Lemala Nanyukie: Our full report
Lemala Nanyukie opened in October 2018 and is located in the quieter part of the central Serengeti, just ...
... outside of the busy Seronera area. The region is home to the wildebeest migration between November and January.Lemala Nanyukie is located 35km from Seronera Airstrip and is just a 40 minute drive to the camp, depending on what game you encounter on the way.
There are 15 tented suites, including one family tented suite with two separate en-suite tents connected by a covered walkway.
Each suite is built among the kopjes with views through the acacia trees overlooking the grassy Serengeti plains.
Concrete steps lead into the lounge from the back of the tent, and has a day bed, chair and writing desk. There is also a minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and electronic safe. Sliding doors lead onto an outside deck with a private plunge pool, two sun loungers and a sunken built-in seating area.
Sliding doors lead from the lounge to the bedroom which is decorated in soft pale blue and grey tones. Double or twin beds are draped by a large mosquito net and behind the wooden headboard is an area for storing luggage.
From the bedroom sliding doors lead into a spacious bathroom which has a freestanding bath in front of the window with views over the bush, a large walk-in indoor shower, twin basins on a wooden base and flush toilet in a separate cubicle.
Outside the bathroom is an outdoor shower on the deck, screened for privacy by a pole fence.
Centrally situated within the camp, the main areas include the lounge, with a number of comfy seating areas inside and out, with a bar at its centre, a separate dining area and curio shop. And should the private plunge pools at each of the rooms not be enough, there is also a lovely infinity pool here, surrounded by sunloungers and umbrellas as well as a shaded sofa area.
A short walk away from the main area, on top of a rocky kopjie, is Lemala Nanyukie’s spa. It has one treatment room with two beds with stunning views over the plains below.
Activities at Lemala Nanyukie focus on game drives in the surrounding central Serengeti plains. This area of the Serengeti has great densities of wildlife. It is a good location for the wildebeest migration at certain times during the year, particularly November-December.
Lemala Nanyukie is similar in standard to its sister camp in the northern Serengeti, Lemala Kuria Hills.as well as its other luxury camp in Tarangire National Park, Mpingo Ridge.
Our view
Lemala Nanyukie is stylish and well run, with a high-end finish. It is located in one of the Serengeti’s better locations, in terms of the wildlife and relative number of other visitors and is well known for its number of large cats.
Country manager: Tanzania
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 3-4 nights
- Directions
- The camp is located 35km from Seronera Airstrip.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Although we have not stayed here, on a recent visit we were fortunate to have enjoyed lunch. This consists of a choice of two starters, three mains and two deserts. On our visit the choice was a starter of either a pumpkin baguette with olive and cream cheese dip, or pasta, pea and spinach soup. The main course was either a lamb burger served with crispy bacon, guacamole and chips, Asian fish cakes with tomato chili jam and salad or tempura vegetables served with a sweet chili sauce. Dessert was either a lemon meringue pie or mixed fruit sorbet.
We have been fortunate enough to stay at some of the other Lemala properties and this was definitely on a par with the meals we have enjoyed there. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available on request.
- Drinks included
- Most drinks included. Premium spirits and Champagne are available at an additional cost.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Property’s age restrictions
- Lemala accepts children aged 4 years and above.
- Special activities & services
- There is a kids' club called Lemala Cubs, with an interactive set of activities for children aged up to 11 years old. There is no child-minding service.
On arrival children are given a bag containing a water bottle, colouring book and bow and arrow for shooting. - Equipment
- A safari bed for toddlers in provided
- Generally recommended for children
- Although the camp has swimming pools and a kids' club, Lemala Nanyukie is quite a sophisticated camp with a relatively adult atmosphere. We suggest this camp is suitable for older children.
- Notes
- The camp is unfenced so children need to be under parental supervision at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Lemala Nanyukie
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Lemala Nanyukie 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
100% success
67% success
67% success
67% success
50% success
33% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a backup generator providing 24 hour power.
- Communications
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms only.
- TV & radio
- No TV
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All rooms have plumbed hot showers and flush toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is at Seronera and the nearest hospital at Karatu.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There are Maasai askaris around the camp day and night, and all guests must be escorted to and from their rooms after dark.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are provided throughout the camp.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Complimentary laundry service included.
- Money
- Each room has a digital safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted with a 3% surcharge. Cash is accepted in US dollars, euros, pounds sterling and Tanzania 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.
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.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
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.
