Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Cheap Lodges & Camps
Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s budget and preference.
Whether you seek an exclusive stay in a luxury lodge, an immersive experience in a tented camp, or an affordable retreat in a budget campsite, Serengeti provides something for everyone. This guide explores the best places to stay in Serengeti National Park, ensuring you have the perfect base for your safari adventure.
Best Luxury Lodges in Serengeti / 5-Star Hotels in Serengeti
For those seeking ultimate comfort and top-notch services, luxury lodges in Serengeti offer unparalleled experiences. These lodges feature spacious suites, gourmet dining, and breathtaking views of the park’s vast plains.
1. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Located in the heart of central Serengeti, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge offers an unparalleled luxury experience. The lodge boasts spacious, well-appointed suites with private balconies overlooking a busy watering hole, where elephants and other wildlife frequently gather.
Guests can enjoy a stunning infinity pool, a full-service spa and wellness center, and gourmet dining with international and African-inspired cuisine. The lodge also provides expertly guided game drives and hot air balloon safaris, offering breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains. Its prime location ensures easy access to some of the park’s best wildlife viewing areas, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking both comfort and adventure.
2. Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Nestled in the Grumeti Reserve, Singita Sasakwa Lodge exudes colonial-era elegance with its private villas, each featuring a plunge pool and panoramic views of the Serengeti. The lodge provides an exclusive safari experience with world-class service, ensuring a luxurious and intimate retreat.
Guests can indulge in five-star gourmet cuisine, relax in a sumptuous spa, and partake in thrilling game drives and walking safaris. The area around the lodge is known for excellent game viewing, particularly during the Great Migration, making it one of the premier destinations for wildlife enthusiasts looking for an elite safari experience.
3. Serengeti Bushtops
For those seeking a blend of luxury and adventure, Serengeti Bushtops is a perfect choice. This tented lodge offers spacious en-suite tents with open-air hot tubs, allowing guests to relax under the African sky. The camp is known for its exceptional dining experiences, featuring gourmet meals prepared by top chefs.
Located in the western Serengeti, the lodge offers private game drives, walking safaris, and night safaris, ensuring guests get an immersive and exclusive wildlife experience. With top-notch amenities and a strong focus on personalized service, Serengeti Bushtops is an excellent option for those who want an intimate and refined safari adventure.
4. Mwiba Lodge
Perched on a private reserve in the southern Serengeti, Mwiba Lodge is an ultra-exclusive boutique safari lodge that caters to discerning travelers. The lodge features elegantly designed suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Guests can enjoy private game drives, cultural experiences with local tribes, and luxurious spa treatments. The lodge’s location ensures unparalleled privacy, making it perfect for honeymooners and those seeking a secluded escape while still being close to the action of the Great Migration.
5. One Nature Nyaruswiga
A high-end eco-lodge, One Nature Nyaruswiga offers a blend of luxury and sustainability in the heart of the Serengeti. The lodge provides stunning safari views, opulent tented suites, and world-class service, including a private butler for each guest.
Guests can enjoy hot air balloon safaris, private guided tours, and sunset cocktails overlooking the savannah. Known for its commitment to conservation and sustainability, One Nature Nyaruswiga is an excellent choice for eco-conscious travelers seeking a high-end safari experience.
Budget campsite in Serengeti National Park
Travelers looking for an affordable yet adventurous safari experience can opt for budget campsites. These campsites offer basic amenities while allowing visitors to experience nature up close.
1. Seronera Public Campsite
Located in central Serengeti, Seronera Public Campsite is a favorite among budget travelers due to its proximity to prime wildlife areas. The campsite offers basic facilities, including toilets, showers, and cooking areas, allowing guests to have an authentic wilderness experience while being surrounded by the sounds of the Serengeti.
