Twiga Lodge is a totally charming lodge just outside Arusha National Park. Driving in through the gates of Twiga is like coming into a little oasis of calm. The lodge is set in huge manicured lawns with fruit trees which attract the naughty vervet monkeys and some truly lovely birds. The main lodge is quite small with only four bedrooms and has the most lovely intimate atmosphere and lots of places to sit and relax overlooking the spectacular view of Mount Meru. There is a game viewing platform which overlooks Arusha National Park and has views of Kilimanjaro where you can sit in comfort as you spot game, and watch the birds and stunning butterflies. Giraffe (Twiga in Swahili) often come up to the gate and at night push through the hedge and onto the lawns of the lodge.
The lodge is situated not isolated so don't expect to be away from people, but it is very peaceful. You can have a fascinating walk up into the communual farming area which is on the bottom slopes of Mount Meru and you are also likely to see the colobus monkeys.
Paul and Erika Sweet are wonderfully enthusiastic and welcoming hosts. You could very easily stay here for a couple of nights and go into Arusha National Park to see the game and lake (with flamingo) and also experience a bit of community life. We highly recommend this little lodge.
Arusha Park is just a few kilometres north east of Arusha and has a rich variety of wildlife, despite the small size of the park. Having climbed through bustling villages and even a massive new Tanzanian university, you hardly have to get beyond the Parks bright new entrance gate before you're overlooking 'Little Serengeti' which is well worth a scan. With a high chance of seeing herds of buffalo, zebra, the odd giraffe and great bird life, it's an inspiring start to any safari. You soon move into montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In fact having been made into stars by a classic Hugo van Lawick film, they are almost falling over themselves to get in front of your camera. Read more?
Tanzania safaris rival a safari any other country in Africa in terms of sheer wilderness, formidable landscapes and volume of wildlife. At Natural High, we have travelled all over the country, worked in some of its best Tanzania safari camps and lodges and flown all over as bush pilots so we feel qualified to venture such opinions. Read more?
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Vanessa's 16 years in travel has seen her knowledge develop from sub-Saharan Africa into North Africa, Central and Southern America and the Galapagos. Consequently, she’s a veritable encyclopaedia of travel information and exceptionally cool, calm and collected in the face of the greatest planning demands.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.