Luxury Wildebeest Migration Camps In Kenya And Tanzania

Places to Stay to See the Wildebeest Migration

Where to stay in Kenya to see the Great Migration from July to November

The Great Migration passes through the Greater Masai Mara region of southern Kenya from approximately July to November.

The renowned Masai Mara National Reserve does not require an introduction. Its 1,500km2 are densely inhabited with wildlife throughout the year, but especially between mid-June and November, when vast herds of migrating wildebeest appear in search of greener grazing grounds.

At this point in the migration route, the wildebeest courageously cross the Mara River, which is teeming with ravenous crocodiles and makes for tense viewing. In the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, guests of Rekero can observe wildebeest traversing the Grumeti river in front of camp. Naboisho Camp and Encounter Mara, located in the neighboring Naboisho Conservancy, provide additional superb lodging options.

Where to stay in Tanzania to see the Great Migration from November to July

When the Great Migration is in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, it traverses a larger area than when it is in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Guests have the option of lodging in permanent camps or in our mobile migration camps, which relocate throughout the year to remain near the action. Learn more about our tented mobile migration camps or use this menu to determine where to remain for a fantastic Tanzania migration safari:

Best Places to Stay to See the Wildebeest Migration

1. Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp

The five-star Kichakani camp, which means “in the bush” in Swahili, has two permanent sites in the Serengeti National Park: one in the south and one in the north. With a blend of modern and historic touches, the camp’s evocative style pays tribute to the pioneers of safari’s golden period. With their hardwood decks and private bathrooms, the tents are both beautiful and comfy. As it tracks the Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti, the movable Kichakani has minimal environmental impact.

Why we love it:

• Moves with the herd in two locations to experience the Migration year-round
• Elegant, contemporary take on a classic tented camp
• Mess tents can open on the sides to reveal the breath-taking landscape
• Morning and afternoon game drives with expert guides
• A stay here contributes to Sanctuary Retreats community & conservation projects

Suited for:

• Couples and honeymooners

2. Nyasi Migrational Camp

The greatest time to witness the wildebeest migration is from around June to October every year at Nyasi Migrational Camp. The classic canvas tents at this luxurious lodge in the Northern Serengeti are a throwback to the heyday of safari travel. On the other hand, you’ll be considerably more at ease with the contemporary comforts and amenities available to you, in contrast to the intrepid explorers of yesteryear.

Highlights:

• Option to book a private area for exclusive use
• All guests treated to private safari vehicles & dedicated guides
• Night game drives & walking safaris in addition to daytime game drives
• Cultural interactions with a local Maasai tribe
• Portion of booking supports Tanzania’s people, culture, landscape & wildlife
• Optional hot-air balloon safari

Best Suited For:

• Families
• Small groups

3. Serengeti Sojourn

Serengeti Sojourn is an ultra-luxurious mobile campsite that offers an immersive experience that delights the senses at every turn, in addition to the incredible sightings of passing mega-herds of wildebeest and zebra. The camp relocates twice yearly in accordance with the migration. The Lobo area, situated between the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, is a very unique spot that visitors can enjoy from June to October. Located on a hill in the Ndutu region, the camp offers a prime viewing spot for the herds during their grazing, rutting, and calving seasons, which begin in the middle of December and continue until March.

Highlights:

• Elegant, spacious canvas tents with dedicated staff
• Rafiki Explorer Club for children ages 6 to 15
• Hot-air balloon safaris over a beautiful region
• Exceptional sightings of buffalo, elephant, giraffe & big cats

Best Suited For:

• Families with older kids and teenagers

4. Serian the Original

Serian the Original, a traditional safari camp in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy, is located in a stunning Masai Mara campground. The realistic style and décor of large canvas tents take you back in time to the 1900s without sacrificing modern conveniences and luxury. The Wildebeest Migration isn’t the only thing you can see here; huge cats are a common sight all year round.

Highlights:

• Luxury camp with a friendly, intimate atmosphere
• Exclusive use of a private vehicle & guide
• Game drives available on demand
• Photography workshops, all-day hiking & night drives
• Spectacular views of the Mara River
• Spend the night in nature with a fly-camping experience

Best Suited For:

• Avid safari-goer

Calving Season: January-March

5. Serian Serengeti South Camp

An annual event that takes place from December to May is the Serengeti South Camp, a temporary camp. It is situated on the very tip of the Serengeti’s short grasslands, towards the south. Having said that, the region truly shines from January to March. During the Great Migration, it is an important resting place for the zebras and wildebeests that give birth to over 25,000 newborns. Where there is a surplus of easy prey, opportunistic predators will surely follow. Viewing wildlife at Serengeti South Camp is, needless to say, an exhilarating experience.

