Written by Pete Hardy
on Lake Tanganyika was the icing on the cake for a
60th birthday safari holiday of a lifetime in Tanzania.
A four-day stay at the paradise island
resort of Lupita
My wife, Jan, and I
flew in to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, from the UK via Nairobi. Belinda, of
Firelight Expeditions, had made all the arrangements for our seven days of
safari in the Serengeti and Katavi national parks followed by four days of
magical luxury on Lupita Island Resort.
For the safari we
would be under canvas. To say we were glamping would be an understatement. The
tents – if you could refer to them in such a denigrating way – were like canvas
palaces with “his and hers” sinks.
The four-poster
double bed, with a secure mosquito net attached, was a delight and each
morning we were awoken by the cheerful song of our water carrier – “Jambo, jambo, jambo”. To start the
day – a pot of tea on the veranda.
The first class
meals were served in a stately way whether out in the bush or back at camp. We
were out of bed each day by 7.30am and, after a hearty breakfast, back into the
bush we ventured.
Not a day passed
when we did not come across a new wildlife sight to wonder at – not to mention
a cocktail waiter out in the middle of nowhere serving a selection of iced
drinks from a table clad in a clean white cloth.
The animal and bird
life was spectacular and our guide was so knowledgeable about all things wild.
After the Serengeti we flew on to Katavi in a
private plane and again, luxuriated at a wonderful campsite by the river.
Unlike the Serengeti, water abounded. Hippos were now a regular and
awe-inspiring sight in so many of the pools we came across.
Eventually, the time had come for our drive to
Lake Tanganyika and to the island of Lupita. The long journey by car was made
easier by the varied scenery and many a glimpse into the lives of the Tanzanian
population in some of the more isolated communities. The drive was followed by
a brief boat ride from the mainland to the island.
We were met at the
lakeside by staff. At Lupita’s beautiful little harbour there were electric
golf carts waiting to carry us and our luggage up the steep road to the resort
where there is a bar, dining areas, lounges, an azure blue infinity swimming
pool and a games room.
The resort also has
a gift shop, a beauty salon and a gym.
The stunning
buildings are lofty and completely open to the elements with huge beams
carrying the impressive thatched roof giving it that Swiss Family Robinson
feel. The abundance of heavy carved wood furniture had obviously been carefully
chosen to fit in with the African theme.
We were taken by
staff out from the base and into one of 13 lodges hidden in the island’s dense
woodlands.
Alongside the
bedroom was a lounge with sumptuous furniture. On the other side was the
bathroom with a shower cascading down from the rock face behind and once again
there were the “his and hers” sinks.
In the foreground
was the lodge’s own plunge pool down a long wooden stairway. Such a refreshing
way to end a day in the heat.
From the lodge you
could look out for miles over the lake and adjacent islands.
On one of the days
at Lupita, Belinda had arranged a special treat. Using the rose petal trail
once again, she led us to the bath tub which stood on the edge of the lodge’s
deck, looking out over the lake. The bath was overflowing with bubbles and
alongside was an ice bucket containing my favourite tipple – a chilled and
fruity Marlborough Sauvignon.
Every meal on Lupita
was treated like a special occasion. There was no let up in the excellent
service provided by the devoted staff, some of whom had travelled hundreds of
miles to be a part of the team.
The food, under
Belinda’s direction, would have been at home in any Michelin-starred
restaurant. How she managed such a complex and varied menu in such an isolated
location is beyond me. Wine too had been selected with long consideration for
quality and flavour.
It’s not hard to see
how this island is considered to be one of the most exclusive holiday
destinations on the planet – a jewel in the crown of Tanzania and its share of
the beautiful Lake Tanganyika.
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