Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp | Best Tanzania Safari Lodges

The place

I sip at a cocktail from the bar, looking out over the Grumeti River, which swirls, eddies and flows hypnotically beneath me. My partner is similarly entranced, pointing out the black-and-white colobus monkey that are chasing each other through the evergreen forest that surrounds us, leaping off onto the thatched roofs of the tented suites at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp. It’s a small taste of the wildlife sightings to come – situated on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River in the remote Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park, our camp is unfenced and within easy reach of one of the most famous crossing points of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

I sip at a cocktail from the bar, looking out over the Grumeti River, which swirls, eddies and flows hypnotically beneath me. My partner is similarly entranced, pointing out the black-and-white colobus monkey that are chasing each other through the evergreen forest that surrounds us, leaping off onto the thatched roofs of the tented suites at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp.

It’s a small taste of the wildlife sightings to come – situated on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River in the remote Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park, our camp is unfenced and within easy reach of one of the most famous crossing points of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

The room

After lazing at the pool for most of the day, we’re enjoying a scrumptious afternoon tea, when our guide, Wazuri, comes to join us to discuss the afternoon’s game drive. It’s not hard to decide that we want to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in action. Wazuri is confident – we’re very near to one of the well-known fording spots on the river. Approaching our tent, which is set in a patch of riverine forest, we’re startled to see a zebra grazing next to it, one of the early migrators it seems! While my partner freshens up in the outdoor shower, I walk through the sliding doors onto our shaded private deck, where I watch the resident hippo playing in the river for a while before heading indoors to rest on the king-sized bed. It’s easy to relax here; everything in our room is in natural browns, beiges and whites with beautiful cypress-wood décor, set under a high-ceilinged, palm-frond roof. A few hours after an exciting game drive, and we’re sitting beneath a star-studded sky at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp’s open-air boma for dinner, which is helpfully lit by numerous lanterns and candles. I can feel the heat emanating off the traditional fires (known as jikos) as we share what it felt like to see, hear and experience throngs of wildebeest attempt to cross the river as some of the largest crocodiles in the world preyed upon them.

After lazing at the pool for most of the day, we’re enjoying a scrumptious afternoon tea, when our guide, Wazuri, comes to join us to discuss the afternoon’s game drive. It’s not hard to decide that we want to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in action.

Wazuri is confident – we’re very near to one of the well-known fording spots on the river. Approaching our tent, which is set in a patch of riverine forest, we’re startled to see a zebra grazing next to it, one of the early migrators it seems!

While my partner freshens up in the outdoor shower, I walk through the sliding doors onto our shaded private deck, where I watch the resident hippo playing in the river for a while before heading indoors to rest on the king-sized bed. It’s easy to relax here; everything in our room is in natural browns, beiges and whites with beautiful cypress-wood décor, set under a high-ceilinged, palm-frond roof.

A few hours after an exciting game drive, and we’re sitting beneath a star-studded sky at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp’s open-air boma for dinner, which is helpfully lit by numerous lanterns and candles.

I can feel the heat emanating off the traditional fires (known as jikos) as we share what it felt like to see, hear and experience throngs of wildebeest attempt to cross the river as some of the largest crocodiles in the world preyed upon them.

What sets it apart

I love how the Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp feels like an oasis in the wild – I can laze at the rim-flow swimming pool or shower in the open air, watching the resident hippo pod frolicking in the waters. Then there’s the mouth-watering food served in the open-air boma – I was even allowed to choose the ingredients for my own personalised pizza, which was cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Being in the middle of the Great Wildebeest Migration path along the Grumeti River means that we’re close to the crossings, but at the same time we’re sheltered from the crowds the event attracts. Our last evening was especially memorable. We were taken off road through the long grasses up to Masira Hill, where we enjoyed sundowners and snacks served with delicious dips. As we looked out over the vast Serengeti plains, watching the sun set over herds of wildebeest in perfect solitude, we raised our glasses, saluting this wonderful, magical place.

I love how the Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp feels like an oasis in the wild – I can laze at the rim-flow swimming pool or shower in the open air, watching the resident hippo pod frolicking in the waters.

Then there’s the mouth-watering food served in the open-air boma – I was even allowed to choose the ingredients for my own personalised pizza, which was cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.

Being in the middle of the Great Wildebeest Migration path along the Grumeti River means that we’re close to the crossings, but at the same time we’re sheltered from the crowds the event attracts.

Our last evening was especially memorable. We were taken off road through the long grasses up to Masira Hill, where we enjoyed sundowners and snacks served with delicious dips. As we looked out over the vast Serengeti plains, watching the sun set over herds of wildebeest in perfect solitude, we raised our glasses, saluting this wonderful, magical place.

At a glance

Intimate tented camp with 10 tented suites (including one family tent), a rim-flow swimming pool, African boma and safari shop.
Remote location in the Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park, butler and private vehicles available (additional cost).
Game drives, gym in a bag, spa treatments (additional cost), hot-air ballooning (additional cost) and Lake Victoria day trip (additional cost).
Children welcome. One family suite, and extra beds for up to two children aged 16 years and younger sharing their parent’s tent can also be arranged. Kids aged 6–11 years can participate in game drives at the lodge manager’s discretion. Babysitting is available (additional cost).

Intimate tented camp with 10 tented suites (including one family tent), a rim-flow swimming pool, African boma and safari shop.
Remote location in the Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park, butler and private vehicles available (additional cost).
Game drives, gym in a bag, spa treatments (additional cost), hot-air ballooning (additional cost) and Lake Victoria day trip (additional cost).
Children welcome. One family suite, and extra beds for up to two children aged 16 years and younger sharing their parent’s tent can also be arranged. Kids aged 6–11 years can participate in game drives at the lodge manager’s discretion. Babysitting is available (additional cost).

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.