Highlights:

• Opportunity to engage with & learn from the Maasai
• Exclusive use of a safari vehicle, dedicated guide & spotter
• Fly-camping at Lake Evasi
• Both day & night game drives

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners
• Small groups

6. Mila Tented Camp

Located in the Serengeti’s western corridor, Mila Tented Camp is a great place to see predators in action and, in the early spring, a large number of wildebeest giving birth. Views of the nearby springs, wooded scenery, and Serengeti grasslands can be enjoyed from the spacious luxury tented apartments. You may enjoy a “armchair safari” from the comfort of your bed throughout the day by opening the tent walls. If you’re fortunate, you might even see the mega-herds passing your room on their way to the watering holes and grazing fields.

Highlights:

• Natural springs attract wildlife to the camp throughout the day
• Exquisite views of the surrounding nature
• Private game vehicle & dedicated guide
• Access to spa & swimming pool
• A stay here supports Legendary Expeditions’ reinvestment into local communities & conservation efforts

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Nature-lovers

7. Namiri Plains

Located in the secluded eastern Serengeti, this five-star tented resort was off-limits to visitors for over two decades so that the cheetah population could recuperate. It is now a haven for these agile felines and an excellent viewing spot for the fastest land mammal in the world as it hunts for its food. Exceptional game viewing is further enhanced by the fact that the area is one of the few in the eastern Serengeti with permanent subsurface water supplies. The region’s name, Namiri, means “big cat” in Swahili, and the region’s abundant lion, cheetah, and leopard sightings more than justify the term.

Highlights:

• Wonderfully secluded – the nearest other camps are over an hour’s drive away
• One of the best places in the Serengeti to see cheetah
• Fantastic big cat (lion, leopard and cheetah) sightings on game drives
• Walking safaris – exploring the Serengeti on foot
• Optional hot-air balloon safari
• Portion of booking donated to Asilia’s community & conservation projects in East Africa

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

8. Mwiba Lodge

This posh retreat is on a private game reserve that borders the southern Serengeti and looks out over a steep valley on the Arugusinyai River. The conservation of wildlife and the preservation of harmony between humans and their natural surroundings are the primary goals of the reserve. Look no farther than Mwiba if you are seeking a serene and secluded Serengeti Migration experience. With just a small number of visitors allowed each year, the area provides the ideal refuge for witnessing the calving season up close and personal.

Highlights:

• Beautiful setting among massive stone boulders and ancient trees
• The infinity-edge pool overlooks three springs frequented by wildlife
• Ultimate exclusivity – all bookings receive a private safari vehicle and guide
• Cultural excursions to a local tribe’s village
• Off-road game drives, bush walks, night drives & fly-camping
• Scenic helicopter flights over the reserve
• Children’s safaris and Junior Rangers club
• Proceeds from booking are reinvested into local people, culture, landscape & wildlife

Best Suited For:

• Families – children of all ages are welcome
• Couples
• Honeymooners

Middle Season: April & May | November & December

9. Dunia Camp

Dunia Camp is in the ideal spot for observing the Wildebeest Migration at any time of year, and it also provides great views of the Serengeti’s central and southern regions all year round. Plus, this cozy tented mobile camp is run entirely by women. With its ideal fusion of traditional safari elements with contemporary comforts and amenities, Dunia Camp offers a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.

Highlights:

• Incredible views of the Moru Kopjes & wide-open Serengeti plains
• Thrilling predator action from big cats (lions and leopards)
• Optional hot-air balloon safaris
• Portion of booking donated to Asilia’s community & conservation initiatives in East Africa

Best Suited For:

• Traveller’s seeking a classic, slow-paced safari
• Older travellers

10. Serengeti Under Canvas

This nomadic camp relocates several times yearly to track the migration of the wildebeest. With only a small number of tents available at exclusive campsites, Serengeti Under Canvas maintains an intimate atmosphere while offering stunning views of the natural environment. You won’t be roughing it in the great outdoors, despite what the name may suggest. Every amenity imaginable is here—private butler service, crystal chandeliers, cutlery, comfy beds with down duvets, and private flush toilets—in this mobile home of luxury. Elegance will be yours on a Serengeti Migration safari with hand-knotted carpets and shiny brass samovars.

