Our favorite contemporary luxury tented safari camps in East Africa
While it might be famed for its wildlife experiences, East Africa also knows how to do luxury, with some of the most lavish safari camps on the continent. They offer an indulgent retreat after game driving through the Serengeti National Park, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Ngorongoro Crater, as well as the private Grumeti Reserve. In this article, we’ll introduce 11 of our favorites for an East Africa safari you’ll never forget.
Styled on a 1920s safari camp, Singita Sabora is a luxurious offering along the route of the Great Wilderness Migration. It features nine opulently decorated tents that offer spacious bedrooms, bathtubs and outdoor showers, as well as viewing decks with Swarovski spotting scopes. When you’re not out game driving on the private Grumeti Reserve, you can relax in the library lounge, enjoy a hit on the tennis court or indulge in a treatment at the on-site spa.
Translating as “Endless Plains” in the Maasai language, Lemala Nanyukie is a new addition to Lemala’s luxury collection of properties. Its 15 gorgeous safari tents feature cathedral-like ceilings and hardwood decks, with the neutral-coloured interiors punctuated by textured accessories. You can refresh in your private plunge pool while enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding grasslands or experience the secluded relaxation of the camp’s spa before recounting the day's adventures with a pre-dinner drink around the campfire.
Located in the heart of Serengeti National Park, this bespoke camp by Mantis offers the ultimate Tanzanian “glamping” experience. With just eight luxurious tents, it’s on the doorstep of a famous hippo pool and the Serengeti Research Centre, as well as being just a stone’s throw from the launch site for Serengeti hot air balloon safaris. At the heart of the camp is an eclectically designed lounge where you can relax in between game drives while gourmet cuisine created by one of Tanzania’s top chefs, Axel Janssens, is served in the dining tent.
Serengeti Bushtops is one of the most well-known luxury tented camps in Tanzania, with its beautifully appointed suites offering sweeping views across the Serengeti plains. Each of the 12 tents offer sweeping views, private decks and hot tubs, as well as open-air showers and 24-hour butler service. Gourmet dining experiences and a well-stocked wine cellar add to the experience, as do luxurious massage treatments and a sparkling swimming pool.
Completely refurbished in 2019, Namiri Plains is a remote Tanzanian safari camp in the eastern Serengeti. It boasts 10 stylishly designed suites that feature expansive sliding doors that open out onto large viewing decks. Natural materials and neutral tones dominate the interiors while the standalone tubs are the perfect spot to rewind at the end of the day. The Namiri Plains Camp is an essential destination for cheetah enthusiasts as it’s one of the best places to spot these elusive cats in East Africa.
Nestled beneath the Oloololo Escarpment, the &Beyond Bateleur Camp is an ideal base for exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It’s just a stone’s throw from the site where the final “Out of Africa” scenes were filmed, with a picnic here a “must” for couples. Hardwood floors and copper bathtubs in its nine tented suites add to the old-world atmosphere while the glistening swimming pool entices during the heat of the day. The Bateleur Camp is also a family-friendly destination, with Maasai village visits, bead-working workshops and storytelling sessions all part of the experience.
The Sayari Tented Camp is an award-winning Tanzania safari accommodation that features 15 luxurious tented suites inspired by their natural surrounds. It’s framed by the flat-topped peak of Turner Hill and offers dramatic views across the northern plains of the Serengeti. Aside from its intimate and elegant accommodation, the camp boasts a cosy library, an indulgent spa and a rim-flow swimming pool where you can refresh. All of this just a stone’s throw from the famous Mara River crossing, which is a highlight of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Featuring eight domed canvas and glass suites, The Highlands has redefined what a Tanzania safari means. This highly unique property lies on the edge of a forest skirting the Olmoti Volcano while being surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area. When you’re not busy drinking in the unforgettable views, you can embark on game drives into Ngorongoro Crater, hikes to the top of Olmoti or day trips to the flamingo-dotted soda lake of Empakaai Crater.
Perched high above Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara offers 15 tented suites that feature floor-to-ceiling glass fronts for unparalleled views. Each has been stylishly decorated and comes complete with a private deck for experiencing the majestic beauty of the Mara Triangle. At the heart of the property is the Pavilion where you’ll find the communal spaces and a fitness centre, as well as a swimming pool and a studio where you can watch Maasai women beading. In addition to game drive safaris and hot air balloon drives, the property is renowned for its walking safaris led by Maasai warriors.
Positioned amidst the Kogakuria Kopje, Lamai Serengeti is a luxurious safari camp in northern Tanzania. It’s divided into the main lodge (where you’ll find eight rooms) and a private lodge (with four additional rooms), both of which feature natural materials that help the property blend in with its magnificent surroundings. Beautifully carved furnishings and woven rugs are juxtaposed against modern amenities, all on the doorstep of the Great Wildebeest Migration’s route. In between game drives, you can swim in the rock pool or kick back on one of the sun loungers before being treated to exquisite dining experiences.
Surrounded by the rolling grasslands and open woodland of the Wogakuria Hills, this luxurious lodge features 15 glass-fronted, tented suites that offer sublime views. The contemporary interiors come with distinctly African touches, as well as ensuite bathrooms with private tubs. All of the suites boast their own plunge pools, not to mention spacious decks from where you can watch the wildlife coming and going.
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