We loved this camp! We started our safari here and this was our first experience. The camp is beautiful, the staff friendly, the food delicious, the tents comfortable, outdoor showers fabulous and hot and cold running water in the tents; what more can you ask for?
This was almost our last stop on our safari in Tanzania organized by Amani Africa which had started with a successful climb up Mt Kilimanjaro for 5 of us, while the 6th waited in comparative luxury for our safe return. Amani had arranged for a wide variety of camps for us to experience safaring in Tanzania. This particular camp really gives you a sense of being in a remote location where any animal might appear...and does. On the way into the camp we observed a pride of lions trying to take down a lone zebra. The zebra ran in just the right direction to live for a while.
The managers of this camp are outstanding. They make everyone feel comfortable with a fire before dinner with drinks and conversation provided. You get to share your experiences and hear what others are doing on their trips. Also the food was outstanding....how do they do that so far from civilization?? I looked forward to the outdoor shower....something I have at my cottage...but was very pleased with the entire experience.
We have just returned from a Safari holiday in Tanzania , we stayed at 3 brilliant Asilla camps and had an Asilla driver, Martin who was wonderful. [we also stayed at Plantation Lodge and Pole Pole on Mafia island, written about separately]
I cannot praise Asillia enough, they have obviously got their training programme right as all the staff were exceptional. At Oliver's camp a special mention to Michelle, the relief manager , Blessed, another manager /wild life guide,and Lucca a favourite waiter. But also a big thank you to the guys who brought us tea,cleaned our rooms and the Askari who kept us safe and guided us back to our rooms, all the waiting staff and a BIG shout out for Mansud ,the amazing chef. His food was exceptional and all from a Bush kitchen. Julia [the Tanzania manager who we met at Dunia] you can be very very proud of the staff.
Our driver was with us for 12 days and it was obvious why he is so proud to work for Asillia, but he himself had a quiet gentle polite manner with a mine of information to impart and we learnt so much . He was always respectful of the wildlife and not invading their space or that of other tourists. His Land cruiser was washed every day and cleaned and he found us all the animals and gently persuaded us to wait and we would see the Cheetah move or the Rhino appear he was amazing and able to fill in all the details I required. A real star .
The camp was great and I loved the communal Bush TV even though I was a bit spooked when the lioness came into the camp. I am going to write a story about the Elephant who came for breakfast for my Grandson. It will no doubt feature some of the personalities I met. The tents were amazing, please carry on providing this type of experience.
I have to agree with the reviewer, Foreveryeung in all that is said - this is a wonderful camp. The attention to detail in such a remote region is to be applauded. This was our first tented camp on our safari in Tanzania and will remain as our most memorable. Thank you to Angel and Jacob for their personal attention and information. We thoroughly enjoyed the intimacy of a small camp. The outdoor shower is a must particularly as the sun is rising! Listening to the animals at night and observing their tracks in the morning ensured we felt very much part of this wonderful area in Tanzania. I have no hesitation in recommending this to everyone. Search no further!
My husband and I stayed here two nights in our northern circuit safari. Many of the places we stayed during our trip were memorable. Oliver's certainly was. We both felt Oliver's Camp was exactly what a bush camp should be.
First of all, the location: Oliver's is deep in the south of Tarangire. It's remote and that's a big positive. I was afraid the drive from Arusha would be painfully long. Instead, the drive offered an incredible introduction to Tanzania. We drove through plains where Maasi were herding sheep and cattle, watched children in uniform trekking home from school, and passed market-day villages. Then once we entered the park, we were amazed. The wildlife -- at least to us safari newbies -- was incredible. On our drive to Oliver's we saw giraffes, zebras, hippos in the swamp, and two lions lounging in the grass.
Secondly, the design of the camp is perfect. It is an upscale camp with flush toilets, hot showers and comfortable beds, but it feels completely immersed in nature. Moreover, the views from the tents are wonderful.
Third, the walking safari with Lewis was a definite highlight of the trip. Don't miss the opportunity to walk in the bush. It was completely different from sitting in the jeep and Lewis at Oliver's is an exceptional guide. He will set the bar for all other guides you have (at least that was the case for us).
Lastly, the food was very good. We began our trip with an overnight at Onsea House in Arusha, home to a Michelin-starred chef. The food at Onsea was fine, but the food at Oliver's, in the middle of nowhere was better. And all dining was communal, which was surprisingly delightful. There was even a communal happy hour around a camp fire.
And lastly (again), the staff -- Michelle (the temporary manager), Lewis, and all the waiters -- were accommodating, engaging, and warm.
Staying at Oliver's is expensive, but is worth every penny.
This is a permanent, civilized camp in the middle of Tanangire National Park. The tent/cabins are relatively comfortable and the food is excellent. The staff keeps your accommodations clean and organized several time each day. You are guided to and from your accommodations after dark (although some of the guides are not trained to shine the flashlight (torch) in front of you). There is an intercom in each facility to get help should you need it. The sounds of the lions at night are delightful if not a little scary. We traveled with children and they had a wonderful time. We took the walking safari and recommend it highly, even if the tsetse flies were a little bothersome. The night drive was somewhat disappointing, but that is the luck of the draw.
