Nomad Tanzania
First Light Safaris is very excited to offer Nomad Tanzania as our preferred partner in Tanzania. Nomad’s portfolio covers a wide swath of Tanzania’s wildest and greatest parks and preserves. Whether it’s the northern circuit, the southern circuit, or the remote western region, you, the safari traveler, will not be disappointed. Your Tanzania safari is waiting. Our picks, though you can’t go wrong with any, are Chada Katavi and Kuro Tarangire.
Nomad gets it when it comes to what makes a safari experience special. It’s providing a special connection with the surrounding landscape and wildlife. It’s their support of local communities. It’s their investment in their employees and guides. It’s their conservation ethos. Nomad’s camps and lodges are the added bonus; charismatic luxury that’s understated and makes you feel one with nature. Not separated from it.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
As the Great Wildebeest Migration moves across the Serengeti, Nomad Tanzania’s Serengeti Safari Camp will take you to where the action is. The migration essentially moves clockwise through the Serengeti Ecosystem.
The camp consists of 6 Meru tents (think “Out of Africa”). Showers are the traditional safari bucket shower where camp staff fill a drum of hot water that flows into the shower head of your tent’s bathroom. The camp itself is simple; everything you need and nothing you don’t. But it has a ton of charm and comfort. The camp can pack up quickly to follow the massive herds, giving you the best seat in the Serengeti to witness nature’s greatest show on earth.
Your activities include morning and afternoon game drives.
Nightly rates start at $725 per person
Lamai Serengeti
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Lamai Serengeti is in the best location in the northern Serengeti. Whether it’s to take advantage of quick and unfettered access to the wildebeest migration when the massive herds are in the area from July to October or watch big cats and the plentiful resident game while the rest of the tourists are chasing the wildebeest migration to the south from December to March.
The camp itself consists of only 8 open-fronted chalets with private verandas overlooking a classic Africa savannah landscape of acacia trees dotted with ancient rock formations called kopjes (pronounced “copies”). The camp is built on and blends in with the Kogakuria kopje. You’ll feel like one of the lions you will see resting on top of a kopje scanning the horizon for prey.
For those traveling with families or small groups who just want the place to themselves, there is the Lamai private camp and Mkombe’s House.
Your activities include morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris, bush picnics, and hot air balloon flights (extra cost).
Nightly rates start at $760 per person
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania
Want to get away from the crowds while visiting the Ngorongoro Crater? Then you have to stay at Entamanu. Situated on a remote corner on the northwest rim of the crater, this camp is the ONLY crater property where you can watch the sun set over the Serengeti and rise over the crater. The camp also has it’s own access road into the crater floor.
Only 7 tents on raised platforms make up Entamanu, each facing out over the vastness of Ngorongoro Crater. The area can get pretty cool at night, but don’t worry, there are gas stoves in the tent for those who may need a little extra help staying warm at night or for those early mornings getting ready to head out on safari.
For those traveling with families or small groups who want more privacy and exclusiveness, there is the Entamanu private camp located not too far from the main camp.
There’s a bunch to do here. Your activities include shared or private (highly recommend) game drives into the game-rich crater floor, fabulous walking safaris, and incredible cultural experiences with the local Maasai.
Nightly rates start at $760 per person
Kuro Tarangire
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Kuro is situated in a remote area in the center of Tarangire National Park (a gem in of itself). Sensing a theme with Nomad’s camps? Getting away from the crowds is their priority. This area is a fantastic addition to Nomad’s Serengeti and/or Ngorongoro camps. This is the more typical “bush” experience with more diverse landscapes, trees, and vegetation that provide a home to a staggering array of wildlife and birdlife.
Kuro only consists of 6 classic tented and thatched chalets situated under the canopy of acacia trees. The camp is within easy reach of the main river and two very game-rich areas of Silale and Gursi swamps. If traveling to Tanzania during the drier months, this camp and Tarangire is a MUST.
Your activities include day and night game drives, incredible and real (not just a tiny stroll around camp) walking safaris, bush picnics, and bird watching.
