Best Eco Lodges In The Serengeti | 2023 Guide

The Serengeti is the quintessential safari destination of East Africa. The park is best known for unrivalled sightings of the “big five” and is home to a massive wildebeest migration taking place each year. It’s one of Africa’s most popular destinations, and it’s not hard to see why.

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If you’re planning to spend some time in the national park, your accommodation will be one of many safari lodges in Serengeti National Park.

There are lots of options to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly glamping lodges to full-blown luxury at its finest.

Lions near Lake Manyara in the Serengeti
Lions near Lake Manyara in the Serengeti
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Best Of All, Most Of The Lodges In The Area Have A Deep-Rooted Commitment To The Protection And Sustainability Of The Place They Call Home.

What more could you want in a hotel? When looking for lodges for your Serengeti safari, look no further than these stunning options.

Zebras spotted!
Zebras spotted!

Best Lodges In The Serengeti – Central Region

Four Seasons Lodge

The Four Seasons hotels are known internationally as the epitome of luxury, and the Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge is no exception. Like most in the Serengeti, the Four Seasons safari lodge is isolated, surrounded by wide-open savannah.

The rooms are all decorated with traditional African elements infused with modern style. The biggest highlight of the property is a massive infinity pool that overlooks a waterhole frequented by elephants.

Four Seasons Serengeti offers a number of ways to relax after a long day on a safari, including a chance to soak up the sun by the pool, enjoy a massage at their world-class spa or end the day with a meal at one of their three on-site restaurants.

The hotel offers unique dining experiences, such as a torchlit barbecue dinner in the middle of Serengeti National Park, a sunset dinner on top of a hill with panoramic views over the plains, and a private dinner on an island in the middle of the infinity pool.

Sustainability and community are of the utmost importance at the Four Seasons Serengeti. The hotel hosts nature walks and safaris led by conservation experts and traditional Maasai guides, and they even have an onsite science discovery centre. They work closely with multiple wildlife conservation funds in the area as well as with a local orphanage for girls.

Located right in the centre of the national park, this is your choice if you want to spare no expense and truly have the Serengeti experience of a lifetime. Depending on the season, rates begin at $1,150 per night for the most basic room and include beverages and three meals a day. The luxurious Terrace Suite features a private plunge pool and balcony, and rates start at $1,800. Rates typically cover two people and increase per person beyond that. Packages that include game drives and other activities can be booked at an additional price.

Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Four Season Serengeti
Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Four Season Serengeti
Giraffes spotted!
Giraffes spotted!

Lemala Camps & Lodges

Lemala Kuria Hills

Located close to the Kenyan border in the north of the Serengeti, the Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge takes “glamping” to a whole new level. Comprising 15 glass-sided luxurious safari tents, each suite has its own balcony and small plunge pool. The property also features a larger shared pool, a welcoming fire pit, and sun-drenched “kopjes,” an African term for small, rocky hills. A separate tent offers an extensive menu of massage and spa treatments.

The lodge has a unique location, as it is located directly within the main wildebeest migration route. Incredible animal sightings here are all but guaranteed.

The Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge does its part to reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing electricity for the entire facility from solar power. They also have a backup generator to store power for when it’s needed most.

The rooms contain everything from twin to super-king beds. This lodge is great for couples and is the perfect choice if you’re looking to splurge on serious luxury. Rates average around $1,700, including a full breakfast. Safari packages are an additional cost.

Enjoying the safari tour in the Serengeti
Enjoying the safari tour in the Serengeti
The great wildebeest migration.
The great wildebeest migration.

Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp and Lemala Ndutu & Mara Tented Camps

There are two other notable camps in the Serengeti that are owned by Lemala. The Ewanjan Tented Camp is a permanent lodge in the central region that features 12 beautiful suites. It is particularly secluded due to its location at the end of a blind valley.

The Ndutu & Mara Camps are actually the same camp in two different locations. The Ndutu Camp is set up in the southern Serengeti between December and March, and the Mara Camp is in the northern Serengeti between July and October.

best eco lodges in serengeti
Lemala Ewanjan Camp
Lemala Ewanjan camp sign
Lemala Ewanjan camp sign

Mawe Tented Camp

Located at the heart of the Serengeti, Mawe Tented Camp is a semi-permanent boutique safari camp that features 12 luxury tent accommodations with excellent views of the savannah. All luxury tents have private bathrooms, and wifi is available in the shared lounge. The camp has a bar and a restaurant that caters to all dietary requirements and preferences.

Mawe Tented Camp also organizes activities such as game drives, walking safaris, and balloon flights. The camp runs entirely on renewable electricity, has eliminated single-use plastics, and invests a portion of its revenue towards community projects and sustainability projects. 

READ NEXT: How to Plan a Responsible Safari in the Serengeti

Best Lodges In The Serengeti – Southern Region:

Serena Lodge

At the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge in the Central Serengeti, you can expect a truly unique hotel experience. Nestled into a tree-lined ridge, the unique local architecture features individual stone huts with thatched roofs called “rondavels.” Each one is individual, meaning you have no neighbours aside from a few roaming wildebeests that may pass by in the grasslands. In fact, this might be the best place to be if watching the wildebeest migration is on your bucket list.

