Laba Laba means "butterfly" in a Central African dialect. A name with colorful resonances evocative of flight and escape.
These butterflies are also excellent indicators of environmental quality, and their abundant presence is a sign of the absence of pollution and pesticides. They therefore represent a powerful symbol to illustrate Laba Laba's mission and ambition: to share with you magnificent spaces in unspoiled and preserved nature, in a luxurious and exclusive setting to enjoy simple and authentic pleasures.
Tanzania is a legendary country renowned for its natural parks, ideal places to discover African flora and fauna. So, let's embark on a premium safari, exploring the bush, the vegetation of this African region, and Tanzanian beaches, in the 5-star camps and lodges of Laba Laba.
From the moment we stepped off the plane at Dar Es Salaam airport, we were taken care of by a dedicated guide, as we continued throughout our stay. This personalized and tailor-made support, at every stage of the trip, reassures and reassures us as foreign visitors. From domestic flights between each camp to the final stopovers, there is always a dedicated guide waiting to take you safely to your destination.
Logbook of a safari with a thousand sensations.
Step 1: Laba Laba Siwandu
After an hour's drive in a 4x4 Jeep on ochre and sandy tracks, we arrive at the camp, greeted by the entire team with a warm welcome song.
This camp, located in the middle of Nyerere National Park, has 13 lodges, 13 luxury tent suites, near the shores of Lake Nzerakera. Set among the trees and facing the lake, spaced apart to promote the privacy of guests, the tents consist of a huge mosquito net tent sheltered under a wooden structure with palm leaf roofs, with a terrace at the back to admire the sunset over the lake (swimming is prohibited because the lake is populated by crocodiles and hippos). A summer lounge and a bronze bathtub have been installed for relaxing breaks during the day. Under the tent, in a sober, artisanal and African decor, there is a king-size bed with soft sheets, a bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower. To cool off, a swimming pool is also accessible in the middle of the camp.
From dusk, to leave the tent, a Maasai must accompany you; he is your bodyguard and your guide. Indeed, the Maasai reside mainly in the savannah regions of Tanzania, they are renowned for their extensive knowledge of nature and especially the bush, acquired since their childhood in their village. This is why they are very present in the park security services.
We had our first lunch on a boat in the middle of the lake: a picturesque and unique moment, mixed with fun and excitement because crocodiles were lurking somewhere under the boat.
The pace of a day's safari is breathless and exhilarating, because at dawn, we have to go hunting for animals... with our cameras. Accompanied by a private and experienced guide—like Joseph, who skillfully slaloms in a jeep between the trees and shrubs—we traveled through the bush in search of the Big Five: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros. On our routes, we encountered leaping impalas, nonchalant giraffes nibbling on leaves in the treetops, baboons and monkeys delousing themselves under the foliage, lazy buffalo sprawling in the mud, but the big cats were discreet. Small birds with bluish plumage, like tanzanite, fluttered from tree to tree, as if to show us the way...
The bush is lush and beautiful in June, after the rainy season, interspersed with grassy plains and shady canopies.
At lunchtime, we stop by the lake, where a table is already set with colorful and fresh dishes, prepared by the chef and his assistant already there to provide service.
Then we take the 4/4 for another ride until the end of the afternoon.
In the evening at the camp, after an aperitif around a fire pit, dinner is served in the restaurant built on stilts, whose height allows for a better view of the lake. The camp's cuisine is healthy and simple, with slight African and Indian accents.
When it's time to leave, Joseph accompanies us by jeep to the airfield, completes the administrative formalities, and waits until takeoff for a final goodbye before returning to camp. In unfamiliar territory, these escorts are reassuring signs of safety.
Step 2: Laba Jongomero
Located in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's second largest national park, this camp has ten tented suites and a spacious mansion with a private pool; similar structures to Siwandu, but with unobstructed views of the Jongomero River.
As soon as we arrived, we were able to admire the immense thousand-year-old baobab (more than 1500 years old) which protects the entrance, while enjoying the welcoming song specific to Jongomero.
Situated at high altitude, the landscapes of Jongomero are distinguished by a multitude of leafless baobabs with enormous trunks (giant guardians of the plant world) and emerald green candelabra cacti, growing along the roadsides and inside the bush.
During our sunrise excursions, we were able to observe a cheetah being chased by a pregnant lioness, thanks to the experience and acuity of our guide Apollo, as their coat blends perfectly into the landscape and makes them almost imperceptible. We later encountered a lioness again, lying down a meter from our 4x4.
Laba Laba's guides are dedicated professionals. Experienced and patient, they play a vital role in ensuring a successful safari experience, identifying the best wildlife spots while ensuring your comfort and safety.
The air here is slightly cooler in the evening, so don't be surprised if you find hot water bottles in your sheets at bedtime as the staff are very concerned about your comfort.
On the wellness side, at Jongomero, you can also enjoy a magnificent spa area with an idyllic panorama built on the banks of the river, with a swimming pool and a basin where a natural hot spring springs. Hadija and Rachel will quickly become your favorite masseuses after a hectic day in the bush! The vast wooden terrace with sofas and lounge chairs is also ideal for lunches and relaxation in the shade of parasols.
Step 3: Laba Laba Fanjove
Let's end our fabulous trip on Fanjove Island, a fifteen-minute boat ride from Songo Songo Island, which has an airfield. And for a few days, we'll feel like modern-day Robinson Crusoe.
This small, lush tropical island, fringed with white sand and surrounded by turquoise water, seems to have come straight out of Daniel Defoe's iconic novel.
Recognizable from afar by its bright white lighthouse dating from the 19th century, on this private island, time seems to stand still. In fact, the opening hours here vary, based on the day's brightness.
The ultra-spacious and modern villas, with their wooden structures and palm leaf roofs, face the sea, separated by a beach of fine white sand. These open bungalows, decorated in a bohemian chic style, are equipped with a king-size bed with a mosquito net (carefully arranged by the evening staff) and a large dressing room leading to a bathroom with two showers, one of which is open-air. On the terrace, a lounge with plush sofas and a hammock invite you to relax.
Barefoot, on the sandy paths leading to the old lighthouse transformed into a restaurant, we come across white crabs slipping between the bushes and coconut trees (whose freshly picked fruits are delicious and very thirst-quenching).
On the menu, the chef and his team prepare Tanzanian mixed salads, dishes with ocean flavors, as well as grilled chicken and spicy curries. And, despite the familiar ingredients, these meals have the taste and aroma of exoticism and a change of scenery.
Fanjove Island is ideal for a honeymoon or a complete getaway in a peaceful atmosphere, far from the crowds. Its beaches are perfect for morning jogs and romantic evening strolls. For more active activities, you can go scuba diving with a professional guide to explore the 11 km of pristine coral reef that runs along the island; don a mask and snorkel for snorkeling; or take a boat trip to track dolphins.
After exciting escapades in the bush, the "slow motion" stay on Laba Laba Fanjove allows you to recharge your batteries in serenity, while reviewing the sublime and magical landscapes captured in our memories (and our cameras), before taking the flight back to urban life.
Let yourself be carried away by the excellence of Laba Laba's camps and lodges, for a premium, authentic and memorable trip, on Tanzanian land and sea.
Hakuna matata…
Ema Lynnx
Photos: Patrick Koune
