Nimali Serengeti: Our full report
Nimali Central Serengeti is a smart, permanent tented camp in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti ...
... in Tanzania, close to Makoma Hill. With only six tents the camp, which opened in July 2017, has been designed to provide guests with an authentic safari experience and great wildlife viewing all year round.Like its sister property Nimali Tarangire, Nimali Central Serengeti is a stylish tented camp providing good quality accommodation. It is located in a pretty, secluded valley within the central Serengeti, in an area is known for its fantastic wildlife throughout the year. The manager told us that large herds of buffalo and giraffe were regularly seen on the open plains in front of the camp, giving you the chance to watch the wildlife directly from your tent.
We loved that Nimali Serengeti currently only has six tents, meaning there are unlikely to be more than 16 guests at any one time. As a result, it feels small and intimate, with a personalised service. The whole camp is run to a high standard with modern furnishings, a neutral colour scheme and natural materials, and the overall effect is chic and stylish.
The six tents are well-designed and feel light and airy; each has a slightly different theme, with monochrome cushions printed with photographs of African animals. The tents are large enough to be arranged as either a double, twin or triple and come with the amenities you would expect of a quality safari camp. These include a wooden writing desk, a cosy chair, open-fronted wardrobes and a freestanding fan. UK-style three-pin plugs are available for charging your electricals, and two-way radios, mosquito spray and flashlights are also provided. The modern en-suite bathroom comes with twin basins, a good quality rain shower and complimentary toiletries. Outside, a small veranda is set with a couple of wooden chairs overlooking the grassy plains.
We are told Nimali plans to build one family tent, which will consist of a double and a twin room, each with an en-suite bathroom, and a shared lounge in the middle. They plan for the family tent to be in place by July 2018.
The central lounge and dining areas at Nimali comprise two separate tents, fairly close together. The lounge is laid out with sofas and low coffee tables dotted with photo books and decorative lanterns, while tasteful wildlife photographs adorn the walls. Come here in the afternoon to enjoy a drink and slice of cake before your wildlife drive.
In front of the dining tent is an open fireplace where a fire or, as it is affectionately known ‘bush TV’, is lit every evening. Illuminated by lanterns hanging from an acacia tree, it is an atmospheric spot where guests can gather before dinner to share safari stories whilst watching the sunset.
Activities at Nimali Serengeti focus on 4x4 safari drives in the nearby central Seronera area of the park. It is possible, however, to take a packed lunch and go on an all-day drive, allowing you to explore further afield. If you are looking to treat yourself, then you may like to book an early morning hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti, allowing you to enjoy the wildlife from a new perspective.
When we were last at Nimali in February 2018, we were very conscious of the number of tsetse flies in the area around the camp. There are black and blue tsetse fly traps strung between the trees and, over time, we hope this will improve the situation.
Our view
We really liked Nimali Central Serengeti and it is a good to see another high-quality permanent tented camp open in this area of the park. It is a great choice for guests looking for a small and intimate experience in a wildlife-rich area.
Tanzania expert
Geographics
- Location
- Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- Stay three or four nights to explore the central Serengeti area.
- Directions
- Nimali Serengeti is around a 45-minute drive from the Seronera Airstrip or around a four-hour drive from the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We did not have the chance to eat at Nimali Serengeti when we last visited in February 2018. From chatting with the manager, we understand that breakfast is typically a cold buffet served in camp, with a selection of hot dishes cooked to order. If you have planned an early start, then Nimali can provide you with a breakfast to take with you on safari.
Lunch and dinner, if taken in camp, typically consist of a three-course set menu, with fresh salads and internationally inspired cuisine. Bush lunches and dinners can be arranged, where you can dine in the wilderness of the Serengeti. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available on request.
- Drinks included
- All drinks are included with the exception of premium wines, spirits and Champagne.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Older children are welcome at Nimali Serengeti.
- Property’s age restrictions
- The minimum age is six.
- Special activities & services
- There are no special services or activities available for children.
- Equipment
- There is no specialist equipment available at Nimali.
- Generally recommended for children
- Fine for mature, older children.
- Notes
- There are large predators present in the area and the camp is unfenced. Children should be supervised at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back up generator.
- Communications
- Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the camp.
- TV & radio
- There are no TVs at Nimali.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Currently, Nimali’s water comes from a borehole near the Seronera Airstrip which is then transported back to camp. There are plans to drill a borehole closer to camp; no date has been set for this.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Staff are first-aid trained and there is a medical kit on site. For guests requiring further medical attention, the hospital at Arusha is around an hour’s flight away.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Local Maasai, known as askaris, will escort you to and from your tent after dark, and they are on guard throughout the night.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are present in both the tents and central areas.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Included
- Money
- There are electronic safes in all tents.
- Accepted payment on location
- Nimali Serengeti only accepts cash. All major currencies are accepted, these include US dollars, euros, GB pounds and Tanzanian shillings.
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.
Nimali Mara
Nimali Mara is a luxurious safari lodge in a quiet region of the northern Serengeti with good access to the wildebeest migration.
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.
