New school for the Masai people living around the camp
A very exciting day was had by all when many of the Corto Safaris employees gathered together on November 28th 2010 to inaugurate the new Oremiti tented lodge on the shores of Lake Manyara.
The Oremiti Lodge takes its name from the tree that serves both as toothpaste and toothbrushes to the Masai and gives them their legendary radiant smile. This occasion included the opening of the new school which was proudly donated by Corto Safaris to the Masai people living around the camp.
The Masai women and their tribal songs
As part of the fun activities on the day everyone was taken on a short safari Game drive in the Lake Manyara National Park, upon our arrival to the village which is the home of the local crafts association, the Masai women welcomed the group with the sounds of their tribal songs, here they proudly displayed their local crafts and offered gifts of beaded coloured jewellery
Local dignitaries gave their speeches – in particular the mayor, governor, and Masai community leaders – thanking
Speaches about eco-tourism in Tanzania
the involvement of Corto in taking part in the development of the community and the importance of eco-tourism in this Tanzanian Region.
After all the speeches were given, songs sung and a small show organized in our honour was finished, the dignitaries headed to the classroom to unveil the plaque and cut the cord as a sign of symbolic inauguration, a few words of mutual congratulation were exchanged before we headed out doors to where trees were planted around the school
New School Opening
where once grown this will provide a little shade to generations of school children.
The aroma of delicious cooking filled the air and so it felt like a long wait before the moment arrived and all were invited to a giant barbecue which was organized by the cooks at Corto Oremiti Tented Lodge. By late afternoon our bellies were full and the rains came, bringing good luck to the newly planted trees.
Celebrations of the new Oremiti tented lodge
The beautiful day ended with the promise of a bright future of cooperation and mutual assistance between Corto Safaris and the surrounding Masai community.
We have recently updated our website with information on our relationship with our Kilimanjaro porters.
The Serengeti Great Migration Pack has now clearly moved South, and it is time for our teams to dismantle our North Serengeti Camp and to move South, towards Piaya, near the Gols Mountains, and to prepare the new upcoming season with 
