20 Best Places to Stay to See the Wildebeest Migration

When & Where To See The Wildebeest Migration

The Great Migration takes a full year to complete a single cycle, which means that you can see the mega-herds throughout the year. But because the animals cover huge distances, certain highlights only happen in specific months:

Note: The above are guidelines only. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round journey and the popular river crossings cannot be predicted. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day!

Best Places to Stay Year-Round

1. Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp

Kichakani, Swahili for ‘in the bush', is a luxury mobile camp based in two set locations in southern and northern Serengeti. The camp's evocative style pays homage to the early explorers of safari's heyday while combining contemporary elements to give the camp an air of modern vintage. The tents are comfortable and stylish, featuring wooden decks and en-suite bathrooms. Thanks to Kichakani's moveable nature, there's little impact on the environment as it follows the Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti.

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

From approximately June to October each year, Nyasi Migrational Camp becomes the best place to see the wildebeest migration. This elegant camp is based in a picturesque location in Northern Serengeti and offers traditional canvas tents that harken to the days of safari's golden age. But unlike the explorers of yesteryear, you'll be much more comfortable with contemporary luxury and modern conveniences at your fingertips.

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

Taking luxury mobile camping to the next level, Serengeti Sojourn promises more than just fantastic sightings of the mega-herds of wildebeest and zebra passing by – it's an immersive experience that tantalises the senses at every turn. The camp moves twice a year, following the migration. Visiting between June to October will see you in a highly exclusive location, the Lobo area, set near the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. From mid-December to March, the camp is perched on a hill in the Ndutu region, providing an excellent vantage point for watching the herds as they graze, rut and calve.

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

Found in one of Masai Mara's prettiest campsites, Serian the Original is a classic safari camp in the private Mara North Conservancy. Large canvas tents transport you back to the 1900s with its authentic design and décor without compromising on contemporary luxury and modern comforts. In addition to witnessing the Wildebeest Migration, you'll enjoy excellent big cat sightings 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

Serengeti South Camp is a mobile camp that is open from December to May each year. It's set up on the southernmost extreme of the Serengeti's short grass plains. That said, it's between January and March that the region really comes into its own. It's a valuable pit stop during the Great Migration's calving season when the roaming wildebeest and zebra give birth to around a quarter of a million babies. And, of course, where there is vulnerable and easy prey in abundance, opportunistic predators are not too far away. Needless to say, the game viewing at Serengeti South Camp is absolutely thrilling.

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

Occupying a prime, game-rich position in the western corridor of the Serengeti, Mila Tented Camp offers the opportunity to witness mass wildebeest calving during the beginning of the year, along with thrilling predator action. Spacious luxury tented suites provide picturesque views of the surrounding springs, woodland landscape and Serengeti plains. The tent walls are opened during the day to allow for an ‘armchair safari' from the comfort of bed – and if you're lucky, you might get see the mega-herds passing your room as they make their way to the watering holes and grazing grounds.

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

This luxury tented camp is set in the remote eastern Serengeti, an area that was closed to tourists for about 20 years to allow the cheetah population to recover. Today, it's a sanctuary for these nimble cats and a fantastic place to see the world's fastest land animal chase down its prey. The region is also one of the few areas in the eastern Serengeti with permanent underground water sources, which makes for superb game viewing. Namiri, a Swahili word meaning ‘big cat', certainly lives up to its name with incredible sightings of lion, cheetah and leopard in the region.

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 sophisticated hideaway overlooks a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River, located in a private game reserve contiguous with the southern Serengeti. The reserve is dedicated to conservation and maintaining the balance between wildlife and local communities. If you're looking for a tranquil and uncrowded Serengeti Migration experience, look no further than Mwiba. The reserve is only available to a handful of guests, making it the perfect hideaway to view the calving season in a private and intimate setting.

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

Not only is Dunia Camp perfectly positioned on a major seasonal Wildebeest Migration route, but its location also offers excellent year-round game viewing in the central and southern Serengeti. To top it off, this intimate tented mobile camp is exclusively female-run. Dunia Camp affords an unforgettable safari experience that perfectly blends classic safari with modern comfort and luxury.

