Reviews of Serian Serengeti
Wildlife sightings and reviews
9 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Serian Serengeti and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"A twice-in-a-lifetime experience!"
It wasn't planned but we were surprised and privileged to see two major migration crossings of the Mara river (pretty late for a normal year). Guide Baraka timed it perfectly for us to be in the right place to witness this spectacle. We weren't prepared for what a thrilling experience this would be and it was enhanced considerably by there only being a handful of other jeeps when there would ordinarily be dozens. There was a good amount of water in the Mara and vultures were on hand to deal with the (remarkably few) wildebeest casualties. The numbers of these animals on the plains was astonishing. The only drawback was the numbers of flies they attract!
One evening we drove up to the Kenya border and on our last full day headed east for the Kuria hills, all the while enjoying the massive scenery and animals to ourselves. We saw all three big cats, lots of new babies of various species and an unusual albino hyena.
Transfers to Serian are always via the Lamai airstrip, even though Kogatende is closer, because of the unpredictable levels of the Mara. On our last evening there was torrential rain and you could see the immediate impact on the river. The journey to Lamai takes more than an hour.
At camp the tents are a good size but a bit gloomy and starting to feel a bit tired. Because it is a mobile camp there is no running water (only to flush the loo) but there are bucket showers and hot water is brought with your morning wake-up drink for a quick wash. The food here is five-star, the best we had on the trip, including brilliant bush breakfasts." See all these reviews: 16n in Tanzania
"Classic Safari experience"
Because it as the very end of the season, we were the only ones there, which was a little awkward but the camp managers handled it gracefully. The only negative is that it was extremely hot during the day and the tents had no fan. Consequently, it was uncomfortable and hard to relax between the morning and afternoon game drives. Hopefully, that will be rectified." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya; 5n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
"Amazing safari to catch the migration"
The facilities at the camp themselves were also very nice. While very comfortable, they weren't "opulent" but rather very functional. I was a bit unsure about the bucket shower at first, but it was a great reminder of how much water we probably waste at home every day! It was nice to be woken up to a cup of coffee delivered to the room each morning, and fascinating to hear the wildebeest right outside of our tent each night.
The staff at the camp were very friendly and attentive, and the meals were all good. We especially enjoyed speaking with Ainslie about her experiences - she is very warm and straightforward but a great ambassador for Serian. Our guide and spotter were also very helpful, with a focus on the first two days of trying to see as much as we could, and the last two a bit more on what we'd like to see more of. Having a vehicle to yourself is a real luxury that not every camp provides." See all these reviews: 5n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
6 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Alex Walker's Serian Serengeti review"
Very friendly/efficiently run with plenty of activities- morning balloon safari over the Mara river highly recommended. Lovely food in a communal dining setting.
Private vehicle with guide and tracker a definite plus point - if you don’t feel like waiting hours for the wildebeest to cross the river you can just go and see something else.
Bush breakfast during the morning game drives a highlight." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 4n in Kenya
"Alex Walker's Serian Serengeti review"
The game walk we did was the highlight of our entire Africa trip." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Cheetah
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Striped Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Alex Walker's Serian Serengeti review"
The standard of accommodation was extremely high particularly considering they are located in the middle of nowhere and are a mobile camp.
Flycamping was a highlight! They do a tremendous job of making you feel removed from your everyday life and connected to the wilderness." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 4n in Rwanda
"Migration at AW Serian Serengeti"
Great staff and great service at this tented camp which fulfills all your needs." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 5n in Kenya; 4n in Zanzibar
"Alex Walker's Camp Is Simply The Very Best"
His guides are first rate. There are no limitations on each guest's use of his/her car and guides. If you wish to be away from the camp for twelve hours and drive 200 miles every day, you can do so. All of the guests who stayed at the camp were, without exception, interesting, adventurous, and well traveled individuals who chose Alex Walker's camp for the same reason I did - a place where you find the best guides and are, very importantly, away from all of the camp, lodges, and tourists near Ndutu.
Alex Walker is personally responsible for making every visitor's stay special. He matches each guest/guests with the guides which he believes will be most suitable. His senior managers and staff are highly experienced experts on wildlife and masters of hospitality. It would very difficult to have an equal experience anywhere else in the Serengeti and, impossible, to have a better experience. When you leave Alex Walker's Serian Serengeti South Camp after four nights, you are leaving new and special friends who you very much hope to see again.
While I do not profess to be an expert on Africa, I have been traveling to the African continent on a regular basis since 1974. I have visited most countries on the continent, often more than once, as Africa is a magnet that keeps drawing me back. Alex Walker and his extraordinary management team and staff made my January, 2016 visit to the Great Migration the best I have ever experienced. I will return." See all these reviews: 4n in Tanzania
"Great guiding, not-so-great camp"
On the other hand the camp itself was very disappointing, which mainly seemed to be due to poor management. The staff was good and they worked very hard, but the tents were a bit shabby with very poor attention to detail. The main mess area was cramped and stuffy, and the camp as a whole was not a very comfortable place to hang out. The camp is located in an open area with no water or trees nearby, so it just bakes in the sun all day. The paths from the tents to the main mess area are long, dusty, and unshaded.
Strangely, we did not hear or see any wildlife from our tent or the camp over the four days we spent there. Probably just a result of timing and luck, but we missed hearing the nighttime sounds that we've experienced on other safaris." See all these reviews: 13n in Tanzania
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Other lodges in Serengeti Migration Area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Olakira Camp
Comfortable, friendly and relaxed, Olakira Camp moves between the Mara River and the southern Ndutu area, in line with the wildebeest migration.
