Pakulala Safari Camp, the only 'tented camp' on the Ngorongoro crater ring.
It's half past six in the morning. Dawn in Tanzania. And the only thing that seeps through the seams of Pakulala Safari Camp's 11 canvas tents is the sound of the wildlife on the move that permanently inhabits the caldera of the volcano Ngorongoro Conservation Area (the largest stable population of wild animals in Africa).
Located in Maasai territory, At more than 2,300 meters of altitude, this exclusive camp – the only one located on the ring of the Ngorongoro crater – is one of the most complete options for relive the atmosphere of ancient African expeditions: a safari like those of yesteryear with the comforts of the 21st century.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in this spectacular landscape dotted with volcanoes, the sighting of animals is not something exceptional, but habitual. Unlike in other regions of Africa, they are not forced to migrate in search of water and food, so thousands of wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, gazelles, lions... graze inside the crater (600 meters deep and more than 20 kilometers in diameter) throughout the year, which increases the chances of spotting Africa's 'big five'.
Pakulala Safari Camp is located in Maasai territory, and a large part of the staff belongs to the tribe.
THE DECORATION
The eleven stores, equipped with two double beds, private bathroom and shower, ecological toilet and solar lighting, are governed by the principles of ecotourism and sustainability that characterize Ratpanat, the luxury travel agency that owns this Tanzanian camp.
Safari chairs, communal tables and oil lamps complete a contextualized decoration flooded by Maasai motifs, like the blankets with which travelers wrap themselves around the fire every night to tell each other the stories that occurred during the safari day.
In addition, many of the decorative elements are handmade by local artisans, such as the butterfly chairs or the hand-woven natural fiber rugs by the Mbulu women's community.
Interior of one of the 11 tents at Pakulala Safari Camp.
TREKKING TO THE EMPAKAI CRATER
The best thing about the places that can only be accessed on foot is that they are usually off the tourist routes and make the traveler live much more authentic and experiential experiences. This is the case of the Empakai crater, which Inside it houses a deep and bluish lake where flamingos come to breed. There are also buffaloes, gazelles, antelopes, leopards, monkeys...
A route that is worthwhile, in addition to all these reasons, for another fundamental one: from this crater there are incredible views of the only currently active volcano in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ol Doinyo Lengai, which in the Maasai language means 'Mountain of God'.
Flamingos in the lake inside the Empakai crater in Tanzania.
RATPANAT LUXURY & ADVENTURE
Founded by Estrella Ortego and Ricardo Gramona, this travel agency dedicated to the design of luxury and adventure trips is specialist in the organization of safaris in East Africa, mainly in Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Morocco.
It is supported by the East Africa Camps brand, based in Tanzania, which brings together the accommodations owned and, in addition, has had its own operations base in Arusha (Tanzania) since 2009 to manage and supervise the experiences they offer in Africa.
Also, It has its own infrastructure. such as their chill out trucks or their property accommodations, as is the case with Pakulala Safari Camp. Its other properties are: Olengoti Ecosafari Camp (Kenya), Pumzika Luxury Safari Camp and Pumzika Safari Camp (Serengeti National Park) and its latest addition, Lukuba Island Lodge, on Lake Victoria.
Pakulala Safari Camp, a safari like those of yesteryear with the comforts of the 21st century.