Twelve open-fronted rooms tucked into the boulders of the Kogakuria Kopje, a short drive from the Mara River crossings.
Lamai sits in among the granite boulders of the Kogakuria Kopje, looking out across the northern Serengeti towards Kenya. The rooms are open at the front, so you wake to the plains without getting out of bed, and the main area and pool are built into the rock rather than on top of it. It is one of the few places where the building genuinely disappears from a distance.
From July to October this is where the migration herds cross the Mara River, and the crossing points are close. Outside those months the resident game stays: lion, leopard and buffalo are around all year, and the green season is quiet with noticeably lower rates. Nomad also has permission to walk here, which is unusual inside a national park.
It suits couples and families who want the crossings with character and good food rather than polish. Lamai Private, four rooms with its own pool and team, works well for a family or a group of friends. The camp closes from mid-March to the end of May, and anyone who wants walls, glass and a full spa would be happier at Sasakwa.
Eight rooms in the main lodge, each with its own deck facing the Serengeti, an en suite bathroom with double sinks and a mini-bar tray.
An open-fronted room for parents joined by a shared bathroom to a children's room with two single beds and its own entrance.
A separate lodge at the base of the kopje with four open-fronted rooms, its own lounge, dining area, swimming pool and staff, booked by one group.
Meals are home cooked with local produce and served with a view over the plains, from breakfast in the main area to dinners under the stars and bush breakfasts out on drive. There is a bar in the main lodge and an open fire in the lounge.
There is a swimming pool looking out over the Serengeti, and massages can be booked in camp for a slow afternoon between drives.
Families are welcome, with a dedicated family room and Lamai Private for exclusive use. Ask us about the current minimum age; it is confirmed at booking.
| Rooms | 12 open-fronted rooms in two lodges |
|---|---|
| Main lodge | 8 rooms |
| Lamai Private | 4 rooms, exclusive use |
| Open | June to mid-March |
| Activities | Game drives and guided walks |
| River crossings | Mara River, typically July to October |
Kogatende, northern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
A few of the things we plan for guests in Tanzania.
From about January to March the herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu, on the border with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and give birth in their hundreds of thousands. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow. Mobile camps move with the herds, and the plains are green and bright between showers.
From July to October the herds reach the far north around Kogatende and cross the Mara River back and forth. It is quieter than the Kenyan side, with fewer vehicles at each crossing. Stay at least four nights and bring patience: herds can gather for hours before a single animal commits.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcano whose floor holds lions, hyenas, flamingos on the soda lake and one of the few places in Tanzania to see black rhino. Descend at dawn with a picnic breakfast to beat the vehicles. Rim lodges look straight into the caldera and are cold at night.
A northern Tanzania safari paced for families with children aged eight and over: baobabs and elephants near Tarangire, a crater rim lodge above Ngorongoro, a mobile camp in the Serengeti, then four nights on a Zanzibar beach.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability, suggest the right room and send a price.