At this stunning hotel, there’s no shortage of activities. Challenge yourself with a Swahili lesson or simply relax by the infinity pool, taking in the views. You can even eat all three meals on the Serengeti plains if you so desire, or opt for a meal in their two-story wood-carved dining room.

The Serena Lodge Serengeti has a deep dedication to sustainable tourism practices. At the core of their values lie environmentalism, community, and ethical business practices. They work with organizations such as Soap for Hope, the Serengeti National Parks Authority, sea turtle rehabilitation projects, and the local Cultural Tourism Programme, to name a few. In addition, they source all of their supplies locally and sustainably. They openly communicate their progress by sharing detailed sustainability reports on their website.

You can book either a standard room or a luxury suite at the Serena Lodge Serengeti. Rates begin at $269 per night, including breakfast, but safaris must be booked separately.

Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Serena Serengeti
Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Serena Serengeti

Best Lodges In The Serengeti – Various Locations:

Asilia Camps & Lodges

Asilia has five Serengeti lodges and even more across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda as well. Their accommodations fall into one of three categories – comfort, classic, or reserve. Comfort camps are the most casual and basic option, and the classic safari camps pay homage to the origins of the safari experience with African heritage-inspired design. The reserve camps are the most luxurious choices, with a stronger focus on modern design and world-class amenities. The most affordable comfort option in the Serengeti starts at $871 per night in the green season and includes full board and game drives.

Within the borders of the Serengeti, you can find four classic options and one exquisite hotel in the reserve category. This camp, the Sayari camp, was even featured by National Geographic as one of the “Unique Lodges of the World.”

If you’re going for one of the four classic options, you really can’t make a poor choice. The Dunia Camp has made history as the first women-run camp in the Serengeti, Namiri Camp is situated right in the endless plains at the heart of big cat territory, and the Kimondo and Olakira Migration Camps are the ultimate choices if wildebeest viewing is at the top of your list. Olakira in particular, is a good location from which to witness the migration into north Serengeti and the Western Corridor. 

Located in a private reserve in the southern Serengeti, Mwiba Lodge offers proximity to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is in a prime location to watch the incredible wildebeest migration. This is a good choice of location if you want to visit the amazing Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera that is home to the densest population of lions in the world. 

The Asilia has a clear commitment to sustainability woven throughout its brand. They participate in multiple charity initiatives in the area, such as local gardening programs, the funding of schools and scholarships, and the Serengeti Cheetah Project.

In addition, the Sayari camp is a certified property by the Responsible Tourism Board of Tanzania and is eco-certified at the bronze level by Sustainable Travel International.

Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Asilia Sayari Camp
Best Lodges in Serengeti
Photo by Asilia Sayari Camp

Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp

The Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp is the best choice if you’re looking for modern elegance in a camp. Despite opening in December 2017, this 5-star camp has made quite a name for itself.

The camp consists of ten glamorous tents constructed from wood with contemporary touches. Each has a private balcony and bucket showers that come with a personal attendant. There’s also a beautiful common space that serves as a bar and lounge as well.

Conservation and philanthropy are integral parts of the Sanctuary brand, and they participate in countless programs to give back across Africa and beyond. These include everything from clean water programs to wildlife projects to the building of hospitals and schools.

This camp is a mobile one, making it one of the most unique lodges in the Serengeti. It changes locations around the Serengeti several times a year. You can find it in the Southern region from January to March and from November to December, and in the Northern region from June to November. Rates start at $1080 per night and include all meals and two game drives per day.

Best Lodges in Serengeti
Photo by Sanctuary Retreats
Best Lodges in Serengeti
Photo by Sanctuary Retreats

Nomad Tanzania

If you’re on a budget but still want a taste of the safari lodge experience, Nomad Tanzania is the perfect option for you. Featuring four lodges in the Serengeti (and nine more across the rest of Tanzania), this is a perfect option if you want to be immersed in the park without the hefty price tag.

At the Nomad Tanzania lodges, you can do multiple organized game drives a day or hire private vehicles and explore independently with a local guide. These extra activities are charged separately, and room rates can be found for as low as $750 per night.

Nomad Tanzania has clearly noted cornerstone values of conservation, education, and health. Their giving-back organization called Nomad Trust supports such values through 100% donations from all gift shop items and massages at the spa, as well as many initiatives in volunteering and raising awareness. They’ve partnered on projects such as Serengeti de-snaring and have worked on multiple schools and clinics.

Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Nomad Tanzania
Best Lodges in the Serengeti
Photo by Nomad Tanzania
Bird species spotted in Lake Manyara
Bird species spotted in Lake Manyara

In truth, you can’t really go wrong when selecting one of these lodges in the Serengeti. All of them are world-class establishments with smiling staff, incredible amenities, and activities that will create memories to last a lifetime.

 

What Do You Look For In A Safari Lodge? What Are Your Favourites In The Serengeti? Let Us Know Below!

1 thought on “Best Eco Lodges In The Serengeti | 2023 Guide”

  1. Wow! A safari in the serengeti is so high on my bucket list. I’ve done some safari drives in South Africa and Swaziland but getting to central Africa is definitely a travel goal. These lodges are all so beautiful – glamping to the extreme! Hope to make it there one day – I gotta start saving my pennies!

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