Tanzania Serengeti Safari Camps
The Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is set in the remote reaches of the park, on a bywater of the Grumeti River, known for its wildebeest crossings and enormous Nile crocodiles.
Ten luxurious tented camps move around the park year round, bringing guests within reach of the Great Migration and exploring remote, beautiful corners of the Serengeti with excellent resident game. These migratory camps are intimate and exclusive and feature Tanzania’s most spacious safari tents. Each tent has a double bed, ensuite bathroom, and an al fresco bucket shower. Traditional fires and outdoor ovens produce mouth watering dinners under a billion stars.
Every year between June and July, the migration passes through the area, and hundreds upon thousands of wildebeest, zebra and other herbivores cross the Grumeti River, risking the jaws of some of Africa’s largest crocodiles. Dense riverside thickets hide a multitude of secrets and delights, from the acrobatic antics of colobus monkeys to the brilliant plumage of dozens of bird species. The Serengeti is famous for its large lion population and a number of lion prides inhabit the area. While largely nocturnal, spotted hyena is another species that makes the most of the passing annual migration and sometimes can be seen during the day. Families of grunting hippo cavort in the river during the day and only venture on feeding forays under cover of darkness. Your stay at Grumeti Camp includes twice daily safari drives.
Klein’s Camp is situated in a 25,000 acre private wildlife concession in a remote corner of the northern Serengeti. Off the beaten track, Klein’s Camp offers the opportunity to explore the Serengeti area combined with unique night drives and bush walks in the private concession.
Klein’s Camp is perched just below the Kuka Hills, and overlooks wooded hillsides, rolling grasslands, marshes and forested river banks. Most large mammals, including elephant and lion, can be encountered moving up and down the gently sloping Kuka Hills.
Ten thatched cottages with whitewashed walls and rich wooden floors look down to the valleys below. Boasting one of the finest views in Africa, even the swimming pool at Klein’s Camp overlooks smoky views of distant hills. The stone interiors of the cottages open up to breathtaking panoramas and deep leather armchairs invite you to while away the midday hours. In the evening, guests gather around blazing fireplaces to share the adventures of the day. Fine linen, silver and china sparkle in the candlelight of the open dining areas, while mouth-watering aromas drift through from the camp kitchen.
A thin strip of dense riverine forest is home to the reclusive bushbuck and the rarely seen bushpig, as well as the more frequently encountered elephant and buffalo. Although the huge crocodiles for which the Grumeti River is famous do not occur this far up the river, small numbers of hippo inhabit the nearby pools. The woodlands are good areas for browsing animals such as giraffe, impala, elephant and dik-dik. The acacias attract Grant’s gazelle, olive baboon, vervet monkey, and bushbabies. Birds are especially abundant in woodlands, which offer a wide choice of safe nesting sites. Two daily safari drives and bushwalks are included.
Experience a classic Tanzanian safari in spectacular solitude and comfort with only the canvas walls of your tent separating you from the wonder of the Serengeti. Carefully planned to bring you as close as possible to the magnificent natural spectacle of the Great Migration, the two Serengeti Under Canvas camps – each with only eight tents – are situated at a variety of private campsites throughout the national park and move according to the path of the migratory herds.
The solitary magnificence of the Serengeti is complemented by the warm service and simple luxury. The simplicity of camping, with no electricity and running water is softened by convenient touches like crisp linens, private bathrooms with flush toilets and al fresco bucket showers with heated water, power outlets in the vehicles and a personal butler. A dedicated sitting and dining tent provides deep sofas from which to contemplate the vastness and peace of the surrounding landscape. Relax under the dark velvet night sky and sample hearty cuisine served on sparkling crystal and silver. Cluster around a roaring campfire to share stories of the day’s magic and experience the African night come alive with stars and animal sounds.
As the dense herds of herbivores move across the plains they are shadowed by predators and scavengers. Lion, and hyena, as well as the more elusive cheetah and leopard, mingle with the migrating masses, while vulture and jackal await the scraps of the more powerful predators. The Serengeti is famous for its large lion population and a number of lion prides are present in each of the areas frequented by the mobile camps. During the migration, the spotted hyena may be spotted wandering among the herds in the plain light of day.
Lemala Mara Northern Serengeti
Lemala Mara is the ultimate seasonal camp in Serengeti. Located next to the Mara River in a grove of large Euclea trees, it is in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Northern Serengeti. The camp offers accommodation under canvas with only eight double luxury tents and one family tent with room up to five guests. Each spacious tent has two large single beds or one king-size bed with warm duvets, wooden flooring with rugs, 24-hr solar lighting, and private bathrooms with a dressing area, flush toilet and a large safari shower. The main tent is beautifully furnished with grand sofas, lamps, wooden cabinets and chests, and colorful rugs. In the evening, guests gather around the campfire for sundowners before enjoying a tasty dinner under chandeliers.
In this immense remote wilderness you can enjoy fabulous landscapes and excellent off-road game viewing with no crowds. Resident wildlife numbers are exceptionally high with prides of lion up to thirty strong. When the migration starts arriving in June, the area turns into a wildlife paradise. From June to August, the wildebeest continues moving through the area, crossing and re-crossing the Mara River before heading north towards Masai Mara. Several large herds remain behind and weather changes could easily bring the vast herds flooding back into the area. Migration and predator action lasts up to end of October assuring this area’s reputation as one of the finest in Africa.
Lemala's vehicles are specifically designed for long game drives and come equipped with comfortable seats, charging units and a large refrigerator. The camp organizes great picnic breakfasts and lunches for those who want to go on full day game drives. Lemala Mara is an exceptional camp with an exceptional location offering a high quality safari experience with superb local guides. The camp is open from June to October.
Lemala Ewanjan Seronera Valley
Opening in June 2010, Lemala Ewanjan Seronera Valley is a new deluxe seasonal camp with seven beautiful tents set along the game-rich Seronera Valley. Each tent is outfitted with two queen-size or one king-size bed, warm duvets, private bathrooms with flush toilets, large safari showers and running water, and wooden cabinets and flooring, 24-hour solar lighting, an outside lounger, a writing table and more – the camp is dedicated to your comfort. The new tents are some of the most spacious and comfortable seasonal tents in Tanzania. The main tent offers separate living and dining areas with a central bar area. It is beautifully decorated with leather sofas, chandeliers, side cabinets and rugs.
Lemala Ewanjan is set in a spectacular location on the western slopes of Makoma Hills in the Central Serengeti, and offers staggering views of the Serengeti migration, grasslands and sunsets. Major games viewing of many areas of the Serengeti are easily accessible and at the end of the day you can return to the privacy and solitude of the camp to enjoy great service, food and ambience. The camp offers optional walks for closer encounters with the local flora and fauna. Balloon safaris are also easily accessible.
Lemala Ewanjan Seronera Valley is perhaps the finest new seasonal camp in Serengeti in a truly spectacular location. Because of the fantastic year-round game viewing in Central Serengeti, the camp is open all year except April and May during the long rains. You will enjoy Lemala's superb open four-wheel vehicles which are specially designed for long game drives - each vehicle is fitted with comfortable seats, charging units and a large refrigerator.