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Lemala Safaris: honey badger crossing golden hills
The camp's open lounge tent beneath an acacia on the plains

Ridge collection · Serengeti

Mara & Ndutu Tented Camp

One mobile camp in two places, following the wildebeest north and south through the year

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Collection
Ridge · Mid-range to upper mid-range
Destination
Serengeti
Area
Northern Serengeti and Ndutu
Style
Mobile tented camp
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Jan, Feb

About Mara & Ndutu Tented Camp

Mara & Ndutu is a mobile tented camp that moves with the seasons, so guests have a front-row position for the Great Migration through most of the year. It is one authentic bush camp with two homes, and both are set in outstanding locations.

From roughly December to March the camp stands at Ndutu, on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area beside the southern Serengeti. Tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle arrive for the short-grass plains, calving peaks around February and the predators follow closely.

From roughly June to October the camp moves north to the Serengeti's Mara country, set under large Euclea trees. Its exact position changes from year to year, but it is always well placed for the Mara River crossings and for wide-open, uncrowded wilderness.

  • Two seasonal homes that follow the migration
  • Nine tents at Ndutu and twelve in the northern Serengeti
  • Spacious tents with queen-size beds and hot showers
  • Picnic breakfasts and lunches for full-day game drives
  • Lounge and dining tents with leather sofas and chandeliers
  • Children welcome through the Lemala Cubs programme

Setting

At Ndutu the camp stands on the edge of a permanent marsh looking over flat, grassy plains, a natural amphitheatre for the calving season. In the north it moves into remote Serengeti wilderness, sometimes near the Mara River and always far enough away not to disturb the wildlife. Both settings feel open, far from the crowds and very much of the bush.

Rooms and tents

Tents are spacious and furnished with two queen-size beds and the small luxuries that make a mobile camp surprisingly comfortable. Photographs show four-poster beds, wicker chairs and wide openings to the savanna. Hot showers are ready after an evening game drive, and power comes from solar with a back-up generator.

Dining

Meals are freshly prepared, with picnic breakfasts and lunches organised for those who want extended game drives. The communal areas have separate lounge and dining spaces, with leather sofas, chandeliers, side cabinets, rugs and a bar. Evenings gather around the campfire for pre-dinner drinks and canapes and stories from the day.

Things to do from here

  • Game drives timed around the migration
  • Full-day drives with picnic breakfasts and lunches
  • Watching the calving season at Ndutu
  • Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti
  • Evenings by the campfire

When to stay

Ndutu is at its best from roughly December to March, with the wildebeest arriving on the new grass and calving peaking around February. The northern Serengeti is at its best from roughly June to October, when the herds mass and cross the Mara River. Wildlife timing shifts with the rains, so we plan around the likely window rather than a promise.

Good to know

  • The camp moves, so we confirm which location applies on your dates. Ndutu is roughly December to March and the northern Serengeti roughly June to October.
  • Exact positions change from year to year. Ask us for the current setup before you decide.
  • The airstrips are around twenty minutes away at Ndutu and about forty minutes away at Kogatende in the north.
  • Children are welcome. Ask us about the Lemala Cubs programme.

Gallery

Inside Mara & Ndutu Tented Camp

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