Kubu Kubu: Our full report
Opened in July 2016, Kubu Kubu provides a mix of nature and luxury in one of Tanzania’s best wildlife areas.
This permanent tented camp is located on a low hillside with striking views over the Serengeti plains. It has plenty of space and a beautiful infinity pool.The stylish Kubu Kubu is the more luxurious sibling of its smaller sister property, Kati Kati Camp. Both camps are situated in the game-rich central Serengeti, which we know to be reliably good for viewing wildlife throughout the year. Kubu Kubu is a marked step up from Kati Kati and provides modern accommodation in the form of spacious tented rooms and a large communal area.
Kubu Kubu’s 25 tented rooms are split into 13 double or twin rooms, two quadruple rooms, and five family units (which have two interconnected bedrooms). These are laid out in two rows, with half set slightly further up the hill. Each tented room is well-proportioned, with a couple of comfy chairs and raised deck outside, which overlooks the Serengeti. Despite being decorated in pale creams and neutral tones, we felt the tents were a little dark at times – although the wooden decks act as natural suntraps, which compensates for this.
You can find the usual range of amenities here, including tea and coffee facilities, a telephone and bathrobes. Unlike many other tented camps in the central Serengeti, there is a hairdryer and a water cooler. All tents have a large en-suite bathroom with a flushing toilet and a handbasin, as well as an outdoor shower with hot water and beautiful views.
The main area is a circular thatched structure with a sizeable lounge and dining area, and a flagstone patio at its centre. Despite its size, the lounge at Kubu Kubu has an intimate and cosy atmosphere, with comfortable chairs arranged in small clusters around low coffee tables. In one corner, there is a small library with an array of books and board games and, in the evenings, decorative beaded lightshades help create atmosphere. Friendly staff are on hand to serve complimentary cool drinks and a selection of tasty homemade snacks.
You can choose to dine inside, or weather permitting, on the wooden deck overlooking the swimming pool and the Serengeti plains beyond. We loved the views from Kubu Kubu and, in our opinion, these are some of the best in the central region of the park.
One of our favourite features is the beautiful infinity pool, which helps give Kubu Kubu a “wow factor”. Swimming pools are rare in this part of the Serengeti, and this is lovely place to relax in the heat of the afternoon. Please note that there are no pool depth markings or lifeguard present. Cream umbrellas and sunloungers are dotted around on the adjacent patio and, just behind the swimming pool, a small curio shop sells trinkets and pieces of local artwork.
When we last visited in February 2018, we were told that Kubu Kubu plans to offer some spa treatments, which are likely to be in the comfort of your own room. There is no date set for when these will be available.
The location of Kubu Kubu grants access to the plethora of wildlife that gives the Serengeti its great reputation, and it is a good place to look for cheetah on the open plains. You can choose to explore the central Seronera area, or venture further afield to the more remote southern or eastern Serengeti. The lodge can arrange bush breakfasts and cocktail sundowners on request. An early morning balloon safari is also available at an extra cost, followed by an indulgent champagne breakfast.
Our view
With 25 rooms, Kubu Kubu lacks the sense of intimacy and personalised service found at smaller tented camps but it is still undoubtedly very good. If you are looking for a stylish lodge offering a higher level of luxury than a simple bush camp, but with a comparably affordable price tag, then Kubu Kubu could be a great choice.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- We would recommend staying here at least three nights to discover the wildlife of the central Serengeti.
- Directions
- Kubu Kubu Camp is around a 30-minute drive from Seronera airstrip for those who fly into the park. Most guests will drive here with a private driver guide, as part of a longer safari around northern Tanzania.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- We spent a couple of nights at Kubu Kubu in February 2018 and found the food to be fresh, tasty and plentiful.
Breakfast is a varied buffet of tropical fruits, cereals, breads and pastries, with eggs and pancakes cooked to order. If you are leaving early, then it is possible to take a packed breakfast with you.
Lunch is à la carte when the lodge is quiet or served as a buffet when it is busy. On our last visit we tucked in to range of dishes, which included grilled tilapia (a white fish commonly found throughout East Africa), beef, fragrant rice, tomato pasta and salad. This was followed by rhubarb crumble.
Dinner is served as a buffet and typically features a range of hot and cold dishes; on our visit these included beef stew, fish, spiced lentils, vegetable dishes, rice and buttered potatoes. For dessert, you can choose from a selection of tempting dishes. One night we had a delicious barbeque, with a choice of either chicken or beef. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available.
- Drinks included
- All drinks are included, with the exception of premium wines, spirits and Champagne.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Kubu Kubu and there are two quadruple rooms as well as two family tents. When we visited there were a couple of families staying. Older children are likely to enjoy the swimming pool, and the lodge has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Kubu Kubu has no minimum age.
- Special activities & services
- There are no special activities or services at Kubu Kubu.
- Equipment
- Currently, there are no cots or high chairs available at Kubu Kubu.
- Generally recommended for children
- Good for older children.
- Notes
- The raised decks outside the tented rooms and dining area are fairly high and, as there is no lifeguard present at the pool, children should be supervised here. The camp is unfenced, and parents should be aware that large animals frequently wander through the area.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kubu Kubu
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kubu Kubu have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
75% success
75% success
75% success
50% success
50% success
25% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- We were told that 80% of Kubu Kubu’s power comes from solar electricity, however a back up generator is available. There are UK-style electrical sockets in each tented room.
- Communications
- Fast WiFi is available throughout the lodge but is restricted to 200MB of data per day unless you choose to purchase more via their network provider. Given that Kubu Kubu markets itself as a luxury safari lodge, we felt that this was a pitifully small allocation and this is only enough to upload or download one or two photographs and look at a few webpages. There are internal phones in the rooms.
- TV & radio
- No TV’s are available at Kubu Kubu.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Kubu Kubu uses two boreholes and a solar pump.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Staff are first-aid trained and there is a medical kit on site. There is a resident doctor at the neighbouring Serena Lodge, and it would take around 1.5 hours to fly to Arusha, where there is a large western hospital.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- You are accompanied to and from your room after dark and Maasai guards are on duty throughout the night.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are present throughout the central area and in the tented rooms.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is available at a cost of around $1 per item. This is typically a 24-hour service.
- Money
- There are electronic safes in all tented rooms and small amounts of currency can be exchanged, including GB pounds and Euros.
- Accepted payment on location
- Almost all drinks and meals are included at Kubu Kubu. Any premium drinks or extras can be paid for with cash or card. All major cards are accepted, including Mastercard and Visa, although there is a 5% surcharge.
The curio shop does not accept credit cards; it only accepts cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings.
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.
Nomad Serengeti Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp is a well-appointed tented camp that moves several times a year to follow the predicted path of the migration.
Dunia Camp
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Mkombe's House Lamai
Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.
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.
Singita Mara River
Singita Mara River Tented Camp is a luxurious camp in the isolated and rewarding Lamai wedge region of the northern 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
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.
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.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
Mara Mara
Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.
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.
Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.
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 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.
Nasikia Naona
Naona Camp is a small tented camp, located in the Moru Kopjes, west of the Serengeti central area
Kirawira Camp
Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.
Nyikani Central
Nyikani Central is a comfortable tented camp located in the game-rich Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the 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.
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.
Taasa Lodge
Taasa Lodge is a slightly quirky option offering guided walks and night game drives, which are not permitted in Serengeti National Park.
Nimali Serengeti
Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
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.
