serengeti safari reviews

Serengeti safari tours

Time to play The Circle of Life on repeat...

From the Lion King to Toto's "Africa" to countless episodes of Planet Earth, there's a reason the Serengeti draws so much attention – it's one of the most epic destinations in the world. Here, you can set out across the endless grasslands on an  unforgettable safari  to spot the sought-after Big Five and other iconic African greats like giraffes, cheetahs and hippos. If you're lucky, you could witness one of the seven wonders of the natural world as wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains during the Great Migration and you'll truly connect with nature when you  camp in the park  with no boundaries between you and the wildlife. Plus, after sitting in her shadow on your  game drives , you might even be inspired enough to embark on a  Kilimanjaro trek .

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The wide-open plains of the Serengeti are one of the most recognizable African landscapes. Think endless grasslands dotted with umbrella trees and set beneath a backdrop of the towering Mount Kilimanjaro. The name Serengeti is thought to have come from the Maasai word "siringit", which means the place where the land moves on forever. It's impossible to get it...until you do. Watching the sun set over grasslands that appear to stretch to the edges of the earth is an experience you won't soon forget.

Serengeti National Park is renowned for its wildlife, and clocking in at over 14244 sq. kilometers, there are plenty of predators in residence. From the safety of your vehicle, keep your eyes peeled for Africa's iconic Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo. Some animals, like the endangered black rhino, can be elusive, and many are active at different times of day, so both early morning and late afternoon game drives are on the itinerary, giving you the best chance of spotting as many species as possible.

The Great Migration is one of the world's most spectacular displays of wildlife. Between April and May, over two million wildebeest, plus herds of zebras and antelope, travel across the Serengeti in search of water and greener pastures as the dry season sets in. The animals thunder across the panoramic plains and through rivers — an impressive sight you won't witness elsewhere in Africa.

Many of the campsites within the Serengeti are fenceless, meaning you'll have no separation between yourself and the animals. After sundown, you may experience buffalo and hyenas sniffing curiously around your tent, which is quite the experience. Don't worry, though; our experienced local leaders will give a detailed safety briefing, and you'll come to enjoy falling asleep to the ambient sounds of your wildlife neighbors.

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Serengeti Trail

When's the best time to go on a safari in the Serengeti

The Serengeti is located in Tanzania and has fairly consistent, moderate temperatures year-round, with cool mornings and evenings and not-too-hot days, making for a fantastic year-round safari destination. While there are technically two rainy seasons, the “short rains” from November to December and the “long rains” from March to May, rains usually consist of a once-daily thunderstorm, and rarely a total washout.

Am I guaranteed to see animals

We can’t guarantee you’ll spot the Big 5, but you’d have to be seriously unlucky to see no animals at all. On our safaris, you’ll explore some of the best game parks and national reserves in the world. These protected areas are filled with a huge variety of species and your expert driver and local leader will be on hand to point you in the right direction (literally).

What are the "Big Five"?

The “Big 5” used to refer to the five big game animals that were the most difficult to hunt. Now that most shooting is done on a camera, the Big 5 are the most exciting animals to spot while on safari: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo.

What should I pack for a Serengeti safari?

Loose, light layers in neutral colors are the best attire for a safari (dark colors will get hot in the sun and can attract the Tsetse fly). You’ll also want a sun hat, some good walking shoes, a camera, sunscreen and bug spray. For more details, check out our  ultimate Africa packing guide . 

What type of food will be served on a Serengeti safari?

It depends on the trip style you've chosen. On our Basix trips, you’ll have a cook traveling with you who'll whip up a variety of local and Western-style dishes. Along your route, your cook will stop to purchase fresh, locally sourced food for your meals. You can expect a variety of things for breakfast like fruit, eggs, toast and cereal; lunch is often sandwiches and salads; and dinner is usually a hearty meal like pasta, curry or a BBQ.

On our Original and Comfort trips there'll be more meals at camps and lodges along the way. One thing's for sure: you definitely won't be going hungry on safari!

What are the toilets and showers like on safari?

Most of the permanent tented camps will have a private bathroom with flushing toilets and showers with warm water. 

Many of the campsites we stay at have communal facilities with flushing toilets and showers with warm water. However, in some of the more remote areas, there may only be basic facilities (toilets and cold running water). 

