the arrival!
“From the moment we arrived at Makubi, we felt embraced, not as clients, but as family. The welcome was warm, the smiles genuine, and the camp itself seemed to open its arms. As we stepped into the lounge, fresh and cool after the long journey, chilled drinks were waiting, and the view stretched out across the lake where hippos surfaced and birds skimmed the water. It was more than a welcome; it was a blessing. Guests often say it feels like visiting friends, not checking into a lodge — because here, the land greets you as much as the people do. Elephants wander in the distance, giraffes drift past, and the air carries both silence and song. That first step into Makubi is less about arrival and more about belonging, as if the wilderness itself has been waiting for you.”
why choose makubi safari camp?
“We’ve been on safaris before, but Makubi was unlike anything we had known, not a place of fences or crowds, but a sanctuary where the wilderness itself welcomed us. From the moment we arrived, hippos surfaced in the lake, elephants wandered past, and lions called through the night, reminding us that here the safari begins at your doorstep. What made it unforgettable was not only the wildlife but the warmth of the people: Tende guiding with reverence and wisdom, Beelle hosting with grace, and Grace cooking meals that guests still describe as soulful, fresh, and made with love. We were cared for like family, with chilled drinks waiting in the lounge, stories shared by the fire, and every detail tailored to us. Makubi is small and eco‑conscious, woven gently into the land with solar lights and a light footprint, yet rich in spirit and connection. Guests leave saying they arrived as visitors but departed carrying the soul of the wild and that is why we choose Makubi, and why we tell you it is more than a safari, it is a homecoming.”
the heart of camp
“Evenings at Makubi felt timeless, we gathered by the fire as the stars came alive, Tende & Beelle sharing stories and laughter while lions called in the distance and hippos stirred in the lake below. Guests often say this is where the camp’s soul reveals itself: not in formality, but in family. Grace’s cooking is remembered as much as the wildlife, Tanzanian flavors with thoughtful twists, even surprise birthday cakes and sunset cocktails that made every night feel like a celebration. The team — Grace, Samuel, Shedrack, Deo cared for us with such warmth that meals became rituals, and the fire circle became a place of belonging. We arrived as visitors, but around that fire we felt part of something enduring.”
untamed beauty
“a wilderness without fences”
“We came to Makubi thinking we were just going on safari, but Nyerere revealed something far greater. Out here the land feels endless. Lakes, rivers winding through forests, wide plains alive with giraffes and elephants, and skies filled with birds we had never seen before. On our drives we often felt like the first people to discover these places, with no crowds, no fences, just the raw pulse of Africa. At night we listened to lions calling across the distance and hippos grunting in the oxbow lake, reminders that the wild was all around us. Guests describe it as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience, off the beaten track and outstanding in every way. For us, Nyerere wasn’t just a park on a map, it was the untamed soul of Tanzania, and Makubi was the doorway that let us step inside.”
plan your stay at Makubi safari camp
Ready to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover wild Africa? Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, or small group, Makubi Safari Camp offers tailor-made experiences grounded in simplicity, comfort, and connection.
We welcome guests seeking a private, low-impact safari guided by passion, purpose, and deep respect for nature. With only five tented suites, personalized hosting, and mindful guiding, your stay at Makubi is never rushed — just real.
📍 Getting Here:
We’re 55 min flight from Dar es salaam. If driving we are 35 km from Mtemere Gate in Nyerere National Park. 4×4 access via scenic routes past Lake Tagalala and the hot springs.
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Owner Run
Everything you can do at our camps
Safari Activities
Walking Safari
“Walking through Nyerere with Makubi’s guides was unforgettable. The thrill of seeing elephants and giraffes on foot, learning tracks and plants, and feeling safe thanks to the guides’ deep knowledge. Reviews call it a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience — the moment we truly belonged to the wilderness.”
Game Drives
“On Makubi’s game drives we felt the bush come alive — lions at dusk, elephants crossing floodplains, giraffes moving silently. Guests say the guiding makes it unforgettable: Tende’s calm, respectful way of reading animal behavior creates close encounters that feel safe and awe‑inspiring. Families call it inspiring for children, and seasoned travelers say it’s among the best safaris they’ve ever had a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.”
Birding
“From our tent we woke to fish eagles calling over the lake, kingfishers flashing past, and countless smaller birds weaving color and song through the bush. Guests say Makubi is a haven for birdwatchers — sightings begin right at camp and continue across Nyerere, where every dawn feels like the sky itself is alive.”
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