Little Chem Chem
- Kwa Kuchinia, TanzaniaLittle Chem Chem borders Tarangire National Park, overlooking Lake Burunge in a 16,000ha private wildlife concession.
touch the soul of africa
Sanctuary Swala is located in a secluded area of Tarangire National Park, one of the most exciting and least visited parks in the country.
In the heart of Maasai country and a remote corner of the Tarangire, in total seclusion amongst giant acacia trees and looking out beyond the flat savannah, Sanctuary Swala offers a very exclusive safari experience. The picturesque landscape is filled with ancient baobab trees, ambling elephants and birds in flight. Built to the highest eco-friendly standards, this camp has a particularly low-carbon footprint.
Tarangire is famed for its large concentrations of elephant and spectacular baobabs of every shape and colour. The river is the park's lifeline and attracts much of the game to its banks. You may also find some of the many leopard that rest by day in the shady trees. The park is also home to kudu with their immense spiral horns, and oryx with their equally lengthy rapier horns. These shy, show-stopping antelope are common in Tarangire, where Sanctuary Retreats' expert driver-guides can get visitors close to the herds without disturbing them. The low volume of visitors to the park offers a truly unique and private experience and our customised open safari vehicles offer unobstructed viewing and great photography opportunities.
You may have decided with your guide to take a picnic breakfast or lunch with you but equally lovely in the evening is to enjoy a bush dinner. A secluded clearing is prepared for a traditional East African meal in the middle of the Tarangire bush. With a sundowner in hand watch as the sun swiftly sinks and your setting becomes illuminated by a magnificent log fire. Once you have settled into your surroundings let our chef introduce you to traditional Swahili fare and experience a memorable evening under the African night sky.
Experience the wonders of a safari at night in Tarangire. As dusk falls, relax in the comfort of Sanctuary Swala's customised safari vehicle as you venture into the park transformed by night. Search for nocturnal animals rarely seen as this is one of the few places in northern Tanzania where you can enjoy a safari by moonlight. At night, you may encounter an African wild cat, the elusive leopard or feel the round eyes of a bushbaby peering down at you as the moon rises into the sky. With specialised lighting you will be able to look for lion and hyena, as well as smaller creatures such as spotted genet, serval, bat eared foxes, owls and nightjars. (Maximum 5 people, additional cost)
Put on your walking shoes and experience beautiful Tarangire National Park from a different perspective with a walking safari at Sanctuary Swala. With our professional walking guide and armed ranger, guests can now explore the grassland around camp in one of the most secluded areas of the park. Our qualified guide has a wealth of knowledge and will explain how to understand animal behaviour while tracking a variety of game. You may encounter zebra, waterbuck, impala, ostrich, elephant as well as a number of birds. Sanctuary Swala is one of only a few camps within Tanzania's Northern Park that is able to offer walking safaris. (Maximum 6 people per walk, additional cost) Please note that our Walking Safari activity will restart at the beginning of the next dry season
Sanctuary Swala has developed a beekeeping project located in the village of Mwika on the border of Tarangire National Park. Through beekeeping we are able to preserve the natural environment while providing a valuable source of income to the community. Sanctuary Swala not only provided the village with the materials to make the hives, but with the knowledge and the equipment to keep bees which produce organic acacia honey. The honey that is harvested is sold through Sanctuary Swala with all proceeds going back to the project. With the success of the first harvest of honey in August 2010 the project has plans to develop and grow to over 100 hives, providing more families with income from a traditional foodstuff. While at Sanctuary Swala you have the opportunity to meet with the beekeepers on a visit to Mwika village and learn firsthand how the project operates.
A commitment to conservation and responsible tourism has been an integral part of the construction of Sanctuary's properties and their daily operations ever since they opened their first camp in Tanzania's Masai Mara in 1999. Sanctuary Retreats selects projects based on their potential to create long-lasting relationships with the communities in the areas in which they operate.
Sanctuary Retreats continues to build long lasting relationships with the rural communities in the areas in which they operate. Their goal is to identify and sponsor long-term, viable and self-sustaining projects that will have the support of their staff and visitors. The projects listed on these pages are all collaborative. They work closely with the local communities to determine their needs and improve their well-being.
View all of Sanctuary's Conservation projects