Will I be able to use my cell phone on safari?

Some of our hotels and campsites will have Wi-Fi, however, internet and phone access may be limited in more remote areas. But you won’t think twice about emails and social media when you’re watching a pride of lions prowl through long grass or enjoying a drink around the campfire with your group.

Are Intrepid's Serengeti safaris accessible for travellers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel accessible to everyone, so we will work with you to assess whether you will be able to complete an existing itinerary, or whether we will be able to make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs before you book. Please see our  accessible travel page  for more information. 

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Amazing Experience with Serengeti African Tours

The trip that was planned was well organized and executed with no issues.Our guide Praise was more than professional ,the lodging was excellent,we saw all Big Five. Would strongly recommend This company for the best experience - Ask for Safina to arrange you're safari end everything will be great

Date of experience : July 23, 2024

Best Company for Tanzania Safari

Best Company for Tanzania Safari We do research online and We find Serengeti African Tours. Thank Lucas to reply our million Question. Everthings was great best Lodge, proffesional guide. Also we saw big five . Highly reccomend to any one looks for Tanzania safari

Date of experience : May 27, 2024

Were able to create the trip we wanted…

Were able to create the trip we wanted with the dates and budget we had. Communication was swift and efficient. We had opted for a mid-range price bracket but the accommodation exceeded expectations. Especially their Boma Suricata lodge. Star of the show wasn’t any of the Big 5 which we were able to see, but our driver and guide Max. With warmth and great Tanzanian charm, he drove with skill and somehow managed to find these elusive animals Max guarded us rather like the Meerkat, always vigilant making sure we were all having the best experience ever.

Date of experience : October 18, 2023

Super 6 Day Family lodge Safari

Super 6 Day Family lodge Safari: Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Unforgettable memories in Serengeti and Ngorongoro where we slept among the animals. Rocky, our guide, speaks very good French and has a good knowledge of wildlife and history. He was very kind to the children and always took good care of us. He showed us many animals. The food prepared by Salim was excellent and the children loved it. New comfortable Land Cruiser.

Date of experience : August 06, 2023

We booked the 4 day safari with…

We booked the 4 day safari with Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. During the safari we quickly decided to go to Materuni waterfalls, this was possible without any problems. We've all seen the Big 5. Our guide ombeni was very friendly and knew his way around very well. The food was excellent.

Date of experience : October 02, 2023

More than our expactation

We did our safari with Serengeti African Tours which was more than our expactation everything was perfect.. Our Guide Kelvin he did wonder, good in sporting animal, charming and humble. For a thousand time I reccomand Serengeti African Tours which our tour Operator Safina♥️

Date of experience : January 12, 2024

We really enjoyed our 5 day northern…

We really enjoyed our 5 day northern parks safari with Serengeti African Tiours. We saw lots of birds and animals (big 5 included). By the 4th day we’d seen so many big cats we’d lost count. Highlight was a gathering by the river… a large pride of lions including 6 cubs, a herd of elephants (around 40) and a large herd of buffalo (50+). Our guide Ombeni was great. His knowledge of the local flora and fauna was truly impressive. I think he was even more excited at spotting the big 5 than we were. Our kids (13 and 15) thought he was awesome! Let’s be honest, on a once-in-a-lifetime safari like this, having the right guide means everything. If you’re looking for a professional and knowledgeable guide with a great sense of humor we’d definitely recommend Ombeni and Serengeti African Tours

Memorable experience

The route itself was great - we got to see a lot of beautiful places, Nationalparks and animals. But also the accommodations were wonderful. Our guide Abouh was amazing, he explained a lot (he knows a everything about wildlife, the nationalsparks and about life in Tanzania) and drove us safely the entire trip. Can definitely recommend booking your Safari with Serengeri African Tours

Date of experience : December 01, 2023

Best team to go on top of Africa

Best team to go on top of Africa It's a lifetime experience to do Kili and to succeed thanks to a team that help us fulfilling this. Thanks to Lucas for making it so easy for us, for both, Kilimanjaro and Safaris. Thanks also to Gasto (best guide ever) and all his team that were so kind and so generous, always the smile on their faces. Lemosho route is wonderful, each day is different with a lot of sceneries and views. We recommend them 1000%

