Oliver's Camp

Lodging

The main lodge has 10 tents, all with thatched roofs and wooden decks. Inside are writing desks, old trunks doubling up as side tables, African cloth-covered cushions and bedspreads, attractive lamps with beaded shades and chunky beds with planked headboards. These can be set together to make a kingsize bed; the tents are large enough for an additional single too. Expect bottled water, a whistle and a torch, an umbrella and mozzie repellent, as well as a safety box hidden away in one of the trunks. The tents all have some privacy, with a table and 2 cushioned loungers under your front canopy for relaxing during the day.

Large ensuite bathrooms with outdoor showers are tacked on at the rear of each tent. Handmade soap, shampoo and bodywash along with towelling bath robes felt like extra-special treats in this remote bush location. Note there is a two-bedroomed tent for families as well as a couple of triples.

Little Oliver's is a separate enclave of 5 luxury tents, a couple of km away. Each has an indoor and outdoor bathroom, and the camp is totally self-sufficient with its own dining area, kitchen, guides and vehicles, so it's perfect for a group to hire, although tents are also available on an individual basis.

Our stay at the main lodge was faultless. From the moment we were greeted with a chilled fruit juice and a hot face towel, we sensed that we were going to be cared for at every turn. And the food was among the best we had at any camp in Tanzania.

Evening meals begin in proper bush fashion with drinks around the boma, where you’ll be swapping stories of Big Game with your fellow guests. Then a 3-course dinner is served, normally at one large table hosted by camp managers; you can request a separate table, or have meals brought to your tent's viewing deck for suppers under the stars if you prefer. We started with an avocado salad with freshly made French bread, followed by an excellent steak with red wine jus, dauphinoise potatoes and crunchy veg. Dessert was a coffee-chocolate fondant. All drinks are included, as well as a house white or red; and there’s also a small selection of ‘cellar’ wines to choose from.

Breakfasts get going from around 6.30am so as to slot in with morning game drives. A big buffet spread is laid up to one side of the dining tent, whilst out front a cook prepares whatever cooked breakfast takes your fancy. Freshly baked muffins were an unexpected treat, as were the linen table cloths and napkins.

Lunches often take the form of a ‘boxed lunch’ to allow more time for your game drive or, if you prefer, you can eat a light buffet back at camp. A choice of 3 salads,quiche, curried lamb, homemade bread and fruit for dessert was plenty.

Activities

• There are 2 game drives a day included in your tarif - normally 1 in the morning and 1 in the late afternoon, with lunch at camp in between. Tarangire is known for its year-round elephant population and tree-climbing lions, and Oliver's is perfectly placed to view wildlife migrations and spot big herds at waterholes
  
• Keen birders will be in their element, with over 550 species of feathered life to spot including hoopoe, Fischer's lovebirds, mousebirds and cuckoos
  
• Opt for a walking safari and track animals on foot with a naturalist guide; utterly thrilling
  
• Chill out at camp in the tented lounge with its small library, old leather armchairs, low daow-wood tables and black and white photos of the Oliver family: it feels as if it has been lifted straight from the pages of a Hemingway novel

Activities include:

• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Plantlife / flora
• Safaris
• Traditional cultures
• Walking safaris
• Wildlife

With Kids

Children below 5 are not allowed unless the camp is booked exclusively. Kids aged 5-18 are charged 50% of adult rate when sharing with 2 adults. Extra beds can be provided.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Transport

The game drives and most camp-to-camp transfers are in comfy 4WD Toyota Landcruisers, with either 5 or 7 seats. All seats are by the window, with extra large windows for photography and driving comfort. They also have a pop-up roof for enhanced game-viewing in the parks, as well as a coolbox stocked with soft drinks, wildlife- and bird reference books, Maasai blankets, and a camera/phone charging point (with UK adapter).

The transfer back to Kilimanjaro Airport is normally in a light aircraft - typically a 12-seater Cessna caravan.