The words Mbuzi Mawe are an example of the idiomatic flavor of Bantu languages. The word means Klipspringer, itself an idiomatic Afrikaans terms for the petit little antelope that is commonly found in mountainous or rocky areas throughout Africa. Klipspringer are mute creatures largely, although they utter an alarm call when startled that sounds precisely like a human sneeze, or Mbuzi…
Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp no doubt acquired this name thanks to its own situation nestled in a cluster of granite outcrops in the northern Serengeti, overlooking a landscape of widespread Acacia woodland and savannah, and the natural migration route offered by the Western Corridor. Like most of the more authentic establishments of this kind in the Serengeti, it is evident that a conscious effort has been made to blend the man-made aspects of the camp as seamlessly into its natural surroundings as possible. Besides the paved footpaths that lead from the main reception area to the various individual tents, no concession is made to landscaping, and indeed there is an unmistakable sense throughout that one is very close to nature indeed.
The layout of the camp is very simple. A large reception area consisting of a tented structure on a concrete base forms the epicenter, while radiating outwards among the natural features of rock and woodland are a dozen or so individual tents. These are spacious within, and meticulously appointed with beds constructed of local scrap wood and ablutions that would do justice to a five star city hotel. The African ambience is just a little contrived, but so lavishly achieved that to fall into the soft embrace of an orthopedic mattress, surrounded by such extraordinary attention to detail, and in a place of such flawless beauty, that any version of Africa will do.
The reception area is no less carefully manicured to resemble the popular image of Africa. This extends to evening entertainment that usually has a very authentic flavor, with dance and rhythm provided by a variety of local cultural performers. Service is prompt and extremely slick, with internet connections usually available, and a bar with all the accouterments that one could expect an hope for in any world class hotel.
Dining is a la carte, and again the standards of service and cuisine are good.
If I have a criticism of Mbuzi Mawe, and other similar establishments, it is that, in their rush to claim the green credentials that are the new vogue in international travel, they have overlooked some obviously non-green factors of their existence.
Although by no means the worst offender in this regard, the heavy use of local indigenous hardwoods in the constriction of the Mbuzi Mawe lodge and its fixtures does not really comply with accepted standards of eco-friendly practice. Likewise the use of powered generators to provide electricity when the capacity for solar power exists locally, and moreover the amount of daily sunshine that can be expected is almost unlimited, is an oversight that one hopes will be rectified in due course.
Besides this a minimal footprint is evident with natural products predominating and a generally low impact feel about the blend of canvas and wood. Mbuzi Mawe is a fine example of the new vogue in eco-travel dedicated to the conservation and preservation of this irreplacable natural environment.
Mbuzi Mawe is one of the best of the tented camps open for business in the Serengeti National Park at the moment. I found the standards of service from the management down to the bag porter above reproach. This is a Serena Lodge, and certain basic standards go with the territory. You might be left wondering how close to the earth this sort of thing really is, but in the end you might finding yourself opting for the view that roughing it in nature is overrated.
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