Elewana - Tarangire Treetops vs Asilia - Oliver's Camp - Tarangire N.P.
Side-by-side comparison of Elewana - Tarangire Treetops (Tarangire N.P., Tanzania) and Asilia - Oliver's Camp (Tarangire N.P., Tanzania).
- Elewana - Tarangire Treetops — Elevated treehouse suites rise among baobabs at Tarangire Treetops, where elephants wander below and wide savanna views stretch to the horizon.
- Asilia - Oliver's Camp — At Oliver's Camp, days unfold between open plains and riverine shade where wildlife gathers in quiet concentration. A camp built for serious game viewing with understated safari elegance.
Both Tarangire Treetops and Oliver’s Camp are premier choices in Tanzania’s spectacular Tarangire National Park, yet they offer two completely different ways to experience it. This isn’t a simple choice between two similar lodges.
Your decision comes down to a fundamental preference: do you want the architectural novelty of sleeping in a magnificent treehouse, or the classic authenticity of a tented camp focused on serious, ground-level safari? We break down the real differences to help you choose.
Quick verdict
Elewana - Tarangire Treetops
Offers a truly unique stay in elevated treehouses with magnificent views over the landscape.
Asilia - Oliver's Camp
A classic tented camp experience focused on high-quality guiding and immersive walking safaris.
Your choice is between Treetops' architectural wow-factor and Oliver's Camp's deep, traditional safari authenticity.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Elewana - Tarangire Treetops | Asilia - Oliver's Camp |
|---|---|---|
| Style/atmosphere | Architectural treehouse lodge | Classic safari tented camp |
| Location type | Edge of park, by waterhole | Deep inside remote park area |
| Best for | Novelty and unique architecture | Authentic guiding & walks |
| Price level | Luxury | Luxury |
| Standout feature | Sleeping in a baobab treehouse | Expert-led walking safaris |
| Accommodation | Elevated treehouse suites | Tented suites on the ground |
| Key Activity Focus | Lodge-based viewing | Guided walks & drives |
| Connectivity | More connected | Remote and off-the-grid |
| Area | Tarangire N.P. | Tarangire N.P. |
Location & access
Both lodges are situated in Tarangire, but their specific placement creates a very different feel. Tarangire Treetops sits on the edge of the national park in a private conservation area. Its position gives it a sense of grand, sweeping scale, with huge views across the plains, but it means you are not deep inside the park itself.
Oliver’s Camp is the opposite. It’s located deep within a remote, southern corner of the national park, far from any other properties. This gives it a genuine sense of seclusion and immersion. Getting there feels like a journey, and once you arrive, you have prime access to quieter areas of Tarangire. The choice is between the expansive views from the fringe or the quiet solitude of the interior.
Style & atmosphere
Style is the biggest point of difference. Tarangire Treetops is defined by its dramatic and unique architecture. The main lodge and rooms are elevated treehouses built around massive baobab and marula trees. The experience is about height, creativity, and the "wow factor" of its design. It feels modern, bold, and theatrical.
Oliver’s Camp is a direct nod to the classic safaris of the past. It’s a traditional tented camp where the canvas, wood, and brass furnishings are comfortable and elegant but purposefully understated. The goal at Oliver’s is not for the camp to be the spectacle, but for it to be a quiet, authentic base from which to experience the surrounding wilderness. The atmosphere is intimate, grounded, and timeless.
Rooms & comfort
The contrast in style continues in the rooms. At Treetops, you sleep in enormous, open-plan treehouse suites wrapped around tree trunks high above the ground. A huge private balcony gives you a commanding view of the landscape and the waterhole below. It’s a fantastical experience, creating a sensation of floating above the savanna with wildlife moving beneath you.
Oliver’s Camp features well-appointed and spacious safari tents, but they are very much on the ground. The canvas walls allow the sounds of the bush to filter in at night, creating a more immediate connection to the environment. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda, but the experience is rustic-chic rather than architectural. Here, your accommodation feels part of the bush, not elevated above it.
