Chem Chem Lodge is the home of the Slow Safari — a philosophy centered on presence, intention, and a deeper connection with the wild. The lodge itself is an expression of that philosophy: eight tented sanctuaries of canvas, stone, and thatch unfolding amid an oasis of palm and acacia — so embedded in the landscape that you might almost miss them.
There are no set schedules at the lodge, and every moment is shaped around you — from the rhythm of the day to the choice of activity. Here, the wild is the entire point, whether you’re watching the sun sink over the shores of Lake Manyara, settling into a deep-tissue massage to the sound of birdsong, or sitting down to a lantern-lit dinner beneath the acacias.
Chem Chem Lodge's seven tented suites are designed for seclusion and oriented to take full advantage of the surrounding landscape. Inside, every detail is considered — hand-carved wooden furnishings crafted on site, bespoke linen on king beds, and a reading nook made for slow afternoons.
Each suite features a king bed, a reading nook, and a private patio. En suite bathrooms include twin vanities and indoor and outdoor showers.
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Vanity Cabinet, Wardrobe
The family suite at Chem Chem Lodge echoes the design language of the wider camp — canvas, stone, and hand-carved wood — with the space and flexibility that families require. Two tented bedrooms, each with its own en suite bathroom, are connected by a small wooden bridge: the main bedroom for adults, the annex with two single beds for children. The suite accommodates up to two adults and three children, with a single bed available for children up to 15 years.
Children aged four and older are welcome.
Air Conditioning, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, External Shower, Family Safari Tent, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
Air conditioner, Battery Charging Facilities, Credit Card Facilities, Eco Friendly, Gym / Fitness Centre, Gym on property, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service, Library, Pool, Room Service, Spa, Vegetarian
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Family Safari Tent, Fan, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Sala, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
24-hour Security, Credit Card Facilities, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Hot Air Ballooning, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Explore the Burunge Wildlife Management Area at your own pace in a private vehicle with a dedicated guide, included in every booking. Just you and the wild with no crowds and no schedule.
Set off on day or evening game drives to explore the expanse of our exclusive-use protected wildlife area with your private guide and vehicle.
Venture into one of Tanzania's most iconic national parks on a full- or half-day game drive with your private guide and vehicle — picnic lunch included (experience must be arranged in advance).
End your day on a high note with sundowners on the shore of Lake Manyara. Take a moment to reminisce about your time in the Tanzanian wilderness as you sit, drink in hand, and watch the sun paint the sky shades of pinks and oranges as it sinks behind the escarpment.
Follow a Maasai warrior into the bush in complete silence, arriving at the shores of Lake Manyara and sharing traditional baobab tea around the fire.
Wander the wilderness alongside a Maasai warrior and see the landscape as his people have known it for generations, from learning the medicinal uses of plants to reading animal tracks.
Invigorate yourself with a revitalizing 6- 10 km walk through the wilderness with a Maasai warrior.
Explore the wilderness at a new pace and from a new perspective as you run alongside a Maasai warrior.
Sit with Chief Chiroko and hear the stories of his people; or explore Tanzanian culture more deeply through the color and noise of the Sunday Maasai Market.
Sit with the Barabaig people at a nearby homestead, where stories and traditions rarely shared with outsiders come to life.
Mark a special occasion with a traditional Maasai blessing ceremony or choir, arranged exclusively for you (experience must be arranged in advance).
Drift over the wilderness at dawn as the wild wakes below you. Experience must be booked in advance, enquire for more information.
From fun games to bush skills, we offer plenty of activities to entertain little ones on safari. These include guided bush walks around camp, animal tracking, birdspotting, interactive cooking and baking, and beading lessons with the Maasai. Please enquire for more information.
See the wilderness differently from above. Wide-open plains, dramatic volcanoes, mirror-like lakes, and the vast tear of the Rift Valley take on an entirely new scale from the air. Enquire for more information on trips and rates. Booking prior to arrival is essential.
Treatment rooms open to the sounds of the wild, where expert therapists offer restorative treatments rooted in the land — their deft hands undoing the stiffness of days in the vehicle. Booking is required; enquire for a full list of treatments.
Enjoy your choice of continental-style fresh fruits, cereals, homemade yoghurt, and freshly baked pastries. We also offer a selection of hot breakfasts.
Lunch and dinner is a 3-course à la carte menu.
Ponya: Our specially designed ‘Ponya’ (meaning ‘to heal’ in Swahili) breakfast, lunch and dinner menus spotlight health-centric dishes made from nutrient-rich, freshly sourced ingredients (including herbs from our garden).
Available with prior arrangement.
Enjoy breakdfast, lunch, or dinner in the lodge’s al fresco dining areas.
When you're out on a game drive, dining becomes part of the adventure. Your guide finds the spot — next to a watering hole, amid the open plains, in the shade of a tree — and lays out our signature picnic spread, with the bush as your dining room.
Our 'Maisha Marefu' (meaning long life in Swahili) wellness shots are designed to offer a range of health benefits, from general well-being and digestion to energy boosting and blood sugar maintenance, as well as a good night’s sleep.
Breakfast itself becomes an experience when you're out in the bush — a table set beneath the canopy, freshly brewed coffee, and the gentle hum of nature all around. Spread before you: pastries fresh from the oven, homemade yogurt and fruit, and a hot breakfast of your choice, cooked on-site by our chefs.
A drive into the wilderness brings you to a dinner few destinations can match. Under canvas or a canopy of trees, a wholly private dining experience unfolds just for you — a table lit by lanterns, the wild wrapped around you, and course after course arriving in a flourish of flavor, prepared by our chefs on site. Included in stays of 4 nights or more, or available at an additional cost.