Serengeti Siroi – this is a new lodge based in the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Serengeti Siroi with AfricanExplorations.com

The lodge is located in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park and is set on the majestic hills overlooking the vast Musabi plains. Nestled away amongst rocky outcrops and lush bush, the uniquely designed lodge is a luxury African experience of endless views and breathtaking sunsets. Each private tented chalet is elevated, built on wooden stilts and well spaced across the hill, giving guests breathtaking views of Musabi, and the Great Wildebeest Migration, from every angle during the June period.

The owners are actively participating in setting up and funding schools and clinics in the areas in which they operate, and are committed to supporting wildlife research initiatives within the National Parks and Reserves of Tanzania.

Accommodation comprises 5 double suites, 15 double and 5 twin luxury thatched chalets accommodating up to 55 guests, who can enjoy outdoor showers looking over the passing wildebeest migration or a Nomadic African Spa treatment from the comfort of their balcony. The main lounge and dining area, both masterpieces of thatch and wood, offer a delightful position to savour the tantalizing meals prepared in the trend-setting open-plan kitchen. There is also a central swimming pool and sun-area.

One of the most incredible lodges ever built must be the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge ! Not only because of its design, but its location is simply unsurpassed! From here, one has 180 degree views of the Ngorongoro Crater which can be seen from virtually every aspect of your room. The rooms have glass windows and doors from floor to ceiling, allowing totally unimpeded views. Apart from being home to some of the world’s best game viewing – nowhere is quite so dense in terms of wildlife as the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge with AfricanExplorations.com

Fresh roses are flown in daily and placed next to one’s bath and a butler or steward is appointed to each room and there to serve you drinks, perhaps arrange dinner on your verandah or even have poured your bath for you when you arrive back from a game drive, cold but exhilarated in the winter months. Tanzania luxury safaris have never been so good!

Tanzania Luxury Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

Chandeliers hang from the bathroom ceiling and one can see the Crater Floor from one’s bath! This is also one of the prettiest regions in Northern Tanzania and is a world heritage site. All I can say is that no safari to Tanzania is complete without a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and if one can afford it, to include the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge! There is also tremendous walking in this region and one can see the cultural interaction between the Maasai and their cattle – a very genuine and peaceful scene!

Wildebeest Migration – Where to Watch it?

The wildebeest migration actually occurs right throughout the year and is all related to water – whether the rains come early or not, governs the movement of the wildebeest and zebra in their quest for water.

Wildebeest migration Serengeti with AfricanExplorations.com

As a very general rule, the ungulates move south from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the Grumeti region which is the western corridor of the Serengeti in Tanzania and south to the Ndutu region in southern Serengeti and then back up to the Masai Mara in Kenya.  July is always a great month to see the migration, whether one is either in Kenya or in northern  Serengeti. August and September are fabulous months for seeing the wildebeest in the Masai Mara, right through to mid October, whilst June is an excellent month to see them in the western Serengeti and January through to the beginning of March is a wonderful time to watch them calving in the short grass plains region of the southern Serengeti.

Wildebeest Migration Serengeti with AfricanExplorations.com

Both Tanzania and Kenya offer equally good viewings, but they are different experiences. Is one after the much publicised crossings over the Mara River in Kenya, where the crocodiles lie in wait, or does one want to wake up and look out over the Serengeti plains and see two million wildebeest and zebra, for as far as the eye can see?

Migration Masai Mara with AfricanExplorations.com

It is now possible to find a luxury safari in Tanzania Whether it is northern Tanzania or southern Tanzania one has so much choice these days! What is the meaning of the word luxury? Well, to some it is as simplistic as having hot water for  your bucket shower and somebody to bring  it to you whenever you want it, however often you wish for it!

Katavi Chada flycamp - luxury safari Tanzania with AfricanExplorations.com

Sand Rivers Selous Fly Camping with AfricanExplorations.com

For others, it is more obvious, along the lines of staying at a lodge, for instance, in the Ngorongoro Crater, where one has fresh roses sent each day which are placed next to your bath, which your butler runs for you directly after a game drive. For me, luxury  is expanse of space – having an area to oneself, devouring it, appreciating it and not seeing another vehicle in sight!  One aspect, which is a constant, is that our guides are the best in Tanzania. Occasionally, one has to pay a premium for some of the guides and we can discuss what the most appropriate route is for you. However, whatever constitutes your perception of luxury, we can surely deliver it!

Northern Tanzania has gorgeous tented camps and lodges, in the Serengeti and Tarangire as well as Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. The south has the most beautiful lodges scattered in the Selous, probably one of the most beautiful game reserves in Africa. In fact, although subjective, Tanzania really does boast having the most beautiful reserves on the continent, which includes  the beauty and  diversity of the Selous where there is a beautiful camp called Lukula – away from anything and anyone – where one can canoe, walk and game view in a pristine wilderness.  There are even private villas these days in the Selous for those wanting to take over a camp (one can do this at Lukula too). Katavi is another extraordinary and beautiful park, where one can fly camp, having the entire park to oneself, having watched the sun set, with a glass of one’s favourite tipple in hand and then sat at a table for two and dined on beautifully cooked and fresh fare,  having freshened up with a hot shower beforehand. Of course, beautiful lodges exist in Katavi too – and also in the Mahale Mountains, where the most romantic camp on the shores of Lake Tanganyika must surely be Greystokes – where one can see the greatest concentration of habituated chimpanzees.

luxury tented camp Serengeti