2. Lobo Public Campsite
Situated in the northern Serengeti, Lobo Public Campsite provides stunning views of rolling hills and vast plains. It is a great location for travelers following the Great Migration, as herds pass through this region. Basic amenities such as restrooms, fire pits, and water access are available, ensuring a comfortable camping experience in the wild.
3. Dik-Dik Campsite
A small and peaceful budget campsite in southern Serengeti, Dik-Dik Campsite is ideal for travelers looking for a quiet and intimate safari experience. Wildlife roams freely around the campsite, offering thrilling encounters with nature.
4. Nyani Campsite
Located near the Seronera River, Nyani Campsite is a prime spot for seeing predators like lions and leopards. The site offers basic camping facilities and is a great choice for those seeking adventure on a tight budget.
5. Pimbi Campsite
With a strategic location near wildlife corridors, Pimbi Campsite offers a genuine wilderness experience. It provides essential facilities and is known for its serene environment, making it a good option for budget-conscious travelers who love nature.
Serengeti Tented Camps: An Immersive Experience
For those who want to blend adventure with comfort, Serengeti tented camps provide the perfect mix of luxury and authenticity. These mobile or semi-permanent camps allow guests to experience the raw beauty of Serengeti while enjoying modern comforts.
1. Ubuntu Migration Camp
A seasonal tented camp that moves with the Great Migration, Ubuntu Migration Camp offers close encounters with wildlife. The camp provides a traditional safari atmosphere, making it ideal for travelers who want an immersive experience in nature.
2. Kati Kati Tented Camp
A mid-range tented camp in central Serengeti, Kati Kati offers comfortable en-suite tents, delicious meals, and evening campfires, ensuring a warm and authentic safari stay.
3. Serengeti Pioneer Camp
A luxury tented camp with a vintage safari theme, Serengeti Pioneer Camp is situated in a prime location for big game viewing. The camp offers personalized service, fine dining, and well-appointed tented suites.
4. Mara River Tented Camp
Located in the northern Serengeti, Mara River Tented Camp is perfect for witnessing the river crossings during the Great Migration. It offers stunning photographic opportunities and close encounters with wildlife.
5. Ang’ata Serengeti Camp
A well-equipped tented camp with an intimate atmosphere, Ang’ata Serengeti Camp provides guided walks and night game drives, adding a unique dimension to your safari experience.
Tips to Save on Accommodation in Serengeti National Park
A Serengeti safari is a dream experience, but accommodation costs can be high. Here are some smart ways to save money on lodges, camps, and other stays without compromising on your adventure:
1. Travel During the Low Season
The low season (March to May and November) offers lower rates for lodges and tented camps. During this time, you can enjoy discounted prices while still witnessing stunning wildlife without the high-season crowds.
2. Book in Advance
Many lodges and camps offer early booking discounts. Planning your trip months in advance allows you to secure better rates before prices increase.
3. Choose Mid-Range or Budget Camps
Instead of high-end lodges, opt for mid-range tented camps or public campsites. These provide comfortable stays at a fraction of the cost while still keeping you close to the action.
4. Consider Staying Outside the Park
Lodges and camps just outside Serengeti (in areas like Karatu or near the Ikoma Gate) tend to be cheaper than those inside the park. You can still access the park easily while reducing accommodation costs.
5. Join a Group Safari
Group safaris often include shared accommodations, making them significantly cheaper than private stays. Sharing a tented camp or lodge can cut costs while keeping the experience enjoyable.
6. Look for Special Deals and Packages
Many safari operators and lodges offer seasonal discounts, last-minute deals, or combo packages that include accommodation, meals, and game drives at a lower cost than booking separately.
7. Stay Longer for Discounted Rates
Some lodges offer stay-more-pay-less deals, where booking multiple nights reduces the per-night cost. If you’re planning an extended safari, this is a great way to save.
8. Bring Your Own Camping Gear
For the ultimate budget option, consider self-camping in designated campsites. Bringing your own tent and supplies can cut accommodation expenses dramatically while giving you a true adventure experience.