Oliver’s Camp

Oliver’s Camp is located in the southern reaches of Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most iconic safari destinations. Positioned in a remote and quieter part of the park, the camp offers an intimate connection to the wilderness, far from the more frequently visited northern areas. The camp is near the Silale Swamps, a critical water source that attracts a diverse array of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. This remote location offers an exclusive safari experience, with fewer vehicles and fewer crowds, making it ideal for travelers seeking an authentic and immersive safari.

Why Stay at Oliver’s Camp?

1. An Authentic and Unfenced Bush Experience Oliver’s Camp is known for its authentic safari atmosphere, offering guests an immersive experience in the African bush. The camp is unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely through the area, which adds to the thrill of staying here. Whether you’re lounging on the deck or relaxing in your tent, you’re likely to encounter elephants, zebras, and other wildlife up close, offering a true wilderness experience.

2. Walking Safaris and Adventure Unlike many camps that only offer vehicle-based game drives, Oliver’s Camp is renowned for its walking safaris, providing an opportunity to explore the bush on foot. Guests can get closer to nature, learning about the ecosystem, wildlife tracks, plants, and insects with highly experienced guides. Walking safaris are a highlight of Oliver’s Camp and give visitors a deeper appreciation of the African wilderness.

3. Classic Safari Ambiance Oliver’s Camp exudes a classic safari feel, with canvas tents, rustic wooden furnishings, and natural colors that blend into the landscape. It’s a low-impact, eco-friendly camp that retains a sense of tradition, offering an experience reminiscent of the early days of safaris while providing all the modern comforts guests expect.

Accommodation at Oliver’s Camp

Luxury Tented Suites

Description: Oliver’s Camp features 10 canvas tents, each designed to provide a classic safari experience while maintaining comfort and style. The tents are spacious, with large verandas overlooking the plains and a sense of intimacy, perfect for couples and solo travelers alike.
Facilities: Each tent has en-suite bathrooms, complete with hot outdoor showers for a refreshing bush experience. The tents are furnished with comfortable beds, wooden furniture, and plenty of space to unwind after a day of exploring. Mosquito nets and in-room safes are also provided for comfort and safety.
Highlights: The open-air showers allow guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush while refreshing after a long day of game drives.
Best For: Travelers seeking a classic safari atmosphere, privacy, and an authentic bush experience.

Dining and Cuisine

Oliver’s Camp provides a full-board dining experience, where all meals are freshly prepared by the camp’s talented chefs. Meals are served in a communal dining area, offering guests the chance to share stories of the day’s adventures while enjoying gourmet cuisine that combines international flavors with Tanzanian influences.

Main Dining Area: The open-sided dining area offers beautiful views of the surrounding bush and Silale Swamps. The relaxed atmosphere is designed to encourage conversation among guests, creating a friendly and inviting environment.
Cuisine: Oliver’s Camp takes pride in serving locally sourced, fresh ingredients, blending international dishes with Tanzanian specialties. Meals are buffet-style, with a variety of options catering to different dietary requirements.
Bush Dining: For a more unique experience, guests can enjoy private bush dinners under the stars or take part in a bush picnic during a game drive.
Sundowners: One of the camp’s most memorable traditions is enjoying a sundowner—an evening drink while watching the sun set over the African plains.

Activities at Oliver’s Camp

1. Walking Safaris

Oliver’s Camp is famous for its walking safaris, allowing guests to step off the beaten track and experience the African wilderness up close. Guided by highly knowledgeable rangers, guests can explore the bush on foot, learning about animal tracks, plants, and the smaller creatures that often go unnoticed on vehicle-based safaris.

Best For: Guests seeking adventure and a deeper connection to nature. Walking safaris provide a thrilling and intimate experience in the wild.
Highlights: Walking among elephants, giraffes, and zebras, learning about the ecosystem from expert guides, and observing the flora and fauna at ground level.