Date of experience : September 11, 2023

If you for look Tanzania Safari this is…

If you for look Tanzania Safari this is trust company We did a five day safari with Aboh and it was amazing! Ngorongoro crater is simply breathtaking and bucket list worthy place to visit. Everything went smoothly from the pickup to the drop of at the airport and I will always remember these days

Date of experience : December 19, 2023

Incredible safari experience with our…

Incredible safari experience with our guide Aboh from Serengeti African Tours This has been the most, or at least one of the most extraordinary experience my girlfriend and I ever had. Our guide, Aboh was incredible throughout this trip and made sure we had the best time possible. He knows the parcs and especially the serengeti by heart, is very knowledgeable about the parcs and the animals and always have very interesting stories. He is also extremely gifted to see animals we'd have missed without him. 1000 thanks to him. Don't hesitate to ask for him personally for the best experience possible! (And if you want a french speaking guide). Thank you Aboh and Serengeti African Tours

Date of experience : September 17, 2023

Easy and quick communication with Lucas…

Easy and quick communication with Lucas who help us to arrange everything from beginning to end. We saw a lot of animals including big 5 our guide Ombeni was explaining everything he has more than 5 years experience has enough knowledge about wildlife, he got good eyes to spot animals we are so lucky to have him in our memorable safari. High recommend Serengeti African Tours

Date of experience : September 06, 2023

Amazing experience with Serengeti…

Amazing experience with Serengeti African Tours Absolutely wonderful trip. Everything was so well organized and planned. Our guide Ombeni and cook Richard were fantastic! Both were so kind, accommodating, and incredibly knowledgeable. This is the company to work with if you’re planning a Tanzania safari. You won’t be disappointed.

Date of experience : September 07, 2023

Great Tour, Nice Guide, Good Food! Would recommend!! It’s been a great 4 day Safari with Serengeti African Tours. The whole planning was very professional. Our tour guide Aboh has a lot of experience and knowledge about animals, the spots and the culture of Tanzania. The food during the Safari was so great, we will miss it a lot! If you are searching for a great nature experience, this is the tour to book for you! Also a big plus for us is that it was very sustainable and that the staff and owners are Tanzanian people, so all the money stays in the country

Date of experience : October 05, 2023

Incredible An absolutely unforgettable experience, worth every penny. Our guide Aboh was calm, friendly and informative. The overall vibe of the group was great, which is important given I was travelling solo. And of course seeing all the different animals was unbelievable. 5 days was the perfect length as we got to experience a range of different parks and spot all of the big 5! The accomodation was also unbelievable and felt definitely like luxury to me - not mid range which I booked. Thankyou so much Serengeti African Tours

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

We had an amazing time during our…

We had an amazing time during our Safari with our guide Ombeni and our cook Richard We booked the safari via the internet from Germany. The communication was easy and we got all information we needed. Also the organisation during our trip was perfect and on time. Our Guide Ombeni drove us safely all the time and explained a lot. We saw a lot of animals, some even very close to the car! He also found the best picture spots :) It was amazing! The food was always freshly prepared. You don‘t get the lunch boxes you get with other companies. The food Richard prepared for us every day was absolutely exquisite! The tents are quite big and comfortable. On the campsites are washrooms with showers. Thanks a lot to everybody for that unforgettable trip

Date of experience : September 25, 2023

GO with Serengeti African Tours for the Journey and not the Trip

We just concluded our 8 days private Serengeti Safari with Lucas @ Serengeti African Tours and it was beyond our expectations. We worked directly with Lucas the owner to plan the ideal itinerary that best suited our wishes & desires for this adventure and have to say we were very impressed with him. He is an honest, prompt, reliable and very knowledgeable person. He did not disappoint!!! We were very pleased with the quality of lodging, our daily meals, the safety protocols at the tented camps, the fresh made breakfasts and dinners. We have seen so many wildlife in all parts of the Serengeti , from central to northern. We have even witnessed the great wildebeest migration crossing the Mara river 3 times in 3 days. Add to this the giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, buffalo...etc. The driver / guide that was assigned to us was very good!! He was informative and followed safety protocols at all times. I highly recommend Lucas and his team, Serengeti African Tours.

