Read 2 traveller reviews of Suyan Camp

Suyan Camp, like its sister Olakira Camp in the Serengeti, is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves between two locations during the year.

From December through to March, Suyan Camp is in southern Loliondo in an area called Piaya. This is a great base to access the migration when it is passing through southern Loliondo, and on the southern plains. Piaya is also famed for the local population of wild dog that are frequently seen in the area during these months.

Then from June until November, Suyan Camp is in the north of Loliondo, near Olosokwan. It's a base from which you can explore the northern Serengeti, as well as enjoying the walks and cultural activitires that are possible in Loliondo. Then from October through to November, it is ideally located to catch the migration heading south. (

For an idea of where the migration is and when, see our moving migration map.

Even aside from the migration, Suyan Camp is well worth visiting throughout the year as the activities you can do in Loliondo Game Controlled Area are much more varied than those possible within the national park. Whilst based at Suyan you can go out on night drives, walking safari, fly-camping and also visit local Maasai communities. There is resident game here throughout the year, regardless of the migration.

Suyan Camp is a very comfortable and stylish tented camp – the main area is one large mess tent which has totally open sides and is stylishly decorated. There are a few comfortable leather arm-chairs and lots of directors chairs dotted around. In front of the mess tent is a fire place which comes to life at night; it's a magical place to sit and have a drink before dinner.

The bedrooms at Suyan Camp are vast, with a relaxing lounge area, a bedroom and an ensuite as well. The tents are very comfortable and they are spread quite far apart so really private as well. We loved relaxing on the sofa in the lounging area during the heat of the day – just reading a book. (Read more about the rooms at Suyan...)

The food and service at Suyan Camp was of a very high quality when we last visited. The team here are wonderfully friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a good time. On our first evening we were treated to a sundowner drink at the top of a hill, looking back down into the Serengeti. Then the meals were always very tasty and the menus were varied. Expect a high standard of international cuisine.

We really enjoyed our stay at Suyan Camp when we were last there, and felt that the atmosphere of the camp was great. We also liked its natural feel – Suyan was nestled so carefully into the bush; it was almost invisible the moment you were outside it. Suyan is a traditional safari camp, reminiscent of the safari days of old – yet it is very comfortable and also has a stylish edge. It is a complementary mix that we think works very well.

Click on a link for more details of:
Safari Tents at Suyan Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 6 Safari tents

Season: 1st June to 31st March

Ideal length of stay: It is worth spending at least three nights at Suyan Camp, so that you are able to try all of the activities on offer and explore the area properly. You can also use the camp as a base to explore into the Serengeti, so if you like the idea of spending more time in fewer places perhaps stay here for as long as five nights.

Central facilities: The central area at Suyan Camp is one large mess tent – this is open on three sides and houses the dining area and a small lounging area as well. The dining area is one large communal table, with smart directors' chairs in a beautiful dark wood. Dining here is like a dinner party, the guests generally eat together – especially in the evenings. However breakfast and lunch does have flexible timings so guests can come to the table when they please. Next to the dining table is a very well stocked liqueur cabinet – there will always be a waiter on hand to help you to a drink of your choice. The lounge area is a comfortable spot, with a sofa, a leather armchair and even a small library. They have done a really good job of making an open sided area feel really cosy and welcoming. On the coffee table sit a number of wildlife and bird books, whilst the library has books on culture and history. There are plenty of interesting things to read when you are not out on safari. Makuti mats cover the floors, a carved wooden lamp stands in the corner and natural items from the bush are dotted around. The mess tent has a very natural style, yet the leather chair adds a colonial edge. It is a great mix that works well with its surroundings and helps to create an old-fashioned safari atmosphere. In front of the main tent is the obligatory fire place, where guests can come and sit before and after dinner. It can get cool in the evenings during some months, so the fire is a really lovely spot. The camp also has a fantastic telescope – when we were last there the camp manager was using it to show the guests various constellations. It was really beautiful – it is amazing how clear the night sky is in Africa!

Geographics

Location: Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

Directions: When Suyan Camp is based at Piaya, the nearest airstrip is Ndutu which is 3 hours' drive away. You could also drive to Suyan Camp with a private vehicle and guide – this would take around 4 hours from Ngorongoro Crater. When Suyan is based in northern Loliondo, near Olosokwan, the nearest airstrip is Kleins Airstrip, which is a 45-minute drive from camp. You could also drive between Suyan and Arusha – but you would need an over-night stop in the southern Serengeti to break your journey.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The food at Suyan Camp was really tasty and certainly up there with some of the best we have had in Tanzania. Breakfast is a very relaxed affair and the timings are flexible. You can either have breakfast before your game drive, or head straight out in the early morning and come back for a slightly later breakfast. There is usually a varied spread of fruit, cereals, fresh bread, toast, yogurt and cold ham. Then you can also have a cooked breakfast, with sausages, bacon, toast and eggs of your choice. Lunch is also very flexible - you can chose to take a packed lunch and head out on an all day safari, or return to the camp for lunch between a morning and an afternoon drive. If you return to camp, lunch is often a buffet of cold salads, meats, pasta salads and light curries. There is always a tasty vegetarian option. Dinner is then like a dinner party, with all of the guests sitting together at one large table. There are three set courses, all of which are really tasty. When we were there, we had pâté and melba toast to start, then a succulent beef casserole and vegetables for the main course, whilst desert was a light fruit salad. After dinner, we were all offered coffee and an aperitif.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Room service is available, but there are no phones in the rooms so you would have to arrange it in advance

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Drinks are included, except for champagne and premium imported wines and spirits.

Special interests

Traditional Cultures: Whilst staying at Suyan, you can enjoy a cultural visit to a local Maasai boma. The villages here are relatively remote and so not visited often, hence you'll find the interactions that you experience are generally very uncontrived. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Traditional Cultures

Wildlife: Suyan Camp moves seasonally between two different areas in the Serengeti, to optimize its location for the wildebeest migration. Speak to us about the best times to visit this camp, to catch this fantastic spectacle. Note that night drives are allowed here when they are not allowed in the national park. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Suyan Camp

Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions at Suyan Camp

Equipment: The camp can arrange for a cot with some notice

Generally recommended for children: Suyan Camp is a wild camp that is better suited to older and more mature children; there is often big game in camp.

Central communications

Communications: There is internet and a satellite phone for camp use – which can also be used by guests in emergencies.

TV & radio: This camp is in the middle of the bush – there is no TV here

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: There are staff who are first-aid trained here, and there is a first aid box in camp. Suyan has links to flying-doctors for serious cases.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: There are 5 Maasai 'askaris' (guards) at the camp who will escort you to and from your tent at night (watching out for the wildlife). There is a safe in every room for valuables.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers and fire blankets at Suyan Camp, and staff are trained to use them.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: Laundry is included – it is hand washed and coal ironed.

Money: Suyan Camp cannot offer any form of currency exchange.

Accepted payment: You can settle any bills at the camp using US dollars and Tanzanian Shillings in cash. You can also use traveller's cheques in US dollars – there is no charge for this. Suyan Camp cannot take credit cards.

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