Lupita Island in Tanzania Offering Green Rates this Spring

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed)
Jan 11th 2011 at 9:31AM

Lupita Island in Tanzania is offering green rates this spring.

Lupita Island, the extraordinary private sanctuary in the Rukwa region of western Tanzania, may be worth a visit this spring. From March 1 through May 31, Lupita is offering "green" rates that are one-third less than its rates during the high season.

Luxist's Ann Brenoff's piece on Lupita this past summer described Lupita as "a real life fantasy island." Indeed, the luxury resort is a fantasy island of sorts, as it is situated on Lake Tanganyika, the longest and second deepest lake in the world. Lupita Island sits amid 130 acres of unspoiled forest and grassland overlooking the myriad of islands and the clear blue waters of the lake.

Lupita offers luxurious accommodations set amidst a pristine natural habitat in Tanzania. Guests stay in eleven lavishly decorated, thatched-roof open-air living spaces (double occupancy) and two family cottages each offering breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the lake. Rooms are spacious and exquisitely appointed. The smallest rooms are 1,800 square feet and the two-bedroom, two-bath suites are 2,400 square feet. As guests relax powerful waterfall showers, bathroom walls open to nature and life's stresses simply melt away. Each room also includes bathtubs or plunge pools on either the deck or terrace, a large lounge with a bar and beautiful views of the surrounding lake and neighboring islands.

Gallery: Lupita Island in Tanzania

Lupita offers a menu of just-caught fish, delicious grilled Nile perch and a creatively seasoned Kuwe that satisfies the palette. Its chefs specialize in local African cuisine with a twist, and are renowned for their desserts. With no more than 28 guests on the island at any time, dining is an intimate experience.

There are a variety of water sports to enjoy as well as private excursions to tiny, virtually undiscovered local villages. Guests also enjoy relaxing and soaking in the tranquil beauty of the island from the privacy of their open-air rooms (as seen in the photo above).

Rates are $518 per person sharing; $660 for single occupancy; $311 per child sharing for cottages; $1,560 per room, children included, for family cottages. Rates are fully inclusive and include accommodations, meals, wines, spirits, beverages and water sports. Not included in the rate are scuba diving, spa treatments, half and full day fishing, champagne, boutique wine, cognacs and aged single malts. Rates for the exclusive rental of the entire island, for up to 28 guests, is available upon request.

Lupita Island is owned by Firelight Expeditions, which was founded in 1988 and is an established, highly experienced Tanzanian safari company. In addition to Lupita Island and its customized small-group camping safaris in the Tanzania's Northern circuit (including Mwanga Moto Camp in the Serengeti), Firelight also operates Palahala Camp, a permanent luxury camp in the undiscovered, wildlife-rich Katavi National Park.

To reach Arusha, the closest international airport, options are flights to Kilimanjaro from Amsterdam with KLM, or to fly to Nairobi, Kenya, connecting to a 50-minute flight to Kilimanjaro Airport.

From Arusha, a three-hour flight by Cessna 208 (scheduled flights on Mondays and Thursdays) takes guests to Lupita's airstrip; from there it is a short, seven-minute boat ride across Lake Tanganyika. For groups that wish to arrive and depart on days other than Monday or Thursday, or for those who prefer a quicker flight, a King Air 200 seating 8 passengers can be chartered; this brings guests to the island in one and one-half hours.

Visit Firelight's website to inquire about reservations.

Tags: Africa, Firelight Expeditions, Lupita, Lupita Island, luxury travel, safari, Tanzania