» posted on Friday, September 23rd, 2022 by Linda Lou Burton

You’ll Never Guess

Linda Lou Burton posting from Mbuzi Mawe Serena Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania–Now I know about kopjes. Big rocks, jutting up in the wide-open savannah. Big rocks where lions like to nap. So I’m thinking – just how safe is my tent, really? It’s just canvas, with a zippered flap. And those kopjes aren’t only in front of my tent, they are behind it too; in fact, Mbuzi Mawe Serena Tented Camp is clustered around the base of some rather marvelous looking kopjes. A very, very long way from the Walmart, or, well, anything. Here’s an aerial view of the camp – buildings snuggled against kopjes, and then, savannah. I’m pretty sure our tent is in the middle, snuggled in the trees just right of the triangle sidewalks and facing the grasses; the large lounge and dining tents are left of the triangle.

Here’s what they say about themselves: Discover a refined retreat within the natural beauty of Serengeti National Park. Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp’s 16 canvas tents offer spacious style and home-like comforts. Reachable by a winding stone path, our tents are dotted through the rocky glades of the camp; they stand on a stone platform. The expansive main bedroom has two queen beds, covered by mosquito nets. A seating area offers comfortable chairs and stylish lamps; unwind and read a book. The bathroom opens off the bedroom and includes a flushing WC, twin basins, and a shower with 24-hour hot water. Each tent has a private outdoor terrace with safari chairs and sun loungers; have a seat and admire the panoramic views. Tucked within the center of Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp, our tented dining room offers a welcoming atmosphere, as well as an expansive terrace with sweeping views of the plains. Located within the camp’s central lounge area, our stylish bar is a welcome spot for a cocktail with friends after a successful day on safari.

I have found the above to be basically true, although one detail is omitted – we are not to wander around after dark unaccompanied! Be inside our tent, flap zipped, after dark. Call security for an escort if we want to walk around. Yes, we have a phone in our tent. We’re to call for security, or room service, anytime we feel uneasy, or hungry. A big difference in this tented camp and our first two, as well as all the Lodges – they were FENCED IN. Although we were staying inside the Parks, the Park’s animals couldn’t roam around our tents/rooms. Until here. Have we seen a lion lurking? Well, not yet.

My curious self wanted to know more about this particular camp. What does Mbuzi Mawe mean? You’ll never guess, unless you’ve been studying your Swahili/Afrikaans/Dutch. Mbuzi Mawe translates to “klipspringer.” Which means: rock jumper, which is a very small antelope that lives on kopjes (also a Swahili/Afrikaans/Dutch word). Have I seen any klipspringer’s today, as I gazed at my kopjes? Well, not yet. These little fellows are tiny – less than two feet tall at the shoulder, weighing less than 40 pounds. Their yellowish-gray coat is great camouflage, and (like the lions) they mostly sleep during the day. I wish I’d seen them, or could tonight – it’s said the romantically inclined monogamous critters like to dance on the rocks in the moonlight. Imagine that, with their tiny odd hooves, Designed by Nature for ease of rock climbing. And yes, I said monogamous. Dad looks after Mom, and the kids. Something’s working for the klipspringer’s way of life: they are classified Least Concern by the IUCN with no major threats to their survival.

Note how they feed – one on lookout while the other eats. They’re so pretty, they almost look like painted dolls. Mbuzi Mawe! More pictures below (not mine) of the Mbuzi Mwae Tented Camp and the kopjes where both lions and klipspringers hang out.