Lake Masek Tented Camp

Lake Masek Tented Camp has 20 permanent tents spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy. Set up on wooden platforms, there are five tents with king size beds, 10 with twin beds and five triples. They are all en-suite with a spacious bathroom with a stand-alone bath and beautiful outdoor showers with hot water. Each tent has a veranda protected by gauze mesh to keep insects out and a cool breeze flowing through. Mosquito nets are provided over the beds.

Joined to the main area by gravel paths, the camp is unfenced, so animals wander through and Maasai escorts are there to accompany you when walking in the evenings. At night, be thrilled by the grunts of hippo and the calls of hyena as they go about their nighttime activities.

Main lodge area

The main area in the camp is a cool, thatched building with a lounge area and library, Internet room, small gift shop, dining area and a wonderful large deck with views across Lake Masek. It's comfortable and airy.

Buffet meals are served either in the dining room or on the deck and the bar provides a range of cooling drinks that are perfect to sip on as you watch the African sun set on another perfect day.

Game viewing activities

Usually, guests have their own vehicles and guides when arriving at Ndutu. This can be arranged for you if booked in advance. The area comes alive with wildlife when the herds pass through on their annual circular route. Depending on the rain, on this leg of the Great Migration, they remain on the vast grasslands of the area to calve between November and April.

While the plains empty during the dry season as the migration heads off, there is still plenty of resident game to see. They gather around the waterholes and include the Big Five and all six of the cats – lion, leopard, cheetah, serval, caracal and African wildcat.

Things to do

• Game viewing especially from November to May
• Guided Maasai walks around the lake
• Hot air balloon flights over the plains
• Fascinating archaeological site at nearby Olduvai Gorge
• Sundowners in the bush
• Visit a local Maasai village and learn about their culture and traditions

Getting there

By car - Lake Masek Tented Camp is 280 km from Arusha and takes about six hours by car.

By air - There are several airstrips in the area; Ndutu, Seronera and Kusini. Flight time from Arusha to Ndutu Airstrip is just under an hour and daily scheduled flights are available during high season. Charter flights are also available. Arusha is served by two airports; Arusha Domestic and Kilimanjaro International.

Our take on Lake Masek Tented Camp

The raised permanent tents with tranquil verandas on which to relax and soak up the African bush make this a great stop. During the calving season, the plains are alive with grazing herds, new calves and predators, offering loads of wildlife action. The staff are welcoming and friendly and the main deck offers superb views of Lake Masek. It's a great lodge to include on any Tanzanian safari circuit.