A bush road wading through tall grassland past islands of large boulders in the Serengeti National Park reveals Serengeti Under Canvas. This mobile tented camp moves between the northern, Grumeti, and southern sectors of the park, following the movements of the Great Wildebeest Migration, giving safari-goers prime time seats to one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth.
Rhino Africa recently visited the camp as it sat in the northern sector of the park, easy distance from the Mara River where thrilling sightings take place as wildebeest cross its depths, facing crocodiles and other predators along the way.
Rhino Rating:
4/5
Where?
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Why?
Serengeti Under Canvas’s rustic appeal, complemented by bush luxury, gives guests an authentic experience thanks to its canvas tents, (heated) bucket showers, on-hand butlers, and dinners stoked over the fire and served beneath the starry night sky. Most importantly, wildlife sightings are superb all year round.
Who?
The Adventure-Seekers
Sleeping out in tents, no matter how luxurious the ones at Serengeti Under Canvas are, will have you truly feel like an explorer.
The Nature Lovers
If your perfect lullaby is the bleating of wildebeest and the odd bark of a hyena, then this is the spot for you! Guests will feel truly at one with nature at this camp.
The Authentic Safari Goers
Bucket showers with peepholes peering out into the grassland, candlelit dinners, savannah so tall you could lose someone around the corner – if this appeals to you then Serengeti Under Canvas is the place to be.
At a Glance:
With its movements through the northern, middle, and southern sectors of the Serengeti governed by the movement of the herds, wildlife sightings while staying at Serengeti Under Canvas are guaranteed to be prolific.
The camp finds itself near the Mara and Grumeti rivers for famed river crossings and near Ndutu during the calving season. Big cats are also a huge attraction.
Best Time to Go:
The beauty of this camp is that any time is a good time thanks to its mobility. Deciding when you want to stay really depends on what you want to see. If you’re after the exciting sightings that involve herds crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures, head to the camp when it’s in the northern Serengeti between June and November. Calving season happens in the southern sector of the park around the beginning of the year.
How to Get There:
This is the easy part. No matter where the camp is situated in the Serengeti, it is always within driving distance of either the Kogatende, Seronera, Ndutu, or Grumeti airstrips which are serviced by scheduled charter flights.
Kogatende Airstrip was the closest airstrip to where Rhino Africa stayed on our most recent journey. It was just a few metres from the Mara River itself and only an hour or so drive from camp. Most flights leave from Arusha Airport in Tanzania. The closest international airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Visa Information:
All travellers entering Tanzania will require a visa although citizens of select countries may be issued a visa upon arrival. We encourage all prospective visitors to contact their nearest Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate to find out whether they need to apply before or not.
Facilities & Amenities:
The camp is always located in private campsites with private butler service, complimentary laundry services, a WILDChild kids programme to keep tykes over the age of six entertained, and a communal lounge/bar/boma area. There is Wi-Fi although it can be patchy due to the remote locations of the camp.
Rooms:
There are just nine tented suites at Serengeti Under Canvas, one of which is a Family Tent. They are all serviced daily by your private butler who also heats up your water for your bucket shower every evening. All tents have flush toilets, double beds, comfortable linen, and polished brass accents inspiring that true safari feeling. There is also a small seating area inside, a day bed which can be converted into a bed for a child under twelve, luggage racks, safety deposit boxes, lighting, and an additional outdoor seating area.
Activities on Offer:
Included in Price
- All meals, house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Safari activities
- Laundry service
- Transfers between airstrip and Serengeti Under Canvas
- Emergency evacuation insurance
Additional Cost
- Telephone calls
- Safari shop purchases
- Gratuities
- Champagne, cognac, fine wines, premium brand spirits and cigars
- Tourism Development Levy
- Park and conservancy fees
- Administration fee
Dining Experience:
The food philosophy at Serengeti Under Canvas is back-to-basics dining with most meals prepared over the fire in front of you, whether it’s your bacon in the morning or your fillet steak at night. If safari-goers choose to embark on a full-day safari excursion and forgo lunch at camp, packed lunches are prepared.
Price Range:
From $810.00 per person per night which is inclusive of accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on lodge activities, laundry, morning and afternoon game drives, and emergency evacuation insurance.
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