Last month, my husband and I took a most astounding trip. Eleven days in the Tanzanian bush on safari with our wonderful guide, Ray Wankyo.
There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the trip. It is so much with me yet, that my days and dreams are still filled with the images of our experiences.
I could talk about the dozens of animals and birds we saw; the cycle of life before our eyes every second; the beauty of the Baobob trees; the hysterical warthog families running by…but you can read National Geographic and get the big picture.
Because interiors are my passion and business, I am compelled to talk about the amazing lodges we booked – with African interiors that will inspire me for eternity.
Before we left, I didn’t do much research on the resorts, although I see now that they all have beautiful websites. I wanted to be pleasantly surprised, and trusted the instincts of our trip coordinator to put us in relative comfort. I was happy to rough-it if I had to. All we really required was running water and something a step above a port-a-potty…
As it turned out, every resort we stayed in was more interesting and luxurious than the next. And the resident chefs seem to all be French- trained to perfection, offering variety and ingredients that delight.
When we landed in Kilimanjaro, we were whisked away to Legendary Lodge, which is outside the city of Arusha. 
Lucas, Manager, greets us at the homestead
It is a thriving coffee plantation, with buildings from the early 20th century that are the height of colonial charm.
The main salon
Complete bar for after dinner around the fire
The lawn where we’d catch glimpses of guinea fowl and vervet monkeys
Lunch and dinner terraces
Our lodgings were newer and very comfortable – so much so that we could have stayed there for several days and been quite content.
Our cottage suite
But the next day Ray picked us up very early and we headed to Nimali Lodge in the animal wildlife refuge that borders the Tarangire Park. Nimali is very new – only a couple of years old,
and we were the only guests there – with a full staff looking after us. It was our first exposure to “tent” life. And what a surprise.
Open air lobby
Dining hall
View of our tent from the lobby
Our tent
Campfire each night
We wanted to stay at Nimali for the rest of the trip…but, we moved on. Next Stop — Gibb’s Farm, another coffee plantation that was also a working organic farm. Closer to the phenomenal Ngorogoro Crater, which is the amazing Tanzanian highlight, Gibb’s Farm is farther up the mountain, and even more tropical than anything surrounding Arusha.
Our cottage
As we toured this amazing place and saw the crops and livestock, we felt like we were on some exotic island in Lost Horizon…three days here, and we were stoned on beauty! I could have lived here forever…
But we didn’t want to miss the huge wildebeest migration on the Serengeti, so we moved beyond the mountains and the famous crater and were transported to the “tent camp.” It didn’t have a name, because it moves and travels with the wildebeests and zebras as they graze and move on.
This camp was what I had envisioned as a real safari camp. Temporary buildings in the middle of the bush, staked in the ground; open air; screens and canvas…yet, hardly roughing it! 
The “lobby”
Our tent
Mornings were spectacular here and always very promising
I was really happy here. Did I say that already at every lodge? Zebras wandered by our breakfast bar…Dinner was under the stars…Hyenas lulled us to sleep with their night calls…Gin and tonics never tasted so good.
But we had a final stop in the bush at Mwiba Lodge, about a 10-mile drive from the tent camp through the plains. This is where we would finish our trip, and relax for several days before our flight back to Kilimanjaro.
Mwiba Lodge, designed by Tessa Proudfoot & Associates out of Johannesburg, is spectacular. Here are photos from the website which present it so beautifully. 
Situated in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, the lodge is surrounded by tiny Maasai villages and miles and miles of bush, rivers, rock outcrops, gorges, natural springs and endless plains. Game drives, bush walks and cultural excursions to the local tribe’s village were just a few of our magical experiences here. I felt so lucky to be able to see and explore the natural elements that an African designer can use to create the perfect environment.
Of course we didn’t want to leave…but how long can you really drop out of your true life before you forget your children and where you live?…We came close!
Tanzania is really the most beautiful place on earth I’ve ever seen. I thank our guide, Ray, for keeping us safe and well-informed and smiling the entire trip. And I’ll always be inspired by the interiors that surrounded us with luxury and comfort.
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