The whistling thorn is Acacia drepanalobium, which has a special relationship with a species of Crematogaster ant. The ants live in the trees, fiercely protecting them from browsers that would strip their leaves, flowers & seeds. In exchange, the tree provides the ants with hollow galls in which to live and special nectar glands for food.This relationship is the analogy for community conservation: people protecing the landscape and wildlife, and in exchange the land and animals provide the people with food, shelter, water, and economic benefit.

"There are so many camps and so many tour operators to choose from in Tanzania. But what sets Whistling Thorn Camp apart from all the rest is simple: It is owned and operated by native-born Tanzanians who are clearly dedicated to the land, its wildlife, and its people. We'll be back because we want to be a part of their success, a part of true community-based conservation."

About Our Camp

A shaded veranda with chairs, table, and washbasins overlooks parkland of whistling thorns and flat-topped acacia trees where giraffe, zebra and elephant graze, and the occasional Maasai warriors wander by.

At night, your private tent is lit by electric light, and torches (flashlights) are provided.

It can hardly be called "camping!" Guests at Whistling Thorn Camp enjoy meals served in a spacious dining tent, with friendly staff who serve at tableside or set up a buffet style meal such as at lunchtime or breakfast.

We are open year-round but depending on your safari objectives and personal desires, a certain time might be better for you.

Some things to keep in mind - The peak tourist season is December to March, when the Great Migration is in the Serengeti National Park, therefore the northern circuit is more crowded. June to August will see another tourist surge with the vacation timing of visitors from Europe and North America .

Tarangire National Park is a haven for wildlife during the dry months of July – October.

The seasons in northern Tanzania are as follows:

January - March is summer, and one of the dry seasons (although rains can start in March). Dry seasons are the best time to see animals, since they will be clustered around the water holes and the vegetation is often leafless. The grass is shorter and offers less cover the longer you extend into dry season (after the rains, grasses are lush and tall, providing more cover for animals). Temperatures are warm in the daytime and can be cool at night.

April - May is the wettest season, called the “long rains”. Roads can be very muddy and access in some places very restricted if not impassable. Insects can be very active.

June - July is winter, and very green just after the long rains (making vegetation a bit more thick and harder to see animals in, but very scenic); however, it is the start of the dry season.

August - September is late winter, also part of the dry season.

September - October is hotter and can be very dry. This is usually an excellent game viewing time in Tarangire.

November - December is our short rainy season.

The temperatures can be quite chilly in June until mid September.

This is just a guideline - weather is always unpredictable! Each season has special features, which may appeal (or not!) depending on your interests. In the long dry season of July-November the wildlife is very concentrated in Tarangire National Park .