Best places to stay on safari in the Serengeti
Best places to stay on safari in the Serengeti. Where to Stay on Safari in the Serengeti. The Serengeti is famous for a reason: it’s a great place to go on adventure. While the two million wildebeest that come to the park every year are the main draw, it would still be known as one of the most animal-packed places in the world even if they weren’t there. In this picture of Africa, there are long, rolling fields with acacia trees scattered across them, and on the horizon, there are rocky outcroppings. There are a huge range of camps and hotels in the Serengeti.
The main difference that needs to be made is between temporary camps and permanent lodges. During the year, the mobile camps move with the movement and have two or three great places to go. All of the mobile camps are tents, which makes the camping experience feel more “real.” There is no skimping on luxury, though, and there is nothing better than opening the front of your luxury tent in the morning and walking right out onto the Serengeti fields.
On the other hand, permanent camps don’t move. The fact that they stay in the same place all year means that they might not be the best people to watch the movement. Because there are so many other animals in the Serengeti, these places may not have the migration close by for a few months of the year. However, you can still expect to see a lot of plains game and predators. You need to talk to a member of our team right away so they can show you where the movement is and which camps are best for the time of year you want to travel.
There is a wide range of prices for lodges and camps in the Serengeti, from cheaper camps to very fancy and expensive hotels. All of the camps we suggest are good for everyone, no matter how much money they have. Here are a few of our favorites:
Lamai Serengeti
The camp called Our View Lamai Serengeti is absolutely wonderful. The service is some of the best in the area, and the quality is the best. Simple luxury is what a Nomad Camp is all about. It gives you luxury without all the glitz and glam that can take away from the real travel feel. From late July on, you can see migrating groups of animals crossing the plains of the Serengeti from this spot on the Kogakuria Kopje. With its unique style and great setting, it’s like a breath of fresh air compared to many fancy safari camps.
Namiri Plains
Our View Namiri Plains is a must-see for anyone who loves cheetahs. There are a lot of cheetahs here, and there are also a lot of other animals. Asilia owns Namiri Plains, so you can be sure that your tour will be one of a kind. New places don’t open up very often in the Serengeti, so we really think you should stay here.
Balloon Safari in the Serengeti
Have you ever thought about what birds see as they fly through the sky? Have you ever dreamed that you were looking down at a huge area of wild land? Serengeti Balloon Safaris can do that and more. Your journey will start at dawn and go up with the sun. It will start just before sunrise, and you will be in the sky as the new day starts. Your balloon will rise high above the beautiful Serengeti in complete peace.
The Serian Serengeti North by Alex Walker
For Our View, Serian Serengeti North is the best game camp ever. Alex has lived all his life in the bush in East Africa and knows it very well. This is the kind of information he wants from his guides, and they gladly give it to him. It’s an exciting and luxurious event that no one will ever forget. You won’t find a better place to stay from July to mid-November than this one, which is just minutes from the Mara River.
Alex Walker’s Serengeti South in Serian
From our point of view, Alex Walker’s Serian is the best camp in the south, but it might not be the best camp in the north. This is mostly because of where he is located; guests can walk, fly-camp, and visit Hadzabe traditional sites, which is something that no other camp in the south offers. Along the edges of the Serengeti, Alex Walker also has a smaller camp. This small camp of four tents, called Kusini, is a great place to see the movement because it is very private.
Set Date for Departures from Tanzania
If you’re traveling, we usually suggest that you make your own plans. However, there are some set-date group trips that are a great way to save money and meet other travelers with similar interests. You can choose from many options, but we personally chose these tours because they have great guides and make sure our guests see the best of what North Tanzania has to offer.
Faru Singita Faru Daru
One of our favorite lodges is Our View Singita Faru Faru. Faru Faru is probably the best safari camp in Tanzania. It is owned by Paul Tudor Jones, a billionaire who runs them as toys. You can stay at Singita. It is one of their three most important sites; the other two are Sasakwa and Sabora. It is in the private Grumeti Reserves, which are west of the Serengeti.