Nightly rates start at $760 per person
Chada Katavi
Katavi National Park, Tanzania
Chada Katavi is for those who want a bit more adventure and a wilder safari experience. This is one of our favorite locations in all of Africa; the remote, wild, and rarely visited Katavi National Park. You will experience an Africa as it was 100 plus years ago with large herds of buffalo and elephant, massive pods of hippo, crocodiles over 4 meters long, large prides of BIG lions, rare Sable and Roan antelope, and so much more.
Just 6 classic and “old school” style tents under the shaded canopy of acacia and tamarind trees make up Chada Katavi. Traditional bucket showers where camp staff fill a drum with hot water that flows into your tent’s shower head just adds to the charm and honestly, we love these showers. Where some camps across Africa tout their fancy en-suite bathrooms, oftentimes the traditional bucket shower outdoes them in water pressure and safari charm.
Your activities include some of the best walking safaris in Africa, day and night game drives, birding, and fly camping out in the wilderness and under the stars. Fly camping at least one night is a must during your Chada Katavi stay.
Nightly rates start at $760 per person
Kigelia Ruaha
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Located on a private setting along the seasonal Ifiguru River, Kigelia Ruaha is another classic-styled gem of a camp. Only 6, large tented chalets with thatched roofs and nicely shaded verandas make up this camp. Private, outdoor bush showers of your chalet adds to the authenticity of your safari experience where camp staff fill a drum of hot water to provide you with a refreshing shower after a day exploring the bush.
Ruaha is part of the southern circuit of parks and big cat country. The landscape is stunning where you can also see large baobab trees dotting the open plains near camp.
Your activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, bush picnics, and optional hot air balloon safaris.
Nightly rates start at $690 per person
Sand Rivers Selous
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
Formerly the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park now provides a refuge for wildlife free from a hunter’s rifle. Sand River Selous camp has always been located in a hunting free zone where wildlife thrive. We are just excited for the long term benefit the wildlife populations over this huge park will see. Add this with Kigelia Ruaha, and you’ll have experienced the southern circuit of parks.
Sand River offers a bit more in the way of luxury, yet it doesn’t take away from a classic safari experience. It’s the experience that’s really the focus of any of Nomad Tanzania’s camps. 8, open fronted cottages make up this camp, 3 of which are secluded hillside suites, each with their own plunge pool. All of the cottages are situated above and look out over the mile-wide Rufiji River.
For those traveling with families or small groups wanting a bit more privacy, Kiba Point is a private camp located just a bit downriver from Sand River Selous. Only 4 cottages make up this camp.
Your activities include game drives, walking safaris, boating, fishing, a visit to a natural hot spring, and fly camping. Fly camping is a must for anyone wanting to get out and experience the heartbeat of the bush. There is nothing more exciting than to hear and feel the roar of a lion as you sleep out under the stars.
Nightly rates start at $760 per person
Greystoke Mahale
Mahale Mountains, Tanzania
Last, but definitely not least, is Greystoke Mahale. A jewel in a land that seems almost forgotten (a good thing), Greystoke sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, with the Mahale Mountains towering over behind the camp. An extended stay of 3-4 nights is a must here. Pair Greystoke with Chada Katavi and you have one of the most remote and wild experiences anywhere on the continent.
There are only 6 open-fronted bandas, facing out over the beach and lake, at Greystoke. You can just imagine the stunning beauty of a lush backdrop of mountains and gorgeous skies over a crystal clear lake. But the true magic of the place is the chance to see our closest wild relative, the chimpanzee. There are no guarantees, but your chances are very good of spending time with our primate cousins if you spend 3-4 nights here. Great care is taken to not have a negative effect on the habituated troop of chimps. Only one group of 6 per day will trek out to find the chimps and you will have an hour to watch them once found. Trekking can be quite rigorous so a certain level of fitness is required.
Your other activities here include kayaking on the lake, bush dinners on the beach, birding, spotting other wild animals, and sunset sails on traditional dhows.
Nightly rates start at $760 per person