Namiri Plains
Custodians of this rich area, Namiri Plains is an intimate tented camp located east of the central Serengeti. The camp is set in a small fever tree forest on a hillside overlooking the plains. Because the area was closed off to visitors for 20 years, this is the land of the big cats, where lion, leopard and cheetah hunt undisturbed on the plains. Guests can join drives to see both the cats and local plains game. Just eight luxury tents offer a comfortable home in the wilderness and boast 360-degree views of the plains. Guests can enjoy game drives from here to enjoy the abundant wildlife, picnic breakfasts on Soit le Motonyi Rock nearby and sundowners on the top of the kopjes.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Tanzania specialists at 617-223-4335
Rooms
The eight luxurious tents provide all the necessary creature comforts for your stay while still reflecting a traditional safari experience and the accompanying sense of adventure. Each tent has a large double bed, a desk and comfortable chairs, and an en suite bathroom with hot indoor and outdoor showers. One of the tents is designed for honeymooners, while another, larger tent caters to families.
Location
Namiri Plains is set in one of the best locations in the Eastern Plains of the Serengeti, open to wide-reaching views across the vast plains, which are only interrupted by the occasional acacia tree. The area is known for its big cats, resulting in exhilarating game drives and experiences in a very wild camp location. There is no other camp within an hours’ drive of Namiri Plains, and game drives from the camp pass by with no other vehicles in sight. Guests must fly in and out, before a drive through the National Park to camp that may afford surprise wildlife sightings. Making your way there is the start of an authentic, off-the-beaten-track experience.
Food and Drink
The food and drink served at Namiri is exceptional. All meals are eaten communally in the dining tent, though private dining can be arranged on request. Breakfast is laid out as a buffet, with a cooked breakfast to order. Lunch is either a set menu or a packed lunch if you're out on a full-day game drive. Dinner comes as a set three-course menu, paired with selected wines. You can also often enjoy ‘bush' breakfasts or lunches as part of game drives.
Families
Children aged five and up are welcome at Namiri Plains, though there are no specific children’s activities on offer. There’s a family tent for larger groups, however.
Facilities and Activities
Twice daily game drives focus on the big cats that hunt the herds of wildebeest — guests can opt for closed or open vehicles. Walking safaris take explorers even closer to the unspoiled wilderness and staff will arrange bush picnics to make the most of your time away from the camp. Those looking for something even more special may opt for a different view during a hot-air balloon safari or a meeting with the local cheetah researcher to learn about the local cats and how they’ve thrived.
Our opinion
This small luxury camp allows you to explore a remote area of the Serengeti away from any crowds — you might not even see any other vehicles during your stay. We also love the camp for its intimate, inclusive feel.
Serengeti National Park itinerary suggestions
Nearby accommodation
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Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Bush Rover
The Bush Rovers are built from working Land Rover 110 Defender safari vehicles. With a few in the Selous and a few in the Serengeti, they offer the ultimate locations for wildlife and the camps leave no human footprint behind.
Dunia Camp
This entirely female-run camp not only offers a small, exclusive stay, but also benefits from a beautiful location perfect for exploring the southern Serengeti area. Open year round, visit during spring or early winter to see the dramatic migration of hundreds of wildebeest.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge
This is a new property and one of the larger ones in the Serengeti, with 77 guest rooms, suites and villas. Facilities include a swimming pool, spa, fitness center and a kids club (children aged 8 to 17 only).
Grumeti River Camp
AndBeyond have built some of the most beautiful lodges in Africa. Grumeti Camp is no exception. The colorful lounge overlooking the game by the hippo pool is a lovely spot for relaxing.
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp (formerly Olakira Lamai) is a classic mobile tented camp that moves between the north and the south of the Serengeti to be in the ideal location from which to try to find the two million strong herds of wildebeest and zebra during the Migration.
Kirawira Camp
Kirawira Camp is a very comfortable safari camp. The tents are very large and have all the amenities you need to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. The food and service are good and the views over the plains are stunning.
Klein’s Camp
Klein's Camp is a superb camp. The rooms are comfortable, views spectacular and camp staff and guides very friendly. It's great for getting away from the more crowded areas of the Serengeti in the high season and will mean you have a more exclusive game viewing experience.
Lamai Serengeti
Nomad have created stunning lodges throughout Tanzania, and Lamai Serengeti is yet another exceptional camp. Its epic location overlooking the vast savanna makes for a wonderful base to explore.
Lemala Serengeti Camp
This is a good standard safari camp with two excellent locations. The food here is of a very good standard, and the staff will do anything they can to make your stay enjoyable.
Mbalageti
Mbalageti has a superb position in the Serengeti. There are fabulous views form the camp over the surrounding plains and the Mbalageti river. The rooms are very comfortable, the food is excellent and the staff are very attentive to your needs.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuzi Mawe is a stylish camp and is in an excellent position when the wildebeest migration passes through. The main lounge has a lovely deck overlooking the plains where you can sit back with a cup of coffee watching the wildlife below.
Migration Camp
Having recently undergone an extensive refurbishment after a few years of neglect, Migration Camp is now a lovely camp in a great position, especially when the migration passes through.
Ndutu Lodge
Ndutu Lodge is one of our favorites in the Serengeti. Its very friendly, has great staff and guides and arguable the best position in the Serengeti.
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp
The Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is small and personal offering great service and an intimate atmosphere. Staying in a mobile camp is the best way to experience the wildness of the Serengeti.
Olakira Mobile Camp
This traditional mobile camp spends time in both the northern and southern sides of the Serengeti throughout the year, allowing you to observe wildlife undergoing the annual Great Migration and wildebeest giving birth to their young from authentic bush accommodation.
Sabora Plains
This luxurious tented camp is set in grasslands overlooking the plains of the western Serengeti. The six tents on either side of the living area are incredibly spacious and furnished with luxurious fabrics and colonial accessories.
Sasakwa Hill Lodge
It is safe to say that Sasakwa is one of the most luxurious properties in East Africa. It includes a few air-conditioned guest cottages all complete with antique furniture, crystal vases of roses and classic artwork giving it a real 1920's feel.
Sayari
Sayari is a luxurious safari camp in a beautiful area which is great for game viewing all year round. It combines the wonderful atmosphere of a traditional safari camp with some modern touches making this an excellent option.
Serena Lodge
The Serena offers consistently good standards of food, service and accommodation. Whilst it's not the smallest lodge in the park, all the rooms are comfortable and have good views over the surrounding plains.
Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Located right in the heart of the Serengeti, in the prime Seronera game-viewing area, Kati Kati is a simple tented safari camp that offers a real ‘back to basics’ charm and an authentic safari experience.
Serengeti Under Canvas
Serengeti Under Canvas is a luxurious mobile camp, with lots of little details which make you forget the fact that you're actually staying in a tent.
Ubuntu Mobile Camp
This classic mobile safari camp travels with the migrating wildebeest throughout the year, offering a different experience with each new location.
Wildfrontiers Serengeti Wilderness Camp
This is a traditional simple bush camp with a warm and friendly atmosphere in a good area for game viewing. The main focus of the camp is to be located in spots around the Serengeti so as be as close to the annual migration as possible.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
See the Great Migration
Throughout the year, the two million strong migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles wanders the plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara in search of water and fresh grazing.
Serengeti Balloon Safari
This is one of the most popular ways to see the wildlife of the Serengeti. The flight will last for around an hour before you land to celebrate with champagne before a full English breakfast prepared and served in style in the middle of the bush.