Lodges & partnersKogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)
Fifteen tented suites on the grass above the Mara River, fifteen minutes from Kogatende, with the crossings close by from July to October.
From $905 per person per night
About
Sayari sits in the far north of the Serengeti near Kogatende, on open grassland a short drive from the Mara River. Asilia describes it as the closest permanent camp to the river, and that is the whole point of coming here: from July to October the wildebeest and zebra herds move back and forth across the water, and the crossing points are a short drive from camp rather than a long run across the plains. Crossings are never guaranteed, and the guides are honest about that, but no other season and no other part of Tanzania gives you better odds.
The camp is built for staying in between drives. There are fifteen tented suites, two of them family tents and one set up for honeymooners. Floors are mahogany, beds are king or twin with good linen, and the bathrooms are large, with a walk in shower, a free standing tub that looks out over the savannah and a private outdoor shower on the deck. Each tent has a big wraparound veranda. The main area has a lounge built around a stone fireplace under handwoven chandeliers, a dining room, a rim flow pool set into rock and timber decking, and a spa. Power comes from solar with generator backup, there is wifi, and a limited laundry service is included.
Once the herds and the mobile camps head south, usually by November, the north quietens down and becomes one of the more exclusive corners of the park. Black rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah are resident, the short rains from late October turn the country green, and migrant birds arrive from Europe and Asia. January and February are typically warm with brief afternoon showers, and sightings are often shared with very few other vehicles. The camp closes for April and May, when the long rains arrive.
Two board bases are sold. The Game Package includes scheduled open vehicle game drives twice a day, transfers to and from Kogatende airstrip, and a short guided walk with an armed ranger between June and mid January. Full Board covers meals, soft drinks and laundry only, so drives, walks and transfers are arranged and paid separately. For most guests coming this far north, the Game Package is the simpler choice.
Signature experiences
From July to October the herds gather on the banks of the Mara and cross in their thousands, and the crossing points are a short drive from camp. Your guide reads the herds and waits with you, which is how most crossings are seen.
Between June and mid January you can step out on foot for one and a half to two hours with an Asilia walking guide and an armed ranger. It is included on the Game Package and open to guests aged 12 and over.
From November to March the crowds are gone, the plains turn green and the resident cats and black rhino are often yours alone. Brief afternoon showers rarely interrupt a drive.
Every bathroom has a free standing tub looking out over the savannah and an outdoor shower on the deck, made for the slow hours after a morning drive.
Gallery
Room types
A Sayari tented suite taken by one guest, with a mahogany floor, a king bed under netting, a free standing tub and walk in shower, a private outdoor shower on the deck and a large wraparound veranda over the plains. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
A tented suite with a king bed under netting and mahogany floors. The bathroom has a free standing tub looking out over the savannah and a walk in shower, with a second shower outside on the deck and a wraparound veranda for watching the grass. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
The same tented suite set with twin beds, mahogany floors, a free standing tub, a walk in shower, a private outdoor shower and a large wraparound veranda. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
A tent set for three, most suited to families, with the same en suite bathroom, free standing tub, outdoor shower and wraparound veranda. Children under 12 share with an adult. Available on request. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
A Sayari tented suite taken by one guest, with a mahogany floor, a king bed under netting, a free standing tub and walk in shower, a private outdoor shower on the deck and a large wraparound veranda over the plains. On the Full Board rate, meals and soft drinks are included; game drives and transfers are arranged separately.
A tented suite with a king bed under netting and mahogany floors. The bathroom has a free standing tub looking out over the savannah and a walk in shower, with a second shower outside on the deck and a wraparound veranda for watching the grass. On the Full Board rate, meals and soft drinks are included; game drives and transfers are arranged separately.
The same tented suite set with twin beds, mahogany floors, a free standing tub, a walk in shower, a private outdoor shower and a large wraparound veranda. On the Full Board rate, meals and soft drinks are included; game drives and transfers are arranged separately.
