Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
Grumeti River, North-Central Serengeti — Elewana Collection
Serengeti Migration Camp sits among rocky outcrops on the Grumeti River. It occupies a secluded corner of north-central Serengeti. Elewana positions this spot as the starting point of the annual migration. Resident hippo pods bark and wallow in the river below camp throughout the year. The surrounding kopjes and woodland, in addition, give the camp a distinctly different character from the open plains found elsewhere in the park.
Its sister property, Serengeti Pioneer Camp, sits in the Moru Kopjes to the south. The two camps share migration positioning knowledge. This gives guests faster access to the herds wherever they currently are.
Location and Landscape
From April through August, and again from November through December, the area around camp experiences what Elewana calls a “private migration.” Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest move across the landscape. Relatively few other camps sit nearby to share the sighting. A roughly one-hour game drive from camp reaches the Mara River, site of the migration’s most dramatic crossings. This applies to guests on the camp’s game-package itinerary. Beyond the migration, the area supports strong year-round Big Five viewing. Healthy populations of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle also live here. So do all three African jackal species, spotted hyena, and a notably diverse range of smaller predators. Birdlife here exceeds 500 recorded species.
Accommodation
The camp comprises twenty spacious tents on elevated hardwood platforms. Each runs roughly 64 square metres, with its own 360-degree veranda deck. Four rooms include sleeper couches suited to two adults and two children. Interiors combine a wooden floor, fixed bathroom walls and proper doors with the camp’s enveloping canvas structure. Each tent also has an en-suite shower room and a twin vanity basin with hot and cold running water. A writing desk completes the setup.
The main guest area includes a split-level lounge and a swimming pool. A restaurant here offers viewing platforms looking out over the river and surrounding landscape.
Safari Experience
Game drives explore the surrounding plains. On the camp’s game package, they also extend to the Mara River for migration crossings during the relevant season. A professional guide accompanies walking safaris, with knowledge of local flora, fauna, culture and history. These carry an age restriction for guests under 16, subject to the lead guide’s discretion. Guests can also book hot air balloon safaris at additional cost, though these must be arranged in advance.
The camp serves dinner on a dedicated deck overlooking the Ndasiata Hills and the Grumeti River. Guests can dine under canvas or al fresco beneath the night sky. A sunset viewing platform with its own campfire, finally, gives the camp a distinctive close to each day.
When to Visit
April through August and November through December bring the “private migration” window. During these months, herds move through the landscape in considerable numbers. Relatively few other camps compete for the sighting. Late June through September, generally, marks the strongest period for migration activity in this part of the park. Outside these windows, however, resident wildlife continues to deliver strong Big Five and predator viewing.
Practical Information
Daily scheduled flights from Arusha, in fact, serve the Lobo airstrip, the camp’s best access point. The camp is also genuinely child-friendly, with several rooms configured for families.
Combining Serengeti Migration Camp with Other Tanzania Destinations
Serengeti Migration Camp pairs naturally with Elewana’s Serengeti Pioneer Camp in the Moru Kopjes to the south. Together, the two properties cover most of the park’s migration range across the year. Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, similarly, both extend into a wider northern Tanzania circuit. Zanzibar, meanwhile, offers a coastal close to the journey.
Our Tanzania Safari Guide covers wider planning. For nearby options, see Serengeti Safari Lodges. For the full country collection, visit Luxury Tanzania Safari Lodges.
If you are considering Serengeti Migration Camp as part of a Tanzania safari, we would be glad to talk it through.