Singer Sabora
The Our View Sabora is a permanent, ultra-luxurious tented camp in the Grumeti Reserve, which is owned by Singita and is west of the Serengeti. It is one of the best hotels in Tanzania and a great place to stay on any Tanzania safari. Right on the plains is where the camp is located. In May and June, this area is full of wildebeest as they migrate through. With its antique furniture and well-thought-out, roomy huts, the camp feels like a classic safari camp from the 1920s. But Singita has left its mark on the camp with some of the best food, a great pool, and the best camping experience possible.
Serengeti House
Our View: Singita Serengeti House is located on the western path of the world-famous Serengeti National Park. It provides guests with a unique private safari experience by giving them access to 350,000 acres of private land and exclusive use of the house.
The Usawa Serengeti
Now Wilderness Safaris has gone to Tanzania. They have done it with style. A high-class mobile tent camp that runs after the famous Great Migration in Serengeti National Park. It’s very different from other migration camps because this one moves around a lot. You will be able to see all the action without any other people being in the way.
The 8 camp sites are all mobile but very luxurious, and best of all, they are all in great places near the Serengeti’s designated walking zone, so guided walks can start right from the camps. This is on top of the game drives, bird watching, and stargazing.
It’s written in Swahili as “Usawa,” which means “balance.” We think this offering is a good mix of comfort and action.
Camp for Walking Wayo
Our Take: Location is very important at all Wayo Camps. Wayo Walking Camp is a camp that takes things back to the basics. It offers a unique safari experience from a bygone age. The camp moves with its guests about every two days so that they can see parts of the Serengeti that other tourists don’t get to see. In the middle of the Serengeti, you can expect one of the most intense safaris.
Chaka Camp
The Serengeti ecosystem is home to Chaka Camp, a semi-permanent mobile camp. What the Chaka Camp offers is a real and personal bush experience in the middle of beautiful parts of the Serengeti’s untouched wildness. The word “Chaka” means “bush” in Swahili. The Camp moves twice a year so that its guests can see the Great Wildebeest Migration from the best spots.
Dunia Camp
Our Thoughts: This is another beautiful camping camp from Asilia. It looks a lot like Olakira. Dunia is different because it is right in the middle of the Serengeti, making it a great place to see animals all year long. They have also found a nice spot where they can enjoy the scenery and views without having to deal with the noise and traffic of other cars that are common in this part of the Serengeti.
Kaskaz Mara Camp
Kazkaz is a great choice for people who want a real Tanzania vacation with a lodge feel. It is in the northern Serengeti, right next to the dramatic Mara River and the Great Wildebeest Migration that happens along it. The space is huge, and the guidance is great.
Camp at Kiota
Our View Kiota Camp is a beautiful and affordable place to stay in the middle Serengeti. It’s a great place to see animals all year, especially big cats. The Camp is pretty basic, but it’s done really well and gives you a real safari experience. Kioto Camp is where you can sleep under the stars in the middle of the Serengeti, with animals all around you.
Klein’s Camp
Our Opinion: This is one of the nicer permanent hotels in the Serengeti. It offers a lot of different safari activities, like night drives and walking safaris, with great guides. Kleins is on the eastern side of the National Park, in its own private concession area. It’s a good place to get away from the people.
Laba Laba Refugee Camp
Some might say that Laba Laba Migration Camp is “the most luxurious mobile tented camp in the Serengeti,” which is a pretty strong claim. It has three Migration-following sites and soft furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a Mayfair home decor shop. It has a lot of luxury, wildlife, and quality. It’s also not as expensive as some of its luxury tent rivals, with prices that start at less than $1,000 per person per night.
Little Moru Camp
Little Moru isn’t as flashy as some of Nasikia Camps’ other products, but that might be what makes it unique. It offers a very private stay and a laid-back safari experience, complete with barefoot comforts like hot bucket baths and the sound of campfire stories being told. It’s a great choice for people who want a standard safari experience with professionals.
Naona Moru Camp
Naona Moru is all about “wild elegance,” and it does not let you down. The great thing about this camp is that it’s tented, so you can enjoy the unique feel of a trip while also being spoiled with comforts. Large, beautiful, and unique, tents are great for camping. The guides are also very good.