Sayari Camp
In the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, luxurious Sayari Camp offers excellent wildife all year – boosted further by the wildebeest migration.
Nomad Serengeti Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp is a well-appointed tented camp that moves several times a year to follow the predicted path of the migration.
Dunia Camp
Dunia Camp is well located for the migration from December to March, and has excellent game viewing for the rest of the year.
Namiri Plains Camp
Namiri Plains is one of the best camps in the Serengeti and its remoteness ensures a fantastic wildlife experience away from the crowds.
Lamai Serengeti
Set high in the kopjes with fantastic views, Lamai Serengeti offers top service and guiding and good migration sightings from Jul-Oct.
Ubuntu Camp
Ubuntu Camp has several locations in the Serengeti, following the wildebeest migration, so it is often in a great location to see the herds.
Kati Kati Camp
Kati Kati is a small, simple camp, which is well-positioned to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera area.
Ndutu Safari Lodge
Large and economical, but not luxurious, Ndutu Safari Lodge is well located in the southern Serengeti, so book early to get space.
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp is based in the remote Lamai Wedge in the northern Serengeti from Jul–Oct, and on the southern Kusini plains from Nov–Mar.
Klein's Camp
Klein's Camp, in a private area of the northern Serengeti, sets high standards. Activities include walks, nights drives and Maasai village visits.
Serengeti under Canvas
Two of the three Serengeti under Canvas camps move through the Serengeti National Park every few months to follow the wildebeest migration.
Grumeti River Camp
Grumeti River Camp offers a laid-back atmosphere combined with top service, first-rate food, expert guiding and an excellent location.
Lemala Nanyukie
Lemala Nanyukie is a comfortable and stylish tented camp that opened in 2018 in the central Serengeti.
Lobo Wildlife Lodge
The large Lobo Wildlife Lodge has simple, functional rooms in a stunning location. It's a good base for exploring the north-eastern Serengeti.
Lemala Kuria Hills
Lemala Kuria Hills is a luxury permanent camp that is ideally located for wildlife all year around, but especially during the wildebeest migration.
Lemala Mara-Ndutu
Lemala Mara-Ndutu is a semi-permanent camp that moves between the north and south of the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration.
Kusini Camp
Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.
Lemala Ewanjan
Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti Serena
The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is a large, hotel-style lodge and a good family-friendly base from which to explore the central Serengeti.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
Mbalageti Lodge
Mbalageti is a well-run lodge in a quiet part of the Serengeti's western corridor – an ideal location during the Apr-Jun migration.
Serengeti Walking Mobile
This fairly simple camp offers only walking activities, but it's very well done and combines well with more conventional camps or lodges.
Migration Camp
Serengeti Migration Camp is a smart tented camp, good for the wildebeest migration from Jul–Aug, or to explore the Lobo Kopjes any time.
Faru Faru Lodge
On the north bank of the Grumeti River, Faru Faru is a small, chic hideaway in this exclusive corner of the Serengeti.
Singita Mara River
Singita Mara River Tented Camp is a luxurious camp in the isolated and rewarding Lamai wedge region of the northern Serengeti.
Serengeti Green Camp
Serengeti Green Camp is a comfortable camping experience, in your own private safari camp and at the heart of a great wildlife area.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Serengeti Sopa Lodge is an international-style hotel offering good-value accommodation in the central Serengeti, with lovely views of the plains.
Sabora Tented Camp
Sabora Tented Camp is a smart tented camp – one of the most luxurious, professional and stylish properties to be found in Tanzania.
Sasakwa Lodge
On a hill looking over the Serengeti plains, Sasakwa Lodge is grand, luxurious safari camp, one of the most opulent properties in Tanzania.
Four Seasons Serengeti
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is the only hotel in the Serengeti offering international facilities such as a gym, spa and children’s club.
Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Seronera Wildlife Lodge is large hotel-style safari lodge in the heart of the Serengeti, offering good value and a great location.
Mkombe's House Lamai
Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
Kirurumu Migration Camp
Kirurumu is a rustic tented camp which moves around the Serengeti twice a year to follow the wildebeest migration.
Ndutu Kati Kati
Ndutu Kati Kati is a seasonal tented camp, based in the southern Serenget from Dec-Mar, ideal for the migration as it passes through.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
Olduvai Camp
Olduvai Camp lies between Ngorongoro and the southern Serengeti plains. It's a good base for the southern plains during the rainy season.
Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.
Serengeti Pioneer Camp
Serengeti Pioneer Camp is a luxurious tented camp in the central Serengeti, styled on African explorers' camps of the early 20th century.
Taasa Lodge
Taasa Lodge is a slightly quirky option offering guided walks and night game drives, which are not permitted in Serengeti National Park.
Mara Mara
Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
Mara Kati Kati
Mara Kati Kati is a simple bush camp in the northern Serengeti, based from Jul-Oct near the Mara River for the wildebeest migration.
Nimali Serengeti
Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
Kirawira Camp
Set high on a hill, in the Serengeti's western corridor, Kirawira is a relatively large tented camp in the Serena group.
Mbuzi Mawe
Mbuze Mawe is a comfortable tented camp in a convenient, central-north location when driving through the Serengeti.
