The inactive volcano that you see in the background, shrouded by cloud, is Kitumbeine. At 2942 meters she stands proud above the Engaruka Basin, which is part of the Mto Wa Mbu Game Controlled area.

Our lodge sits on the edge of the Rift Valley Escarpment with a slope like the one in the distance, going down 242 meters to the valley floor.

These three artists impressions show how our bungalows will be finished.

The bungalows are built with local materials. The red, earth bricks come from a local quarry and the makuti-grass roofs are thatched over corrugated metal (on both sides) to ensure water proofing. The terrace is 6.5 meters by 2.5 meters and overlook the valley below - a glorious, relaxing view!

This cross section of the inside shows a four person bungalow with two double bedrooms. Each bedroom has two single beds and a built in wardrobe. All bungalows contain two en-suite bathrooms, each with shower and toilet.

The middle drawing does not clearly show the two bathrooms at the back of the bungalow. This picture shows them in somewhat more detail. The grey squares on the floor illustrate a shower basin which, of course, will be finished off with a glass shower cubicle.

We are not a luxury lodge (they cost up to $800 pppn!) but for far less money we offer the same cleanliness, hygiene and homely comfort and safety. And a real African experience!

• Mission 1: to provide you with the holiday of a lifetime.
• Mission 2: to Aid Rural Tanzanian Communities.

We are determined to uphold mission 1 for you in order to make mission 2 possible!

After our initial investment debts have been paid back (we hope in the second year) we will calculate our profit at the end of each year and divide it into two portions: one to maintain our lodge to continue improving mission 1 and the second to enable an Aid Project! One Aid Project per year, with a pre-determined budget as decided by the apportioning of the previous year's profit. Which project we decide upon depends on inputs from our guests, our knowledge of Tanzania, inputs from NGOs and local communities and the amount of money available. Some example projects are shown in the left hand column.

Even though we hope for maximum profits your holiday can be offered at very reasonable prices (far lower than many other lodges), because we only have Tanzanian employees. No money is earned by the owners and although our local staff will earn good money for Tanzania it enables us to maximise profits and, in due course, we expect to invest significant amounts in each yearly project.

We offer you the holiday of a lifetime and a chance to meet the people we are helping, to learn from them, to provide inputs to our aid project plans and, of course, you are acting as sponsors. You can follow the progress of the projects that you help to finance in this newsletter!

Lake Manyara National Park, just a sixteen minute drive from our lodge, covers a relatively small area (about 330 sq km) but was described by Ernest Hemingway as the "Loveliest Lake of Africa". With an amazing flora including giant fig trees, mahogany, baobabs it provides a variety of habitats from the jungle like groundwater forests through acacia forests populated with tree dwelling lions and leopards to savannah grasslands, lake and swamps. Over 400 species of birds make the lake and forests their home. Hippo and big game such as elephant, buffalo, zebra and giraffe are very easy to view.

The world renowned Ngorongoro Crater is just one hours drive away. This short text cannot give it justice but soon we will have articles on the website describing all of our local highlights.

Chagga people brew banana beer, others make palm oil from palm trees brought from Lake Tanganyika. The Sandawe still make bow and arrows for hunting and the Rangi people are using papyrus from local lakes to make mats and baskets. On the plains Maasai families live in traditional Bomas and their warriors wander with their cattle looking for pasture and water. Our culture tours do not visit tourist traps but offer a genuine opportunity to discover life as it really is in Tanzania and the traditions that remain.

Wherever possible we will attempt to help cultures retain their most positive traditions. Our music evenings, once per week, help maintain tradtional music within the region.

The article, "About Tanzania", explains just how stable and safe Tanzania is, but only hints about its greatest asset - its people! The vast majority of Africans, in spite of their difficult life, can smile brighter than the sun. Tanzanians have this abilty and their hospitality is immense.

Now, add to the Tanzanian smile a large dollop of magnificent scenery, which provides biotopes ranging from dry grasslands to groundwater forests; mix in myriads of mammals and big game, an amazing birdlife, vegetation that boggles the mind and colours and hues that change throughout one single day - you have just a few of the ingredients. Whilst that is bringing you to the boil just think of the wonderful starry skies at night seen from the safety of your terrace. Add, perhaps, the howl of a distant hyena, or the scurrying of bush babies in the trees, the warmth of the evening and a sudden feeling of actually participating in this wonderful Universe. This will be what springs to mind when you recall your holiday and try to explain the mystique of Africa!

I have known Kanuthi several years now. He was our friendly, reliable cook as we spent nine days together exploring rarely visited villages on the Makonde Plateau in southernmost Tanzania. Kanuthi showed himself as an honest, intelligent young man with a genuine desire to not only serve his guests with his excellent cooking skills but to inform them in matters of Tanzanian flora, fauna and culture.

He since studied Wildlife Ecology & Tour Guiding and Leadership Skills at PROTS College in Arusha. He is thus extremely well equipped to look after your every wish at our lodge!

Unfortunately, until we are certain that our bungalows are ready (not to mention the restaurant, kitchen and the remaining infrastructure of our lodge), we cannot accept any bookings. Hopefully we can begin taking bookings in July 2007.

When we are ready you should use our web site to book and you can gain up to a 10% discount! You can choose to pay over a secure internet connection or by bank transfer (via Paypal).

• Exactly Where We Are (some maps)
• More Photos of our Land
• Two Airports and our Shuttle Service
• Larger Pictures of our Bungalows
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Menus and our Traditional Music Evening
• How To Relax in our Lodge (if you dont want to participate in other adventures)
• How we Support Sustainable Tourism
• Safety in and Around the Camp
• Our All Inclusive Package Explained (excluding - prices they will be finalised later)
• Local Highlights: National Parks, Flora, Fauna & Culture

All of the above can be seen in detail on our website's Virtual Tour by clicking here!