The Olakira Camp
One of the best mobile camps in the Serengeti is Our View Olakira. Two times a year, it goes along the same path as Serian. From July to November, they live in the Kogatende area, which is north of the Serengeti. Then, from December to March, they move back to a great place in the Ndutu plains. You can count on great guides, delicious food, and a luxury but still real safari camp at Olakira. Because it is in the north, it is in a great spot where you can see the river crossing from the camp.
The Sasakwa Lodge
This is Singita’s flagship lodge in Tanzania. It is one of the nicest hotels in the country and has some of the most amazing views in the Serengeti. There is a private swimming pool in each room, and the stables are amazing. They offer some of the best horseback safaris in Tanzania. It’s hard to find a more luxurious place to stay than this lodge, which offers world-class food, great guides, and great service, but it does cost a lot.
Camp Sayari
One of the best camps in the north of the Serengeti is Our View Sayari. In addition to being stylish and well-furnished, the camp is in a great spot for seeing wildlife. The food is great, and the service is excellent all around. In the north of the Serengeti, you can have a very quiet time. You’ll only get this chance once in your life to see the Great Migration without a lot of other cars getting in the way.
A safari camp in Serengeti
Nobody has been running Nomad Safaris for longer than anyone else in Tanzania, and they have camps and hotels all over the country. We love the Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp because it moves with the animals during the migration in Serengeti National Park and has great guides. Nomad gets extra points from us because it follows the movement everywhere, not just during the busiest tourist times.
The Serengeti on Canvas
Our View Serengeti under Canvas is one of the nicest mobile tented camps in the Serengeti. It is owned and run by &Beyond, which is one of the best safari companies in Tanzania in terms of comfort and quality of guides. The camp is always moving around to follow the movement. It is a small, cozy camp that stays mobile. Even though it comes with a bucket shower, this is still wild camping. But with all the fancy extras that &Beyond seems to add to all of their properties, you know this is a cut above.
Singita Explore
We think that Singita Explore is the most luxurious “mobile” canvas camp in Tanzania. It is an exclusive camp in the Singita Grumeti Reserve, which is west of the Serengeti. From two to six tents can be set up, but the camp is always set up just for one person. During the Migration in May and June, this might be the best tent camp to see the huge groups of animals moving through this part of the Serengeti.
The Singita Mara
Our View: Singita has some of the nicest and most luxurious hotels in Africa. The newest one, Singita Mara Tented Camp, opened in October 2012 on the Mara River. At this hotel, you can see the migration crossing the Mara River from July to November. It is the best place to stay in the northern Serengeti.
Little Green Camp
Our Take: Little Green Camp is a smaller, easier version of its sister camp, Wayo Green Camp. It lets guests enjoy the Wayo Green Camp experience all year long. They say “small in size, heavy on experience,” and we agree with them 100%. Little Green Camp has three sites all year, while Serengeti Green Camp only has two. Because the camp is lighter, it can move around more easily. From April to July, it is set up in the middle of the Serengeti, moving back and forth between the south and north of the park.
Serengeti Green Camp
Our Take: There’s no doubt that some parts of the Serengeti can get crowded, especially during the main season. Going off the beaten path and having a more private and secluded safari is what Wayo’s Serengeti Green Camp is all about. The crowds are nothing compared to what you’ll see across the border in Kenya’s Masai Mara. When you add in the best guides in the game, you can see why we love it even more than some other migration camps.
Eastern Serengeti’s Ehlane Plains Camp
View: Ehlane Plains (now Olmara) Camp and Namiri Plains are the only two camps in this picture-perfect area of the Serengeti. They are in the eastern part of the park, where the plains are wide and green. They are more than thirty minutes apart and more than forty-five minutes from the middle of Seronera. Olmara is in a great place for an East African safari because it has grassy fields full of big cats and hyena groups. During the day, cheetahs roam the grassland, and at night, lions roar. In the morning, hyenas laugh.
Camp Grumeti
One of &Beyond’s high-end fixed tent lodges in the Serengeti is Our View Grumeti Serengeti. The best time to visit is from late May to early July, when the migration goes through this part of the park (Western Corridor). &Beyond’s high standards can be seen in the camp, which is in a quiet part of the park next to the Grumeti River.