A tent set for three, most suited to families, with the same en suite bathroom, free standing tub, outdoor shower and wraparound veranda. Children under 12 share with an adult. Available on request. On the Full Board rate, meals and soft drinks are included; game drives and transfers are arranged separately.
At a glance
Best time to visit
Best months: January to February and June to October.
Location & access
Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)
Kogatende is the nearest airstrip and camp is about fifteen minutes away by road. Light aircraft reach Kogatende from Arusha Airport in roughly one and a half to two hours, depending on stops. From Kilimanjaro International Airport allow about an hour and fifteen minutes by road to Arusha Airport first.
A long road trip of the best part of two days. From Kilimanjaro International Airport the road runs west to Arusha, then on tarmac through Makuyuni and Mto wa Mbu, up the escarpment through Karatu to the Loduare gate, across the Ngorongoro rim to the Naabi Hill gate and north through Seronera and Lobo to Kogatende. Most guests stop for a night in the central Serengeti on the way.
On the map
1.581° S, 34.909° E
What's included
Frequently asked
Most guests fly. Light aircraft land at Kogatende airstrip in the northern Serengeti, and the camp is about fifteen minutes away by road; on the Game Package that transfer is included. Driving from Arusha is possible but takes the best part of two days.
Sayari is open from 1 June to 31 March and closed throughout April and May for the long rains. July to October and the Christmas and New Year fortnight are high season; June, November to mid December and January to March are the quieter Secret season.
July, August and September usually give the best chance, and crossings still happen in October. Like any wildlife sighting they are never guaranteed, so we suggest at least three nights to give yourself several chances.
Yes, if you like quiet. From November to March the herds have moved south, but black rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah are resident, the short rains turn the country green, and you often have sightings to yourself.
Every rate includes full board, soft drinks, limited laundry and the Tourism Development Levy. The Game Package adds scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles, a short walking safari between June and mid January, and transfers to and from Kogatende airstrip. Park and concession fees and the Asilia conservation charge of USD 10 per person per night are paid on top.
Full Board covers your tent, meals, soft drinks and laundry only, so game drives, walks and airstrip transfers are extra; short walks are USD 60 per person per walk. The Game Package bundles the drives, the transfers and a short walk, which for most guests is the simpler and better value option this far north.
Children aged 5 and over are welcome; ages 5 to 18 pay 50 percent of the adult sharing rate and from 19 they pay the adult rate. Children under 5 are only accepted if the whole camp is booked exclusively with Asilia approval, and children under 12 must share a tent with an adult. In high season, families of fewer than five guests with children aged 5 to 12 must pre book a private vehicle at the normal rate of USD 500 per day in 2026/27 and USD 600 per day in 2027/28, minimum two days; in Secret and Green season the private vehicle is free, subject to availability.
Yes. Short walks of about one and a half to two hours run from 1 June to 15 January, weather permitting, led by an Asilia walking guide with an armed ranger. The minimum age is 12 and pre booking is advised; after mid January walks depend on a safety assessment.
There is wifi in camp. Power comes from solar with generator backup, and every tent has an en suite bathroom with hot water showers and a bath.
Sayari is a long way from the nearest hospital, so medical evacuation cover such as flying doctors is not included and should be part of your travel insurance. Asilia adds a compulsory emergency support cover of USD 35 per person to each booking, which links the camp to medical professionals and evacuation.
Breakfast can be a picnic out on drive, lunch is light and often served outdoors, and dinner is three courses in the dining room. Tell us about dietary requirements before you travel and the kitchen will plan around them.
Neutral coloured clothes, layers for cool early mornings and light walking shoes. Light aircraft limit you to 15 kg per person including hand luggage and cameras, in a soft bag.
What's nearby
A short drive from camp. From July to October the herds gather on the banks and cross back and forth, with crocodile waiting in the water.
The wedge of the Serengeti north of the Mara River, reached across the river from Kogatende. Open plains that the herds move through in the dry season.
Open grassland and riverine woodland around camp, home to resident lion, cheetah, elephant and topi once the migration has moved on.
Balloons lift off at dawn and drift low over the plains near camp. Arranged separately and paid locally.
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