2. Game Drives

Oliver’s Camp offers morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles. The drives take guests into the heart of Tarangire National Park, one of the best places to see large elephant herds, as well as predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The area around Silale Swamps is particularly rich in wildlife, offering excellent sightings throughout the year.

Wildlife: Guests can expect to see elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and an impressive array of bird species. The park is also home to rare species like the fringe-eared oryx and the long-necked gerenuk.
Night Drives: Oliver’s Camp also offers night game drives, which are a rare opportunity to observe the nocturnal wildlife of Tarangire, such as leopards, genets, porcupines, and hyenas.

3. Fly-Camping

For those seeking an extra level of adventure, Oliver’s Camp offers fly-camping experiences. This activity involves spending the night under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush. Fly-camping is an intimate and thrilling way to experience the wilderness, with only the bare essentials provided—guests sleep in lightweight tents with a campfire for company.

Best For: Adventurous travelers looking for a more rugged, raw experience in nature.
Highlights: Sleeping under the stars in the heart of the African bush, listening to the sounds of lions roaring in the distance, and waking up to the beauty of the sunrise over the plains.

4. Birdwatching

Tarangire is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 550 species of birds recorded in the park. Guests can enjoy excellent birdwatching opportunities both from the camp and on game drives. Some notable species include the Kori bustard, yellow-collared lovebird, and the ashy starling, which is endemic to Tanzania.

Facilities at Oliver’s Camp

Lounge and Bar Area

The central lounge and bar area at Oliver’s Camp is a comfortable space where guests can relax between activities. The open-plan design allows for uninterrupted views of the bush, and the cozy seating makes it the perfect spot to unwind with a drink or book.

Bar: The fully stocked bar offers a variety of local and international beverages, including beers, wines, and spirits. Sundowners are a popular tradition at the camp, with drinks served as the sun sets over the plains.
Lounge: The lounge is an inviting space for guests to gather, read, or chat with fellow travelers. Board games and books are available, creating a warm and sociable atmosphere.

Sundowners and Bush Picnics

Guests can enjoy sundowners in scenic locations within the park, with a refreshing drink in hand while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Bush picnics can also be arranged for a more immersive dining experience in the wild.

Best Time to Visit Oliver’s Camp

The best time to visit Oliver’s Camp is during the dry season (June to October), when the wildlife congregates around the remaining water sources, making for excellent game viewing.

Dry Season (June – October): This is the best time for wildlife sightings, particularly of the large elephant herds that Tarangire is famous for. The landscape is dry, and animals are easier to spot near the rivers and swamps.
Wet Season (November – May): The wet season brings lush greenery and migratory birds to the park. While the wildlife is more dispersed, this is a great time for birdwatching and seeing newborn animals.

Unique Features of Oliver’s Camp

Exclusive Walking Safaris: Unlike many other camps, Oliver’s is known for its walking safaris, which offer guests a more intimate and immersive experience in the bush.
Unfenced Camp: The unfenced design allows wildlife to roam through the camp, providing thrilling up-close encounters with elephants and other animals.
Fly-Camping Experience: For adventurous guests, the fly-camping option offers a unique and unforgettable night under the stars in the heart of the African wilderness.

Getting to Oliver’s Camp

By Road: Oliver’s Camp is located approximately 3.5 hours by road from Arusha, making it accessible for those traveling by vehicle as part of the Northern Tanzania safari circuit.
By Air: The nearest airstrip is Kuro Airstrip, located within Tarangire National Park. From there, it is a 45-minute drive to the camp, and Oliver’s provides transfers to and from the airstrip.

Final Thoughts on Oliver’s Camp

Oliver’s Camp offers an authentic, adventurous, and luxurious safari experience in one of the most remote areas of Tarangire National Park. With its focus on walking safaris, wildlife viewing, and fly-camping, it’s perfect for travelers looking for a more immersive connection to the African wilderness. The luxury tents, combined with the camp’s eco-conscious approach and commitment to sustainability, make it an excellent choice for both seasoned safari-goers and first-time visitors alike.