Description
This permanent tented camp is located on the Schmeling family two hundred acre plantation on the shores of Lake Eyasi. Jointly owned and operated by Christian and Nani Schmeling and George and Deborah Mavroudis, the camp is situated in a beautiful natural palm and acacia lake-shore forest with a colossal rock as a backdrop and a natural spring nearby. The spring, which is similar to the groundwater springs of Lake Manyara, produces over four million litres of water a day that eventually flows into the lake. Across the lake stretches the Alipi escarpment wall, rising two thousand feet up into the Endulen area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Natural beauty comes in many forms and here in Lake Eyasi it is most striking in its abundant bird life. African fish eagles and crowned cranes are resident as are Verreaux's eagle owls and hammerkops. Guinea fowl and francolin, kingfishers, herons, egrets, cormorants, plovers, and Egyptian geese abound. As the plantation only caters to livestock and no agriculture Some of the last remaining game in the area seeks sanctuary here. This provides guests with the opportunity to see dikdik, bush buck, reedbuck, vervet monkey and even hippos on occasion. Walking paths have been carved through the lake-shore forest and afford guests the opportunity to experience this beautiful and unique environment on foot.

Nature and its beauty is only one of the reasons to visit this remote area. There is a little known cultural aspect that has drawn small numbers of discerning travelers for many years. The waHadzabe are the last remnants of a tribe of hunter gatherers that were pushed out of the Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding conservation area hundreds of years ago by incoming pastoralist groups, including the Maasai. Moving slowly down the foothills of Oldeani and along the lake-shore, this group of people is one of the last of its kind in Africa. Small in stature and speaking an ancient click dialect they survive by their ability to blend into and subsist through their surroundings. A visit with them can be arranged and a morning or full day spent walking, hunting and gathering is a haunting experience.

The camp itself consists of seven guest sleeping tents built on permanent platforms and a large dining tent. All these are thatched with traditional palm fronds and the en-suite bathroom section is built with natural palm stems, giving it a rustic appearance. There is hot and cold running water supplied by a spring and heated through environmentally friendly "kuni boilers" that burn dry palm fronds that have fallen from the trees. Toilets are flush type and there is a proper septic system in place. Furniture and bedding is comfortable and in keeping with traditional safari style. Lighting is supplied by inverter and generator and is of the energy saving type. From all tents there is a beautiful view of the lake.

Highlights
Understated comfortable bush camp. Cultural exchanges with one of the world's oldest peoples. Beautiful wilderness setting.

Room information
7 private tents

RATES - effective January 2009
290. 00 USD Single, Full Board
400. 00 USD Double, Full Board
140.00 USD Extra Bed, Full Board

270. 00 USD Single, Half Board
360. 00 USD Double, Half Board
120. 00 USD Extra Bed, Half Board

Children under 12, 50% of adult rate when sharing.
Children under 5, free of charge when sharing.

Price per person
Between $175 and $300