Waking up to the soft sound of the waves, singing birds and the rustling of the palm trees. Looking out the window to see monkeys and the most beautiful butterflies passing by. Getting away from it all, forgetting about such things as the time or the date, simply relaxing, surrounded by nature – this is what the Tembo Kijani EcoLodge offer their guests.
The lodge consists of just four Bush Bandas, built on stilts in the heart the African bush and a further three Beach Bungalows, just a few steps from the Indian Ocean . Each bungalow or banda is separated from the others by jungle, with thick greenery ensuring privacy for the guests.
The secluded beach is the perfect setting for walks along an unspoiled strip of white coral sand. Without meeting anyone for miles and miles, watch the crabs, egrets and gulls enjoying the water of the Indian Ocean while the waves caress your feet. Let the wind take your thoughts thousands of miles away or just to the next dhow passing on the horizon.
A friendly atmosphere, great service, amazing food and an authentic experience of your surroundings, wrapped in the concept of a sustainable lodge will make your stay at Tembo Kijani a unique and memorable experience.
If you’ve relaxed enough on the beach and are ready for some action, how about a wildlife treasure hunt in Saadani National Park? This park is still very young, hardly visited and a great option for an off-the-beaten-track experience to see African wildlife. Going on the Wami River in the southern part of the park you can get so close to hippos and crocodiles that you will be able to count the little hair on their ears. Back on dry land you may see giraffes, antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, wildebeests, monkeys and buffaloes or you might spot an elephant in the bush, selecting a delicious meal from a variety of leaves. In the trees you might not only see the elephants’ trunks, but lions climbing up to better smell out their next prey. Saadani is an exciting park – the animals will be just a few yards away from you. If you are here in the right season, you might even catch a glimpse of the rare and shy Sable Antelope as well.
However, if you simply want to enjoy the ecosystem around the eco-lodge itself, they’d love to take you for a walking safari. You’ll see not only mangroves and baobab trees growing in a very salty environment, but also meet the Mangati with their cattle, the local African nomad tribe, who may not have seen running water before but have a cell phone – just in case!
Being right on the coast, they also offer snorkeling excursions, taking you to a sandbank that is only revealed at low tide. You’ll be the only ones in the middle of the Indian Ocean exploring sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, a myriad of fish and if you are lucky some sea turtles.
At Tembo Kijani you’ll find the perfect combination of beach and safari, where you can immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the creature comforts of this lovely, boutique eco-lodge.
Related Articles: Sustainability in Tanzania – Part One – The building of a dream Read how Sarah and Eyal, with their daughter Timna, realise their dream of building an eco lodge in the bush by Tanzania’s beautiful coast.
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beach and safari looks like a marvellous combination, and this really has a rustic feel to it, so much nicer than the big bucks overseas investment type places that lose the local charm
Quite agree Anna and I love the idea of combining beach and safari, the perfect combo for me.
Hi Anna,
Thanks… yes, we are trying to bring safari and beach together, but also western style, eco and an authentic experience. It’s definitely not one of these big places, neither the lodge nor the park and has a very personal experience to it…. You are more than welcome! Karibu!
This brings back fond memories of our two weeks in Tanzania. Would love to go back… sooner rather than later, I hope!
Love that picture of the bird and the giraffe! Some kind of symbiotic relationship going on there, I assume, with the bird removing bothersome insects???
I would imagine so Paul! I remember the first time I saw giraffes in Africa – two adults and a yougster – quite a thrill to be able to see them so close. I hope you make a return visit soon!
Hi Paul,
Yes, these oxpeckers are the ones keeping the giraffes, but also buffaloes clean of parasites…Bee-eaters and others are rather doing the job of cleaning them from insects such as flies, mosquitoes and bees
As soon as I opened this post and saw the elephants in the first image I knew that I was going to enjoy this. After reading this, I am convinced that I need to visit Tanzania and experience all of this for myself. Taking a safari in Africa and seeing how all these animals live in their natural habitats would be a dream come true.
Oh I do hope you make that trip before too long. I’m sure you’d love it!
Hi Chris,
Yes, it’s definitely one of the most rewarding things to do to see animals in their natural habitat… if you really want to enjoy them still being wild and hence suspicious of humans, don’t try a safari in one of the Northern Parks in Tanzania – and if so, make sure to go to the parts that are far off any lodges… Karibu Tanzania