Serengeti Pioneer Camp: Our full report
Opened December 2012, and located in south central Serengeti National Park, Serengeti Pioneer Camp is a smart ...
... tented camp with a touch of the early explorer about it. Built on a slope below a picturesque kopje, the camp setting retains a feeling of seclusion yet is well placed as a base for game drives across southern Serengeti's vast open plains.One of the nicest spots in the camp is it's lounge accessed by a number of steps. The makuti thatched building sits atop a rocky outcrop and offers commanding views across acacia woodland, open plains, and the Moru Kopjes. Canvas and mesh sides usually remain rolled up allowing a cool breeze and natural light in. A selection of seating areas created from soft couches, wooden chairs, director's chairs and sun loungers offer guests the opportunity to relax and watch gregarious hyrax and colourful agama lizards scuttle over the surrounding rocks, or to enjoy the views beyond.
In a small natural valley between the rocky outcrop and the main kopje lies the dining tent. Wooden poles hold up the ceiling canvas which is covered by a roof of shade cloth to help keep the interior cool. Canvas wall panels with large windows are rolled up to maximise the views or left down to keep out the weather. For breakfast and dinner guests are hosted at individual tables covered in white tablecloths; at night these are lit by paraffin lanterns. The tables are laid out on a covered veranda, or inside the tent, depending on the weather. If guests choose to have lunch at the camp, instead of a picnic as part of their game drive, then this meal is often served outdoors in a bush setting. There is also a water dispenser in the dining room to refill your personal water bottles.
A small round swimming pool is located between the main area and the rooms. This is laid within a wooden deck and surrounded by a few sun-loungers and umbrellas.
From here, a steep stony pathway leads to Serengeti Pioneer Camp's 12 tented rooms. Built on a gradual incline each tent has a view, and the staggered layout allows for privacy. Suspended below a canvas ceiling and cooling shade cloth layer, the tent's front canvas panels can be rolled up during the day and closed at night. The tents are beautifully furnished. White material covers the ceiling and matches the full-length curtains, lightening the interior and balancing out the intensity of the dark wooden furniture. Soft neutral rugs, throws and cushions round out the effect. It is worth noting that the ceiling drapes are slightly on the low side, which is worth bearing in mind if you are particularly tall! A large shelving unit with curtained doorways at each end divides the bedroom from the en suite bathroom. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size or two queen-size beds, a small writing desk, storage trunks, chairs and a coffee table set with a sherry decanter. The bathroom has a flush toilet, shower surrounded by a curtain and basin styled as a copper bucket.
There is also a family tent with one double room and one twin room, separated by a canvas wall. Each room has its own en-suite bathroom at each end.
The design idea behind Serengeti Pioneer Camp reflects the early explorer's mobile camps of the 1930's. This romantic theme has been creatively used in fun ways such as copper basins with water-pump tap fittings, shelving made of recycled wooden crates and travelling trunks used as benches. However some guests may find that hat stands hung with pith helmets, and bedside tables set with sepia images of natives bearing exploration equipment, a design step too far.
Most travellers arrive at Serengeti Pioneer Camp with their own private safari guide and vehicle. It is also possible to fly into the Serengeti National Park and then join the camp's own scheduled game drive activities, led by the resident guides. The camp has three of its own game viewing vehicles and has access to more if needed.
Our view
Serengeti Pioneer Camp joins a short list of high-quality, fairly luxurious permanent camps found in this area. If guests aren't put off by some of the colonial décor touches, and slightly over fussy service, then this tented camp is a great option for those seeking a little luxury. It's well-positioned on the quieter outskirts of a popular and very productive wildlife area in the Central Serengeti.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- We recommend a stay of 2 to 3 nights at Serengeti Pioneer Camp, allowing you to explore the southern plains including the Moru, Simba and Maasai kopjies areas.