Date of experience : August 16, 2023

Reply from Serengeti African Tours

Thank you so much for your kind words and glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with Serengeti African Tours. It warms our hearts to know that we were able to contribute to your memorable journey. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're delighted that our services met your expectations. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences and creating lasting memories for our clients. Your feedback inspires us to continue striving for excellence. If you ever decide to explore the beauty of Africa again, we would be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back and create another unforgettable adventure. Once again, thank you for choosing Serengeti African Tours. We truly appreciate your support and trust in our services. If you have any friends or family who are also seeking an incredible African experience, please don't hesitate to refer them to us. Wishing you all the best and many more exciting journeys ahead!

Amazing safari

Amazing safari everything was great very well organized we were immediately taken care of by Aboh and Richard the lodges were all very comfortable, clean and well located with a lot of charm 1 plus for the suricata booma lodge which was sublime!!! the food was very good and they made sure everything was balanced and clean we had no tourist problems unlimited bottled water

Date of experience : October 08, 2023

Always gets you in the best spot

Always gets you in the best spot, closer to the animals than you’d imagine you would ever get! Serengeti African Tours provided a high quality, affordable but luxury experience with great hot lunches, an excellent driver and a well designed schedule which made for an unreal trip! Ombeni, our driver is the best in the game ! He was so focused on giving us the best experience in Tanzania and put in so much effort. No matter how many cars there were, he always got us in the very best position to get the best photo and see the animals up close. We saw all the big 5 many times in incredible scenarios and Omary had a wealth of knowledge on the animals and the parks for which he obviously loves ! He had as much fun as we did and we really enjoyed his company. He is also an excellent driver which was great for navigating the parks. Would recommend Ombeni and Serengeti African Tours any day and would use them again.

Amazing experience with Serengeti African Tours Had a perfect 6 days safari tour with Serengeti African Tours visiting Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Manyara Lake national parks. Every place is wonderful having its own specific and interesting features. Many thanks to Lucas for all the arrangements. He was easy to communicate and always ready to answer our questions, discuss the details and meet our requests. We were lucky to have friendly and reliable Ombeni as our guide. He had vast experience and knowledge of nature and readily shared them with us making our safari even more exiting. 100% recommended

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

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This New Luxury Safari Camp Moves to 9 Locations Across Serengeti National Park During the Great Migration

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti just opened in Tanzania, and T+L contributor and hotel expert Jackie Caradonio was the first to review it.

Jackie Caradonio is a New York–based writer and photographer who specializes in travel, dining, sustainability, and art and design. Her articles and photography have appeared in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg Pursuits, Afar, The New York Times, and others. 

Food and Drink

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Accessibility and Sustainability

• How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

It was what the guides in Serengeti National Park call a “small crossing” — slight in both the number of animals involved (no more than 100) and the number of humans who witnessed it (just a handful). But it was hardly minor to me. 

The zebras were casual — too casual, I suspected — as they trotted across the Mara River. Murky brown water swallowed up their legs and haunches, yet they remained unhurried. All was peaceful. 

Then the crocodiles came. At first one, then two — then six — and within seconds, they had taken hold of an adolescent. The water splashed and bubbled, the young equine scuttled, the crocodiles worked in unsettling concert. Suddenly, the zebra broke away, bucking its hind legs in one last Hail Mary attempt at escape. But it was too late. At the first sight of red, I put my binoculars down and trained my focus on the distant savannah. 

Noticing the tears welling up in my eyes, Chrisple Sikawa, my guide from Usawa mobile camp, offered the salve of logic. “This is the circle of life,” he said. “You wouldn’t want the crocodiles to go hungry, would you?”

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

Heartbroken as I was, I knew he was right. I also knew that such dramatic sightings are precisely the reason one comes to Tanzania’s most famous safari destination: to see the wilderness at its most brazen and brutish, as real as it has ever been or ever will be. 

That’s the promise of the great migration, the mass journey of roughly 2 million wildebeests and zebras, and the headlining act of almost any Serengeti safari. The event is constant and year-round, spanning 500 miles from the southern Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara, just north of the Tanzania border, making it a moving target for the nearly 500,000 tourists who come to the national park every year. 

That transient nature is what enticed Keith Vincent, co-founder and CEO of the hospitality company Wilderness , to create Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, a roving camp that opened on its first of nine eventual sites across the Serengeti on July 26. “In the old days of guiding, you had a vehicle and a tent, and you moved wherever the wilderness went and set up camp along the way,” Vincent says. “With Usawa, I wanted to give that freedom back to our guests.”

