Dear Friends,

It has been a little while since you last heard from us. We may have been quiet, but one thing is certain: life at Lake Manze Camp has been anything but quiet!
The past few months have brought us some truly extraordinary wildlife encounters, and we are excited to finally share some of the highlights with you.

An Elephant Summer at Lake Manze
July and August were particularly memorable months. We welcomed dozens of elephant visits right into camp, as the magnificent giants were drawn to the delicious ripe fruits of the dum palms.
Watching elephants wander peacefully through camp, stopping to feast on their favourite seasonal treat, has been a wonderful reminder that at Lake Manze, we are truly guests in the animals’ home.

Leopards and Wild Dogs
We have also enjoyed some very special predator sightings.
A leopard was spotted passing right through the camp, while African wild dogs were seen during June and July, providing exciting encounters for our guests. Their sightings continued until the beginning of August.

An Unforgettable Bush Dinner
Perhaps the most spectacular moment of all came when five lions approached almost all the way to our bush dinner tables!
An unforgettable reminder of just how surprising the African bush can be.
Over the past few months, we have also been witnessing an increasingly fascinating behaviour among the lions in the area: they appear to be becoming more specialised in hunting giraffes. This remarkable phenomenon has been observed several times recently and has given us a fascinating glimpse into the constantly evolving dynamics of the wilderness surrounding Lake Manze.

South Tanzania is Waiting for You
So, while we may have been a little absent from your inbox, the wilderness around Lake Manze Camp has certainly not stood still. Every day continues to bring new stories, unexpected encounters, and unforgettable moments.
We are very happy to be back and to reconnect with all of you.
Whether you are dreaming of returning to Lake Manze or planning your very first visit, we would be delighted to hear from you and help answer any questions you may have.
The elephants are still walking through camp, the predators are still writing their stories, and the wilderness is waiting.

We hope to welcome you back to Lake Manze Camp soon!

Warmest wishes,

The Lake Manze Camp Team

… and we are back!

Dedicated to the real explorers—to those who understand the true concept of entering lightly into an ecosystem that still follows its own rules, completely free from human interference and manipulation. Dedicated to those who value every animal encounter, as well as the effort and passion of the guides and drivers who made that encounter possible. Dedicated to those who reject a natural world tailored for human consumption and use, and instead realize the beauty of the unpredictable and the un-guaranteed…

This newsletter is for you, who visited and loved Mdonya and Ruaha National Park with all of this in mind!

June is usually the month when Ruaha National Park experiences an abrupt change of colors, as the grass—which was still green at the beginning of the month—shifts to a typical golden hue. By the end of August, some parts of the park are already covered by an almost non-existent layer of dry grass. Right now, the Great Ruaha River has already shrunk to a minor stream.

The elephants of Ruaha offered visitors many daily opportunities to appreciate their behavior and social interactions, both within the camp and during game drives. There were several sightings of leopards and lions. Among the latter, the sighting of the Mdonya pride at the end of June near the camp stands out; the pride engaged in hunting two impalas and was later seen during the late evening from the camp heading toward the old riverbed nearby.

Sightings of wild dogs were also frequent, both in the camp and throughout the park. Two leopard cubs were seen a few times. Adult leopards were seen attempting daytime hunting, where guests could appreciate the incredible camouflage and body movements that made them completely disappear in a few centimeters of grass!

The adventure has just started, be part of it again!

See you soon!

Mdonya Old River Team