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 mobile camp moves multiple times a year to follow the movements of the Wildebeest Migration. Serengeti Under Canvas keeps it intimate with a handful of tents in private campsites that boast breathtaking wilderness settings. But don't let the thought of the rugged outdoors fool you – you'll be far from roughing it. This is the ultimate in luxury mobile camping, complete with private butler service, chandeliers, silverware, cosy beds with downy duvets, and en suite flush toilets. Custom-made rugs and polished brass samovars will add a touch of elegance to your Serengeti Migration safari.

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

Situated on the north-eastern edge of the Serengeti, Klein's Camp offers exclusive safari accommodation in a private concession area. Exceptional year-round game viewing and front-row seats to the herds of wildebeest passing by can be expected during your stay.

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

This camp is set on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River, the location of the Wildebeest Migration's river crossings that occur between August and October. The safari-chic tents all boast private verandas with frontage to the river and its seasonal pools, which are loved by the boisterous bloats of hippos. The area is also known for its big lion prides – you'll more than likely find yourself alone on a sighting in this exclusive part of the Serengeti.

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

This luxury camp is based in the remote northern Serengeti and boasts a prime location to witness the Wildebeest Migration's rip-roaring crossings over the croc-infested Mara River. The views from the camp are exquisite, and there's no better place to soak it in than from the rim-flow pool – you might even spot an elephant or two ambling by. Sayari's spacious tented suites feature mahogany floors, walk-in showers, generous bathtubs, and verandas on which you can laze away the afternoon with a book from the camp's plush 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

Head to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, where a stay at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is filled with promise and opportunity to enjoy excellent Big 5 game viewing and the best seats in the house to the Great Migration. Explore all that the region has to offer on guided morning and afternoon game drives, as well as on hot-air balloon safaris and night game drives.

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

Nestled in the woodland landscape of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Encounter Mara is a luxury tented camp that is designed to make the most of its picturesque surroundings – and ensures it stays that way by being an eco-friendly accommodation. The big draw of this camp is to witness the Great Migration, but the conservancy offers incredible year-round wildlife viewing. And if you're a traveller who prefers a more exclusive and intimate safari experience, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a high-density wildlife and low-density tourist destination – promising a truly memorable safari away from the crowds.

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

Singita is synonymous with magnificence and Faru Faru Lodge is yet another feather in the luxury brand's cap. Set alongside the Grumeti River in their own private game reserve, Singita Faru Faru offers splendid views over the river and caters for every creature comfort. Air-conditioned suites with large panoramic windows allow you to take in the vistas without leaving the comfort of your bed, while Swarovski telescopes help you spot wildlife on the never-ending plains. Watercolours and pencils are thoughtfully provided, should you feel inspired to paint or sketch a once-in-a-lifetime memento.

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

For the traveller seeking a more down-to-earth experience, Governors' Camp provides the authenticity of the safaris of yesteryear without compromising on comfort and modern conveniences. The camp is tucked away on the forested banks of the Mara River, offering the perfect vantage point to see the mega-herds of wildebeest and zebra making the treacherous crossing of the predator-infested waters.

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

Lying in the heart of the Masai Mara's northern corridor, Sand River offers luxury tented accommodation in a serene setting. With the glistening water of the Sand River on one side and a shady, lush forest on the other, guests at Sala's can expect elegance, comfort and luxury around every corner. And, naturally, the camp is well placed to view the Wildebeest Migration – with herds passing your tent as they gather to drink at the point where the Sand and Keekorok Rivers meet.

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

Intimate and authentic, Serian's Serengeti North camp provides the perfect hideaway from everyday life, leaving you to immerse yourself in the untouched nature of the Serengeti. Being a mobile accommodation, the camp spends June to November in the Lamai Wedge – a region teeming with herds crossing the Mara River. December to May sees the camp move to the Ngorongoro Conservation area in the south, where the wildebeest settle down for calving season on the short grass plains.

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

Set in a private conservancy to the east of the Masai Mara, Naboisho offers guests a serene safari experience away from the Mara's usual tourist crowds. Although it's conveniently close to the reserve to witness the Wildebeest Migration's spectacle, Naboisho also delivers incredible game viewing right on its doorstep. You'll see cheetah, elephant, lion and giraffe aplenty, and enjoy special activities like off-road game drives, night drives, bush walks and fly-camping – activities not permitted in the national reserve.

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

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