Hilala Camp has officially opened, and it's everything we hoped it would be — becoming the newest boutique safari retreat in Tarangire National Park, set in one of the most wildlife-rich locations in all of northern Tanzania.

After years of exceptional feedback from our guests and guides about its sister property, Nyumbani Serengeti, we had high expectations for the Nyumbani Collection's second camp. Now that our guests have stayed at Hilala, I can say with confidence: it absolutely delivers.

Set on the edge of the Gurusi Swamp — a year-round water source that draws elephants, lions, and an astonishing array of birdlife — Hilala Camp blends naturally into the landscape. Guests wake to the sounds of the bush and end their evenings beneath star-filled skies, enjoying gourmet dining paired with the Nyumbani signature warmth and hospitality that we've come to love.

Luxury tented camp in Tarangire National Park

Hilala is a boutique camp with beautifully designed luxury tented suites, each offering panoramic views across the Gurusi Swamp and surrounding bushland. The tents are spacious and thoughtfully laid out, with comfortable beds, quality linens, and outdoor rain showers — you feel immersed in the wilderness without sacrificing any comfort. Everything has been crafted with sustainability and elegance in mind.

Our recent guests have been raving, and one theme comes up again and again: how luxurious the facilities are and how well everything works. From the plumbing to the lighting to the small design touches throughout, the camp feels polished and considered in a way that isn't always the case with new properties. Several guests have told us that Hilala had the best food of their entire trip — and given that these travelers also stayed at top-tier camps across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, that really is saying something.

What makes Hilala Camp different

Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, but most visitors only scratch the surface of this park, spending a few hours near the main gate before moving on. Hilala changes that entirely.

The camp is located deep inside the park, near the Gurusi Swamp — one of Tarangire's permanent water sources. During the dry season (June through October), the swamp becomes a magnet for wildlife. Elephant herds numbering in the hundreds gather here, alongside lions, leopards, buffalo, and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Even during the green season, the area remains remarkably productive because the swamp holds water year-round.

This isn't a busy part of the park. You'll share sightings with very few other vehicles — sometimes none at all. It feels like your own private reserve.

Sundowners in the bush

One of the highlights of a stay at Hilala is the sundowner experience. If you're not familiar with the term, a sundowner is a cherished safari tradition — an evening drink enjoyed out in the bush as the sun sets over the landscape. Your guide finds a scenic spot with a sweeping view, sets up cocktails, wines, cold beers, and a spread of snacks, and you toast the day's sightings as the sky shifts from gold to pink to deep indigo. At Hilala, the setting — overlooking the Gurusi Swamp with elephants moving in the distance — makes it unforgettable.

Night game drives in Tarangire

Hilala is one of the few camps in Tarangire that offers night game drives, and this is a genuine highlight that sets it apart. Most safari camps end game viewing at sundown, which means you miss an entire world of nocturnal wildlife. Night drives at Hilala head out after dinner in open safari vehicles equipped with spotlights, accompanied by an experienced guide.

This is your best chance to spot species that are nearly impossible to find during the day — aardvarks, elusive leopards on the prowl, genets and civets, bush babies peering from the branches, and honey badgers going about their fearless business. You'll also see a different side of Tarangire's predators — lions and hyenas are far more active after dark, and watching them under spotlight is an experience that stays with you.

Wildlife and game viewing at Hilala Camp

Tarangire National Park is home to the largest elephant population of any park in Tanzania, and the area around Gurusi Swamp is one of the best places to see them. During the dry season, herds of up to 300 elephants gather near the swamp and along the Tarangire River — a spectacle that's hard to match anywhere in East Africa.

Beyond elephants, expect lion prides, leopards (especially on night drives), large herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest, giraffes browsing among the iconic baobabs, and a rich variety of antelope species including lesser kudu, fringe-eared oryx, and gerenuk — species that are harder to find in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro. For birders, Tarangire hosts over 550 recorded species, and the swamp areas are particularly rewarding.

Getting to Hilala Camp

By air: The nearest airstrip is Kuro Airstrip, located inside Tarangire National Park. From Kuro, the drive to Hilala Camp takes approximately 40 minutes, depending on wildlife sightings along the way — so even the transfer becomes a game drive.

By road: From the Tarangire Main Gate, the drive to Hilala Camp takes approximately 2 hours. The route passes through some of the park's most scenic areas, including stretches of baobab woodland and along the Tarangire River, so you'll have outstanding game-viewing opportunities from the moment you enter the park.

Key Information

- Location: Gurusi Swamp, deep inside Tarangire National Park

- Collection: Nyumbani Collection (sister property to Nyumbani Serengeti)

- Accommodation: luxury tented suites with panoramic swamp views

- Activities: guided game drives, night game drives, sundowners, bush dining, birdwatching

- Nearest airstrip: Kuro Airstrip (approximately 40 minute transfer)

- Drive from Tarangire Main Gate: approximately 2 hours

- Best for: honeymooners, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, multi-stop safari itineraries

Why we recommend Hilala

I've watched a lot of camps open in Tanzania over the years, and not all of them deliver on their promises right out of the gate. Hilala has. The Nyumbani team already proved themselves with their Serengeti property, and they've brought the same attention to detail, warmth of service, and commitment to quality to this new camp. The location is spectacular, the tents are beautiful, the food is outstanding, and the wildlife — especially during dry season — is breathtaking.

If Tarangire is on your itinerary (and I strongly believe it should be), Hilala is the camp I'd put you in.

Duma Explorer proudly books guests at Hilala Camp and across the Nyumbani Collection. Reach out and we'll build the perfect itinerary for you.

Contact us to include Hilala Camp in your Northern Tanzania safari