Maweninga Tented Camp: Our full report
In the west of Tarangire National Park, Maweninga Tented Camp, built in 1990, has an impressive position ...
... on a high kopje, overlooking the soda lake of Lake Burungi, with Lake Manyara in the far distance.The main area at Maweninga has a commanding view over Tarangire National Park and is used for most meals. It consists of a high thatched building with a polished wooden floor. Inside there are a number of trestle tables flanked by director's chairs and from the ceiling two Ngalawa boats hang. Next to these, there are also two traditional beehives, made from Sausage tree wood – which thankfully are no longer in use! On one side of the restaurant there is a bar which is made out ornately decorated wood with arguably a Zanzibari influence. As with mostly everything at Maweninga it is simple and understated, with a greater emphasis placed on the views than the décor.
The best vista is across the small central bridge to the dramatic campfire, sited on the edge of a large rounded boulder. Next to this there is also another small bar where guests gather in the evening to have a sundowner.
Maweninga's 16 canvas tents are all found to the right of the main area. They are raised on high wooden decks connected to the stone path by a staircase. Some are cantilevered from boulders to lend vertiginous, but spectacular, views from small verandas. The structures are built out of concrete and wood with a thatch roof. A safari-style tent is then hung inside the thatch. The tents are internally divided to create a bedroom and bathroom/dressing area, and facilities are very simple: log beds, a coat stand, small lamps, a small canvas shower and flush toilet. Aside from a few batiks, there is very little in the way of décor.
There are no resident guides at this camp, so you must visit with your own safari guide. The camp is in an excellent location to make the most of Tarangire's wildlife. Due to the dry season in Tanzania it is best visited from July to October.
Geographics
- Location
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights
- Directions
- It is a 3-hour drive from Arusha, 1.5 hours from Kuro airstrip, and a 2 hour straight drive from the Park’s main gate.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- On our last visit here we did not get a chance to try the food, however, we understand that the camp serves buffet breakfasts and plated lunches and dinners.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Not possible.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are excluded.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children 7 and under are not permitted to stay at Maweninga, mainly due to the exposure from most of the camp’s common areas and tented rooms.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- Baby cots are available.
- Generally recommended for children
- Due to the steep drops we would not recommend this camp to young children.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Maweninga Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Maweninga Tented Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is solar power in the rooms, but batteries have to be charged in the main area. The camp has a back up generator if needed, and three rooms have chargers for CPAP machines.
- Communications
- WiFi is available in the main area, however, there is a small charge for it.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV here
- Water supply
- Transported in
- Water supply notes
- Bottled water is provided for drinking.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a first aid kit in the main area and two of the staff are trained.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in every room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry services are not offered here.
- Money
- There is no safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- All payments are preferably made in cash (GBP, USD, TZS or EUR). The camp does have a PDQ machine, however, it does not always work.
Other lodges in Tarangire National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.