Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River) · Safari Lodge
Serengeti Migration Camp by Elewana
Eight-tent mobile camp that follows the Great Migration through the northern Serengeti, settling where the herds gather.
About
Serengeti Migration Camp is a mobile tented camp that follows the Great Migration through the northern Serengeti, repositioning each season to keep guests near the action. Eight tents under canvas, en-suite with bucket showers and private verandas, set into open plains rather than fixed permanent infrastructure. The camp's whole point is mobility: it goes where the herds go, which means a stay here puts you closer to migration activity than any fixed camp can guarantee.
The northern Serengeti is the migration's most dramatic ground. From July through October, columns of wildebeest and zebra arrive at the Mara River, hesitate at the bank, and commit to crossings through crocodile-infested water. The Migration Camp's eight-tent footprint and mobile setup mean it can position within minutes of the most active crossings — a real advantage over fixed lodges that are tied to a single location 10 to 30 minutes away.
Outside the peak migration window the camp moves to other productive areas of the northern Serengeti: Lobo for resident big cats in the early months of the year, the Lamai Wedge for the migration's western swing, and the Bologonja springs for shoulder seasons. The flexibility is the product.
Accommodation is canvas-and-cot honest: en-suite bathrooms with bucket showers, hardwood floors over groundsheets, classic safari furniture, and gas lanterns at night. The camp runs on a Game Package style, with twice-daily shared game drives included along with a two-hour walking safari and the Lobo airstrip transfer.
Best for guests who prioritise being IN the migration over being in a luxury bed, photographers who want maximum proximity to the crossings during peak season, and travellers who appreciate the mobile-camp tradition as part of an authentic Tanzania safari. Less suited to first-time guests who want a lodge-like comfort base, or families with very young children.
Signature experiences
Mobile-camp positioning
The camp moves with the migration. In peak crossing season it sits within minutes of the most active river sites, which fixed lodges cannot match. Camp position is communicated at booking.
Mara River crossings (Jul to Oct)
The migration's most photographed event. Vehicles position on the river escarpment to capture wildebeest and zebra committing to the crossing.
Two-hour walking safari
Included in the rate. Walking safari with an armed professional guide, focused on tracking, birding, and small-game observation rather than chasing big game.
Dinner under the stars
On nights when weather and security allow, dinner moves outside the mess tent for an open-air bush dinner.
Amenities
- Tented Camp
- Walking Safari
- Game Drives
- Mobile Camp
- Bush Dinners
- Wi-Fi
Best for
- Migration
- Photography
- Authentic Safari
- Adventure
- Walking Safari
Wildlife you might see
- Mara River Crossings (Jul To Oct), Maximum Proximity
- Resident Lion Prides On The Lobo Kopjes Year-round
- Leopards Along The River Bend
- Massive Crocodile Populations In The River
- Migration Follow-the-herds Approach Across Multiple Sub-regions
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) by road, then a 1hr 30min Cessna Caravan to Kogatende or Lobo airstrip (depending on current camp position), then a 30 to 45-minute game-drive transfer to camp. Lobo airstrip transfer is included in the Game Package rate.
Drive: Drive access not recommended: 11 to 12 hours from Kilimanjaro International. Bush flight is the standard route for the northern Serengeti.
Room types
Safari Tent
Canvas-and-cot mobile tent with en-suite bathroom and bucket shower, hardwood floor over groundsheet, classic safari furniture, gas lanterns at night. Available as Single, Double, Twin, or Triple configurations.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation
- All Meals
- Soft Drinks
- House Beverages On The Property
- Laundry
- Scheduled And Shared Game Drives Twice Daily (Game Package)
- Two-hour Walking Safari With Professional Guide (Game Package)
- Lobo Airstrip Transfer (Game Package)
Not included
- Premium Drinks
- Park Entrance Fees
- Concession Fees
- Vehicle Entry Fees
- Flying Doctors Evacuation Cover
- Flights And Airport Taxes
- Gratuities
- Four-hour Walking Safari
Reviews
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Serengeti Migration Camp have?
Eight tents in total, in single, double, twin, and triple configurations. Maximum capacity around 16 to 20 guests — deliberately small.
When is the camp open?
Year-round, with peak demand July through October during the Mara River crossings.
How do guests reach the Migration Camp?
By Cessna flight from Arusha Airport (1hr 30min) to Kogatende or Lobo airstrip (depending on current camp position), then a 30 to 45-minute game-drive transfer.
Are families with children welcome?
The camp accepts older children (typically 12 and up). Very young children are not well-suited to the mobile camp environment.
What's included in the rate?
Accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, house beverages, daily laundry, twice-daily shared game drives, a two-hour walking safari with professional guide, and Lobo airstrip transfer. Excluded: premium drinks, park and concession fees, vehicle entry, flights, gratuities, and a four-hour walking safari (sold separately).
What is the best time to see the Mara River crossings?
Mid-July through October is the peak crossing window, with the highest activity in August and September. The Migration Camp's mobile setup gives an advantage over fixed lodges during this period.
What's nearby
- Lobo Hills30 to 45min from typical camp positions. Granite kopje country with year-round resident lions.
- Bologonja Springs1hr from typical positions. Permanent springs that draw wildlife outside the migration window.
- Lamai Wedge30min across the river. The northernmost extension of the Serengeti, productive for migration crossings on the river's western bend.
Keep reading
Related to your trip.
Directory
More lodges and partners.
Browse the full directory of lodges we work with directly.
Pricing
How Tanzania safari pricing works.
Park fees, lodge tiers, transport, and what's included in every quote.
Seasons
When to visit each park.
Month-by-month calendar with parks and migration positions.
Common questions
Tanzania safari FAQ.
Planning, transport, park fees, and the Great Migration — answered.