Chem Chem Lodge

Chem Chem holds a private concession of roughly 40 square kilometres on the wildlife corridor between Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara, land that was leased and restored specifically to keep the elephant route open. Guests therefore have exclusive access to a substantial piece of country that sits outside the parks and outside their rules.

The lodge itself is small - eight tented suites, each with its own veranda and plunge pool, furnished in a pale, linen-and-driftwood register rather than the usual dark safari palette. The main areas look out over the plains towards the lake, and there is a beach on the Manyara shoreline where lunch and sundowners are laid out.

Because the concession is private, walking safaris, fly-camping and night drives are all possible, while day trips run into Tarangire for its baobabs and very large elephant herds. Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lion and flamingo flocks are within reach in the other direction. Rates are full board with drinks, activities and transfers from Kuro airstrip included.