Even though the cabin is made up of tents, it feels like a very well-kept property because the tents are set up on platforms. You can relax and enjoy the local pods of hippos in the main area. Historically the most luxurious fixed lodge in this area, but since Singita opened just to the north, the competition has grown.
Kimondo
The View Kimondo is the best luxury mobile tent camp. At different times of the year, the great migration goes through North and South Serengeti. It is on the Lamai Wedge with only two other camps in the north. In other words, you can cross rivers without other cars. Asilia runs it, so you can be sure of great service and kindness, as well as delicious food, nice tents, and interesting guides.
Serengeti Camp at Kirurumu
We think that Kirurumu Serengeti Camp is one of the best value for money high-end mobile tent camps in the Serengeti. While the camp is great on its own, if you want to see crosses of the Mara River without spending a lot of money, this is the best camp out there. The luxury camping style lets you enjoy the view of the wild Serengeti from your (very) comfortable bed while totally losing yourself in the mood of the camp.
The famous Serengeti Camp
Our View Legendary Serengeti camp is a mobile tent city that is set up close to the migration, no matter where it is at any given time of the year. The big groups of the migration and the animals that hunt them are always moving because they are always looking for food and water.
Lodge in Mwiba
Our Opinion: The area south of the Serengeti needed a great permanent camp badly, and now it has one. Mwiba is the place to go if you want a luxurious permanent lodge with all the comforts of home. It has eight classically styled tented rooms and a great setting above a rocky gorge. This area has its own private concession, which is very uncommon in East Africa. Its exclusive use gives you more options for activities and a more private tour without all the people that can be found in the National Park.
It’s Nduara Loliondo
It is run by Nomad Tanzania, which has camps and hotels all over Tanzania. This is one of their less popular goods. It is outside the Serengeti Border in the Loliondo area, where you can find wildlife and learn about the culture of the Masaai people. We love the look of “yurt” huts and the chance to go on long walking safaris in the wild.
Camp Olmara in the eastern Serengeti
View: Olmara Camp and Namiri Plains are the only two camps in this picture-perfect area of the Serengeti. They are both in the eastern part of the park, where the plains are wide and green. They are more than thirty minutes apart and more than forty-five minutes from the middle of Seronera. Olmara is in a great place for an East African safari because it has grassy fields full of big cats and hyena groups. During the day, cheetahs roam the grassland, and at night, lions roar. In the morning, hyenas laugh.
Kenya Camp
Views: This little camp, which is part of the Asilia brand, is a great deal, and you can be sure that you will get great service in every way. It follows the migration, which makes it a great place to see wildlife and set up camp in the middle of nowhere. The camp is very small, with only eight tents. It’s great for both individuals and groups. You can choose from other mobile tented camps that are better quality, come with private cars, and may have better guides. They do cost more, though, and that price is fair. Alex Walker’s Serian, Nomads Serengeti Safari Camp, and Olakira are some of the better tented camps you can stay at.
Ewanjan
When it first opened in 2010, Ewanjan Tented Camp was in the right spot in the central Serengeti area of the Seronera Valley. This area is famous for having a lot of resident animals and big prides of predators. You can get away from it all at Ewanjan, which is a great place to see the wildlife of the area without constantly running into another car.
The passage through the Seronera Valley is the busiest time for Ewanjan. The camp works great when combined with its sister camps in Ndutu from December to March and the Mara River from July to October.
The Lemala Kuria Hills
The new Lemala Kuria Hills have been set up in the north of the Serengeti for good. The modern bedrooms with glass doors and bright colors aren’t in the traditional Africa style, but Kuria Hills is a great place for many people, especially newlyweds. With its private plunge pools, great location, and beautiful sunsets, this camp is a cheap choice to many of the more well-known ones.
Lemala Nanyukie in the middle of Tanzania
The Lemala Nanyukie, which opened in October 2018 in the beautiful Serengeti National Park, has the same high standards of comfort and service as the other properties in the group, such as the Kuria Hills in the Kogatende region of the Serengeti, the Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire, and the Hamerkop House in Arusha.
