Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge — Hotel in Manyara Region

This Lodge was beyond perfect! We started our honeymoon here, and wished we’d saved it until last. On arriving, we were greeted with refreshments and a table for lunch overlooking the park, I was given binoculars and was so excited to see elephants through them which was our first sighting of the elephants that Tarangire is known for. We were treated so well from start to finish and on hearing it was our honeymoon were treated to a candlelit meal by the pool. All food and drinks are 100% included, and the meals are menu service, rather than the big buffets you encounter at the larger Safari lodges. Our room was spectacular with an amazing balcony overlooking the park and exceptional views of the Sun rise. I was a little scared about walking back to our room in the evening, but you are always escorted by local tribesmen who know how to deal with animal encounters if they happen. I can’t recommend this place enough and would go back here in a heartbeat if I could. It is worth noting that the different parks in Tanzania have many lodges run by different hotel groups and it is common to stay in the same chain for each park so if you have the budget we would recommend using Lemala in all the parks. Tarangire is not always part of a Tanzania tours as people favour the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crator but if you like elephants then do not miss this National Park. Also the picnic lunches from here are...

The Lemala Mpingo was absolutely fantastic. The decor of the lodge was Contemporary African. Everything was spotless and looked new. The atmosphere was calm and serene. It turned out to be our favorite lodge while in Africa. It was set high on a hill overlooking a beautiful African landscape. It was an open camp, so we needed to be escorted around the grounds by a Maasai tribal man who carried a spear. It was very exciting just to be there. Our room was awesome (tent-like cabin), with a private viewing area. We were greeted by staff upon arrival, which made us feel like celebrities. The staff were attentive to our every need. The lodge felt more like home. We had the same waiter throughout our stay, so he got to know us and we him. I have food limitations and he was right on top of them. He was a joy. We stayed at the lodge for two days. I can't say enough about the high quality of the lodge in every respect.||We opted for a private guide for our Safaris, who really made our trip wonderful. He worked with the lodge to make our stay perfectly timed with our game drive activities.||It was our first glimpse of Africa and will forever stay in our hearts...

This place is straight out of a film. The views from your room are insane. The private tent has the most beautiful aesthetic. The outdoor shower is a dream. Everything is so clean. The staff here are super friendly. We especially loved the hand written notes and the handmade gifts they left for us. Small gestures, but it really makes you feel welcome in a space you aren't familiar with. The food is great. The only "downside", is that you are in Tarangire so that comes with lots of flying friends; we were not able to lounge at the pool due to this - but it's to be expected given the environment you're choosing to stay in. Bear that in mind while booking anywhere within the area. The upside of that is that you're literally in the national park so game drives begin the instant your vehicle moves (makes for very easy sunrise drives)! Added bonus was their included laundry service which helped a ton! Overall, wonderful views, food, hosts, team, room, bar, location and aesthetic. Loved it so much! Asante Sana, Greg, Mathias, and the entire team! And thank you for teaching me how to say, poa kichizi kama ndizi ndani...