March 19, 2025

Olakira Migration Camo Ndutu, Sinoni, Tanzania

To

Namiri Plaines Camp, Bariadi, Tanzania

Today we will travel a whole 34 miles north to another Asilia Camp. Interesting how we get here. We had a flight scheduled for 11:20 on Auric Air. Last night we were told the flight had been rearranged to leave at 10:00. Ok, that doesn’t matter.

After breakfast we loaded into the Land Cruiser and headed to the Ndutu Airstrip. It is only a few kilometers from the camp. We arrived about 9:30. 10:00 came and went and so did a few other flights. It was 10:20 when our flight actually showed up. Adding us to the plane filled all twelve seats.

The plane took off without any issue but headed to Grumenti Airstrip on the far western side of the Serengeti National Park. It actually flew over and past Seronera where we were scheduled to stop. Again, ok there is no hurry. A couple people got off at Grumenti and a couple got one, we were still twelve. Then we flew back to Seronera.

Seronera is a nice little “airport”. They have a terminal with a departure lounge and restrooms, even a gift shop. We got off the plane, looked for our luggage, found it and the porters took it to the terminal. But there was no one to greet us. This is strange. It has never happened before.

Fortunately, one of the porters asked us who was supposed to meet us. We told him someone from Asilia. He looked at the ten of fifteen Land Crusiers and said that one is Asilia. Turns out our driver and guide of the next couple days, Alessandro, had tasked someone else to meet us at the plane, while he sat in the jeep. We never saw them, but a young woman came by and dropped off a clip board with our name on it.

We loaded in to a Land Cruiser with a totally different configuration than we are used to. We asked how long it would take to get to the camp. His response surprised us when he said two hours. We took the opportunity to use the restrooms before beginning the journey. Although, we could have probably covered the distance from Ndutu in less time than the hour and a half flight and two-hour ride to the camp – if there were roads.

Namiri Plains is situated southeast of Seonera. It is large plain. Mostly flat with a few trees. Each of the camps we have visited have had different ecology. Which is why it is important if you make a trip to plan on visiting different camps. If you came all this way, take the time to see different ecological systems.

Namiri Plains is billed as the most comprehensive, all-embracing experience offering high-quality year-round game viewing, luxurious accommodations and the highest level of service. Driving up to the camp you could immediately believe it. Each camp so far has been a step up, this one is the biggest step yet. They have large lounge with a full bar. Swimming pool, library and a spa! Turns out the vehicle we were driven in is a custom-designed vehicle specialized for photographic safaris.

We were greeted in the main lodge, which also houses the dinning room, guest lounge, and bar. Then we sat and had lunch before going to our “tent”. The “tent” is anything but, the photos will cover what I can’t in words, but wow!

The Main Lodge, lounge area and vie from dinning room.

An outdoor bathtub! With bubble bath. A rain type shower. They even had a hairdryer for Mary. This is upscale.

Tent No. 5 Home for the next couple of days.

In the late afternoon we went to the lounge and play cards, and had dinner. It was an excellent meal. We booked spa treatments for the next day, and a game drive in the morning. Then it was off to bed.

Buonanotte w ciao, Enrico e Maria