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti

• A luxury mobile camp, Usawa travels across the Serengeti National Park, popping up seasonally in nine locations across the national park, all set along the path of the great migration.

• The camp’s six en-suite tents are designed to have minimal impact on the environment, with off-grid power and water systems, and an innovative design that requires only manpower to build and disassemble. 

• The main attraction of any stay at Usawa are the daily game drives and safari walks, during which guests can glimpse the great migration, big five animals, and other wildlife.

• Usawa’s custom-designed tents are decorated with art, furniture, and crafts made exclusively by Tanzanian artisans. 

• The camp’s all-inclusive rates include three meals a day, all game drives and safari walks, and on-the-ground support from the moment your journey starts.

To do so, Vincent first had to strip down the luxury safari camp experience regularly found at other Wilderness camps. There are no plunge pools or spa treatments at Usawa, but rather a wide-open expanse on the crest of a remote hill, where six guest tents and a larger main tent are wrapped 360 degrees in mesh and canvas, giving a sense of near-total exposure to the elements. The entire operation is off-grid, with lighting supplied by rechargeable lanterns and solar-powered lamps (romantic or vexing, depending on your task) and showers fed by buckets of manually heated water that funnel into taps by simple gravity (and, boy, do they feel amazing). 

Still, nothing comes close to roughing it. King-size beds are dressed in crisp white linens, bathrooms are stocked with Inaya Zanzibar’s all-natural products, and décor is a curated assemblage of local design and ingenuity. The greatest luxury of all, however, is Usawa’s connection to nature: the cool breezes that drift through your tent, the sound of raindrops and elephants trumpeting as you drift to sleep, the first sliver of early morning sun as it stretches across the horizon to gently wake you.

“But the real fun of it,” Vincent insists, “is the chase.” Thus, Usawa moves with the great migration — from the south’s calving season, during which hundreds of wildebeests are born every day, to the mass crossings that take place on the Mara River — with Wilderness operating up to three identical camps at any one time, while a fourth transitions to the next site. Guests can easily follow the action, hopscotching from camp to camp. Once the herd moves on, Wilderness packs up and makes for the next location, leaving no trace behind. 

Over five days at one of the camp’s northern locations, I found that, however great the migration itself is, it was only a small part of any experience in the Serengeti, which is home to one of the most wildlife-rich expanses in Africa. Spanning more than 5,500 square miles, it is the quintessential picture of sub-Saharan wilderness, home to an abundance of big cats, as well as the rest of the Big Five animals (including a growing population of rhinos), plus giraffes, elephants, hyenas, and more than 500 bird species. 

But, in the end, it was the great migration that once again beckoned. Though the heartache of our earlier sighting was still fresh in my mind, I agreed to let Sikawa show me what he called “the magic of a big crossing.” And so, we set out for the Mara, tracing its banks until a massive swirl of dust caught our attention — a scuffle of hooves pounding the dirt, Sikawa explained.

We arrived at its source minutes later, just as the first wildebeests were crossing, grunting and bucking all the while, literally running for their lives. One by one, as they made their safe passage across the river, they surrounded our vehicle, their mews nothing short of celebratory to my ears. The crossing carried on for close to an hour, and when the dust finally settled, not a single casualty had occurred. Then, a calf, clearly exhausted, dropped onto its knees to nurse from its mother’s teat. I felt the tears welling up once again, and this time they poured out like rain. It had been quite the journey — for all of us. 

Designed by Luxury Frontiers (whose other hospitality projects include Camp Sarika by Amangiri in Utah and Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico), Usawa’s six en-suite tents are made from overlapping swatches of canvas and mesh to eliminate the barrier between the indoors and the great outdoors. 

Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Still, every creature comfort has been accounted for. King-size beds are dressed in luxury linens; minibars are stocked with fresh coffee, tea, and snacks; and toiletries are from all-natural skincare brand Inaya Zanzibar. Interiors throughout the camp showcase Tanzania’s artisans and designers: handwoven baskets, blankets, and pillows are sourced from a local collective that empowers women to achieve financial independence. Glassware, beaded chandeliers, and leather details come from Sanaa, a non-profit that teaches lucrative crafts to those with disabilities. And tables and chairs made from upcycled plastic are the ingenious creation of Arusha-based DuniaDesigns. 