- Directions
- It is approximately a one hour drive from Seronera Airstrip to the camp for fly-in guests. However, the drive is usually conducted as a longer game drive.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- Breakfast starts with a selection of fruit, cereals and freshly baked pastries - there was also a cheese and cold meat platter to choose from. This was followed by a choice of creatively designed hot dish's that have a Swahili influence but are based on traditional English classics. Eggs Tanganyika and the Serengeti omelet are particularly good! The breakfast was certainly a step up compared to what is offered by most other camps.
When served in camp, lunch is a 3-course affair. The main course is a plated choice between a vegetarian, red meat, and white meat dish; however, most guests opt to take a packed lunch with them on a full day game drive.
Dinner is a 4 course meal including a soup, starter, main and desert. When we last visited Serengeti Pioneer Camp we had a Tanzanian style BBQ. The meal started started with a vegetable soup and then the main course was a buffet which included: pumpkin salad, stir fried vegetables, creamed spinach, roast potatoes, maharage beans, fresh chili salsa, coconut rice, ugali, BBQ beef steak and BBQ chicken! It was delicious and the portion sizes were massive! Generally guests will experience a meal like this, in addition to the more conventional menus we experienced when we last stayed there. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- All drinks excluding French champagne and top-shelf whiskies are included in the price.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Serengeti Pioneer Camp accepts children of all ages.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Special activities & services
- None.
- Equipment
- There is one family tent and triple tents are available on request.
- Generally recommended for children
- This camp is unfenced, and animals can and do wander through it day and night. Therefore, we only recommend it to children aged 12 years or over. Children must constantly be under their parent's supervision.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Solar power operates both the camp’s electricity and the hot water system. There are no plug points in the tents. Guests with items to charge can do so in the camp’s internet and charging tent, or with the camp management. The charging tent also has a hairdryer available for guests use.
- Communications
- Cell phone reception is available at the lodge and there is Wifi throughout.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio.
- Water supply
- Transported in
- Water supply notes
- There is running hot and cold water in all of the tents that is fine to use for showers, but guests should use the filtered water that is supplied for dinking.
Sustainability
Recycling and reducing carbon footprint
Developing comprehensive policies for recycling systems and locally sourcing their food and supplies has secured Serengeti Pioneer Camp’s path to reducing the negative impacts of tourism on the surrounding environment and local community.
The camp imposed a strict recycling system ensuring all waste is recycled. For example, glass waste is sent to the Shanga workshop in Arusha, where locals turn the glass into beautiful works of art. More support for the community takes place through their instrumental role in facilitating the “give a net, save a life” mosquito net distribution. Other projects include refurbishing, building schools and tree-planting, involving guests and corporate groups.
Furthermore, through low-impact designs, the camp provides environmentally sustainable suites including eco-friendly flushing toilets. The camp also utilises 12-volt solar power for bedside lighting and water heating with due respect for the fragile eco-system. On top of this, the multi-day walking safaris that are offered by Serengeti Pioneer Camp take nature responsibility into consideration, therefore safaris are fully reinforced by support crew and take place in wilderness areas that are specifically designated by the National Parks for walking tours.
See more great sustainability projects in Tanzania
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The camp manager and guides are all trained in first aid and they also carry a comprehensive first aid kit. The nearest doctor is located at Sopa Lodge, also in the Serengeti's southern plains. For serious ailments and emergencies, guests would be evacuated to Arusha.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- In case of wildlife passing through camp, guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. A walkie-talkie is provided in each room with which the alarm can be raised in the case of an emergency. Each room has a fixed safe for guests to store their valuables.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers for each room and in the communal areas. Fire evacuation instructions are set out in each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included at Serengeti Pioneer Camp. Laundry is collected in the morning, machine washed at the nearby Sopa Lodge and returned to guests in the evening. Please note that women’s underwear needs to be washed by the guests themselves and washing powder is provided in the rooms for this.
- Money
- They are able to exchange small amounts of money in most recognized currencies in camp.
- Accepted payment on location
- For any extras, the camp accepts cash payment in Tanzanian shillings, US dollars, pounds sterling and euro. The camp also accepts credit card payments, although there is a 6% surcharge for this.
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.
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.
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.
