Singita Sasakwa Lodge rises on Sasakwa Hill like a vision from another era: an Edwardian manor house with high ceilings, polished parquet floors, antiques, chandeliers and wraparound verandas, set in the heart of the private 350,000-acre Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania's western Serengeti. This is not a bush camp. It is a grand estate where every one of the nine private cottages has its own heated infinity pool, where the wine cellar holds 222 curated bottles, where you can ride horseback across the plains at dawn, and where the level of exclusivity and service justifies a price tag of $1,500–$3,500+ per person per night.
Singita Sasakwa is the crown jewel of Singita's Tanzania portfolio and one of Africa's most exclusive safari lodges. We send clients here when budget is secondary to privacy, when "sharing the road" with other vehicles is unacceptable, and when the dream safari involves timeless elegance, world-class wine, and the freedom to explore a private wilderness reserve larger than some national parks. This review covers what makes Sasakwa special, the accommodations, the Grumeti Reserve exclusivity, and what you need to know before you book.
The western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserve — the migration corridor, reimagined in total privacy.
Why Singita Sasakwa is Tanzania's Most Exclusive Safari Manor
Singita Sasakwa sits on Sasakwa Hill in the Singita Grumeti Reserve, a private 350,000-acre wilderness in the western Serengeti. The reserve is a critical corridor for the Great Migration, with the herds passing through each year between May and July on their journey north. But exclusivity is the real story here. Singita Grumeti has strict limits on beds and vehicles — across three lodges (Sasakwa, Faru Faru, Sabora) and two luxury camps, the reserve accommodates fewer than 100 guests at any time. You can drive for hours and encounter no one but your guide, your tracker, and the wildlife.
The design of Sasakwa is a deliberate throwback: an Edwardian manor house transported to the African bush. The main lodge features high ceilings, polished parquet floors, Persian rugs, antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, and a sweeping veranda overlooking the plains. The aesthetic is "Out of Africa" meets English country estate — sophisticated, romantic, and utterly removed from the modern world. Every detail, from the silver service at dinner to the fresh flowers in your cottage, reinforces the sense that you have stepped into a bygone era of safari, when luxury was measured in service, space and silence.
Sasakwa's nine private cottages are scattered across the hillside, each positioned for maximum privacy and unobstructed Serengeti views. Every cottage includes a heated private infinity pool, so you can swim with the plains stretching to the horizon, lions calling in the distance, and not another soul in sight. The lodge also features a wine cellar with 222 carefully curated wines, an equestrian centre with sixteen horses for horseback safaris, tennis courts, archery, a spa, and a fitness centre. This is not roughing it — this is manor-house luxury in the middle of the Serengeti.
The Accommodations — One to Four-Bedroom Cottages, Villa & Hillside Suite
Singita Sasakwa offers nine private cottages, one four-bedroom villa, and the exclusive Hillside Suite. Every accommodation is air-conditioned, spacious, and designed in the Edwardian manor style — dark wood, elegant fabrics, antique-inspired furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows or French doors that open onto private decks with sweeping Serengeti views. All cottages include en-suite bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs, separate walk-in showers, double vanities, and luxury Africology bath products. The defining feature: every cottage has its own private heated infinity-edge plunge pool.
One-Bedroom Cottages
The One-Bedroom Cottages are the entry point to Sasakwa — though "entry" at Singita still means world-class. Each cottage features a spacious bedroom with a four-poster bed, a separate lounge with a fireplace, a dressing area, and a private deck with an infinity pool overlooking the plains. The bathrooms are palatial: freestanding tubs positioned for Serengeti views, walk-in rain showers, heated floors. The design is classic and romantic, with parquet floors, Persian rugs, antique writing desks, and fresh flowers changed daily. Perfect for couples seeking absolute privacy and timeless elegance.
Two-Bedroom Cottages
The Two-Bedroom Cottages offer the same design and amenities as the One-Bedroom units, but with an additional bedroom suite. Ideal for families with older children, two couples travelling together, or anyone who wants extra space. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, and the shared lounge and deck with infinity pool create a luxurious communal space. Butler service is standard, so your every need — from unpacking to arranging private dinners on your deck — is anticipated and handled seamlessly.
Four-Bedroom Cottage & Four-Bedroom Villa
The Four-Bedroom Cottage and Four-Bedroom Villa are designed for multi-generational families or groups of friends. These sprawling accommodations feature four en-suite bedrooms, multiple living and dining areas, private pool decks, and dedicated staff. The Villa adds a full kitchen and even more space, making it ideal for extended stays or guests who want a true "home base" in the Serengeti. With this much room, your group can spread out, enjoy private time, and gather for communal meals and sundowners without ever feeling crowded.
