost obscured by the trills and chirps of birds, which could any of the more than 550 species that can be found here at Tarangire Treetops. My partner comes out of the en-suite bathroom, excitedly telling me to come see the ostrich-egg soap dispenser, the twin vanities and double shower heads!

Our massive room – which is made of timber with polished wooden floors, a high-ceilinged thatched roof and rustic beams – dwarfs the king-sized bed and sitting room, which features oversized armchairs made from Zanzibari dhows. At 65 square metres, it’s apparently one of the largest lodge bedrooms to be found in East Africa … plus it opens up to an expansive private verandah that offers a great view over the waterhole and animal trail in front of the lodge, and panoramas of the African plains. Waking up to sunrise tomorrow is going to be incredible.

I can’t resist using the two-way radio to call down to reception – just to make sure it works – and then decide on the spur of the moment to ask about tonight’s table d’hôte dinner menu. My partner proposes that we spend the intermittent time at the swimming pool. Going downstairs is another fun adventure; first we open the trapdoor that keeps out unwanted nocturnal visitors, and then we wind our way down a spiral staircase to the ground.

After some happy hours basking in the sun, we join the other guests for drinks at the boma before we’re shown to our romantic, candlelit table. We can’t wait for the real adventure tomorrow – an early morning game drive and an afternoon walking safari.

What sets it apart

I loved the romance of staying in a treehouse, and the game drives with our excellent guide, Babu. But it was the walking safari that was the real highlight of our stay – we discovered the intricate and often unseen world of plants and animals, which gave us deeper insight into the unique ecosystem of Tarangire National Park. As night fell, we were guided to Sunset Hill, where we discovered a table dressed with the finest white linen and laden with cocktails and pre-dinner treats. As we watched the sun disappear in a blaze of colour over the endless African sky, I felt that the continent had become rooted in my very soul.

I loved the romance of staying in a treehouse, and the game drives with our excellent guide, Babu. But it was the walking safari that was the real highlight of our stay – we discovered the intricate and often unseen world of plants and animals, which gave us deeper insight into the unique ecosystem of Tarangire National Park.

As night fell, we were guided to Sunset Hill, where we discovered a table dressed with the finest white linen and laden with cocktails and pre-dinner treats. As we watched the sun disappear in a blaze of colour over the endless African sky, I felt that the continent had become rooted in my very soul.

At a glance

  • Luxury safari lodge with 20 magical treehouse tents and a refreshing swimming pool.
  • Private concession, private dining and private vehicles available (additional cost).
  • Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, bush meals, bush sundowners and cultural visits.
  • Children of all ages are welcome, and children’s activities and babysitting available. Two triple rooms, and other rooms can fit an extra bed.

  • Luxury safari lodge with 20 magical treehouse tents and a refreshing swimming pool.
  • Private concession, private dining and private vehicles available (additional cost).
  • Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, bush meals, bush sundowners and cultural visits.
  • Children of all ages are welcome, and children’s activities and babysitting available. Two triple rooms, and other rooms can fit an extra bed.

Prices

  • Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
  • It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
  • Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you.  Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
  • However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

  • Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
  • It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
  • Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you.  Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
  • However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

When to Go

This is a wonderful time to visit northern Tanzania, with the vegetation initially lush after the rains, but then dying back, making the wildlife that much easier to see. Temperatures are cooler (although the days are warm and sunny). With the wildebeest herds assembling to make the perilous crossing of the Grumeti River, this is the busiest time of the year here. Tarangire is a great option now, with locally migrating wildlife concentrating along the Tarangire River, or take in the tree-climbing lion and beautiful seasonal waterfalls at Lake Manyara.

The long dry spell between the rains sees the vegetation cycle being repeated: lovely green grass immediately after the rains subsequently starts to wither. As food and water become scarcer, game concentrates around waterholes, making wildlife viewing particularly easy in January. Wildebeest calving in January and February on the southern Serengeti short-grass plains means a glut of kills – it’s the best time for predator action. Away from the Serengeti, this is an ideal opportunity to see resident game in the Ngorongoro Crater and at Lake Manyara, and birders will enjoy spotting migratory species.

These are perhaps not the ideal times to visit northern Tanzania as they represent the two peaks of the wet season – the long rains in April and May; the short rains in November. This does mean however that you’ll be sharing the game reserves and national parks of northern Tanzania with far fewer people, and there’s still plenty to see. During the long rains, the Great Wildebeest Migration moves north in the Serengeti, through Seronera towards the Western Corridor, while in November the herds return from the Masai Mara.

Get an obligation-free safari proposal

We'll tailor-make the experience that suits you best!

Enquire Now

Looking for inspiration?

Sign up for our occasional newsletter and we’ll feed your imagination with exciting safari ideas.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get an expertly planned safari trip proposal

Enquire Now

Want to get in touch?

Contact Us

Creating your canvas!

By clicking on the heart, you’ve just added your first safari item to your canvas, which is where you can curate your personal collection of luxury safari inspiration. View and save your canvas by clicking here, and you'll be able to access it at any time by tapping on the heart icon in the menu bar.

Got it