Why we love it:

• Mobile camp that gets you as close as possible to the wildebeest action
• The ultimate luxury camping experience – private butler, silverware and elegant décor
• Incredible game viewing on daily game drives
• Complimentary use of Swarovski binoculars for the duration of your stay
• Optional hot-air balloon safaris

Suited for:

• Families – children of all ages are welcome

11. Klein’s Camp

Exclusive safari lodging in a private concession area is available at Klein’s Camp, which is located on the Serengeti’s northeastern boundary. Guests can look forward to first-row seats to passing herds of wildebeest and exceptional game watching all year round.

Highlights:

• Luxury camp boasting breath-taking views
• Private game drives, night drives & bush walks
• Decadent silver-service meals & high tea
• Indulgent spa treatments & swimming pool

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

River Crossings: August-October

12. Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge

The Wildebeest Migration’s river crossings take place here between August and October, as the camp is situated on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River. All of the safari-style tents have verandas that look out over the river and its seasonal pools, where you can hear the raucous bloats of hippos. Big lion prides also call this area home, so if you’re lucky enough to have a sighting in this remote Serengeti region, you might be the only one.

Highlights:

• Resident hippo pods can be seen in seasonal pools in front of your tent
• Feeling of exclusivity – few other lodges in the area
• Encounter big lion prides and hyena clans on game drives
• Hot-air balloon safaris for a bird’s-eye view of the mega-herds

Best Suited For:

• Families – children of all ages are welcome
• Honeymooner
• First-timers
• Seasoned safari-goers

13. Sayari Camp

Located in the northern Serengeti, this five-star lodge offers a fantastic vantage point from which to see the mighty Wildebeest Migration as it thunders across the mara River, a river rife with crocodiles. Nothing beats taking in the breathtaking views from the camp from the rim-flow pool, where you can even catch a glimpse of a few leisurely elephants. Tented suites at Sayari are large and luxurious, with mahogany flooring, walk-in showers, large bathtubs, and verandas where you may relax with a book from the camp’s ample library.

Highlights:

• Prime location to see the dramatic Mara River crossings
• Very spacious tents and en suite bathrooms
• Solar-powered micro-brewery producing unique beers & sparkling water
• Specially modified photography vehicles
• Great year-round game viewing with knowledgeable guides
• Children’s activities with local Askaris, including archery lessons
• Your booking contributes to empowering communities & conserving wilderness areas in East Africa

Best Suited For:

• Families with kids older than 5 years
• Photographers

14. Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp

Visit the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve and stay at the Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp for a chance to see the Great Migration and the Big Five up close and personal. Take a guided game drive in the morning or afternoon, a hot air balloon safari, or a night game drive to see the region’s best attractions.

Highlights:

• Classic tented suites with luxury décor & modern conveniences
• Enjoy game drives in a wildlife-rich area
• Bush meals, hot-air ballooning, guided walks & night drives
• See the Migration river crossings in season

Best Suited For:

• Families with older children & teens
• Multigenerational families

15. Encounter Mara

Located in the heart of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy’s wooded scenery, the five-star Encounter Mara Tented Camp takes full advantage of its magnificent setting while also doing its part to preserve it as an environmentally conscious establishment. Watching the Great Migration is the main attraction at this camp, but you can see amazing wildlife all year round at the reserve. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy offers a high-density animal and low-density visitor area, perfect for those seeking a more personal and intimate safari experience. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure away from the masses.

Highlights:

• Spacious luxury tents with beautiful views over the plain
• Fantastic year-round game viewing with little to no other visitors around
• Enjoy bush walks & night drives with local Maasai guides
• Cultural interactions & engagement with a local community
• Child-friendly camp with kids’ safari activities (ages 5 and up)
• Portion of booking donated to Asilia’s community & conservation projects

Best Suited For:

• Families with kids 5 and older
• Travellers seeking an exclusive and private safari experience

16. Singita Faru Faru Lodge

The Faru Faru Lodge adds to Singita’s already stellar reputation for opulence. Singita Faru Faru provides luxurious accommodations with breathtaking river views and a private wildlife reserve location on the Grumeti River. Air-conditioned suites with expansive panoramic windows let you enjoy the views from the comfort of your bed. Swarovski telescopes are available to assist you in spotting wildlife on the endless plains. We have thoughtfully given watercolors and pencils in case you feel the need to create an artistic rendition of this once-in-a-lifetime keepsake.

