Olakira Camp is a classic mobile tented camp that moves between prime Serengeti wildlife areas twice a year to take advantage of the Great Migration. The camp has an intimate feel with just a small number of guest tents and two central communal tents that are open to the surrounding plains, with animals often passing through the camp itself.
Balancing a rustic style with a high level of comfort, the camp offers a friendly, personalised service, guides with an excellent knowledge of the Serengeti and its wildlife, and spacious, comfortable tents that add a hint of luxury but don’t take anything away from the authentic safari experience.
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Guest tents are generous in size, featuring large king sized or twin beds and en suite bathrooms with hot water safari bucket showers, wash basins and flushing environmentally friendly toilets. They’re furnished with colourful African textiles, rugs and linens, as well as a wooden writing table and rustic-style lamps. Each tent boasts a private shaded veranda where you can sit and look out over the Serengeti plains, watching out for any passing wildlife.
The camp is set up in a small forest in the southern Serengeti, or Ndutu area, from December to March, where lion and cheetah hunt in the open grasslands and wildebeest and zebra give birth to their young. From June to November the camp is moved north for views of the renowned Mara River crossing, where wildebeest attempt to cross while avoiding the jaws of crocodile.
Tasty, wholesome meals are served in the dining tent, outside or on your private veranda. Both continental and cooked breakfasts are offered each morning, and at lunch you can tuck into a buffet of salads and freshly baked breads alongside a hot dish. Three-course dinners are usually a social affair, with sundowners served before or after to enjoy as you share stories with fellow guests.
Children aged five years and over are welcome to stay here. Families can stay in one of the larger tents with separate bedrooms. While the camp doesn’t offer special safaris for children, families of six or more are guaranteed a private safari vehicle in low season. The wild, unfenced nature of the camp means children must be supervised at all times.
Game drives with the experienced and knowledgeable guides take place twice a day and can include bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners so you don’t need to return to camp. Hot air balloon safaris allow for a bird’s eye view over the plains. If staying in the north, you can visit one of the nearby villages to learn more about the local culture of the Kuria people.
The camp has a low impact on the natural environment as none of its structures are permanent so they can be dismantled and moved twice a year. The camp also tries to offset any fossil fuel emissions it produces through a local community forestation programme.
Whether in the north or the south, a stay at Olakira puts you in the heart of the action. The tents offer fantastic views, and we’ve found that the service and guiding are top class.
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite 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.
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.
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 centre and a kids club (children aged 8 to 17 only).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Namiri means ‘big cat’ in Swahili, a nod to the fact that this area was closed off for cheetah research for over 20 years. The result is that the density of big cats hunting in this area is superb.
Ndutu Lodge is one of our favourites in the Serengeti. Its very friendly, has great staff and guides and arguable the best position in the Serengeti.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
This classic mobile safari camp travels with the migrating wildebeest throughout the year, offering a different experience with each new location.
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.
