SERENGETI ODYSSEY
The best vantage points for viewing the Great Migration
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are known for wildlife and expansive savannahs, but visitors there seek more than a charming view. Every year, these areas set the stage for the Great Migration — a journey of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras, eland antelopes, and gazelles as they chase the rain and greener pastures.
The wildebeest’s migratory cycle stretches across the year as the herds move clockwise around the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Some mobile camps follow the animals’ journey, starting in southern Serengeti in April, and ending in the eastern part of the national park in December. Other camps are seasonal, operating only in the months the herds are expected to pass by.
Northern Serengeti is the place to be from July to October, as the herds cross the Mara River towards the Maasai Mara. The crossing is a scene of both power and panic, as wildebeest brave the gushing waters and attempt to leap over the waiting jaws of hungry crocodiles. Despite the danger, the wildebeest traverse the river several times, with some herds crossing back and forth within a span of a few days.
For those travelling in the coming months, we’ve chosen some of the most well-appointed camps throughout the northern Serengeti, as well as one just across the Mara river. All provide guided game rides and bushwalks, and most offer opportunities to immerse in the local culture or get to know local tribes.
The properties also contribute to conservation efforts through partnerships with local communities.
SAYARI CAMP
The 15-tent Sayari Camp’s best asset may be its location. It sits quite close to the Lamai Wedge, an area near the Mara River that attracts plenty of wildebeest from July to November owing to its abundance of grass and water. Besides the migratory drama, the camp’s setting also lets guests observe wildlife in their natural habitat with the help of expert field guides. This is best done in the cooler early mornings and late afternoons, when the animals are the most active. For a birds-eye view, guests can opt for a trip on a hot-air balloon.
Between game viewing, guests can cool down in the infinity pool that overlooks the northern plains, or visit the nearby Merenga village to learn about the Kuria tribe’s culture. In the evening, one can dine under the stars, and perhaps spot the Southern Cross, a constellation whose shape has been debated amongst different tribes as looking either like a giraffe or the tree of life. www.asiliaafrica.com
MKOMBE’S HOUSE LAMAI
Mkombe’s House Lamai is a self-contained private house in the heart of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The property is operated by Nomad Tanzania, veteran safari camp operators with extensive knowledge of the African bush.
Mkombe’s House was created with families and children of all ages in mind. The property boasts two swimming pools, two en-suite, open-fronted double rooms, and two en-suite children’s rooms, sleeping a total of four adults and six children. The house comes with a dedicated crew, including safari guides, a chef, and a baby-sitter if needed.
The property is located just a few miles from the Mara River, providing excellent views of the Great Migration. It’s also an excellent site for spotting lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and other large African mammals year-round. www.nomad-tanzania.com
These areas set the stage for the Great Migration – a journey of more than 1.5 million wildebeest
SERIAN’S SERENGETI NORTH
Alex Walker’s Serian is a collection of exclusive and intimate safari camps set in the wilderness of Kenya and Tanzania. Set in the Mara North Conservancy, which has been chosen as the setting for several Hollywood films and documentaries, Serian’s Serengeti North is a seasonal camp built for watching the Great Migration’s dramatic river crossing. For viewing both the migration and local wildlife, the camp provides guests with an open-top vehicle, a dedicated guide, and a spotter. Serian notably supports female guides in the traditionally male-dominated safari industry.
Other activities include big cat sightings, guided bushwalks, and adventure fly camping. After the day’s action, guests can retire to one of eight spacious and comfortable tents overlooking the plains. The interiors are decorated with warm hues of cream, orange and brown with traditional Tanzanian motifs. www.serian.com
&BEYOND KLEIN’S CAMP
Set within a 10,000-hectare private concession, Klein’s Camp accommodates not only tourists, but also a variety of wildlife. It thus has the unique advantage of offering off-road drives, bushwalks, and night drives within its property, allowing guests to encounter resident lions, leopards, cheetahs and black eagles, as well as extensive herds of giraffes, buffalos, and elephants. It is thus not unusual for one to look out the kitchen window and see a giraffe passing by. The camp’s perch on the edge of the Kuka Hills also offers expansive views of the valley below, as well as of the Mara River’s forested banks — a vantage point offering a panorama of the wildebeest’s journey.
Klein’s Camp comprises 10 cottages made of local stone and makuti thatch, each featuring wide windows and a private veranda. Family lodges are available for those travelling with two children, while triple rooms sleep families of three. Klein’s Camp also offers the WILDChild programme, aimed at educating younger travellers about the environment, wildlife, and the people of Africa. www.andbeyond.com