Makubi Safari Camp: A Soul-Soothing Eco-Lodge Experience in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania.

If you’ve ever wondered what pure African wilderness feels like, unfiltered, undisturbed, and deeply alive, Makubi Safari Camp delivers that moment the second you step out of your safari vehicle. This isn’t just another eco-lodge tucked into the bush. It’s a gateway into the soul of Tanzania’s largest wildlife reserve, Nyerere National Park, where the silence isn’t empty. It is rich in life.

First Impressions: Silence is a sound.

In the heat and hush of Nyerere’s sprawling plains, a park roughly the size of Belgium and one of the world’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries, Makubi feels more like a spiritual retreat than a place to sleep.

The peace here is remarkable. The only soundtrack is a fly buzzing past your ears, distant birdsong, and the occasional rhythm of your own breath. You really hear yourself again, something city life forgets to let you do.

Meet the Visionary: Tende

At the heart of Makubi Safari Camp is Tendekayi “Tende” Guni: owner, host, guide, chef, and philosopher-keeper. His approach isn’t just about safari logistics; it’s about respect… Respect for the land, the animals, and the rhythms of nature.

In his words, “If you respect wildlife, they’ll respect you back.”

That philosophy shapes every part of Makubi’s experience. From how guides speak about elephants at a distance, to the way the tents sit lightly upon the earth, everything feels considered.

The Lodge: Eco‑conscious in the Wild

Makubi is small, and intentionally so. With just a handful of tents perched on elevated platforms overlooking Lake Minyamiruba and the endless plains beyond, it feels intimate, unfenced, and breathtaking.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Eco-friendly design: Solar power lights the camp, water is thoughtfully sourced, and materials are locally sourced to minimise environmental impact.
• Comfort in the wilderness: Each tent features proper beds wrapped in mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms, and spaces to relax with uninterrupted bush views.
• Communal lounge and fire: A central lounge facing the horizon. At night, a crackling fire invites you to dine under the star-filled skies and trade safari stories with fellow guests.

It’s not an eco-lodge for the sake of it. It’s comfort designed to deepen your connection with your surroundings.

Food That Tells a Story

Safari cuisine at Makubi isn’t an afterthought; it’s part of the adventure.

Guided by local Tanzanian and Swahili flavours, and shaped by fresh, seasonal produce from nearby growers, the food becomes a narrative on your plate. Think slow-cooked stews infused with local spices, delicious pickled cabbage, okra, roasted carrots, and vibrant sauces enriched with coconut milk. A dash of lime brings everything together with a perfect tang.

Meals are often enjoyed outdoors. Breakfast is served under glowing dawn light, sunset dinners unfold beside the lake, and bush meals come alive as the bonfire crackles softly while the sounds of the wild echo in the distance.

Activities: Wild but thoughtful

Makubi’s guides are trained, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about wildlife behaviour. They read the land in ways that make you feel both safe and close to the wild, whether you’re tracking elephants or spotting birds at sunrise.

Here’s what you can do:

• Game drives: Traditional safaris in open 4×4 vehicles, spotting lions, elephants, giraffes, and more in their natural element.
• Walking safaris: Step out of the vehicle and into the bush on foot, a chance to notice the small, often overlooked details of safari life.
• Birdwatching: Nyerere National Park is a birding paradise, with hundreds of species calling it home.
• Hot spring visits and sundowners: Natural hot springs and sunset drinks by the lake bring a mellow balance to adventure-filled days.

There’s a place for everyone: couples, families, and solo travellers alike.

A Solo Traveller’s Dream

As a solo traveller myself, what stood out most wasn’t just the scenery or the wildlife. It was flexibility and attention to detail. Tende didn’t simply hand me an itinerary; he listened to how I wanted to experience my day.

If I changed plans or wanted to linger over a meal or a sunrise, he adjusted effortlessly. That kind of ease is rare and priceless on safari.

Why Makubi Feels Like More Than a Lodge

Makubi Safari Camp is more than a place to stay. It’s a pause button pressed deep into the African wild. A moment to breathe, laugh, observe, reflect, and be amazed.

It’s where your soul breathes a little freer, and the wilderness doesn’t just entertain you. It invites you in.

So if you’re craving a safari that feeds the senses, calms the mind, and connects you to something ancient and vast, Makubi is where that journey begins.