Mkombe's House Lamai: Our full report
Mkombe’s House Lamai is a beautiful private house that opened in July 2015.
Set in Tanzania’s northern Serengeti, in the scenic Wogakuria Kopjes district, it has dramatic views looking east across the plains. The house is designed for up to ten guests, and is aimed at groups of friends as well as families. It is entirely self-contained and offers great flexibility.The house is named after the late guide Mkombe Mniko, one of the founders of Nomad Tanzania, the high-quality camp operator that owns the property. The recommended occupancy of ten guests is ideally suited to four adults and six children, however groups of 6-8 adults can also be accommodated here. For guests with limited mobility, the house is a much easier prospect than the main camp, Lamai Serengeti, which lies 1.6km away on the south side of the kopje.
The deceptively modest entrance behind Mkombe’s House opens into a little lobby, with a large dining room off to one side. The adjacent lounge is furnished with chunky sofas, three armchairs and a big fireplace. Green-painted floorboards and soft rugs create a slightly bohemian feel; the house may be new but it doesn't feel modern. The rustic mood is accentuated by roofs draped with fito cane-thatch. This camouflages reliably waterproof steel panels while ensuring the clattering rain doesn't wake the guests.
Up a short flight of steps behind the dining room is a projection home-cinema room with a big comfy bunk and space for up to ten people to watch a DVD. The WiFi hub is in here too, along with some books and board games.
Mkombe’s House Lamai has four en-suite bedrooms, comprising two open-fronted double rooms and two enclosed bedrooms (ideal for children) that can be configured as either twins or doubles. One of the enclosed bedrooms is next to the master bedroom on the south side of the house and faces east. The other, behind the master bedroom on the north side of the house, doesn't have a view but is perfectly fine otherwise. The master bedrooms have outside showers and star-beds that can be wheeled onto the deck to sleep under the night sky. Extra beds can be added to any of the rooms in advance, if required.
As well-appointed, stylish and comfortable as the inside areas are at Mkombe's, we thought on our most recent visit, that it was the outside space which really set this place apart. Outside you will find an extensive deck built around the rocks jutting up from the kopje underneath that overlooks this beautiful area of the Serengeti. As well as shaded dining areas there are numerous seating options forming very pleasant chill-out areas. There are also two glistening and inviting pools set amid the decks, on different levels. At the higher level there is a small plunge pool perfect for children staying at the house and on the lower deck is a larger swimming pool. All benefit from beautiful eastward views across the Serengeti plains.
During your stay here you will be well-looked-after by the staff. The house comes with a private driver/guide (two if you're a large group), a butler, a chef and a housekeeper. A groundsman, who also acts as an askari (security man), is often quite busy during the migration season ensuring the local megafauna don't invade the premises. If you're doing a privately guided safari, accompanied by your own driver/guide, you can drive up to the house; there's also accommodation here for drivers.
The kopje landscape around the house is entrancing, but there are plenty of activities at Mkombe's House Lamai, too, with the main focus on private game drives. Resident wildlife that can be spotted all year round, both on game drives or from the decks of the house itself, includes lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo and other plains grazers. Crocodile and hippo may also be sighted in the Mara River. One of the biggest attractions, however, is the wildebeest migration that passes through this region on an annual cycle, roughly between July and October. Parts of the ‘mega-herd’ periodically mass on the banks of the Mara River and make perilous crossings. Seeing one of these events can't be guaranteed; you have to be lucky and in the right place at the right time. But they do take place on enough occasions throughout the season to give you a reasonable chance of witnessing this natural spectacle.
Other activities include guided walks (minimum age 12), bush picnics and, of course, sundowners. Guests may also be driven up to Lamai Serengeti’s main camp to visit its curio shop if they wish.
Our view
Mkombe's House Lamai is a unique base for a safari in the northern part of Serengeti National Park, surrounded by superb landscapes and wildlife and close enough to the Mara River to witness the wildebeest migration. We are delighted that Nomad Tanzania is behind such a special place: it offers the best private-stay arrangements anywhere in the northern Serengeti.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 3-4 nights
- Directions
- The house is 1.6km from the main camp, Lamai Serengeti. It can be reached by daily plane from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and other locations in northern Tanzania, taking 2-3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive in from other camps in the northern Serengeti.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The menu at Mkombe’s House is based on that at the main Lamai Serengeti. Judging by our experience at the main lodge next door, you can expect fresh produce, home-baking and some delicious flavours.
The chefs can accommodate dietary requirements and special requests in advance, and are more than happy to tailor the menus based on guests’ preferences and what’s in the kitchen. Meals times are flexible and the chefs welcome guests’ input into the menu choices. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- There is more flexibility regarding dining locations and times at Mkombe's than at the main Lamai Serengeti Camp.
- Drinks included
- All soft drinks and house alcoholic drinks are included. Champagne, premium wines and luxury spirits are extra.
Drinking water comes from a borehole and is exceptionally high-quality. Bottled water is also provided.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- Mkombe's House Lamai is the perfect solution to a family safari in Tanzania. There is superb wildlife in the area and, with its memorable views and two swimming pools, this fully serviced private house caters well for both adults and children.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Tanzania
- Luxury
- Mkombe’s House Lamai is perfect for families or groups. Striving to maintain the highest standards of service, in a homely yet luxurious setting, whilst offering privately guided safaris with total flexibility. This is what an exclusive safari is all about.
- See ideas for Luxury in Tanzania
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Although there is no minimum age, some activities are restricted (the minimum age for walks is 12).
- Special activities & services
- A babysitter can be provided from housekeeping staff.
- Equipment
- Cots, high chairs and car seats are available.
- Generally recommended for children
- As a private house let on an exclusive basis, Mkombe’s House is a very family-friendly option.
- Notes
- As game can be found in the vicinity of the property, children should be supervised at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Mkombe's House Lamai
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Mkombe's House Lamai 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.
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- The house has electricity available at all times.
- Communications
- There is WiFi in the main areas and an intermittent cellphone signal.
- TV & radio
- There is a TV/projection room with a collection of DVDs. You can also download movies fairly easily.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- The borehole water is exceptionally high-quality, but bottled drinking water is provided.
There are flush toilets and plumbed in showers.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There are first aid kits in the vehicles and also in office at Lamai, and links with the flying-doctor service. All staff are trained in first-aid.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- An askari is at hand to look after the premises.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are installed.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included and done in the main Lamai Serengeti lodge. It is handwashed and line dried, and ladies' underwear is not accepted.
- Money
- There are safes in all the bedrooms in the house.
- Accepted payment on location
- Payment is accepted in US dollars, Euros, pounds and Tanzanian shillings cash. The main lodge also accepts credit card payments for any extras, but there is a 7% surcharge.
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.
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.
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.
