Serengeti Migration Camp: Our full report
Serengeti Migration Camp is tucked into a rocky outcrop in the northern Serengeti near to the Lobo area.
The immediate landscape is really interesting surrounded by kopjes and the Grumeti River. Despite its name this camp is actually only well located for the migration during June – July and October – November; although there is decent game viewing all year round.Migration Camp is owned and managed by the Elewana Collection who have a number of other top quality properties in Tanzania and Kenya. Migration Camp therefore maintains similar standards to its sister properties: Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Tarangire Treetops, The Manor and Kilindi in Zanzibar.
Migration Camp's rustic-yet-stylish reception and lounge area, is housed within a large split-level canvas-and-stone structure whose front is totally open to let the breeze flow through and to show off the views across the Grumeti River and the rugged landscape beyond. Highly polished wooden floors, large comfortable leather sofas and handcrafted bronze statues lend a colonial air. Black-and-white wildlife photographs adorn the walls.
The adjacent curio shop offers a wide variety of African carvings, as well as selling toiletries and other necessities.
Below the lounge is the swimming pool which has a shaded deck area, sunloungers and umbrellas. To the side of the pool is a raised deck where sundowner drinks are served around a fire. When we visited in November 2015, a new deck had also just been built on top of the curio shop. This is an excellent place for guests to enjoy a drink and the spectacular views as the sun goes down over the Serengeti.
Set on another level, adjacent to the pool, is Migration Camp's dining area. Like the lounge, it is open at the front and has views across the river. Guests dine individually either inside, or outside on the deck at tables shaded by umbrellas during the day.
Serengeti Migration Camp's 20 tented rooms are located at the bottom of the hill, below the main areas, and are accessed by stone stairs. This may be a problem for older guests or those with a disability. The rooms are comfortable, spacious and stylish – and the solid doors make this a luxury room rather than a tent!
Sitting on raised wooden platforms, the rooms have part stone/part canvas walls and canvas roofs. The rooms are quite close together, and some of the wide verandas are visible from the path between them, so they are not entirely private.
Rooms are furnished with highly polished wooden floors, comfortable beds covered in crisp white linen and a dark African-print throw, and a lounge area with a wide leather armchair, a coffee table, and a writing table. There is even complimentary sherry for guests to enjoy! Gauze windows let in plenty of light and breeze, while fans add an extra boost in hot weather. Double doors lead onto a wide outdoor deck with two canvas chairs and a table.
Canvas curtains separate the bedroom from the en-suite bathroom. Here you will find beautifully crafted pottery double basins set into a dark wooden shelf beneath twin mirrors. Solid wooden panels to each side screen a flush toilet, and, on the opposite side, a powerful hot shower – just what is needed after a long day out on safari. A small number of toiletries are also provided.
Next to the en-suite bathroom you'll find hanging space for clothes, towelling bathrobes and an umbrella – in case of the odd rain shower.
Activities at Serengeti Migration Camp centre around exploring the national park by 4WD. You can do this by arriving with your own private vehicle and guide, or Migration Camp can arrange a safari using its own resident guides and vehicles. They usually run morning and afternoon game drives, but you could also head out with a packed lunch for a full-day safari, giving you the chance to travel deeper into the park.
Safari walks are also possible and cost US$95 per person. These typically last about two and a half hours and will concentrate on exploring areas that are not accessible from the road – like the banks of the Grumeti River.
This northern area of the Serengeti is especially exciting to visit during July and November, when the great wildebeest migration passes through the area. Outside of the migration season, you'll probably have to drive about 20km, to the Lobo Kopjies, in order to find reliably good game viewing. As an added bonus, the camp's location in the far north of the national park means there are usually few other vehicles around.
Our view
Serengeti Migration Camp is a picturesque, top-quality property. The service is friendly and efficient, and on previous visits we thought the food was very good indeed. For those seeking a reasonably comfortable place to stay, this would be a good choice. However, its size means that it hosts a number of groups, so it has a slightly less personal feel than many would wish.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- To explore this area fully, it is worth spending three nights at Serengeti Migration Camp.
- Directions
- Serengeti Migration Camp is a 60-minute drive (20km) from Lobo airstrip.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- We thought the food was fantastic when we stayed at Migration Camp.
All meals are à la carte and here; Breakfast is an extensive spread, with fresh bread, cereal, yoghurt and fruit. There is also an imaginative selection of cooked breakfast options, which was one of the best breakfasts we’ve had in Tanzania. We went with the ‘Panga’s spiced chapatti’ which consisted of freshly made chapatti filled with mince, coriander, feta, chili and served with an avocado salsa. There is always a range of fresh fruit juices, as well as tea and coffee.
For lunch, you can either take a packed lunch to eat out on safari, or you can come back to camp for lunch. The packed lunch usually consists of sandwiches, fruit and an additional snack such as a piece of cake. Back at camp, there is often a choice of soup, salads, a pasta dish as well as a meat option, such as a burger. Fresh fruit and a dessert usually follow.
Dinner is a four-course meal, with a choice of three starters, three main dishes (meat, chicken or vegetarian) and finished off with a choice of three desserts. We enjoyed ginger and garlic prawns to start, rosemary and red wine lamb shank served with roast potatoes and vegetables for main course, and for desert we had white chocolate baklava. It was all very good. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available
- Drinks included
- Drinks are included except for champagne, cellar wines and imported spirits.
Special interests
- Wildlife safaris
- Serengeti Migration Camp is tucked into a rocky outcrop in the northern Serengeti near to the Lobo area. The immediate landscape is really interesting surrounded by kopjes and the Grumeti River.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Serengeti Migration Camp will happily accept children of all ages.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions at Serengeti Migration Camp.
- Special activities & services
- Serengeti Migration Camp can provide a babysitter, though parents should be aware that the babysitter will be a male member of the housekeeping team, and will not be professionally trained.
Nature walks for children are available within the confines of the camp. Children under 16 years old are not allowed on safari walks. - Equipment
- There are cots and highchairs available.
- Generally recommended for children
- Migration camp has a nice pool, and the rooms are spacious enough to fit in an extra bed, so this is one of the better options for families.
- Notes
- Parents should be aware that this is a wildlife area and the camp is not fenced. Children should be supervised at all times and should not walk around the camp unattended.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Rooms have power 24 hours a day, and square three-pin plug sockets are provided so guests can charge batteries.
- Communications
- Serengeti Migration Camp has WiFi in the central lounge areas, and a laptop for guests to borrow free of charge.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Bottled water for drinking is supplied.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The managers at Serengeti Migration Camp are first-aid trained and have a first-aid box for minor injuries. There is also a medical officer based on site. For any serious incidents, the camp has links with the flying doctor service to Nairobi.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There are askaris (guards) on duty 24 hours a day. They will escort you to and from your room at night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main areas and all the rooms, and the staff are all trained to use them.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included – it is machine washed and tumble dried.
- Money
- Serengeti Migration Camp can usually exchange small amounts of cash, but nothing exceeding US$100.There are safes in the rooms for storing valuables.
There are safes in the rooms for storing valuables. - Accepted payment on location
- Serengeti Migration Camp accepts MasterCard, Amex and Visa cards with a surcharge of 3%.
Travellers' cheques are not accepted.
Serengeti Migration Camp normally accepts MasterCard, Amex and Visa cards with a surcharge of 3%. Travellers' cheques are not accepted. Cash payments may be made in US dollars, British pounds, euros and 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.
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.
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.
