Olakira Camp is the sister camp to Suyan Camp and Sayari Camp – and like Suyan Camp, it is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves twice a year to a new location.
Through the months of June to mid-December, Olakira Camp is located near to the Seronera area. This makes it a great base to see the migration when it is heading north in the months of June and July, and then when it is heading south in the months of November and December.
Then between these months the resident game around Seronera is certainly worth stopping by for, with relaxed leopards in trees, cheetah on the plains and a healthy population of plains game.
Then from mid-December to the end of March, Olakira is located in the Ndutu area, which is the perfect spot for witnessing the migration when it is spread out on the southern plains.
See our moving map of the migration to see where the animals are at different times of the year.
Olakira is a very comfortable tented camp – with large spacious walk in tents. Each of the tents has an ensuite, with a chemical toilet and bucket shower – hot water is brought on request. (Read more about the tents at Olakira...)
Then the main mess tent at Olakira Camp is open-sided and under a green canvas roof. There is a comfortable lounging area with sofas and 'bean-bag' chairs, and then there are also tables and directors chairs for dining. In front of this main area is a fire place which is lit in the evenings.
When we last visited Olakira, the food was really tasty and the service was good. The team at Olakira are very attentive, and we especially enjoyed the performance of the 'squirrel band' – a band formed by some of the staff, who play African songs around the camp fire before dinner.
Activities from Olakira are all vehicle based 4x4 safaris. Olakira is a base from which guests explore the Serengeti with their own private driver/guide. So you can make a plan with your guide the night before, and chose to head out for a full day with a packed lunch. Or you can do a morning and afternoon safari, returning to the camp for the heat of the day. Timings are all very flexible around what you want to do.
Olakira is a very comfortable and stylish little camp; taking a maximum of fourteen guests, it is very personal. Its semi-permanent nature means that you really feel a part of the surrounding bush, but without having to sacrifice any of the usual comforts such as hot showers and toilets.
Ideal length of stay: Spend at least three nights here to explore the area properly – or even longer if you have the time.
Central facilities: The main areas of Olakira Camp are all set under one large green canvas structure, which blends effortlessly into the surrounding bush. The canvas walls are drawn open on three sides, and makuti mats (mats made from woven palm fronds) are dotted across the floor.
In the main tent, you will find an area that is set out for dining. Canvas directors chairs are set around square wooden tables. At meal times these are set and you will find olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a variety of other dressings and sauces for you to use.
There is also a very well stocked liquor cabinet – the staff will help you to a drink, whether it be a G&T, a whisky or perhaps an after dinner Baileys on ice. There is also a coffee and tea station to which guests can help themselves at all times during the day.
To one side of the open-plan tent is a comfortable lounge area. Where a large corner sofa and a number of comfortable bean-bag chairs are set around a dark wooden coffee table. The sofa and chairs use natural colours, browns, creams and burnt orange to create a rustic yet stylish effect.
Here you will also find a number of power sockets where you can charge batteries. However this is the only power you will find in the mess-tent. There are no lights, at night the tent is beautifully lit by atmospheric storm lanterns instead.
In front of the mess tent is a fire place which is lit in the evenings. Guests tend to gather here before dinner and have a few drinks in the company of the other guests and the guides. When we were last there we also enjoyed a performance by the camps own band. Founded by one of the waiters who learnt to play the guitar in church, the band play a variety of Africa songs as well as some they composed themselves.
Directions: Most will drive to Olakira with their vehicle and guide, and then drive away again when they move on. Even if you chose to fly in here, we'd arrange for a private driver/guide to meet you.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Staff: Note that Olakira has no guides permanently stationed here; guides usually arrive with their guests, and leave with them, in private vehicles.
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: When we were last at Olakira, in September 2007, the food was very tasty, with a good variety of international dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Timings for breakfast or brunch was flexible, depending on what you wanted to do in the morning. For breakfast you would usually find a variety of cereals, a cooked breakfast with eggs of your choice, fruit and yogurt. Then brunch was similar but with the addition of tasty snacks such as hot open sandwiches and quiches.
Lunch was also an offering of snacks such as quiches and sandwiches. But had a further spread of cold meat, green salads and pasta salads. We found the lunch light, refreshing and very tasty.
At around 7pm, guests start to gather around the camp fire where they can relax and have a drink. The chef would then come out and announce what the courses were for dinner. Dinner consisted of three courses, usually a soup or salad starter, perhaps a barbeque or traditional Swahili dish for the main course, and then a deliciously rich desert. When we were there we had chocolate mousse and cream – it was delicious.
The food at Olakira Camp isn't of an incredibly high standard; it's not what you might expect in a five-starred restaurant in Europe. But it is really fresh and very tasty – it is good food, done well.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Tea and coffee is brought to the rooms.
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included, except for champagne and certain imported wines and spirits.
Special interests
Wildlife: Olakira Camp is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves twice a year, in order to optimize its location for the migration. With careful planning (talk to us about this), this can be the perfect base from which to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: Olakira Camp welcomes children of all ages.
Activities: Olakira Camp will happily prepare special meals and arrange earlier meal times for children.
Notes: Olakira is a fun and friendly camp that has a team who will go out of their way to make families feel welcome. However, it is also a very wild camp and parents should be aware that children should not be allowed to wonder around unescorted.
Children are the responsibility of their parents at all times.
Central communications
Communications: Olakira Camp has a satellite phone that can be used in emergencies. There is also intermittent cell phone reception around the camp.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio at Olakira Camp
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The staff here are first-aid trained and there is first-aid equipment for minor injuries. For more serious cases, the camp has links to flying doctors.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: The team will escort you around the camp at night.
Fire safety: The camp has a fire break, and also fire extinguishers which the staff are all trained to use.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: The laundry is included – it is hand washed a line dried so is returned with 24 hours depending on the weather.
Money: There are no currency exchange facilities at Olakira Camp.
Accepted payment: Olakira Camp can accept cash in US dollars, Tanzania shillings and Euros.
Magical game drives at Olakira
Olakira was lovely. The food and service were really good, as were the drinks, including the 'house' wine. We especially liked sitting around the camp-fire sipping our drinks before and afte...
Good stopover
We only stayed a night to break up the drive between the Crater & the far north of the Serengeti.
If you're driving up there it definitely makes sense to break the journey somewhere like this
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Olakira Camp. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Homepage for Olakira Olakira's homepage - take a look for more pictures and details about the Olakira Camp.
