THE HILLS OF KILIMANJARO-Kambi Ya Tembo Sinya Camp & First Animal Sighting

Leaving Arusha and Lawate behind us, we began our journey to West Kilimanjaro. It was early on that we got our first view of Mount Kilimanjaro as we headed to a remote, lesser visited safari area most famous for its views of the mountain. That said, this view turned out to be the best view we'd have for the next two days. But I wasn't disappointed because what we did see and experience made up for it.

Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen in the distance, with the not-so-snow-covered top being shrouded in clouds. 

The drive was primarily on dirt roads as a new paved highway was currently under construction. However, we saw little heavy machinery and instead many men working with shovels to clear or move dirt or rocks from here to there. The completion of the highway was not imminent, but when finished it would improve the drive to West Kilimanjaro and neighboring Kenya. 

The people seen in the background are gleaning the field of leftover corn.

As it was, we bumped along rocky, dirt roads and side detours which because it was the dry season, were also very, very dusty. But as we experienced later, this was just an introduction to bumpy and dusty. In this respect, the warning in the handbook was spot on.

Donkeys, cattle, goats and sheep were also frequent sightings along the road.

Two bumpy hours later, we passed through the gates of the the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area on our way to our tented camp, and that's when I spied my first giraffe. STOP!

Seeing my first giraffe was an emotional experience for me.
I found myself weeping quietly at the realization that I was really here in Africa,
seeing this magnificent creature in its own habitat.

While we would end up seeing many more giraffes as well as zebras, elephants, wart hogs, gazelles and baboons in the game drives during the next two days, the sighting of my first giraffe remains my most memorable moment of the trip.

Arriving at Camp

Kambi ya Tembo Sinya Camp is located in the West Kilimanjaro area of Northeast Tanzania. It is a rustic but very comfortable permanent tented lodge in a hilltop setting in a remote and less-visited safari area most famous for its views of Mount Kilimanjaro. 

The huge thatched roof on this see-through structure drew our attention right away.
This is the common area where we would meet everyday to relax and enjoy our meals.

The rafter and rib structure of the roof creates an interesting pattern and texture.

 This view from the outdoor seating area extends westward across the savanna to Mt. Meru located just north of the city of Arusha which is where our journey began two days earlier.

The camp consists of 14 tents like ours below, each with en suite facilities including flush toilets, hot and cold running water, and a spacious shower. Each tent is also situated to have a view of Mount Kilimanjaro from the front porch; however, because of frequent cloud cover, we never got a perfect view worthy of photographing.

My first impression is that this is not your typical tent camping. Each heavy canvas tent is permanently erected under a larger timber and thatched roof cover which wraps around three sides making a covered porch. Window screens have both roll-up shades on the outside as well as decorative curtains on the inside. The entry is a double-wide screened flap with heavy duty zippers. Two leather director chairs beg you to sit and enjoy the view, but with a busy daily itinerary, we never had a chance to just sit.

Inside, the tent is bright and airy with room for a queen bed, dressing table, clothes tree and two luggage racks. Bedside lights are electrified kerosene lamps to keep the authentic camping look. 

The ensuite bathroom is three times as big as ours at home with a separate room for the toilet, the vanity and the shower.

And with its eco-friendly electric power supplied by solar panels, that means hot showers are available any time of day.

 A quick power-nap was in order before setting out on our first late afternoon game drive.