Best Camps to see the Great Migration

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one natural wonders of the world. If you are thinking of traveling to Kenya or Tanzania to see the migration, we at Extraordinary Journey want you to have the experience of a lifetime. To help you plan your trip we have compiled a list of the best luxury camps in Kenya and Tanzania to see the migration this summer and fall. 

May and June: Tanzania

Grumeti Reserve

• Singita is our top choice and definitely the most luxurious option in all of Eastern Africa. Within the reserve Singita offers three luxury lodges, Sasakwa Lodge, Faru Faru Lodge and Sabora Tented Camp. In addition, they have just added the brand new Singita Explore mobile camp.
• Unfortunately in the Grumeti-area there are not that many mid-priced options, Kirawira is probably the best option if your trying not to break the bank.

July: Tanzania, The Northern Serengeti

• Sayari, in the Serengeti’s Northern Corridor is perfectly placed for migration viewing in July. The tented camp has 15 spacious guest tents that blend perfectly into the landscape.
• Lamai Serengeti
• Singita Mara River
• Serian Mobile Camp

July, August and September: Kenya

During the first few months, we highly encourage staying in one of the private conservancies on the western side of the park. Mara North is our first choice as you avoid other tourists and can do game drives and walking. It is beautiful, and you feel remote, well distanced from other people.

• Elephant Pepper Camp: Situated right on the northern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, this eight-tented bush camp, is tucked away in a prime wildlife area. Surrounded by the Mara’s ubiquitous game, it’s a seasonal camp, which is taken down for a month or so in the rainy seasons.
• Saruni Mara, is a luxurious and intimate lodge with accommodation for 12 guests in six spectacular cottages in a remote valley in a conservation area bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is ideal for people who do not feel comfortable staying in a tented Camp.
• Serian Camp, is a traditional bush camp located in the heart of the Mara and is the research base for the Mara Predator Project. This is definitely one of our favorite Camps. We love the location on the water and the bohemian chic décor. 
• Mara Plains, Mara Plains Camp borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s northern boundary, allowing guests the privilege of game-viewing both in the Maasai Mara and in the Conservancy, away from the crowds and mini-buses. This six-roomed camp is constructed under canvas on raised decks with amazing views stretching over the surrounding savanna.

August and September: Kenya

• Naibor, located in the Maasai Mara, a beautiful setting overlooking a bend in the river with lots of hippo. The camp has a total of 7 tents. Each tent is a private unit complete with shady verandah and are carefully positioned amongst the trees so that each can enjoy the surrounding woodland in complete privacy. Each tent has bucket showers, solar lights and excellent beds. The tents and mess are very attractive with very modern furniture and the camp is in thick bush/forest so it feels very wild. 
• Nkorombo, Serian’s Mobile Camp in Kenya, guests experience the migration of Wildebeest and Zebra as they cross the Mara River. The camp is ideally located but can be crowded so it’s nice to do two nights at Serian and two nights at Nkorombo in the heart of the migration.

September: Maasai Mara in Kenya and Northern Corridor of the Serengeti

• Cottars is a 1920’s camp experience returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’, reminiscent of a golden bygone era, an era of romance, adventure and elegance. This is definitely a gorgeous camp. We however only recommend in September or you may find yourself surrounded by cattle not wildebeest.
• Sala’s Camp, is nestled in an indigenous forest on the border between Kenya and Tanzia with views into the Northern Corridor, the route taken by millions wildebeest.

October: Tanzania

• Klein’s Camp: The camp is in an ideal location for viewing the migration from Late July to October. If your guests are looking for a more luxurious setting (instead of a mobile camp) this is the place. Since it is slightly outside the game reserve you have the freedom to participate in activities otherwise not allowed in the park such as night drives and walks. 
• Migration Camp is situated in the Northern Serengeti, this luxurious tented camp overlooks the Grumeti River, offering prime viewing of the migratory route.

Mobile camps

There are also semi-mobile camps which are a great way to make sure you are perfectly situated to see the migration. These camps shift location every 3-4 months, moving north within Tanzania to follow the migration. All the mobile camps follow a similar route so what really sets them apart is the level of accommodation. Click here for more information about these mobile camps.