The Serengeti is the stage for the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Across its endless golden plains, more than two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in an eternal circle — the Great Migration — pursued by the largest concentration of predators in Africa. To wake here, with the plains stretching unbroken to the horizon, is to understand why the Serengeti has captured imaginations for a century.
Choosing where to stay in the Serengeti is really a question of timing and geography: the ecosystem is vast, and the migration is always on the move. This guide covers the finest Serengeti lodges and camps — from palatial hilltop manors to mobile tented camps that follow the herds — what they cost, and how to position yourself for the spectacle.
The Serengeti — endless plains and the thunder of the Great Migration.
Quick Answer
The best places to stay in the Serengeti are Singita's Grumeti lodges (Sasakwa, Faru Faru, Sabora), Four Seasons Serengeti, Mwiba Lodge and well-positioned mobile migration camps. Where you stay should follow the season: south for calving, west for the Grumeti crossings, north for the Mara River drama.
Expect all-inclusive rates of $400–$3,500+ per person per night. The Serengeti pairs perfectly with the Ngorongoro Crater. Explore our luxury African safari packages or speak to a Serengeti specialist.
Timing the Migration: Where to Be, and When
The single most important decision for a Serengeti trip is matching your camp to the migration's position. From December to March the herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu to calve; from June to July they push through the western corridor and across the Grumeti River; from July to October the great drama of the Mara River crossings unfolds in the north. For the full rhythm, see our Great Migration safari guide and Serengeti national park guide.
The Best Serengeti Lodges & Camps
Singita Grumeti — Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora
In the private Grumeti Reserves of the western Serengeti, Singita holds a 350,000-acre concession of near-empty wilderness. Sasakwa is an Edwardian-style manor of hilltop cottages with private pools and sweeping views; Faru Faru is contemporary and river-facing; Sabora is a romantic tented camp evoking the golden age of safari. Impeccable service, superb guiding and total exclusivity make this the finest address in the Serengeti. From $2,000 per person per night.
Four Seasons Serengeti
In the central Seronera — the wildlife-rich heart of the park, superb year-round — the Four Seasons Serengeti is the standout resort-style lodge. Glass-fronted rooms, a spa, and a famous infinity pool overlooking a waterhole where elephants come to drink make it a favourite for families and first-timers who want luxury without a tented camp. From $900 per person per night.
Mwiba Lodge
On a private concession in the south, on the edge of the calving grounds, Mwiba Lodge is a work of art — suites of stone, canvas and timber tucked among ancient granite boulders above a river gorge. Beyond superb game viewing, Mwiba offers walking safaris and access to the Hadzabe people, one of the last hunter-gatherer cultures on earth. From $1,200 per person per night.
Serengeti Serena & Classic Tented Camps
For excellent value without sacrificing location, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge offers hilltop rondavel-style rooms and a pool in the central Serengeti, while classic tented camps such as Kati Kati bring the romance of canvas under the acacias at an accessible price. These are ideal for travellers who want to spend on game-viewing time rather than on the very top tier of luxury. From $400 per person per night.
Mobile Migration Camps
The secret to being right in the heart of the action is a mobile migration camp — a semi-permanent tented camp that relocates two or three times a year to stay close to the herds. In calving season they sit in the south; from July to October they perch above the Mara River in the north, where you can watch the crossings unfold. Comfortable, intimate and superbly positioned, they are the migration purist's choice. From $600 per person per night.
Costs & How to Combine
The Serengeti is almost always combined with the Ngorongoro Crater — the two form Tanzania's classic northern circuit — and often with a beach finish in Zanzibar. A typical itinerary pairs three or four nights in the Serengeti (positioned for the migration) with a night on the Crater rim and, for honeymooners, a few days on the Indian Ocean.
For the full journey, see our Serengeti migration safari, our luxury African safari packages, and our wider Tanzania safari lodges guide.
Planning Your Serengeti Safari
Because the migration moves, timing and positioning are everything — this is a trip that rewards expert planning. Book 10–12 months ahead for peak season (the northern crossings and the marquee lodges), and consider a light-aircraft package to move efficiently around this vast ecosystem. For timing help, see our best time for the migration guide.
Let us position you perfectly for the herds. Speak to one of our Serengeti specialists to design a migration safari around your dates and interests.
