The Serengeti is huge! It’s the biggest national park in Tanzania, and is probably the most famous on earth. It means that millions of people come to Tanzania to see the Serengeti while on Safari.
There is one major issue with the Serengeti – where to stay? The public camp sites are old now and have very poor reviews; often people talk about the lack of facilities (showering in a drip – we’ve been there!). The alternative is something a lot more exclusive and can make an already expensive trip, extortionate.
We’ve travelled extensively throughout northern Tanzania and have planned numerous trips there, so we know quite a bit about the accommodations available while staying in the Serengeti.
We’ve put together what is often considered the best lodges in the Serengeti, most of which are in the ‘high-end’ options, asking for thousands of pounds per night. If you’d like to learn more about mid-range and budget accommodations, all you need to do is ask! Get in touch.
Sasakwa Lodge by Singita (est… $3000+ per person)
Perched high up in Singita’s Grumeti reserve is the Sasakwa Lodge. Arguably the most luxurious and refined Lodge in the Serengeti, the stunning period interior cannot distract you from the lodge’s panoramic views looking out across the endless grasslands of the Savannah. The lodge provides an immersive experience, modelled on the style of a luxurious Edwardian manor house, with carefully curated interiors and gardens, reminiscent of the first European settlers in Tanzania. As one of the few permanent structures in the Serengeti, Sasaka perfect combination of modern luxury with a sense of intrigue and history.
It is unlikely to find a Lodge in the Serengeti with as much opulence, yet still feel close to the wild just outside the boarder wall.
The prices for the Sasakwa lodge are not easily available, and often change due to the demand of the time of year. Per person, the average is roughly $3000 per night. If money is no object, then Sasakwa Lodge is where you need to be.
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
Mwiba Lodge (est… $2000 per person)
While the Mwiba has embraced modern comfort, it has not lost its African heart. The Mwiba lodge is situated at the Serengeti’s southern border, close to Lake Eyasi (home to the Hadzabe & Datoga tribes). A place that has a feeling of seclusion, but is still only a walk, short drive or helicopter ride away from the action.
Similar to the Sasakwa lodge, the Mwiba is also perched up high, on a volcanic rock formation that are iconic in the Serengeti region. It means that you are able to enjoy dramatic, ever-changing vistas, looking north into the Serengeti’s heart. Yet, while surrounded in natural beauty and wild wonder, the lodge has a fully equipped gym, luxurious spa, infinity pools and modern comfort.
A night here can cost as much as $2000 per person, per night, but this depends on the season and how busy the accommodation is (closed in April & May).
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
Moyo Tented Camp (est.. $300 per person)
The Serengeti National Reserve doesn’t have any permanent structures, and only tented accommodation. This may sound daunting, but we can argue that a tent is the best way to experience the Serengeti. You’ll be able to hear the sounds of the wilderness – from buzzing insects, animal calls and the moving of hoofs. If you’re in the Serengeti, it’s worth it to be awoken up by a giraffe passing by, right!?
The main drawback is that camping isn’t always the most comfortable experience.
The Moyo Tented Camp, situated in the popular Seronera area, finds the balance between a comfortable, private and safe room, while still feeling connected with nature. It is possible to sit and watch the Serengeti sunset, with some sun downers, as a family of giraffes pass yards away.
The Moyo Tented Camp is within the middle range of accommodations in the Serengeti, and is one we use for our own itineraries. Prices vary depending on availability and the season, but the average is roughly $300 per person if you are booking with them directly. The alternative for a similar experience can be up to 10x more expensive (there are no private butlers here, though!)
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
Namiri Plains (est… $600 – $1300)
Part of the Serengeti experience is to feel lost in the wilderness. There is an acute sense that you’re no longer in the comfort and security of the human world. The challenge for many Serengeti lodges is to find a balance between comfort and embracing what makes the Serengeti unique.
The Namiri Plains Tented Camp, by Asillia Africa, finds the perfect balance. While the tented accommodation is 5 stars, it creates a feeling that you’re lost and secluded in the middle of the Tanzanian Bush, with nothing but endless horizons filled with countless stars.
Sat in the quieter Simiyu region of the Serengeti, this camp is ideal for honeymooners who need the time to seclude themselves together and feel at one with nature. Bubble bath and champagne outside on the decking? Sounds romantic – and it is.
Prices for Namiri Plains range between $600 and $1300 per night, depending on the season and demand.
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
Serengeti Under Canvas by andBeyond (est… $2000 – $3000 per person)
The name tells you everything you need to know. andBeyond are luxury tented lodge specialists, and frame the Serengeti in exactly the way it should be; wilderness to completely disconnect. There may be the temptation to choose luxurious hotel-style accommodation, but the Serengeti is unique as a location, so let andBeyond help you experience the best of it.
You can think of Serengeti Under Canvas as more of an experience, rather than a lodge. These are mobile camps that move around the Serengeti to anticipate where the Great Migration will be, getting you closer to the action. The campsites are exclusive, intimate and always private. Equipped with private butler service, flushing WC, outdoor heated bucket style showers and comfortable beds, this is the best tented experience money can buy.
The luxury, access to the wildlife, and expert guides come at a premium. 3 nights with andBeyond will set you back more than $6500. Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
Mkombe’s House by Nomad (est… $1600-2000 per person, per night)
Finally, Mkombe’s House rests in the north of the Serengeti, close to Tanzania’s border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Unlike other accommodation options in the Serengeti, Mkombe’s House is designed with children in mind. The Serengeti can be a dangerous place for families, and it has been known for children to wander off and be killed in the national parks. It’s a brutal dose of reality.
Mkombe’s House is set within one of the richest game-viewing areas of the Serengeti, while also being able to establish a compound that contains everything a family will need. Large dining areas and huge open verandas to look across the Serengeti are a key highlight.
This accommodation is designed for larger groups of families and friends. It seems as though a 3-day trip, for 4 people, can cost as much as $19,000 – which works out roughly $1600 per person. This price depends on the season.
Learn more, and read the reviews, on TripAdvisor.
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