Tanzania Safaris: Kikoti Tented Camp

Kikoti Tented Camp (Tanzania 5)

Situated in a private sanctuary of 10,000 acres, just outside the borders of Tarangire National Park and right in the middle of the migration path that the wild animals take between June to November, Kikoti Camp is in a little paradise. The delightful camp, named after a nearby, mile long stretch of Kopjes, is built amongst the most dramatic of landscape of ancient boulders, which command views of epic proportions, and baobab, mopane and fig tree forest. To the north the Great Rift Valley Escarpment and Ngorongoro Highlands rise above Lake Manyara, to the east are the Simanjiro Plains, calving grounds to the wildebeest herds, to the northeast lie Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru and to the west the magnificent Tarangire National Park. Kikoti is at the heart of the Tarangire eco-system and is rich in wildlife and culture too, as the land on which it stands belongs to the Masai pastrolists who stand to benefit greatly from Kikoti's community-based partnership.

The roots of the camp stretch as far back as Ndutu Safari Lodge in the Serengeti. The owner, Mt Chimanbhai Patel, was the pioneer of Tanzanian game lodges, having built and owned the Ndutu and Tarangire Safari Lodges in the 1960s. Mr. Parekh's pioneering spirits have been passed onto his son Pratik whose passion for the wild and hunting experiences have earned him a formidable reputation as a professional guide. Together with his charming wife Sonia, they run a superb operation that is driven by passion and professionalism.

The secluded Camp offers camping in great style reminiscent of the bygone safari era. Fully fitted tents are pretty, comfortable and spacious and discretely spread out amongst the stunning landscape where elephant, buffalo and other animals congregate regularly in the drier seasons. Large trees provide ample shade from the fierce heat of the day. Kikoti's food is some of the best in Tanzania. Freshly prepared by expert cooks using local ingredients and methods, the food is unpretentious, delicious and plentiful and served to client's individual timings, either in the dining tent or outdoors in the wilderness.

At Kikoti you will experience no crowds, no long drives - just pure drama in the wild and ethnic culture. The emphasis is on exploration on foot, vehicle or bicycle (will be introduced soon). You may seek out rock paintings, walk along the elephant paths to water holes, climb rocky outcrops for magnificent sunsets and sunrise, drive during the nighttime in search of nocturnal animals, visit the animal hides overlooking the waterholes and interact with the Masai friends. Kikoti really is special.