Lemala Serengeti Camp
Our View Lemala is a great product that gives you a good time in a tent. The migration takes Lemala Serengeti north and south, and the camps are in great spots. It’s not Alex Walker’s Serian, but it doesn’t claim to be, and the price is very fair.
Nasikia Refugee Camp
One of the best places to see the wildebeest migration is from Nasikia’s simple, mobile migration camp, which is set up in two great spots. Even though the camp isn’t fancy, it does what it says on the tin and is a great place to stay while you explore the Serengeti’s best spots to see the wildebeest running across the Mara River or the short, grassy plains where thousands of calves are born.
Serena Lodge at Serengeti
The hotel is very nice and feels very personal. It’s also in a great spot in the park. With its small huts, this hotel is better than others of the same size because you really feel like you’re out in the bush and have your own space. You can spend a few days there any time of the year, but the best time is during the migration months, from May to July.
The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is more of a hotel/resort than a small, cozy safari lodge. It’s perfect for people who want the comforts and amenities of a big hotel company instead of a small, cozy safari experience. We don’t like this style, but in the Serengeti it’s the best of its kind.
Kati Kati
Our View: Kati Kati is a great choice for people who are doing the northern tour on a very tight budget. There’s nothing fancy about it, but it’s simple, easy, and a great deal in an area where prices have gone up a lot. Some people only need a clean bed and a great staff to enjoy a trip to one of the best places in the Serengeti to see animals.
Tent Camp Kusini
Kusini is a great camp with high standards. But the costs are going up a lot. You can get away from the crowds and stay in one of the good mobile camps for less money. Kusini gets three paws.
Lodge in Mbalageti
The Mbalageti Tented Lodge is very pretty, but its small size lets it down. There are good rooms and a nice, warm main area, but the lodge doesn’t feel like a normal safari camp when there are up to 80 people there, and we don’t like it. It is also seasonal when it comes to the Great Migration; they are only in the right place for a short time every year.
Camp for Migrants
The Elewana chain owns the high-class Permanent Lodge Our View Migration Camp, which is in the north central part of the Serengeti. We really like the place itself, but the location is a big problem for us. Yes, it’s good for migration in early July, but the groups move so quickly through here that it’s easy to miss them. There is a lot of wildlife living here, but it can be hard to see them because this part of the Serengeti is mostly bush and trees. We would be more interested in a Northern Camp in the Kogatende area at different times of the year than in the South or West.
Lodge in Ndutu
The location and simplicity of Ndutu Lodge are two things that we really like about it. It’s not a spectacular place, but when the herds are in the area from December to March, it’s the best value fixed lodge in the whole area. Because of this, this lodge gets very busy, especially in February. This is a “drive-in” lodge, which means you have to bring your own car and guide from Arusha. This also means that big safari companies can book this lodge up quickly.
The Kirawira Lodge
Even though Kirawira is a tent camp, it’s not your average small, private game camp. These lodges are bigger than most because they are part of the Serena group, but they also offer great service and quality, often better than the bigger lodges in this category. It is in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti and gets a lot of migration. It also has a lot of great local wildlife. You should be able to see the movement from your room in June and July because the tents have great views.
Bushes in the Serengeti
The Serengeti Bushtops is a beautiful and luxurious lodge in the northern part of the Serengeti. It’s not in the best spot, but it’s very well-built and has all the comforts one could want in such a remote part of the world. If you’re looking for a classic adventure in Africa, which is what this remote part of the continent is known for, this lodge will seem too fancy and modern. That being said, you might be better off at one of the mobile tent camps, such as Nomads Serengeti Safari Camp or Serian. Because of its focus on luxury, we think this camp is more appealing to average tourists than to people who have been on safari many times before.
Serengeti Soup
Our Take: The Serengeti Sopa is a big hotel in the middle of the Serengeti. There is great domestic game in the area, making it a great place to stay any time of the year. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, and the hotel does have a following of both families and big tour groups. For a smaller, more personal trip, though, it can feel a bit crowded, even though it’s in a good spot away from the busier parts of this central area.