Highlights:

• Built on a hill overlooking the Grumeti River – a key location for wildebeest crossings
• Two swimming pools, spa & fitness centre
• Hot-air balloon safari, biking, croquet, archery & stargazing
• Babysitting services and tailor-made activities to suit each family
• Understated elegance, contemporary décor and design

Best Suited For:

• Families – children of all ages are welcome
• Multigenerational families

17. Governors Camp

If you’re looking for a more traditional safari experience that still offers all the comforts of home, go no farther than Governors’ Camp. The camp is nestled on the verdant banks of the Mara River, providing an ideal vantage point to witness the enormous herds of zebras and wildebeests as they bravely ford the dangerous waters, which are rife with predators.

Highlights:

• Enjoy glistening views of the Mara River
• Authentic safari experience at one of Kenya’s oldest camps
• Hot-air balloon rides, cultural visits to local villages & guided nature walks
• Romantic candlelit dinners in the forest or along the river
• Specially designed photographic safari vehicles available to use
• A stay here contributes to empowering community neighbours & local conservation organisations

Best Suited For:

• Travellers seeking a more traditional safari experience

18. Sala’s Camp

Nestled in a tranquil location, Sand River provides opulent tented lodging in the northern corridor of the Masai Mara. Guests at Sala’s may anticipate opulence, comfort, and serenity at every turn, as they are surrounded by a verdant forest and the shimmering Sand River. With the camp sited where it is, you can watch the Wildebeest Migration in all its glory as the herds swarm to the watering hole at the confluence of the Sand and Keekorok Rivers.

Highlights:

• Luxury canvas tents with private pools on expansive decks
• Incredible views of the Sand River and surrounds
• Guided walking safaris & hot-air balloon rides
• Eco-friendly camp committed to conservation & sustainability
• Partnered with the Mara Cheetah Project
• A stay here contributes to conservation, health & education projects across Kenya

Best Suited For:

• Families
• Honeymooners

19. Serian’s Serengeti North

The Serengeti North camp at Serian is a genuine and intimate retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where you can fully embrace the unspoiled beauty of the Serengeti. The camp is a temporary dwelling that moves from June to November across the Lamai Wedge, an area rich with herds that traverse the Mara River. In the southern Ngorongoro Conservation area, the herd moves to the short grass plains during calving season from December to May.

Highlights:

• Authentic safari accommodation with modern conveniences
• Enjoy a night in nature with the fly-camping experience
• Relatively uncrowded and intimate
• Exclusive use of a safari vehicle, guide & spotter
• Guided walks & hot-air balloon safaris
• Excellent predator action during the Mara River crossing

Best Suited For:

• Small groups looking for exclusive-use properties
• Travellers seeking a private safari experience

20. Naboisho Camp

Naboisho provides a tranquil safari experience situated in a secluded conservancy east of the Masai Mara, away from the typical tourist hoards. Naboisho not only offers great wildlife viewing right on its doorstep, but it is also ideally located near the reserve, so you can observe the Wildebeest Migration. Off-road game drives, night drives, bush walks, and fly-camping are some of the unique activities you may enjoy, and you’ll see lots of animals like giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, and lions.

Highlights:

• Luxury canvas and thatch suites offering superb exclusivity
• Home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of lion
• Fantastic cheetah sightings during game drives
• Specially modified photography vehicles
• Walking safaris with fly-camping excursions in a remote part of the conservancy
• Child-friendly safari programme (ages 5 and up)
• Night drives, walking safaris & cultural visits
• A stay here contributes to conserving wildlife and nature & empowering communities

Best Suited For:

Families with kids over the age of 5
Photographers

When & Where To See The Wildebeest Migration

The Great Migration requires an entire year to complete one cycle, allowing for the observation of mega-herds year-round. However, due to the animals traversing extensive distances, particular events occur exclusively during specific months:

Note: The aforementioned are merely guidelines. The Wildebeest Migration is a continuous trek, and the renowned river crossings are unpredictable. At times, the herds remain stationary for two weeks; at other times, they may traverse four times inside a single day.