Summary of Accommodation Options
Tanzania’s spectacular Serengeti National Park covers a massive area, but there are surprisingly few lodging options (especially in comparison with the smaller Masai Mara National Reserve located just across the border in Kenya). In a reserve that covers 5,700 square miles/ 14,760 square kilometers, there are only a dozen or so permanent lodges and camps on offer.
Tanzania’s tourism industry has always been geared more towards high-end clients, a decision that has limited the number of lodges and camps built within the Serengeti. On many levels, this is a good thing, as fewer accommodation options mean less crowding and more space for untamed nature. However, it also means that there are fewer accommodation choices in Tanzania than in the national parks of neighboring Kenya.
Finding Accommodations in the Serengeti
To ensure that you get the most out of your time in the Serengeti, it’s therefore important to choose your accommodation carefully. There are several different types of options, ranging from tented camps to five-star lodges, each offering a very different experience. Location is also key, especially if you’re planning your trip around the famous wildebeest and zebra migration. Choose a room in the wrong area of the park at the wrong time of year, and you could miss the spectacle completely.
Planning Your Budget
Whatever accommodation option you choose, a Serengeti safari does not come cheap. This is largely due to the fact that food and supplies must be imported to the hotels and camps from outside the park. Daily park fees cost $60 per person, with an additional tariff payable per vehicle. While often expensive, lodges can be a good way to manage your budget, as rates are usually all-inclusive—meaning the majority of the cost is already covered once you arrive.
For those on a tighter budget, there are some basic public campsites within the Serengeti. If you opt to stay at one of these camps, however, you’ll need to be entirely self-sufficient. This means bringing everything you need to cater for yourself, including ingredients and cooking facilities. Mobile tented camps offer another option, providing a balance between lodges and campsites in terms of amenities and price, while permanent tented camps can sometimes be the most expensive options available.
Mobile Tented Camps
Mobile camps are seasonal accommodations that move every few months to align with wildlife migration patterns. Even if you’re not a camper, it’s worth spending at least a few nights under canvas; most mobile camps are very comfortable, despite the lack of AC or mains electricity. The toilet flushes, the shower is warm, and at night, snorting hippos provide the perfect lullaby. The key advantage of a mobile camp is that you are always at the heart of the action – and in the Serengeti, that equates to front row seats to the annual Great Migration.
Permanent Tented Camps
Distinct from mobile camps, permanent tented camps are more like lodges with proper furniture, plush linens, and gourmet menus. They tend to be romantic and luxurious, located in some of the best areas of the park. Permanent tented camps are a great option for those with a larger budget who want to experience life in the bush without sacrificing the luxuries of conventional hotel accommodation.
Lodges in the Central Serengeti
The central Serengeti has a limited choice of permanent lodges, making mobile and tented camps generally a better option in this region of the park. However, a few good choices exist for those who prefer not to camp, want to avoid the exorbitant costs of more luxurious permanent camps, or plan to travel when the mobile camps have relocated. Don’t miss this section of the park—the permanent wildlife population is unparalleled and the scenery is breathtaking.
Lodges in Other Parts of the Serengeti
If you’re looking for solid walls, sparkling swimming pools, and afternoon spa treatments, the outer Serengeti is home to some of the most decadent lodges in Africa. Although you’re slightly further from the high-density wildlife of the central Serengeti, most lodges can arrange expert guided game drives to the best sighting spots. All-inclusive room rates are typically offered, meaning that you can enjoy your stay without daily meal concerns.
