Ikoma, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
See the famous migration of the wildebeest in ultimate luxury
Mapito Tented Camp is a relatively simple, classic tented camp that is located in the Ikoma region, which is technically just outside the boundaries of the national park. Offering just 10 tents, Mapito Tented Camp is small and intimate. And, because it stands outside the park boundaries, the camp is able to offer walking safaris and night game drives, neither of which are permitted within the boundaries of the park.
Standing in a clearing surrounded by acacia trees, Mapito (which means animal tracks) camp is within easy reach of all the highlights of the annual migration of the wildebeest, particularly the famous Grumeti River. Activities at Mapito Tented Camp include guided game drives and walks, bush meals and ornithology. Visits can also be made to the local communities, with which this eco-friendly safari camp works closely.
The Serengeti National Park
Venue of the world famous migration of the wildebeest
The Serengeti, whose Maasai name ‘Siringet' translates as ‘the endless plains', offers unparalleled ornithological opportunities and an unrivalled natural arena wherein the glory and harmony of nature can be appreciated as nowhere else on earth. The vast and rolling Serengeti is also the venue for ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth' the annual migration of over one million wildebeest and their attendant cast of herbivores and predators.
Luxury tented safari camps in Tanzania
When on safari in Tanzania, the traditional luxury safari camp offers a selection of canvas-sided safari tents, usually with thatched roofs, often raised on a timber platform with private veranda. Usually, the luxury safari tents feature comfortable double or single beds with mosquito netting, electric lighting (generator or solar powered) and luxury en-suite safari bathrooms (flushed WC, hot and cold running water, shower and vanity unit).
The safari camp location
The Serengeti is 200 km west of Arusha, Tanzania: the park's northern boundary abuts with the Kenya border; its western boundary reaches Lake Victoria, Tanzania.
Your Tanzania luxury camp safari
The vast and sensational Serengeti, covering 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah plains, is Tanzania's first-established, largest and most famous park wherein tens of thousands of wildebeest and other hoofed animals roam in a constant and unremitting search for the fresh grasslands upon which their survival depends.
The million-plus wildebeest are the predominant herbivore and also the main prey of a huge cast of large carnivores, principally lion and hyena. Whilst the annual wildebeest migration is the Serengeti's most famous attraction, the Park is also renowned for its lion, many of which have been fitted with radio-transmitter collars so that their movements may be tracked, and additionally for its wealth of cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo and warthog.
Wildlife highlights around Mapito Tented Camp: This Serengeti luxury safari will reveal wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle, lion, spotted hyena, hunting dog, cheetah, black rhino, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, topi, eland, jackal and otter. Birds: over 350 recorded species including 34 raptors.
Accommodation: Luxury safari tented camp
A small camp, Mapito Tented Camp offers just 10 spacious walk-in safari tents thus providing an intimate atmosphere for only 20 people, with excellent service of our friendly staff. Mapito Tented Camp's tents are 10 x 13 x 7 ft. in size, spacious and well-equipped. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with flush WC, wash basins, and hot bucket showers. Each luxury tent has its own spacious private, furnished verandah overlooking the Serengeti plains.
The tents are netted, so that they are insect-proof. Lighting is by kerosene lamps and is reminiscent of ‘old Africa'. On chilly nights a hot water bottle is tucked between the freshly laundered cotton sheets.
Dining and bars: Tanzania luxury safari camp style
Mapito Tented Camp has a central buffet-styled dining area serving a selection of international and local dishes. The camp also features a well-stocked bar and drinks are served around the campfire in the evenings, in typical safari style.
A Child-friendly safari camp
Mapito Tented Camp welcomes children and family tents are available.
What to see and do on your Tanzania luxury camp safari
The annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
The migration of the wildebeest is perhaps one of Tanzania's most famous natural events. Twice a year, propelled by the rains, 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle gather to undertake an 800 km migration trek to new grazing lands. The precise timing of the wildebeest migration varies but generally the Serengeti herbivores congregate and move out at the end of May, sometimes over a period of weeks, sometimes over a period of as little as three or four days. The wildebeest then head west on the first leg of a roughly triangular 800-km circuit that takes approximately 3-4 months and ends in the Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya. When the grazing here is exhausted the tide of wildebeest turns and reverses its progress returning to the short grass plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania.
Where and when to see the migration while at Mapito Tented Camp
The migration runs according to its own rules, but in general a large column of wildebeest passes west to Lake Victoria while another moves north past Lobo. While on the hoof (May to June) the rut commences and the wildebeests mate. The migration herds usually reach the north, and eventually cross into Kenya's Masai Mara NR, during July to October. In November the herds begin to reform for the return journey and by December the migration is complete and they are usually to be found grazing the southern grasslands; wildebeest calving starts in February.
Tanzania luxury camp safari experiences in the Serengeti
Typical Tanzania safari experiences at Mapito Tented Camp include: safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Tanzania safari guides), safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the camp safari campfire and guided safari walks through the bush. Mapito Tented Camp also offers ornithological tours, cultural performances and visits to the local Maasai people of Tanzania.
In the Serengeti, a particular highlight is a hot air balloon ride, which typically ascends from its launch site at dawn and travels for around an hour across the plains before descending in a controlled landing to a cooked safari breakfast in the bush.
Mapito Tented Camp - Serengeti • Tanzania Luxury Safari Tented Camps
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