A Safari in the Serengeti
Tanzania is considered one of the safari capitals of the world and with the rich wildlife you'll find here, it's easy to see why.
Home to wonders like the Great Migration and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania is a powerhouse when it comes to African safaris. But those are just the tip of the Kilimanjaro-sized iceberg. Hike to the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, jungle cruise past snoozing crocodiles, dive with gentle whale sharks, or step into a Masai village.
Arusha | 1 night | Legendary Lodge
Northern Serengeti | 3 nights | Songa Tented Camp
Grumeti Game Reserve | 3 nights | Singita Sabora
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve | 4 nights | Mwiba Lodge
Arusha is located at the foothills of Mount Meru on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. This is the gateway to the northern safari circuit, with easy access to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Meru.
Most Tanzania safaris either start or end in the gateway city of Arusha, and there are few better options to bookend your trip than the Legendary Lodge. Guided nature walks and tours of the surrounding coffee plantation hype guests up before their safari, while a restorative massage at the spa or an afternoon nap in your private cottage is the perfect way to wind down afterward.
This photographer’s paradise is one of the best places in Africa to view the big cats as well as an amazing array of plains game. The northern Serengeti has the classic big open plains of the African savannah, sprawling views, and consistently delivers excellent wildlife sightings. It is one of the best places in East Africa for leopards and also the kopje. A few days here can be very action-packed and there are even chances to see black rhinos in some areas.
The classic design of the camp has been adapted to complement the environment. The natural linen and earthy colors reflect the tranquility and peace of the Serengeti, allowing you to feel connected to your surroundings as you follow the ever-moving migration. Each half of the camp faces in a different direction and is fully contained with its own lounge and dining facility, using natural habitat to ensure maximum privacy in each camp.
Plains of golden grasslands stretch to distant horizons under never-ending blue skies as millions of hoofbeats drum the earth. Everything in Tanzania happens on a vast scale and the Migrational Camp puts you at the heart of it all. Feel the exhilaration of being close to nature, including the Great Migration.
Activities include day drives, migration viewing, breakfast and lunch picnics, children’s safari activities, and hot air ballooning.
Singita Grumeti, situated adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, is an integral part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the home of the Great Migration. The reserve was created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 in order to protect the path of the annual wildebeest migration and the native biodiversity of this vast, important ecosystem. The area has the benefit of few lodges and so provides an exclusive viewing experience in a very high-quality game area.
Sabora Tented Camp is set in 350,000 acres of protected wilderness in Singita Grumeti, which provides guests with a front-row seat to some of the most prized game viewing on the continent. Singita Sabora Tented Camp charts a visionary new course for luxury adventures under canvas. A destination perfect for travelers yearning for an African safari infused with the continent’s contemporary energy and enveloped in unrivaled levels of comfort. It features mindfully created interiors with a rich combination of textures, forward-thinking and functional aesthetics, and a modern interpretation of the quintessential elements of a romantic tented safari.
Offering superb game-viewing opportunities all year round, the reserve is perfect for guided game walks on foot which further enhance experiencing the Serengeti plains up close. At Singita Sabora, there is also a swimming pool, fitness center, boutique & gallery, and spa. Wine experiences, community visits, and a chance to visit the anti-poaching observation post.
Mwiba Wildlife Reserve is a conservation concession dedicated to the balance between wildlife and communities. This area is only available to a handful of guests, facilitating an excellent, uncrowded safari experience within the greater Serengeti ecosystem. This vast 129,530-acre wildlife reserve is vibrantly lush with 33 freshwater springs and a diverse array of wildlife. Game drives, bush walks, and cultural excursions to the local tribe’s village are just a few of the magical experiences that begin at Mwiba, where a world of adventure awaits.
At the southern end of the Serengeti, the hilltop Mwiba Lodge is surrounded by dense jungle rather than the open plains that the national park is known for, but the local guides are no less adept at leading boisterous safari excursions. There are only 10 treehouse suites, each with its own veranda so you can look for wildlife without even leaving your room, but we recommend bringing your binoculars to the infinity pool—it may be the only bathing suit safari in Tanzania.
The Datoga are nomadic herders, depending largely on cow and goat meat and milk for their diet. Datoga women wear beautiful jewelry that they make themselves as well as colorful traditional wear. The bracelets around their wrists and ankles create a percussive beat for their singing, dancing, and jumping during celebrations.
During this cultural exchange, you will arrive late afternoon at a Datoga boma, which becomes a hive of activity just before sundown as the livestock and young Morani herders return from the pastures after a day of grazing. The coolness of dusk is a relief after the heat of the day and you can feel the energy of homestead life as the people gather together and sing words of welcome in their mother tongue. Join them as they leap into the air during an ancient ritual or perhaps be invited to see inside their homes.
Head out on a morning walk through the bush to witness the Hadzabe way of life. Your guide and tracker will take you in search of the nomadic Hadzabe hunters who are constantly moving through the wilderness.
Upon finding them, guests may have the opportunity to accompany them as they forage for their vital food sources. They will show you how to prod the rich African soil for tubers and stalk small mammals and hunt birds. Listen as the Hadza re-tell tales of their ancestors and chant gratitude as they come upon their fruitful bounty in the bush.
There is nothing that compares to going on a safari. Chat with a curator below to start planning your personalized trip to Tanzania.