A quiet tented lodge beside western Tarangire, near Sangaiwe Gate — classic canvas tents under thatch, views towards Lake Burunge, a pool and a tree-top viewing platform.
Tarangire Simba Lodge lies just outside the western edge of Tarangire National Park, in a wildlife management area about ten minutes from the Sangaiwe entrance gate. This side of Tarangire sees far fewer vehicles than the busy northern circuits around the main gate, and the lodge looks out over the bush towards Lake Burunge. Wildlife moves freely through the area, and animals are often seen and heard around the lodge itself.
The lodge is built in classic safari style. Sixteen canvas tents are permanently set under thatch on raised platforms with wooden floors, each with a large en-suite dressing area, a toilet, an indoor shower and an outdoor shower, and a private veranda facing the bush. Furniture is handmade from African hardwood. Tents come in twin and queen layouts, with triples possible, and a separate family tent has two queen beds.
The reception, lounge and dining tent are also canvas on raised platforms, linked by wooden walkways, with an outdoor dining deck beside the restaurant. A large swimming pool with an elevated wooden deck offers relief from the heat of the dry season, and a tree-top viewing platform built into an acacia tree is a favourite place for wildlife watching by day and stargazing at night.
Electricity and hot water are solar powered, and Wi-Fi is available in the common area only — which helps keep the focus on the bush. Afternoon tea is served from 3:30 pm before the evening drive, and a fully stocked bar with South African wines and a campfire round off the day.
For travellers who want quieter game drives, good comfort and fair value, Tarangire Simba is an excellent base for exploring the park’s less-visited western and southern areas.
Sixteen canvas tents permanently set under thatch on raised wooden platforms. Each has a large dressing area, an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, handcrafted hardwood furniture and a private veranda looking out over the bush towards Lake Burunge.
A larger tent with two queen beds, so parents and children can stay together under one roof. There is only one family tent, so we recommend booking early for school holiday dates.
A large pool with an elevated wooden deck — very welcome in the hot dry season between the morning and afternoon drives.
A viewing platform built into an acacia tree, used for watching wildlife by day and stargazing after dark.
Evenings around the fire, sharing sightings from the day under a sky with little light pollution.
A canvas dining tent with an outdoor deck alongside, for meals with a view of the bush.
A fully stocked bar with a wine list featuring South African wines, in a separate canvas lounge.
Electricity and hot water come from the sun — a lighter footprint in a wildlife area.
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served in the canvas dining tent or out on the dining deck, using fresh local produce. Afternoon tea is served from 3:30 pm, timed so you can enjoy a cup before heading out on the evening game drive.
Guests are greeted with a welcome drink and a cool towel on arrival — very welcome after a dusty drive through the park. In the evening, the bar serves a selection of South African wines, and dinner is often followed by time around the campfire. Special diet menus can be arranged; tell us your requirements when you book and we will pass them to the lodge in advance.
The lodge is in a wildlife management area on the western boundary of Tarangire National Park, about ten minutes from the Sangaiwe gate. From Tarangire’s main northern gate the drive across the park is over three hours, so we plan your route around the western entrance whenever possible.
You travel by road in your private safari vehicle with your guide, usually coming from Arusha or Lake Manyara. Wildlife management area fees apply in addition to park fees; these are included in all our quotes, so there is nothing extra to pay on arrival.
Tarangire is at its best in the dry season, from June to October, when the Tarangire River becomes the main source of water and huge herds of elephants, zebra and wildebeest gather along it. This is when the park rivals the Serengeti for density of wildlife.
The green season from November to May is quieter and beautiful: the landscape turns green, migrant birds arrive and the baobabs come into leaf. Some animals disperse beyond the park at this time, but the western side remains rewarding, and the pool is especially welcome on hot afternoons in October and November.
The western side of Tarangire sees few vehicles, so sightings often feel private.
Animals move freely through the wildlife management area and are often seen and heard around the lodge.
Relax between drives with a swim, or climb into the acacia for a view of the bush.
Two queen beds in one tent make it a good-value choice for families.
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara · Zanzibar
Two weeks through Tarangire, three nights in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, then four nights on Zanzibar’s beaches.
Details are provided by the property and can change. We confirm everything in writing before you book.
Have another question about this property? Our team in Moshi can help.
No. It is in a wildlife management area just outside the western boundary of the park, about ten minutes from Sangaiwe Gate. Wildlife moves freely between the two areas.
Classic canvas tents set under thatch on raised wooden platforms, with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, hardwood furniture and private verandas facing the bush.
Yes, a large swimming pool with an elevated wooden deck, plus a tree-top viewing platform in an acacia tree.
Yes, there is one family tent with two queen beds, and triple occupancy is possible in the standard tents.
Wi-Fi is available in the common area only, and power is solar, so high-wattage appliances cannot be used.
By road in your private safari vehicle with your guide. We usually approach via the western Sangaiwe gate, as the drive from the main northern gate takes over three hours.
Tell us your dates and we will check availability and build a personalised Tanzania itinerary around your stay.