Outside, my husband and I lounged on our hammock (often with a bottle of South African rosé) or watched the surrounding hills through binoculars from a pair of canvas chairs. We regularly witnessed game drive–worthy sightings right outside our tent, from a family of elephants crossing the hills to the hundreds of zebras and wildebeest that wandered right through camp. 

Usawa is all-inclusive, including spirits and a wide selection of wines from the African continent. The culinary team takes full advantage of Tanzania’s robust farming culture, serving both international and traditional Swahili dishes. Okra takes on heavenly forms in spicy curry, South African syrah sings with fragrant Zanzibari-spiced pilau rice, and creamy mtori soup, made with fresh plantains, is equal parts sweet and savory — and utterly irresistible. 

All mealtimes and menus are customized for guests as they plan each day with their guide. Pre-safari breakfasts are lavish spreads of porridge, fruit, pastries, and made-to-order eggs. Lunch is served overlooking the savannah at the edge of camp, or as a picnic on game drives. Dinners are multi-course affairs served under the starry night sky or in the main tent. 

Experiences and Amenities 

Activities are centered on the magnificent theater that is the great wilderness of the Serengeti. As Usawa travels among nine locations throughout the national park, guests are afforded the chance to witness the great migration up-close in its many phases. From January to March, the southern Serengeti bears witness to the birth of thousands of wildebeests (an estimated 800 calves are born each day). Come July, the herds move north and river crossings are the main event. 

Game drives and bush walks are offered daily. One morning we set out straight from camp on foot, skirting a family of elephants as they broke down an entire acacia tree for an afternoon feast, then catching sight of a cheetah sprinting across the hillside 100 yards away. On a drive the next day, we encountered a mother cheetah and her cubs, the white of their bellies fat and round, the scruff of their chins blood-stained—and vultures circling overhead in pursuit of the remains of their kill. We waited patiently outside a cluster of bushes for a leopard to at last poke out its spotted head; watched a thick-maned lion perch proudly atop a boulder, keeping a watchful eye over a valley filled with prey; and counted the many crocodiles ominously patrolling the banks of the river. 

Family-friendly Offerings 

Usawa welcomes children from six years old. Buy-outs are available for families with members of all ages. All safari activities can be customized to accommodate different ages and abilities.

Wilderness’s greatest ambition in creating Usawa was to create a safari camp that would minimally impact the Earth. Power is provided by solar panels and portable batteries that are recharged at a main power bank. Tents are constructed only by employees, ensuring the least possible disturbance to the native wildlife and enabling the camp to be easily and quickly moved from location to location. “We’ll leave no trace,” Vincent says. “One storm, and the grassland will look like we’ve never been there.” 

To preserve the land, Usawa has forgone constructing sewage systems, employing a series of innovations to stay more eco-friendly. Toilets operate on portable septic systems, with waste routinely removed from the park or used to fertilize the grounds when possible. Filtered cold and hot water are supplied to guests throughout the day. Showers are especially clever in their operation, supplied by heated water that is manually fed into overhead buckets then funneled into taps. Simply pull the chain for a steamy cascade.

Usawa is not ADA compliant, which is typical for safari camps like this one.

To arrive at Serengeti National Park, travelers can fly via Hamad International Airport in Doha to Kilimanjaro International Airport, then connect from Arusha Airport to one of Serengeti National Park’s airstrip. Wilderness plans all itineraries end-to-end with VIP travel perks, including Al Maha service when flying with Qatar Airways. In Arusha, we stayed at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, a Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2020 winner set on a coffee farm. 

Usawa’s nine locations stretch from the southern Serengeti National Park to Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya. Up to three camps will operate simultaneously to allow guests to follow the great migration as closely as possible. Wilderness arranges guest stays based on predictions of the great migration path. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay 

Safaris are admittedly costly, but Wilderness’s all-inclusive pricing includes everything: accommodations, unlimited meals and beverages, all activities, and transfers within Serengeti National Park. Wilderness also partners with airlines such as Qatar Airways to offer discounted flights for safari goers. Nightly rates at Usawa start at $950 per person, with a minimum two-night stay.

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Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp

Reviews of Nomad Serengeti Camp

Wildlife sightings and reviews.

