Nimali Mara: Our full report
Opened in 2019, Nimali Mara is one of only a few permanent luxury lodges in the Serengeti.
It is located in a quieter district of the park, a little further from the Mara River than several other camps, meaning you are likely to see fewer vehicles around the lodge. The wildebeest migration typically passes through the area roughly between July and October. Then from November to June you can discover the fantastic resident wildlife of the northern Serengeti without the crowds.Nimali Mara is nestled amidst the rocky outcrops of the northern Serengeti, roughly a 45-minute drive from the Mara River. The lodge oozes style and sophistication and feels very luxurious. The designer has opted for quite a modern, almost industrial aesthetic, with charcoal greys, moss greens, exposed metal beams and copper furnishings and fittings. In the wrong hands this could feel quite cold and angular, however the look is softened with plenty of cushions and throws, billowing fabrics and natural materials such as reed matting and lightshades fashioned from porcupine quills. There is a high level of attention to detail and we found Nimali Mara a refreshing contrast to many of the more traditional safari lodges.
The eight very large tented rooms are set below the main area, and these are well spaced so that each feels private. They are a part canvas, part stone wall construction. A dark wood-panelled partition splits the room, with shelves and storage behind and a double king-sized bed, or twin beds, at the front. A comfy leather sofa sits to one side and a writing desk to the other, and monochrome wildlife photography adorns the walls. There is also a small minibar-fridge. Sliding glass doors open onto a verandah with a seating area and a suspended daybed – perfect for whiling away a lazy afternoon.
The en-suite bathroom is equally impressive, with a free-standing copper bathtub, open-plan shower and twin copper wash basins. Bathrobes, plenty of fluffy white towels and complimentary toiletries are also provided.
In addition to the eight standard tented rooms there are two family rooms. These are similar in style to the standard rooms, but are formed from two interconnected bedrooms joined by a central lounge area. They also have a private plunge pool and are often used as honeymoon suites when not booked by families.
The lounge and dining areas are built into the rocks, each raised up to give panoramic views over the Serengeti plains. They feel very light and breezy, with a rock wall to the back, floor to ceiling glass panels to the side and an open balcony at the front. The area is furnished with sofas and leather chairs, low coffee tables and a bar, while the dining area is set with individual tables. We really liked the little touches such as slate tableware and rose gold cutlery which brought the look together.
On top of one of the huge boulders in camp there’s a small swimming pool surrounded by beanbags and loungers, with a little waterfall at one end.
Activities focus on game drives in the northern Serengeti in one of Nimali Mara’s open-sided vehicles. When the wildebeest migration is in full force you’re likely to head towards the Mara River in search of river crossings. Many guests will choose to spend the best part of the day watching and waiting in the hope of witnessing this spectacle. However, safaris at Nimali Mara are about more than the migration. The resident wildlife in the northern Serengeti is excellent and big cats – not to mention the full panoply of browsers, grazers and other predators – can be seen here throughout the year.
Back at the lodge, at extra cost, you can indulge in a spa treatment in the comfort of your room, or enjoy a lavish sundowner experience on the boulders above the lodge complete with your own firepit (also extra cost). This is a wonderful way to end the day: the views are beautiful and the sweet and savory canapés and other treats are some of the best we’ve eaten in Tanzania.
Our view
We stayed at Nimali Mara shortly after it opened and were very impressed. We loved the modern aesthetic, stylish rooms, excellent food and great guiding. While it’s a little further to drive to the Mara River compared with one or two other camps, the area around camp is usually blissfully quiet, which is unusual for a lodge in the migration zone. If you are looking for a high-quality lodge in the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration, then this could be a very good choice.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- Spend at least three or four nights here to discover the wildlife of the northern Serengeti.
- Directions
- Nimali Mara is around a 45-minute drive from Kogatende Airstrip, although this could be longer depending on how much wildlife you stop to watch en route.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The food at Nimali Mara was one of the highlights of our two day stay. Dishes here are inventive, beautifully presented and incredibly tasty – we’d return for the food alone.
Breakfast started with a buffet of tropical fruits, cheese board, bread rolls fresh from the oven and little muffins. A hot breakfast followed with eggs cooked to order. One morning we were also served a platter of divine mandaazi – sweet Tanzanian doughnuts topped with pistachios and candied fruit.