The Hillside Suite — Sasakwa's Flagship
The Hillside Suite is Singita Sasakwa's most exclusive offering. This one-bedroom, dual-level suite perches on the highest point of the hillside, offering unparalleled privacy and romance. It includes a private heated infinity pool, a spacious deck with daybeds and sun loungers, a separate lounge and dining area, and a "bar-deli" stocked with your preferred drinks and snacks. But the real luxury is the dedicated service: a private butler, a personal field guide, and your own safari vehicle. You set the schedule, the pace, and the focus of every game drive. For honeymooners or guests celebrating a milestone, the Hillside Suite is the pinnacle of Singita Sasakwa.
Every Cottage, A Private Infinity Pool — The Singita Standard
One of Sasakwa's defining features is that every cottage has its own heated infinity-edge plunge pool. These are not token lap pools — they are beautifully designed, positioned on private decks with unobstructed Serengeti views, and maintained at a comfortable temperature year-round. You can start your day with a swim at sunrise, soak with a glass of champagne after your afternoon game drive, or float under the stars while lions call in the distance.
The pools are private. Your deck is private. Your cottage is surrounded by indigenous trees and positioned so you rarely see another guest unless you choose to. This level of seclusion — combined with the infinity pool, the plains stretching endlessly beyond, and the silence broken only by birdsong and distant animal calls — is what makes Singita Sasakwa feel less like a lodge and more like your own private Serengeti estate.
The Wine Cellar & Dining — 222 Wines, World-Class Cuisine
Singita Sasakwa's wine cellar is one of the finest in Africa. It holds 222 carefully curated bottles, including premium South African wines, "Icon" vintages, and rare Single Vineyard releases. The selection is managed by expert sommeliers, and guests are invited to explore the cellar, select bottles for dinner, or arrange private wine tastings. Wine-paired dinners are a highlight — multi-course feasts where each dish is matched with a wine from the cellar, explained by the sommelier, and served with Singita's signature attention to detail.
Dining at Sasakwa is an experience in itself. Meals are served in the main manor dining room, on the veranda overlooking the plains, in the Boma around an open fire, or privately on your cottage deck. The cuisine blends international techniques with African ingredients — think grilled Tanzanian beef, fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, house-made breads and decadent desserts. Breakfast is a lavish affair (fresh pastries, tropical fruit, made-to-order eggs, full English breakfast options). Lunch is lighter (salads, grills, fresh juices). Dinner is elegant and unhurried, often featuring a la carte menus with multiple courses.
The service is impeccable. Your preferences are remembered from the first meal onward. Dietary restrictions, favourite dishes, preferred wine styles — all are noted and anticipated. If you want to dine at sunrise on your deck, or have a candlelit dinner for two out on the plains, the staff will arrange it seamlessly.
Grumeti Reserve Exclusivity — 350,000 Acres, Almost to Yourself
The Singita Grumeti Reserve is a private wildlife concession covering 350,000 acres in the western Serengeti — roughly half the size of Rhode Island. It borders the Serengeti National Park and functions as a critical corridor for the Great Migration, but it is privately managed with strict limits on visitor numbers. Across three lodges (Sasakwa, Faru Faru, Sabora) and two camps, Singita Grumeti accommodates fewer than 100 guests at any time. On game drives, you might spend an entire morning and encounter no other vehicles. Sightings are private, intimate, and unhurried.
Because it is a private concession, Singita Grumeti offers privileges unavailable in the public Serengeti National Park. You can drive off-road to follow predators or get closer to herds. You can stay out longer, extending drives into the golden-hour light when most park visitors must return to their lodges. Guided bush walks are permitted, offering a completely different perspective on the ecosystem — slower, quieter, more immersive. Night drives with spotlights reveal nocturnal wildlife — leopards, aardvarks, honey badgers, hyenas — that daylight visitors rarely see.
The reserve is home to all the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos (though rhino sightings are rare). Predator densities are high: resident lion prides, leopards in the riverine forests, cheetahs on the open plains. The migration herds pass through from late May to July, with dramatic Grumeti River crossings in June and July. But even outside migration season, the resident wildlife is abundant and the exclusivity absolute.
Horseback Safaris & Manor Activities — Tennis, Archery, Spa
Singita Sasakwa offers a range of activities beyond traditional game drives, many of which are unique to this property.
