Serengeti Migration Camp: Our full report

Tucked in amongst an outcrop of kopjies in northern Serengeti, the tented Serengeti Migration Camp has a neat colonial feel, yet is slightly larger than other camps in the area and is also very open and rustic. It has managed to maintain a balance between being natural and in touch with its surroundings, whilst also having a very stylish edge.

A wooden walkway leads to Migration Camp's rustic yet stylish reception and lounge area, which is housed within a large canvas-and-stone structure. One side of this is totally open, giving a lovely breezy feel, while large comfortable leather sofas and hand-crafted bronze statues lend a colonial air. The walls are painted deep orange, the floors are of highly polished wood, and from the front there are views across the Lobo River.

The adjacent shop offers a wide variety of African curios, as well as toiletries and other necessities. Immediately above the shop is a vast sunset deck, complete with fireplace and a number of directors' chairs. Guests tend to gather here with a drink in the evenings to watch the sunset over the Lobo River.

Set along a stone pathway is Serengeti Migration Camp's dining area, which like the lounge is totally open at the front, with views across the river. Guests dine separately here; with a bit of luck, you might be able to get a table outside on the veranda.

Just below the lounge area sits a swimming pool, its shaded deck set with sunloungers. The camp's resident genet can often been seen creeping around the area at night as guests are having a drink!

Serengeti Migration Camp's 20 tented rooms are comfortable, spacious and stylish. Sitting on raised wooden platforms of varying heights, they have part stone and part canvas walls, and canvas roofs. The rooms are all quite close together, and some of the wide verandas are visible from the path between them, so they are not entirely private. Solid doors take away slightly from the sense of wilderness, too, though we were still woken by a hippo grazing outside our tent in the middle of the night!

Inside expect highly polished wooden floors, comfortable beds, and a lounge area with a wide leather armchair and coffee table, and a writing table. Mosquito gauze windows make the rooms feel really bright and cool while fans add an extra boost in hot weather.

Next to the en-suite bathroom is a neat area where you'll find hanging space for clothes, towelled bathrobes and an umbrella – in case of the odd spot of rain.

Canvas curtains conceal the bathroom itself. Here you will find beautifully crafted pottery his-and-hers sinks set into a dark wooden surface beneath twin mirrors. Small dividing walls to each side shield a proper flush toilet, and a powerful hot shower – just what we needed after a long day out on safari. A small number of toiletries are provided.

Activities at Serengeti Migration Camp centre around exploring the park by 4WD. You can do this by arriving with your own private vehicle and guide, and heading out with them on safari activities. Alternatively, Migration Camp has three resident guides and its own vehicles. They usually run morning and an afternoon game drives, but you could also head out with a packed lunch for a full-day safari, giving you the chance to explore deeper into the park.

This northern area of the Serengeti is especially exciting to visit during July and August, or possibly around November, when the great wildebeest migration is likely to be in the area. Outside of the migration season, you'll probably have to drive about 20km to the Lobo Kopjies in order to find reliably good game viewing. As an added bonus, the camp's location quite far north in the Serengeti means that there's usually a delightful lack of other vehicles.

Guests staying three nights or more at Serengeti Migration Camp are also able to do a walking safari at no extra cost. These are on a first-come-first-served basis, so talk to us about requesting this in advance. For guests staying less than three nights, walks are possible at an extra cost of U$55 per person.

Our view

Serengeti Migration Camp has the feel and the price tag of a top-quality property, and is certainly very picturesque. The service is friendly and efficient, and we thought that the food was very good indeed. For those seeking a reasonably comfortable place to stay, this would be a good choice. However, its size means that it hosts a number of large groups, so it has a slightly less personal feel than many would wish.

Geographics

Location: Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

Ideal length of stay: To explore this area fully, it is worth spending three nights at Serengeti Migration Camp.

Directions: Serengeti Migration Camp is 20km from Lobo airstrip, taking a 45-minute drive.

Key personnel

Owner: Elewana

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: When we last visited in October 2011, we thought the food at Migration Camp was great. In 2009 a new chef joined them, and he seems to have improved the quality significantly since our last visit.

Breakfast is an extensive spread, with fresh bread, cereal, yoghurt and fruit. There is also a cooked breakfast option – with a choice of eggs. There is always a range of fresh fruit juices, as well as tea and coffee.

For lunch, you can either take a packed lunch to eat out in the bush or come back to camp. The packed lunch usually consists of sandwiches, fruit and an additional snack such as a piece of cake. Back at camp, there is often a buffet-style lunch with salads, curries, rice, pasta salads and cold meats.

Dinner is a four-course meal, We enjoyed chicken on melon slices and salad to start, followed by spiced butternut and coconut soup, then pork chops, or roast beef for the main course, finished with either cheesecake or a cheese plate. It was well presented, imaginative and tasty.

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

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

Special interests

Wildlife safaris: Serengeti Migration Camp has a fantastic spot in the northern Serengeti. Around July–August you can usually catch the migration here as it heads north; then around November you have a good chance of seeing it heading south. Either way, the huge herds of wildebeest make this a highly exciting time to be here.

See more ideas for Wildlife safaris in Tanzania

Children

Attitude towards children: Serengeti Migration Camp will happily accept children.

Equipment: There are cot and highchairs.

Generally recommended for children: Migration camp has a nice pool, and the rooms are spacious enough to fit in an extra bed, so this is one of the better options for families.

Notes: Parents should be aware that this is a wildlife area and the camp is not fenced. Children should be supervised at all times and should not walk around the camp alone.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: Serengeti Migration Camp has WiFi in the central lounge areas, and a laptop for guests to borrow free of charge.

TV & radio: There is no TV or radio.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The managers at Serengeti Migration Camp are first-aid trained and have a first-aid box for minor injuries. For any serious incidents, the camp has links with the flying doctor service to Nairobi.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: There are askaris (guards) at the camp, who will escort you to and from your room at night.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the main areas, and the staff are all trained to use them.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: Laundry is included – it is machine washed and tumble dried.

Money: Serengeti Migration Camp can exchange small amounts of cash, not exceeding US$100. There are safes in the rooms for storing valuables.