Nimali Mara

Ten in total: eight standard tented suites and two Mara suites. The Mara suites each have a private plunge pool and a lounge that converts into a children's area when a family travels together. Only those two have a pool.

All year. July through October is when the herds cross the Mara River. Outside that window the northern Serengeti still holds some of the highest concentrations of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena in the park, and there are very few other vehicles.

By air, in practice. About an hour by road from Kilimanjaro International to Arusha Airport, then roughly an hour and a half in a light aircraft to Kogatende airstrip, then a game drive of about thirty five minutes into camp. Driving the whole way from Arusha is a two day journey and almost nobody does it.

About thirty five minutes by road, which is why guests can be in position at a crossing point early without a punishing start to the day.

Wifi is available at the camp and guests report it reaching both the suites and the communal areas, though it is remote country and the connection is not fast. The camp does not publish mobile coverage, so plan on being out of contact.

The camp runs on solar with a generator for backup, and outlets are 220 volts on the British style three pin socket. There are outlets in the suites for phones and camera batteries. There is no air conditioning: the suites use standing fans and the nights cool down on their own.

Staff are first aid qualified and the camp keeps links with a flying doctor service, but evacuation is not included in the rate. Travel with insurance that covers medical treatment and emergency air evacuation, which is what Nimali asks of every guest.

Yes. Children of any age are welcome and remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian. The Double and Twin Tented Suites take two guests each. The Family Tented Suite is the one to book with children: it takes two adults and one child, with a second child on request, up to four guests in all. The camp is unfenced and animals walk through it, so children need supervision at all times, particularly near the pool.

No to both. The camp does not run walking safaris, and night game drives are not permitted inside Serengeti National Park. Guides do take younger guests on short walks around camp to read tracks. Balloon flights, helicopter flights, private dinners and the spa are all available.

Full board with three meals a day, soft drinks, daily laundry and the tourism development levy. Park fees, concession fees, the game drive vehicle with its driver and guide, balloon flights, bush flights, airport transfers, evacuation cover, travel insurance, tips and personal items are charged separately.

July through October for the river crossings, with August and September the most reliable weeks, though the herds cross when the rain tells them to rather than on a schedule. November through June gives you resident game and near solitude. The short rains fall in November and December, the long rains in April and May.

Yes. From 1 October 2026 visitors entering mainland Tanzania must hold the government inbound travel insurance, 44 USD per adult and valid for up to 92 days, covering emergency medical care, evacuation, repatriation and lost luggage. Children aged 3 to 17 pay half and infants under 3 are free. It is bought online before you fly or on arrival, and residents of Tanzania and of East African and SADC countries are exempt. If you land in Zanzibar first, the Zanzibar policy covers you instead. It is paid by you directly and is not part of your trip price.