Planning guide

Which camps close in the long rains, 2027

Many camps in northern Tanzania, on Zanzibar and on Mafia close for part of the long rains, usually April and May. This list comes from the 2027 closure dates and rates each camp has sent us, and it covers only the camps on Savannah & Sands. Other camps keep their own dates. Camps that are closed on your dates do not appear in the trip builder.

Closed for part of the long rains

CampAreaLevel2027 dates
Chem Chem LodgeBurunge WMALuxuryClosed 1 April to 14 May 2027, reopens 15 May
Forest Chem ChemBurunge WMALuxuryClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Little Chem ChemBurunge WMALuxuryClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Ole Serai Luxury Camp, KogatendeKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)LuxuryClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Sayari CampKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)LuxuryClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Lamai PrivateLamai Northern SerengetiLuxuryClosed 15 March to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Lamai SerengetiLamai Northern SerengetiLuxuryClosed 15 March to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Mkombe's House LamaiLamai Northern SerengetiLuxuryClosed 15 March to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Eco Shamba Kilole LodgeMafia IslandComfortClosed 6 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Kuro TarangireTarangire National ParkLuxuryClosed 15 March to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Kholle VillaZanzibar East CoastComfortClosed 17 April to 28 May 2027, reopens 29 May
Pongwe Beach HotelZanzibar East CoastComfortClosed 11 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Zoi Retreat Hotel ZanzibarZanzibar East CoastComfortClosed 12 April to 13 May 2027, reopens 14 May
Kidoti VillasZanzibar NorthComfortClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
Kilindi Zanzibar by ElewanaZanzibar NorthLuxuryClosed 1 May to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
The Z HotelZanzibar NorthComfortClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June
The Z2Zanzibar NorthComfortClosed 1 April to 31 May 2027, reopens 1 June

Seasonal camps

These camps open only in the months the herds are typically nearby.

CampAreaLevel2027 dates
Heritage Mara Migration CampKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)ComfortOpen 15 June to 31 October
Malaika Mara River Luxury CampKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)PremiumOpen 1 June to 31 October
Malaika Mara River Migration CampKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)ComfortOpen 1 June to 31 October
Pure Migration Mara CampKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)ComfortOpen 15 June to 31 October
SongaKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)LuxuryOpen 15 June to 7 October
Heritage Ndutu Migration CampNdutu PlainsComfortOpen 15 December to 31 March
Malaika Ndutu Luxury CampNdutu PlainsComfortOpen 1 December to 30 April
Malaika Ndutu Migration CampNdutu PlainsComfortOpen 1 December to 30 April

Closed for maintenance

CampAreaLevel2027 dates
Pongwe Bay ResortZanzibar East CoastComfortAnnual maintenance, closed 11 May to 6 June 2027, reopens 7 June
Zanbluu Beach HotelZanzibar East CoastComfortAnnual maintenance, closed 5 April to 26 April 2027, reopens 27 April

Updated 26 October 2026

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