Best Serengeti Lodges with Migration Views

The best lodges in the Serengeti for watching the Great Migration depend on the time of year, as the herds move throughout the park in a continuous cycle.

The migration’s general pattern is as follows:

• December to March: The herds are in the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the calving season takes place.
• April to June: The migration begins its long trek north through the central and western Serengeti.
• July to October: The herds are in the northern Serengeti, where the famous Mara River crossings occur.
• November to December: The short rains arrive, and the wildebeest move back south towards the plains of the eastern and southern Serengeti.

To get the best views of the migration, your best bet is to stay at a mobile camp that follows the herds. However, there are also permanent lodges that offer excellent views during certain times of the year.

Lodges for the River Crossings (July – October)

This is the most popular time to visit. The following lodges are strategically located in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River:

• Sayari Camp: Located on the Mara River, offering a front-row seat to the river crossings.
• Singita Mara River Tented Camp: Situated in the remote Lamai Triangle, this camp offers an exclusive experience with prime views of the Mara River.
• Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp: A luxury mobile camp that moves to the northern Serengeti during the river crossing season.
• Serengeti Bushtops Luxury Camp: A permanent luxury camp right on the Mara River.
• Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge: Known for its sweeping views and its proximity to the Mara River.

Lodges for the Calving Season (December – March)

The southern Serengeti comes alive with the birth of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves. The lodges in this area are the best for viewing the action and the high concentration of predators that follow:

• Mwiba Lodge: Located in a private concession in the southern Serengeti, offering excellent views of the migration during this period.
• Namiri Plains Camp: Found in the eastern Serengeti, a great location for seeing the herds and a high density of cheetahs.
• Ndutu Safari Lodge: A popular choice in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, perfectly positioned for the calving season.
• Mobile Camps: Many camps like Serengeti Under Canvas, Olakira Migration Camp, and Alex Walker’s Serian have locations in the south to follow the herds during this season.

Lodges for Year-Round Wildlife Viewing

While they may not always have a front-row seat to the migration, some lodges in the central and western Serengeti offer excellent game viewing year-round and can be a good base for a safari during the “shoulder” seasons (April-June and November):

• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti: A luxurious lodge with a central location that allows for access to various parts of the park.
• Dunia Camp: Located near the Moru Kopjes, it offers great migration viewing in the April-June window and is known for its excellent all-female guide team.
• Singita Grumeti Reserve Lodges (Singita Sasakwa, Singita Sabora): These lodges are in a private concession and are excellent for viewing the migration as it passes through the western corridor in May and June.

When booking your trip, it is highly recommended to consult a safari specialist to ensure your itinerary aligns with the specific location of the migration during your planned travel dates.