Lunch can be eaten at the lodge or taken with you on an all-day drive. When eating at Nimali we had a starter of roast butternut squash salad with rocket, cranberries, pine nuts, feta cheese and a balsamic drizzle. We then opted for a vegetarian main of courgette with a cous cous and vegetable stuffing, accompanied by honey-glazed carrots. Dessert was a rich pavlova topped with whipped cream, fruit compote and candied fruits.
For dinner the starter was a carrot and ginger soup with cheesy croutons. Roast chicken followed, served with creamy mashed potato, green vegetables and gravy. For dessert we tucked into a chocolate brownie with homemade vanilla ice cream. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- There are phones in the rooms and room service is available on request.
- Drinks included
- Most drinks are included at Nimali Mara, with the exception of premium wines, spirits and Champagne.
Special interests
- Luxury
- Nimali Mara is easily one of the most luxurious lodges in the northern Serengeti. With panoramic views, stylish rooms, a beautiful swimming pool and excellent food, Nimali would make for an indulgent safari.
- See ideas for Luxury
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Nimali Mara accepts children of all ages.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions.
- Special activities & services
- There are no specific child activities, although the guides can take children on short walks around camp to discover animal tracks and signs.
- Equipment
- Cots and highchairs can be arranged if requested in advance.
- Generally recommended for children
- Nimali Mara is a sophisticated camp and generally has more of an adult atmosphere, however we feel that the family tents can work well for families with older children who are looking for a bit of luxury.
- Notes
- Nimali is unfenced and wildlife regularly wonders through the camp. Children require supervision at all times, particularly around the swimming pool.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nimali Mara
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nimali Mara 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.
100% success
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0% success
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a backup generator. Hairdryers can be used on request.
- Communications
- There is good Wi-Fi available throughout the lodge, both in the rooms and communal areas.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV at Nimali Mara.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Nimali Mara uses a reverse osmosis filtration system.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Staff are first-aid-qualified and the lodge has links with a flying doctors service.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There is discreet 24-hour security and guests are escorted to and from their rooms after dark.
- Fire safety
- There is a fire break around the lodge and fire extinguishers in the rooms and communal areas.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- All laundry is included with the exception of ladies underwear; washing powder is provided in the rooms.
- Money
- When we visited in 2019 Nimali Mara was only able to accept cash, however they have plans to bring in a card machine in the future.
- Accepted payment on location
- All major currencies are accepted, including US dollars, GB pounds and euros.
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, very simple bushcamp, 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.
Serian Serengeti
Serian Serengeti is a mobile tented operation run by Alex Walker which moves between two locations following the wildebeest migration.
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.
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.
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 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.
Lemala Nanyukie
Lemala Nanyukie is a comfortable and stylish tented camp that opened in 2018 in the central Serengeti.
Lemala Ewanjan
Lemala Ewanjan is a comfortable and stylish tented camp in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti National Park.
Kubu Kubu
Kubu Kubu is a contemporary, tented lodge, well located in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti National Park.
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.
Kusini Camp
Kusini Camp is permanent, luxury camp located on a beautiful kopje in a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of the south-west Serengeti.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mkombe's House Lamai
Mkombe's House Lamai is a fully staffed private house in the Wogakuria Kopjes district of Serengeti National Park.
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.
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.
Kirurumu Migration Camp
Kirurumu is a rustic tented camp which moves around the Serengeti twice a year to follow the wildebeest migration.
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.
Olmara Camp
With just eight guest tents, including two family tents and three signature stargazer tents, Olmara is a simple, family-friendly camp with a wonderfully attentive team. The camp captures an authentic bush experience, welcoming travellers of every kind.
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.
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.
Bushtops
Serengeti Bushtops is a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti, with spacious and private tents with their own hot tubs.
Mara Mara
Mara Mara is a smart tented camp in the northern Serengeti, situated on a small hill close to the Mara River.
Esirai Migration Camp
A season migration camp, with only 8 tents and 1 family tent and plenty of character. Esirai is ideally placed for excellent wildlife and enjoys a simplistic and comfortable under-canvas experience.
Mwiba Lodge
Mwiba Lodge is a luxurious property located on a private concession on the edge of the southern Serengeti.
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.
Lake Masek Tented Camp
Ideally located for the wildebeest migration from Dec–Apr, Lake Masek Tented Camp is a good, mid-market safari camp.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nimali Serengeti
Opened in July 2017, Nimali Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp located in the Seronera area of the central Serengeti.
