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Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp
Kimondo Camp

Kimondo Camp: Our full report

**Kimondo Camp closed in late 2021, as numbers of travellers were reduced by the Covid pandemic.

We’re still awaiting news of when it will re-open.**

Kimondo Camp in Tanzania moves location to follow the migration. Between July and October, it is situated in the Lamai Wedge, a small pocket of the Serengeti north of the Mara River and south of the border with Kenya – and is one of the more remote camps in the area. From mid-November to mid-March, Kimondo moves to the south-east of the Kusini area. There are only a few other camps around here, so it's a quieter option than the Ndutu area if you want to see the migration during this time.

A rustic yet very comfortable camp, Kimondo is the sister camp to Olakira and Ubuntu. It is similar in style and design, offering a mid-range option that is of a similar standard to Ubuntu but not quite at the level of Olakira. Like its sister camps, Kimondo moves between two different locations and, when we visited in February 2018, it was at the Kusini site in the south. To get there we drove through herds of wildebeest and zebra, which had gathered not far from the camp.

There are eight tents at Kimondo Camp – five to one side of the main area and three to the other side. These were all replaced in 2016 and, on our most recent visit, they were looking in great condition. All the tents are spacious and have their own en-suite bathrooms.

Each tent has either twin or double black wrought-iron beds, covered in cream linen and a brightly coloured throw. On each side of the bed are wooden bedside tables with a flask of drinking water and a lamp. Burgundy curtains are tied back during the day, making the tents light and airy, while Arabic patterned rugs and brass light shades lend a Moroccan feel. There is plenty of hanging space for your clothes, and wellington boots are provided in case of rain. You can watch the wildlife from a veranda outside the tent, furnished with a couple of director’s chairs and colourful pouffes.

A curtain to the side of the bedroom leads through to an en-suite bathroom. This is well-designed, with two brass basins, a flush toilet and two bucket showers – one inside the tent, and a second outside, which allows two people to shower at the same time.

In the centre of the camp, two separate tents house the main lounge area and the dining area. The lounge tent is completely open to the front and sides (with flaps that are lowered in bad weather) offering views over the Serengeti grassland in front of the camp. Inside are a couple of seating areas, with comfortable sofas, chairs and pouffes around low wooden coffee tables, scattered with nature books. Dark red woven oriental rugs and metal lanterns continue the Moroccan theme, and guests can help themselves to tea and coffee from a cabinet to one side. In front of this tent, a firepit surrounded by canvas director’s chairs is a popular spot for guests to gather for an evening drink and to watch the sunrise.

Meals are taken in the nearby dining tent. Breakfast and lunch are usually enjoyed at individual tables, while dinner is communal, allowing guests to chat over the day’s exciting events. In this area, there is a small drinks cabinet from which guests can help themselves or be served by the attentive staff.

When Kimondo Camp is located in the northern Serengeti it it possible to do walking safaris at no extra cost, though these must be pre-booked. Speak to us if you are keen to including a walk during your stay at the camp.


Our view

Since opening in 2013, Kimondo has established itself as an excellent mid-range tented camp, offering a higher level of comfort than its sister camp Ubuntu. When located in the Lamai Wedge in the northern Serengeti, it is a great base to see the migration from July to October. It’s also a good option when it is based in the southern Serengeti, for those who wish to see the migration with fewer people around.

Jessica Plumb

Jessica Plumb

Country manager: Tanzania

Geographics

Location
Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
Three nights is typical although, during the wildebeest migration, four would be fine. Kimondo Camp is often combined into trips with its sister camps Olakira camp, Ubuntu and the more luxurious Sayari Camp. It also combines very well with Dunia camp in the central Serengeti.
Directions
When in the north, Kimondo Camp is a 45-minute drive from Lamai Airstrip. In the south, Kimondo is around a 20-minute drive from Kusini Airstrip, however, many travellers may choose to drive here with their own private vehicle and guide.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
On our most recent visit in February 2018 we did not stay long enough to enjoy a meal, however the manager explained what we could expect:

Breakfast is a choice of a cold selection of fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurts, fresh muffins and freshly baked bread. A cooked breakfast is also available – eggs to order, sausages, bacon and toast – along with a selection of fruit juices and tea and coffee. If you have an early start then it is also possible to take a packed breakfast with you to enjoy whilst on safari.

Lunch is typically a buffet, with a selection of hot dishes served with salads and freshly baked bread. This is finished off with a light dessert. If you intend to stay out all day then you can take a packed lunch from camp.

Afternoon tea or coffee is served in the afternoon, with a fresh homemade cake, before you head out on an afternoon wildlife drive.

Dinner is a slightly more formal three-course meal. After a drink around the fire, guests sit at one large communal table and are served a starter followed by a main course. This is normally a choice of meat, chicken or fish served with fresh seasonal vegetables. House wines are served with dinner. This is usually rounded off with a delicious dessert. A vegetarian option is always available if there are vegetarians staying in camp.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is not available
Drinks included
Most drinks are included at Kimondo Camp, except for Champagne and premium wines and spirits.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children over the age of six are welcome at Kimondo Camp.
Property’s age restrictions
Children must be aged six or older.
Special activities & services
There are no special children’s activities.
Equipment
Kimondo does not have any cots or highchairs
Generally recommended for children
Kimondo Camp would be suitable for mature children from the age 12 years. There are no activities or facilities here to entertain children.
Notes
Parents need to be aware of Kimondo Camp's remote location and the high risk of wild animals, which wander through camp day and night.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kimondo Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kimondo Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Cheetah

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Lion

100% success

Oryx

100% success

Roan antelope

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Striped Hyena

100% success

Wild dog

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Buffalo

50% success

Eland

50% success

Elephant

50% success

Hippo

50% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back up generator and international charging points and USB sockets in the tents.
Communications
There is cellphone signal at Kimondo Camp. WiFi is also available, however the signal can be intermittent, and it is not suitable for large file transfers or streaming. The camp also has a satellite phone.
TV & radio
There is no TV or radio here.
Water supply notes
The tents have flush toilets and bucket showers, which are filled with hot water on request.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Kimondo Camp has links to the Flying Doctors service. The staff are first-aid trained and they have a first-aid box on site. The nearest hospital is in Arusha, which is two hours away by light aircraft.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
There are askaris (armed guards) on duty day and night. They will escort you to and from your tent after dark.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in the main areas as well as in each tent

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included at Kimondo Camp. It is hand-washed by local staff so, for cultural reasons, underwear is not accepted. Soap is provided in the bathrooms for this.
Money
There are electronic safes in each tent. There is no currency exchange.
Accepted payment on location
Kimondo Camp accept US dollars, GB pounds, euros and Tanzanian shillings. Currently credit or debit cards are not accepted (but there is little opportunity to spend money at Kimondo).

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