Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Scenically located in a glade, known as ‘the place of the klipspringer (mbuzi mawe) , and guarded by three million year-old granite towers, this luxury tented-camp is unique. Cleverly located on one of the main annual migration corridors for over one million wildebeest, half a million zebras and gazelles, and their accompanying cast of predators it is also located at the very epicentre of one of the world's most famous national parks
Facilities
• Just 16 widely spaced luxury ensuite tents
• Each tent has its own ensuite bathroom with flushed WCs and showers
• Central mess tent and bar
• Scenic safari bar with stone terrace
• Central fire-pit for evening sundowners
• Game drives daily
• Wedding planning and honeymoon venue
• Gift shop, business centre, WiFi
• Cultural dance and music
Highlights
Ideally located on the famous Western Corridor
All the members of ‘The Big Five'
Action-packed game drives and safari programme
A ringside seat at the annual migration of the wildebeest
Unique birdlife
Getting there
The camp is located in Western Serengeti, 335 kms from Arusha.
By road: transfers by road from Arusha take approximately 8-10 hours.
By air: the camp is adjacent to both the Seronera and Lobo airstrips and a ‘meet and greet' and transfer service is offered.
The Background
The vast and rolling Serengeti National Park is one of the world's most magnificent natural arenas. Here the harmony of nature can be appreciated as nowhere else on earth. Known to the local people as ‘Siringet' , which means ‘the place of the endless plains', it 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. 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 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.
Finally, 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 Migration
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 trek to new grazing lands.
The precise timing of the migration varies but generally the 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. They 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 herbivores turns and reverses its progress returning to the short grass plains of Tanzania.
Luxury tents
The sixteen large custom-made canvas tents are widely spaced throughout the rocky glades of the camp. Reached by winding stone paths, each tent stands on a stone platform and has its own thatched roof. Opening off the spacious bedroom, is a tented bathroom, which features twin basins, shower and flushed WC. The main bedroom area features two queen-sized four-poster beds, each with all encompassing mosquito nets. There is also a seating area with stylish lamps and easy chairs. On the spacious private terrace are both safari chairs and sun loungers.
Tent facilities include:
• Two queen-sized beds
• Electric lighting and 24-hour hot water
• WiFi
• Laundry, valet and shoeshine services
• Mineral water and toiletries
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Snacks and drinks room service
• Safe and hairdryers (from reception)
• 24-hour medical service
• Children's meals, beds, babysitting
Dining at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp
The central tented lounge features a stylish bar and a selection of wildwood seating. The dining room is presented in classic tented style with a panoramic terrace looking out over the plains. The camp also offers a circular barbeque and campfire area.
Bush dining
We are expert in arranging breakfasts, lunches, dinners and cocktails in the bush. We have a number of dedicated sites, which are typically presented with tables, safari chairs, ‘bush bar' and a ‘bush kitchen', where a broad range of meats, poultry, fish and vegetables are cooked on-site (supplemented by fresh soups, salads and puddings from our hotel kitchens). In the evenings, ‘sun-downer' cocktails are traditionally served around a campfire and can be followed by a lamp-lit ‘bush dinner'.
Weddings and honeymoons
Like your wedding and honeymoon, the memories of your Serengeti experience will remain with you forever. As a wedding venue, the Serengeti is unique. Set against the backdrop of the ‘endless plains' after which the Serengeti is named, it provides the ideal opportunity for a classic Out of Africa wedding. The wedding reception, meanwhile can take the form of a stylish BBQ event, or a romantic safari dinner for two out on the plains. We have extensive experience in planning and staging a wide variety of weddings and receptions, we can also take care of all the necessary formalities; from provision of registrar and certificates to working with you to determine the type of cake, reception and entertainment you would like.
We also offer some unique family and friends accommodation packages, ‘his and hers' pre-wedding preparation options, and a choice of honeymoon options.
Choices include:
• A traditional Maasai wedding with local chief, dancers and choir
• Bush wedding ceremony
• Individually tailored ‘bush brunch' or ‘savannah barbecue'
• Individually themed champagne reception - at the camp or in the bush
• Tailor-made wedding cake
• BBQ reception
• Private candle-lit honeymoon dinner for two
• Luxurious honeymoon tent supplied with wine and tropical fruit
• Cultural dance performance for you and your guests
• Photography and videoing of your special day
• Special accommodation packages for the entire wedding party.
Child-friendly
All Serena lodges are child-friendly and offer: family rooms, additional beds, cots, children's mealtimes and menus, babysitting services, educational materials, wildlife presentations, guided nature walks.
What to see and do
The choice of things to do and see while at magical Mbuzi Mawe includes:
• Spectacular game drives around the stunning Serengeti ecosystem
• Gentle nature trails around the camp in the company of our resident naturalist
• Balloon safaris over the plains followed by a champagne breakfast at the bush-landing site
• A full safari breakfast, cooked in the bush
• A Bush Lunch
• Bush dinners on the plains
• Atmospheric ‘Sundowners'
• Traditional displays of dance, music and cultural performance.
• Nightly wildlife and cultural talks, videos and film shows.
• Maisha health, beauty and wellness facilities