Horseback Safaris: The lodge's equestrian centre houses sixteen well-trained horses, offering one of the Serengeti's most exclusive safari experiences. Rides range from gentle walks for beginners to full gallops for experienced riders. You ride across the plains alongside zebra, giraffe and antelope, with the possibility of encountering predators (always accompanied by an armed guide). The silence, the speed, the intimacy of moving with the animals rather than observing from a vehicle — it is unforgettable. Horseback safaris are included in the all-inclusive rate, subject to availability and rider ability.
Tennis, Archery & Croquet: Sasakwa has two tennis courts (one clay, one artificial surface), an archery range, and a croquet lawn — all with Serengeti views. These manor-style activities reinforce the estate feel of the lodge. After a morning game drive, you might play a set of tennis, practice archery, or enjoy a leisurely game of croquet before lunch.
Spa & Fitness: The Singita Spa offers a range of signature treatments and rituals, all delivered in beautifully designed treatment rooms with plains views. Massages, facials, body scrubs, aromatherapy — after hours bouncing across the Serengeti in a Land Cruiser, the spa is the perfect counterbalance. The fitness centre is fully equipped and overlooks the savannah, so even workouts come with wildlife sightings.
Community Visits: Singita is deeply committed to conservation and community development in the Grumeti ecosystem. Guests can visit local villages, schools and community projects supported by the Grumeti Fund, gaining insight into how luxury safari tourism contributes to education, healthcare and wildlife protection in the region.
Rates, Seasons & How to Book
Singita Sasakwa Lodge is ultra-luxury, and the pricing reflects it. Rates typically range from around $1,500 to $3,500+ per person per night, all-inclusive. The exact rate depends on season, cottage configuration (one-bedroom vs multi-bedroom), and occupancy. Peak season (June–October) commands the highest rates. The Hillside Suite, with its private butler, guide and vehicle, sits at the top end. Low season (April–May, November–early December) offers better value, though April and May can see heavy rains.
The all-inclusive rate is comprehensive. It covers accommodation, all meals, premium beverages (including the curated wine cellar selections, champagne, spirits, beers), twice-daily private game drives, guided bush walks, laundry service, and access to all lodge facilities (spa, gym, tennis, archery, horseback safaris). Not included: Tanzanian park fees (around $70–$80 per person per day for non-residents), hot-air balloon safaris (if available), spa treatments, and gratuities. Essentially, once you arrive at Sasakwa, almost everything is covered.
Best time to visit: June and July are the peak months for the Great Migration in the Grumeti Reserve, with dramatic river crossings and high predator activity. The dry season (June–October) offers the best general game viewing, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures, but also peak pricing and higher guest numbers (though still far fewer than the public Serengeti). November–March is the green season — lush, fewer guests, lower rates, excellent birding, and still superb resident wildlife. April and May are the "long rains" — beautiful, green, quiet, but roads can be muddy and some areas less accessible.
Booking: Singita Sasakwa is one of Africa's most sought-after lodges. Peak season (June–October) books 12–18 months in advance. If you have specific dates or want the Hillside Suite, contact Beyond Africa Safaris as early as possible. We will check live availability, compare Sasakwa with Singita's other Grumeti lodges (Faru Faru, Sabora), build a complete Tanzania itinerary (often pairing the Grumeti with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or Zanzibar), and ensure every detail is handled.
What We Tell Our Clients — The Honest Take
Singita Sasakwa Lodge is Tanzania's most exclusive safari manor — and one of Africa's finest lodges, period. It delivers near-total privacy in a 350,000-acre reserve, world-class service, Edwardian elegance, private infinity pools in every cottage, a 222-wine cellar, horseback safaris, and the kind of wildlife encounters that come with exclusive access to a private migration corridor. It is expensive — $1,500–$3,500+ per person per night — but for guests who can afford it, the value is absolute. You are not paying for luxury alone; you are paying for exclusivity, space, silence, and the freedom to explore one of Africa's wildest places with almost no one else around.
We send clients to Sasakwa when budget is secondary to privacy, when they want timeless elegance rather than contemporary minimalism, and when the dream safari involves wine-paired dinners, horseback gallops across the plains, and waking to a private infinity pool with the Serengeti stretching to the horizon. If you want the Serengeti at its most exclusive, Singita Sasakwa is the answer.
If you are considering Singita Sasakwa for your Tanzania safari, contact Beyond Africa Safaris. We will check availability, compare it with Singita's other Grumeti lodges (Faru Faru for contemporary river luxury, Sabora for vintage romance), build a complete itinerary, and ensure every detail is perfect. This is the safari of a lifetime — and Sasakwa is ready to deliver it.
