THE FACTS ABOUT LAKE MANYARA TREE LODGE

Tanzania

The latest addition to the Conservation Corporation Africa portfolio is in Tanzania's little-known Lake Manyara National Park. It replaces the old luxury tented camp Maji Moto, named after the hot springs in the area. The beautiful new lodge has been built into the boughs of ancient mahogany trees and is suspended on stilts above the forest floor. There are 10 'tree houses' made of timber and palm fronds; each have outdoor showers and baths, as well as private decks with enormous loungers. The interiors are slick, using washed-out neutral tones to highlight a collection of well-sourced Dodona art; but the real experience is about getting as close to nature as possible without sacrificing five-star comforts such as butler service. Lake Manyara is a natural soda lake that fluctuates dramatically according to rainy seasons; it is regularly visited by flamingos and is inhabited by hippos. The Park is also famous for its climbing lions and has the highest concentration of elephant in Tanzania (Iain Douglas-Hamilton - founder of Save the Elephants - had a research station here). There are also large numbers of baboons, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. Because the lodge is the only one in the park, traffic congestion at game-viewing times is kept to a minimum. WHEN TO GO Game viewing is best during the drier months between July and December WHICH ROOM TO BOOK Number 9 is the most private; number 7 is only one metre off the ground and has wheelchair access CONTACT Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, CC Africa (00 27 11 809 4300; fax: 809 4400; email:information@ccafrica.com www.ccafrica.com). Doubles US$760-US$950 full board