57 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Nomad Serengeti Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Other lodges in Serengeti Migration Area

Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Olakira Camp

Comfortable, friendly and relaxed, Olakira Camp moves between the Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.

Sayari Camp

In the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, luxurious Sayari Camp offers excellent wildife all year – boosted further by the wildebeest migration.

Dunia Camp is well located for the migration from December to March, and has excellent game viewing for the rest of the year.

Namiri Plains Camp

Namiri Plains is one of the best camps in the Serengeti and its remoteness ensures a fantastic wildlife experience away from the crowds.

Lamai Serengeti

Set high in the kopjes with fantastic views, Lamai Serengeti offers top service and guiding and good migration sightings from Jul-Oct.

Ubuntu Camp

Ubuntu Camp has several locations in the Serengeti, following the wildebeest migration, so it is often in a great location to see the herds.

Kati Kati Camp

Kati Kati is a small, very simple bushcamp, which is well-positioned to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera area.

Ndutu Safari Lodge

Large and economical, but not luxurious, Ndutu Safari Lodge is well located in the southern Serengeti, so book early to get space.

Serian Serengeti

Serian Serengeti is a mobile tented operation run by Alex Walker which moves between two locations following the wildebeest migration.

Klein's Camp

Klein's Camp, in a private area of the northern Serengeti, sets high standards. Activities include walks, nights drives and Maasai village visits.

Kimondo Camp

Kimondo Camp is based in the remote Lamai Wedge in the northern Serengeti from Jul–Oct, and on the southern Kusini plains from Nov–Mar.

Serengeti under Canvas

Two of the three Serengeti under Canvas camps move through the Serengeti National Park every few months to follow the wildebeest migration.

Grumeti River Camp

Grumeti River Camp offers a laid-back atmosphere combined with top service, first-rate food, expert guiding and an excellent location.

Lemala Kuria Hills

Lemala Kuria Hills is a luxury permanent camp that is ideally located for wildlife all year around, but especially during the wildebeest migration.

Lemala Ewanjan

Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.

Lemala Mara-Ndutu

Lemala Mara-Ndutu is a semi-permanent camp that moves between the north and south of the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration.

Lemala Nanyukie

Lemala Nanyukie is a stylish camp located in the quieter part of the central Serengeti.

Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

The large Lobo Wildlife Lodge has simple, functional rooms in a stunning location. It's a good base for exploring the north-eastern Serengeti.

Mbalageti Lodge

Mbalageti is a well-run lodge in a quiet part of the Serengeti's western corridor – an ideal location during the Apr-Jun migration.

Serengeti Walking Mobile

This fairly simple camp offers only walking activities, but it's very well done and combines well with more conventional camps or lodges.

Serengeti Serena

The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is a large, hotel-style lodge and a good family-friendly base from which to explore the central Serengeti.

Kusini Camp

Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.

Olmara Camp

With just eight guest tents, including two family tents and three signature stargazer tents, Olmara is a simple, family-friendly camp with a wonderfully attentive team. The camp captures an authentic bush experience, welcoming travellers of every kind.

Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Serengeti Sopa Lodge is an international-style hotel offering good-value accommodation in the central Serengeti, with lovely views of the plains.

Migration Camp

Serengeti Migration Camp is a smart tented camp, good for the wildebeest migration from Jul–Aug, or to explore the Lobo Kopjes any time.

Sasakwa Lodge

On a hill looking over the Serengeti plains, Sasakwa Lodge is grand, luxurious safari camp, one of the most opulent properties in Tanzania.

Faru Faru Lodge

On the north bank of the Grumeti River, Faru Faru is a small, chic hideaway in this exclusive corner of the Serengeti.

Mkombe's House Lamai

Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti Green Camp

Serengeti Green Camp is a comfortable camping experience, in your own private safari camp and at the heart of a great wildlife area.

Singita Mara River

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is a luxurious camp in the isolated and rewarding Lamai wedge region of the northern Serengeti.

Kirurumu Migration Camp

Kirurumu is a rustic tented camp which moves around the Serengeti twice a year to follow the wildebeest migration.

Sabora Tented Camp

Sabora Tented Camp is a smart tented camp – one of the most luxurious, professional and stylish properties to be found in Tanzania.

