Maramboi Tented Camp: Our full report
Located on the Minjingo Concession, a Wildlife Management Area sandwiched between Tarangire National Park ...
... and Lake Manyara, Maramboi Tented Camp is a relatively large, permanent tented lodge that offers an elegant, yet economical choice for those on a driving itinerary.The main communal areas of Maramboi Tented Camp comprise a series of thatched structures connected by wooden decking, offering attractive views of the surrounding grassy floodplains of Lake Manyara. The landscape around the camp is flat and open, characterised by numerous tall palm trees. On a clear day you can see Ol Doinyo Lengai (a 350,000-year-old active volcano) in the far distance.
Past a small reception and office, you come to Maramboi’s lounge area. The camp’s communal areas have recently undergone a soft refurbishment and re-fresh when we visited in 2018, and we loved the laid-back, contemporary décor, and the choice of colour. In the lounge you’ll find a number of soft seats, overlooking the savannah, a perfect place to enjoy a drink before dinner. There is a complimentary tea and coffee station to the side of the lounge, which guests are encouraged to make use of during their stay.
To the right of the lounge is the dining room with individual tables and space for a buffet to be laid out. It is simple in design but perfectly adequate. Weather permitting, you can also choose to eat on the outside decking. Opposite the dining room is a small shop selling a range of locally made curios and Tanzanite.
The 46 tented rooms at Maramboi are canvas-chalet-style, raised up on wooden platforms, with tall thatched roofs. They are spacious and very similar in style to Maramboi’s sister camp Kubu Kubu in the Central Serengeti. The tents are fairly simply furnished, but comfortable, in keeping with the rest of the camp.
The large iron beds are draped in mosquito nets. Beside each bed is an electric storm lantern and a UK-style plug point for charging batteries. There are a couple of comfy chairs, a free-standing fan, a small writing desk and a water dispenser.
To the side of the tent you’ll find a fully plumbed in en-suite bathroom. The shower and toilet are behind separate doors for privacy.
Rooming configurations here are flexible, which makes this a good camp for larger families or groups of friends travelling together. There are several triple rooms, and five interconnected family tents. The standard tents can be arranged as doubles or twins.
There is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Maramboi, and the camp has a light, breezy feel. Despite our visit taking place on a very hot day, the communal areas and the tented rooms remained nice and cool.
Maramboi is one of the few camps in the area to have a swimming pool - which looked very inviting when we were there. The pool overlooks the surrounding plains, so you can watch wildlife while taking a dip. There is a pool bar serving light snacks and drinks and plenty of shaded seating. We thought this area was particularly well suited to families travelling with children, though you do need to note there is no lifeguard on duty so you will need to supervise little ones at all times.
From Maramboi you usually head out on activities with your own private vehicle and guide. Both Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park are easily reached. However, as the camp is on a concession outside the national parks, you can also arrange walking safaris from camp.
Our view
With 46 tents, this is a large property, and it lacks the intimacy and personal service you’d find at smaller camps. However, Maramboi Tented Camp offers a good balance of style and economy for guests on a driving itinerary who are happy to stay just outside the national park. And the camp is well suited to families and larger groups.
Country manager: Tanzania
Geographics
- Location
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 or 3 nights.
- Directions
- Maramboi Tented Camp is about a 20-minute drive from Tarangire National Park main gate. It is around a 2-hour drive from Arusha.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- We didn’t have time to eat at Maramboi Tented Camp on our last visit in 2018, however having visited and stayed at the Maramboi’s sister properties on multiple occasions, we know what to expect, and the manager showed us some sample menus.
The breakfast buffet is typically served from 6.00am until 9.00am and consists of plenty of fruit, fresh bread, cereals, deli meats and sausages and an egg and pancake station, where the omelettes are always popular.
Most guests take a boxed lunch out with them on a full-day game drive. These picnics are based on a self-service concept, so you choose from a spread of cold meat and sausages, sandwiches, wraps and quiches, plus sweet treats and fruit.
Dinner is usually a buffet, unless the lodge is particularly quiet. If this is the case they serve it Ă la carte with a couple of choices per course. You can expect a selection of soups, salads, stir fries, grilled meats or fish, fresh vegetables and a range of deserts.
The camp has a children’s menu and special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Complimentary tea and coffee are available from a self-service bar throughout the day and filtered drinking water is available round the clock. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Possible with prior arrangement.
- Drinks included
- Drinks included. Premium wines and spirits additional charge.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions at Maramboi Tented Camp.
- Special activities & services
- There are no special activities or services for children.
- Equipment
- Highchairs are available in the dining room.
- Generally recommended for children
- Maramboi Tented Camp is a relaxed and welcoming place that would be a great place for families, and children will especially enjoy the large pool area. However wild animals do pass through the camp so parents must always supervise their children.
- Notes
- The camp is unfenced, and parents should be aware that large animals frequently wander through the area.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Maramboi Tented Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Maramboi Tented Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The camp has 24 hour electricity and there is a back-up generator.
- Communications
- There is WiFi throughout the lodge, to access this, vouchers need to be purchased from reception.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All bathrooms are fully plumbed in, with hot and cold running water. A small solar tank is located outside each tent proving a plentiful supply of hot water.
Health & safety
- Medical care
- There is a first-aid kit at reception and a number of staff are first aid trained. For serious emergencies medical treatment would be sought in Arusha or Karatu.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There are askaris (local guards) patrolling throughout the day and night. Guests are always accompanied after dark, and the camp has a couple of tuk tuks often used in the evening.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers by each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is available at a cost of around $1 per item. This is typically a 24-hour service.
- Money
- There are electronic safes in all tented rooms and small amounts of currency can be exchanged, including GB pounds and Euros.
- Accepted payment on location
- Travellers can pay for any extras with cash or card. All major cards are accepted, including MasterCard and Visa, although there is a 5% surcharge
Other lodges in Tarangire National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Oliver's Camp
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Kuro Tarangire
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Little Oliver's
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Tarangire Safari
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Lemala Mpingo Ridge
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Tarangire Sopa Lodge
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Swala Camp
Swala Camp is a stylish camp for exploring the southern Tarangire, either with a private driver-guide, or using the camp's vehicles and guides.
Tarangire Treetops
Tarangire Treetops is a lovely, high-quality lodge on the outskirts of Tarangire National Park, offering game drives, night drives and safari walks.
Chem Chem
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Olkeri Camp
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Kirurumu Tarangire
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Nimali Tarangire
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Forest Chem Chem
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Little Chem Chem
Little Chem Chem is a stylish option near Tarangire National Park, offering real relaxation combined with a variety of safari activities.
