Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Namiri Plains
True safari in big cat country
For two decades, the expansive grasslands of the Eastern Serengeti were closed to tourists, allowing the cheetah population to flourish. Today, it is one of the prime cheetah and big cat viewing spots in the region, especially from November to June when migrating wildebeest venture into the area.
Namiri Plains is the only camp for miles around, all but ensuring the dramatic safari on offer is yours alone.
Eight stylish tented suites, contemporary but authentically safari, look out over the grassland and passing game. One is little more private, ideal for honeymooners, while another can accommodate a family of four. Think king size beds, crisp sheets with both the indoor and outdoor showers
The communal mess tent lounge and shady spots under acacia trees are wonderful places to relax and admire the wilderness. Meals in the dining tent are all about freshly baked breads in the morning, surprisingly opulent three course dinners after drinks around the fire and picnic lunches out in the bush.
Game drives are the main activity here, with lion, cheetah and leopard predation on the prolific plains game a likely sight. More intimate walking safaris are also on offer, accompanied by experienced guides, as is meeting up with a local cheetah researcher to learn more about the elegant felines. Hot air balloon safaris can be arranged from here too.
Highlights
Game drives
Walking safaris
Meet cheetah researchers
Hot air ballooning
Eight tented suites
Communal dining and lounge tents
Trip Inspiration
Plan your trip to Tanzania
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Places to combine Namiri Plains with
Namibia
Anderssons at Ongava offers an unforgettable Namibian safari experience imbued with Afro-Mediterranean elegance. This extraordinary lodge invites you to explore nature with unparalleled comfort and style. From the moment sunlight filters through the mopane bush, awakening the landscape, Anderssons promises a seamless blend of relaxation and adventure.
The lodge’s nine suites serve as a harmonious extension of the surrounding environment. Constructed with natural stone and warm wood elements, each suite is a sanctuary of tranquility, featuring climate-controlled interiors and expansive glass frontages that frame the wilderness. Step onto your private viewing deck, where a sweeping 180-degree panorama immerses you in the sights and sounds of Ongava Game Reserve. Wildlife viewing becomes a part of your daily routine as the animals roam freely here, often within view of your suite.
Central to the lodge is a bar and relaxation area that seamlessly integrates with the landscape, overlooking a vibrant waterhole. Here, you can gather in convivial surroundings, sipping cocktails while observing wildlife. Nearby, the Ongava Research Centre invites you to delve into the cutting-edge efforts that drive conservation and expands understanding of African ecology.
Begin a day here with an early morning game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle. For a different perspective, venture into the underground photographic hide, where you can capture intimate moments of wildlife at eye level. Back at the lodge, the infinity-edge pool is a serene oasis that is perfect for cooling off under the African sun. Relax in the library, taking in the tranquil ambiance and panoramic waterhole views.
Tanzania
Rubondo Island lies in the tranquil southwest corner of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and is enveloped in lush subtropical rainforest. The island is a protected sanctuary, teeming with endangered chimpanzees and a wealth of other wildlife.
The camp features eight secluded cottages that sit at the edge of the forest, each crafted from traditional materials to harmonise with the island’s natural beauty. A spacious family unit provides an ideal retreat for larger groups, while every cottage offers a private veranda overlooking the lake.
Wake up to the gentle sounds of the forest: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a fish eagle and the occasional splash of water as hippos stir in the lake’s shallows. Here sitatunga antelope move silently through the papyrus swamps, bushbuck graze at the forest edges and forest elephants forge trails through dense greenery.
Your mornings might begin with the aroma of fresh coffee, enjoyed as the lake shimmers under the soft morning light. From here you can embark on a variety of adventures. Days on Rubondo Island invite a range of immersive adventures. Trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees, traverse the lake on a boating safari or set off on a guided game drive.
