Thursday, September 22 to Sunday, September, 24, 2016
Tarangire National Park
And THEN we arrived at Little Oliver’s. We were met with by the staff with cold towels and cool drinks, as we were each and every time we arrived back from a game drive. Little Oliver’s is an amazing camp in the heart of Tarangire National Park and is the sister camp of Oliver’s. The location is outstanding. Tarangire is famous for it’s vast herds of elephants (reportedly the largest concentration of elephants in the world) and forests of giant baobab trees, “The Tree of Life.” Baobab trees are also well known thanks to its starring roles in Disney’s Lion King (it is Rafiki the monkey’s tree)
In the heart of Tarangire National Park, one of the most magnificent places in Africa for game viewing, Little Oliver’s is perfectly situated to make the most of the spectacular wildlife and landscapes this strikingly unspoilt wilderness area has to offer.
Little Oliver’s overlooks a flood plain of the Minyoyo Pools. The sunrises were stunning. Our wake up call was coffee, hot cocoa, and tea biscuits delivered to our room by a staff member. Sundowners, our first of many, around the campfire were exactly as imagined. The sunsets were spectacular.
Our First Sundowner
Stanford continued to guide us and stayed in the guide quarters. If we had not been traveling with our private guide we would have been assigned an Asilia trained resident guide. The game drive the next day was just as amazing as the first. The second night we had dinner outside with a couple that tracked giraffes, Olivia, the relief manager, and John, Asilia’s Food and Beverage manager. Did you know that a giraffe’s spot pattern is similar to one of our fingerprints? It’s a unique identifier for each animal, helping other giraffes recognize who is in their family groups. The stars were incredible.
Outdoor Dining – Photo Credit: Asilia 
Night Sky – Photo Credit Asilia
The staff is amazing. Olivia was brilliant. She went above and beyond. Clifton had a work related crisis and needed internet access for 2 or 3 hours both nights we were there. (Wifi is not available in the common areas or tents) Because of the time difference he needed access after midnight. Olivia made it happen. Many thanks to the young man that stood guard during those late hours, with lions roaring within feet of the camp.
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.” ~ Karen Blixen
The Camp
There are only five en-suite tents with indoor and outdoor showers. I highly recommend the outdoor shower. They are well spaced to allow for privacy. Each tent has a viewing deck, with two sun loungers, overlooking the flood plain. Allan and I both spent time reading or just being. The rooms had incredible views across the valley, from the bed, through the sheer mosquito net front. The beds were comfy and the furniture made from reclaimed wood.
Outdoor Shower 
Clifton’s Tent 
Lounge 
Breakfast on Lookout Deck – Photo Credit: Asilia
Lions and elephants were roaming outside the tent in the middle of the night. Guests must be accompanied by staff after dark, as they come to and from rooms. There were walkie-talkies in the room to call the escort. The camp is elevated on a small hill so there are good views here, and game can be spotted without even leaving camp.
Little Oliver’s dinning area in the open, under the stars.
Asilia strives to make a positive impact on the wilderness areas where it has a presence, benefiting both nature and the local people.
One of my top three camps in Tanzania.