Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River) · Safari Lodge
Mara Mara Tented Lodge by TWC
Premium tented camp thirty minutes from the Mara River crossings, open from June through December for the migration window.
About
Mara Mara Tented Lodge sits in the northern Serengeti, thirty minutes from the Mara River crossings that anchor the migration's most dramatic act. The camp deliberately operates only from June through December — the months when the migration is in the northern Serengeti — and closes January through May when the herds are south. This single-purpose seasonal model means the property is built around one thing: putting guests near the river crossings during the peak window.
Twenty-four spacious tents are arranged as two intimate sub-camps, each with its own swimming pool, lounge, and dining house. The architecture is canvas-and-deck, not glamping-spa, but the kit standard is higher than most northern Serengeti camps at this price tier. The two-pool, two-lounge layout works well for family groups or two couples travelling together who want privacy from the rest of the camp.
From July through October the Mara River crossings are the headline. Columns of wildebeest and zebra arrive at the river, hesitate, and commit to the crossing through crocodile-infested water. Mara Mara is thirty minutes from the primary crossing sites — slightly further than the closest lodges (Mara River Camp at 10-15 minutes, Nimali Mara at 10 minutes) but with a more spacious tent footprint and a stronger pool/lounge setup as the trade.
The accommodation runs Standard Tent Single, Double, and Triple configurations. There is no Family room category, which limits options for families with multiple children — best for couples and friend pairs in this case.
Best for migration-focused travellers in the June to December window, photographers who want a quieter, two-sub-camp setup than the bustling larger lodges, and small groups or two couples who want the sub-camp privacy.
Access is by Cessna flight from Arusha to Kogatende airstrip (1hr 30min including the road transfer JRO to Arusha Airport), then a 30-minute game-drive transfer to camp.
Signature experiences
Mara River crossings (Jul to Oct)
The migration's most cinematic event. Camp position 30 minutes from the primary crossing sites; pre-dawn departures put guests in position before crossings commit.
Two sub-camps, two pools
Twenty-four tents split into two intimate sub-camps, each with its own pool, lounge, and dining house. Privacy from the rest of the camp.
Lobo and Bologonja game drives
45min to 1hr from camp. Less-visited northern Serengeti country with resident lions and quiet game viewing.
Cultural visit
Guided Maasai or Kuria community visit on the conservation area's northern fringe.
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Two Swimming Pools
- Two Lounges
- Bar
- Wi Fi (main Areas)
Best for
- Migration
- Photography
- Small Groups
- Two Couples
- Privacy
Wildlife you might see
- Mara River Crossings (Jul To Oct), 30 Minutes From Camp
- Resident Lion Prides On The Surrounding Kopjes
- Leopards Along The River Bend
- Crocodile Populations In The River
- Elephant Herds In The Rolling Woodlands East Of The River
Best time to visit
July, August, September, October
Location & access
Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)
Fly-in: Approximately 3 hours total: 1hr JRO to Arusha Airport (ARK), then a 1hr 30min Cessna from ARK to Kogatende airstrip, then a 30-minute game-drive transfer to camp.
Drive: Drive access not recommended: 11 to 12 hours from Kilimanjaro International. Bush flight is the standard route.
Room types
Standard Tent Single
Solo canvas tent with en-suite bathroom and private deck looking onto the bush.
Standard Tent Double
Twin or king-bed canvas tent with hardwood floor and private deck.
Standard Tent Triple
Three-bed configuration with the same canvas-and-deck design, suited to friend or family groups of three.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (3 Meals Daily)
- House Beverages (water, Soft Drinks, House Wines, Local Beers)
- TDL (Tanzania Development Levy)
Not included
- Park Fees
- Concession Fees ($71 Per Adult Per Night, $11.80 Per Child)
- Game-drive Vehicle And Driver-guide
- Premium Drinks
- Flying Doctors / Medical Evacuation
- Travel Insurance
- Bush Flights
- Tips And Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Reviews
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Mara Mara Tented Lodge have?
Twenty-four tents arranged as two sub-camps of twelve each. Each sub-camp has its own pool, lounge, and dining house.
When is the camp open?
June through December only. The camp closes January through May when the migration is in the southern Serengeti. The migration peak in the northern Serengeti is July through October.
How do guests reach Mara Mara?
By Cessna flight from Arusha Airport (1hr 30min) to Kogatende airstrip, then a 30-minute game-drive transfer to camp.
Are families with children welcome?
There is no Family room category at Mara Mara. Standard Triple Rooms handle small family groups; larger families typically need connecting bookings or different camps.
What's included in the rate?
Full board, house beverages (water, soft drinks, house wines, local beers), and TDL. Excluded: park fees, concession fees ($71 per adult per night, $11.80 per child), the game-drive vehicle, premium drinks, flights, gratuities.
What is the best time to see the Mara River crossings?
Mid-July through October is the peak window, with August and September the strongest. Mara Mara is 30 minutes from the primary crossing sites; pre-dawn departures position guests for crossings as they commit.
What's nearby
- Lobo Hills45min north. Granite kopje country with year-round resident lions.
- Bologonja Springs1hr northeast. Permanent springs that draw wildlife outside the migration window.
- Lamai Wedge45min across the river. Northern Serengeti extension, productive for migration crossings on the river's western bend.
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