Taasa Lodge: Our full report
Taasa Lodge, previously known as Leopard's Ridge and Buffalo Luxury Camp, is set on a 60-acre hillside site ...
... inside the Loliondo Concession, five kilometres from Serengeti National Park’s Klein’s Gate. As well as being a base for game drives into the Serengeti, Leopard’s Ridge can offer night drives and walks because it’s not located within the park boundaries.We have yet to visit Taasa Lodge in its current form, but discovered Leopard’s Ridge, as it then was, in 2012 when we came across it by accident on one of our trips to Tanzania.
The 15 Suite Tents are quirky and spacious, these tents are raised on solid stone bases, and suspended under a corrugated iron roof. Bizarrely they have a proper closing door, despite being made from canvas.
Inside, colourful rugs cover the timber floors, and animal-skin cushions and brown leather sofas make the lounge area a comfortable place to relax. Up a few steps, on a low mezzanine level, is the bedroom area which is dominated by a large aluminum-frame bed. A luggage rack and some hanging space for clothes are provided. The en-suite tiled bathroom is located towards the back of the tent and has a large bathtubs separate shower, and his-and-her sinks. Hairdryers are provided – although can only be used when Leopard’s Ridge's generator is on.
The style of both the bedroom and the bathroom is a little eccentric and individual – which may not be to everyone’s taste, but does make a nice change from the usual bush-camp style.
The main communal areas are located inside a large glass-sided structure set at the top of the plot, with fantastic views down the hill and overlooking the Serengeti. At the top, the all-inclusive bar serves a good selection of South African wines, and is decorated with a few bar stools, some animal-print sofas and a few coffee tables. It’s a good place to relax before or after dinner. Uniquely, there are a few easels set up for painting should anyone feel particularly inspired by the views! A few steps lead down to the dining area laid out with individual tables. Weather permitting, tables are sometimes set up on the verandah outside.
Game viewing is at its best here in July/early August, when the wildebeest migration heads to the far north of the Serengeti and again in mid–late September/early October when the herds return to this area. The lodge is close enough to the northeast of the Serengeti National Park for visitors to use it as a base for exploring the park’s productive Lobo Kopjies area. However, Taasa's location outside the park boundaries, in the Loliondo Concession, gives visitor the opportunity to do activities such as walking and night drives. Thus the lodge gets the chance to compete with its obvious alternative, the more expensive Klein’s Camp. However, we’d observe that Klein’s unique private concession within Loliondo is substantial, very established and completely private, thus from a game-density point of view, the resident game is generally much better in Klein’s concession than elsewhere in Loliondo.
Thus activities here major on 4WD during the day into the national park, In addition, one guided walk and one night game drive – accompanied by an armed ranger and a Maasai tracker – are included per person per stay, and you can also visit a local Maasai village.
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- If you plan to stay at Taasa Lodge then we’d suggest a visit of two or three nights, in order to explore the Serengeti’s Lobo Kopjies area, and to try some of the extra activities available in Loliondo.
- Directions
- The camp is 3 miles from Kleins Gate.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- On request
- Drinks included
- Most drinks apart from champagne, premium wines and sprits are included.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- The camp welcomes children.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There is no minimum age.
- Equipment
- There is no special equipment.
- Generally recommended for children
- Dangerous game can, and does, walk through this unfenced camp; we don’t advise bringing young children – and any children would need constant parental supervision. On the plus side, the option to get out of the vehicles and visit local villages in Loliondo could make it a flexible option for families compared to somewhere inside the national park.
- Notes
- Children must be supervised by a parent at all times as the camp is not fenced.
Communications
- Communications
- There is WiFi in the office that guests can use, and a laptop which they can borrow if they don’t have their own equipment.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a first-aid kit at the lodge.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- They have askaris and security guards patrolling.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is possible for an extra cost; it is machine washed and line dried.
- Money
- Guests can store valuables in the main office.
- Accepted payment on location
- Guests can only pay for extras in cash. They usually accept British pounds, euros, Tanzanian shillings and US dollars.
Other lodges in Serengeti Migration Area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.