Wildlife & views
As both lodges are in Tarangire, they share access to its famous elephant herds, baobab forests, and diverse predators. The difference lies in how you view the wildlife. Treetops is built overlooking a waterhole, which acts as a natural stage. You can sit on your deck and watch a steady stream of animals arrive to drink throughout the day, which is a fantastic, passive way to see wildlife.
Oliver’s Camp focuses on a more active and expert-led safari experience. It is renowned for its high-quality guides who lead explorations deep into the park on game drives. Crucially, it is famous for its walking safaris, allowing you to get out of the vehicle and track animals on foot. Oliver’s also offers night drives, which are not available at all lodges and provide a chance to see nocturnal creatures.
Photography potential
Your photographic opportunities will be quite different at each lodge. Tarangire Treetops is a dream for landscape and architectural photographers. The elevated position of the rooms and main area provides a unique high-angle perspective for capturing sweeping sunrises, sunsets, and wide shots of the plains and waterhole below. The design of the lodge itself is also a primary subject.
Oliver’s Camp is better suited to the classic wildlife photographer who wants intimate, eye-level portraits of animals. The ability to go on walking safaris gives you a completely different, low-angle perspective that is impossible to get from a vehicle. The camp’s remote location also means fewer vehicles in your shots, and the expert guides are skilled at positioning you for the best light and animal behavior.
Service & feel
Both are luxury-tier properties with attentive service, but the small scale of Oliver’s Camp fosters a more personal and intimate atmosphere. With just a handful of tents, you get to know the guides and camp staff well over your stay. The camp is known for its warm, family-like feel, and its detailed offerings like extensive dietary menus suggest a highly personalized approach.
Tarangire Treetops, while still providing excellent service, feels more like a boutique hotel. The experience is slightly more structured, built around its impressive facilities. Service is professional and polished, ensuring you have everything you need while enjoying the lodge’s unique environment, from boma dinners to visits with the local community.
Value for money
With both lodges occupying the same luxury price point, value is measured in the experience rather than cost. At Tarangire Treetops, the money goes toward the unique infrastructure and novelty. You are paying for the memorable, one-of-a-kind experience of sleeping in a baobab treehouse, which for many is a priceless part of their safari story.
At Oliver’s Camp, the value lies in safari substance. You are paying for the remote location, the small-camp intimacy, and, most importantly, the high caliber of the guiding. For safari veterans or those who prioritize the quality of game viewing and bush experiences like walking above all else, the expertise and authenticity offered by Oliver’s represent excellent value.
Who should choose Elewana - Tarangire Treetops
Tarangire Treetops is perfect for first-time safari-goers, families, and honeymooners who are captivated by the idea of unique and imaginative accommodation. If the thought of waking up in a treehouse high above the savanna is your priority, this is the place for you. It’s for the traveler who wants the lodge itself to be as much of a highlight as the wildlife.
Who should choose Asilia - Oliver's Camp
Oliver’s Camp is the ideal choice for safari purists and adventurous travelers who prioritize depth and authenticity over novelty. If you’ve been on safari before or value high-quality guiding and a remote location, Oliver’s is hard to beat. It’s especially suited to those keen on walking safaris and anyone wanting a quiet, intimate, and classic tented camp experience.
Final verdict
Ultimately, this is a clear choice between two excellent but fundamentally different philosophies. Neither is "better," but one will almost certainly be better for you.
Choose Elewana - Tarangire Treetops if your dream safari includes architectural wonder and the singular experience of living among the baobabs with a view from above. It delivers comfort, novelty, and a touch of fantasy.
Choose Asilia - Oliver’s Camp if your priority is a deep, immersive wildlife experience led by some of the best guides in the business. It delivers authenticity, intimacy, and a classic safari adventure in a remote and beautiful setting.
Alternatives to consider
- If you need a more budget-friendly option in the area: You might look at mid-range lodges outside the park that offer full-day trips into Tarangire.
- For an even more exclusive and private experience: Consider a private mobile camping safari that moves with you and offers true solitude.
- If you want to combine Tarangire with a different ecosystem: Look at lodges in the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti to experience a greater variety of landscapes.