Seronera Wildlife Lodge

Seronera Wildlife Lodge is large hotel-style safari lodge in the heart of the Serengeti, offering good value and a great location.

Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.

Nimali Mara

Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.

Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.

Esirai Migration Camp

A season migration camp, with only 8 tents and 1 family tent and plenty of character. Esirai is ideally placed for excellent wildlife and enjoys a simplistic and comfortable under-canvas experience.

Four Seasons Serengeti

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is the only hotel in the Serengeti offering international facilities such as a gym, spa and children’s club.

Lake Masek Tented Camp

Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.

Olduvai Camp

Olduvai Camp lies between Ngorongoro and the southern Serengeti plains. It's a good base for the southern plains during the rainy season.

Mwiba Lodge

Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.

Ndutu Kati Kati

Ndutu Kati Kati is a seasonal tented camp, based in the southern Serenget from Dec-Mar, ideal for the migration as it passes through.

Nomad Walking Camp

Nomad Expeditionary Walking Camp is a simple camp of up to three tents, plus infrastructure, that changes location to allow guests to do substantial walks between campsites.

Serengeti Pioneer Camp

Serengeti Pioneer Camp is a luxurious tented camp in the central Serengeti, styled on African explorers' camps of the early 20th century.

Nasikia Naona

Naona Camp is a small tented camp, located in the Moru Kopjes, west of the Serengeti central area

Taasa Lodge

Taasa Lodge is a slightly quirky option offering guided walks and night game drives, which are not permitted in Serengeti National Park.

Mara Kati Kati

Mara Kati Kati is a simple bush camp in the northern Serengeti, based from Jul-Oct near the Mara River for the wildebeest migration.

Nimali Serengeti

Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.

Laba Migration Camp

A luxury mobile camp that moves between the Western Corridor, Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.

Nyikani Central

Nyikani Central is a comfortable tented camp located in the game-rich Seronera area of the central Serengeti.

Kirawira Camp

Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.

Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the Serengeti.

Other areas in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam

Ngorongoro Crater

Mafia Island

Tanzania Coast

Lake Manyara

Mahale Mountains

Pemba Island

Mikumi & Udzungwa

Fanjove Island

Rubondo Island

Lake Natron

Lupita Island

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Serengeti Safari Camp

Serengeti Safari Camp is a traditional mobile tented camp that moves throughout the year to always be at the optimal vantage point for experiencing the breathtaking spectacle of the Great Migration. Here, you'll witness thousands of wildebeest in their majestic herds as they traverse the vast Serengeti landscape.

This is one of the best tented camps in Tanzania and has been for a long time. Though authentic, we would describe this as a luxury experience; everything is done to a very high standard.

Serengeti Safari Camp was the first of its kind, designed with a purpose in mind: to be in the best possible location to view the wildebeest migration. Each year, this little camp casts off and begins its odyssey, covering hundreds of miles and moving every couple of months along a route that the herds have travelled for hundreds of years; this is where you come for your migration fix!

Accommodation consists of six tents, including a family tent (children from 8 years old are welcome). Inside each tent, there’s a comfy double bed or twin beds, bedside tables and lighting, and a writing desk. The family tent has a connecting lounge. Each tent’s en-suite facilities comprise a flush toilet, wash basin, and separate safari/bucket shower.

Serengeti Safari Camp’s communal spaces are a home away from home. The library (tent) contains a sofa and chairs, storage trunks put to use as occasional tables, a selection of reading material, and a stocked bar. In the dining tent, a long table is set up for communal meals. Guests can also eat al fresco around the fire pit.

While embarking on your 4x4 adventure, you'll find yourself amidst the sweeping plains, where wildlife thrives, and perhaps even witness the captivating dramas of predators and prey. Delve into the art of tracking different animals and herds, gain insights into the conservation efforts in the region, and seize the opportunity to get up close with the magnificent creatures that call this area home.

An out-of-Africa experience

Since the early 90s, when this little camp started, it's been much copied but never equaled. In immaculate condition, enjoy a timeless experience.

The best guides

Serengeti Safari Camp is known for working with some of the best guides in Tanzania. They never fail to receive shining reviews, and their knowledge in the field is outstanding.

The Great Migration

Each year the Serengeti plays host to one of the greatest wildlife phenomena in the world. 1.5 million wildebeest travel hundreds of kilometers in an endless cycle of life.

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