Lodges & partnersLamai Northern Serengeti
A mobile canvas camp on the quiet Lamai Wedge, north of the Mara River, pitched for the crossing season with ten tents among the acacias.
From $780 per person per night
About
Ubuntu Migration Camp is built to move. The whole camp can be taken down in a couple of days and carried to wherever the herds are, and from 1 June to 14 November it stands on the Lamai Wedge in the northern Serengeti. This is the triangle of country north of the Mara River, running up to the Kenyan border, and its appeal is simple: very few camps and very few vehicles, with the river and its crossing points within reach. Asilia chose the site for exactly that mix of exclusivity and access, and it shows when you are one of a handful of vehicles at a sighting rather than one of dozens.
The camp opens in June ahead of the herds, which usually begin to arrive towards the end of the month. By mid July the river crossings have usually started, and for the next two months wildebeest and zebra cross back and forth almost daily while crocodiles wait in the water. Many herds push on into the Masai Mara but a large share stays in the northern Serengeti. October is usually the last month of crossings, and by mid November the herds have moved south and Ubuntu packs up for its own migration. Days from June to September run to about 27°C with cool mornings around 15°C, so bring a warm layer for the early drives. Walking is a real draw here: guided walks are offered in the north only, for guests aged 12 and over, though in June the grass can be too long to walk safely.
There are ten tents, one of them a family tent with two bedrooms either side of a private lounge that sleeps up to four. The others are set as doubles or twins. Mesh side panels let in the light and the view, each tent has a shaded deck, and the en suite bathroom has a flush toilet and a traditional bucket shower: hot water is poured into a canvas bucket outside and hoisted up a pole, you control the flow inside, and a member of the team stays within calling distance to top it up. Power is solar with a backup generator, there are battery charging facilities and wifi, and a limited laundry service is included.
Meals are honest and generous: light buffets, packed lunches when you want to stay out with the herds, and three course dinners. In the north much of the fresh fruit and vegetables comes from a community growing programme in the nearby village. Evenings gather around the fire under the acacias. This is a comfortable canvas camp rather than a lodge, and that is the point. You are here for the river, the quiet and the chance to watch a crossing with almost no one else around.
Signature experiences
The Lamai Wedge has only a few camps, so when the herds bunch up on the bank you are often one of a handful of vehicles. Guides read the build up and position you early.
Guided walks are offered here and not in the southern location. Booked in advance for guests aged 12 and over, they bring the tracks, birds and smaller life of the wedge into focus.
The day ends around the fire under the acacias, swapping sightings with the other guests before dinner in the open sided dining tent.
Hot water is hoisted outside your tent and you control the flow inside. It is the classic mobile camp ritual, and guests regularly mention how hot the water is.
Gallery
Room types
A canvas tent taken by one guest, with mesh side panels, a shaded front deck and an en suite bathroom with a flush toilet and a hot bucket shower. Solar lighting and battery charging. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
A canvas tent with a double bed, armchairs and mesh side panels that open the room to the grassland. Shaded front deck and an en suite bathroom with a flush toilet and a hot bucket shower. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
The same canvas tent set with two single beds and a writing desk. Shaded front deck and an en suite bathroom with a flush toilet and a hot bucket shower. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
For three guests, usually in the family tent: two bedrooms either side of a private lounge, with an en suite bathroom, flush toilet and hot bucket shower. Subject to availability, and children under 12 must share with an adult. On the Game Package rate, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles and the stated airstrip transfers are included.
At a glance
Best time to visit
Best months: July to October.
Location & access
Lamai Northern Serengeti
Lamai airstrip is the nearest airstrip and the transfer to camp, about an hour and a half by road, is included. Scheduled light aircraft reach Lamai from Arusha Airport, usually with stops on the way. From Kilimanjaro International Airport allow about an hour and fifteen minutes by road to Arusha Airport first.
A very long journey by road. From Kilimanjaro International Airport the road runs west to Arusha, then through Ngorongoro and across the Serengeti to the far north, crossing the Mara River onto the Lamai Wedge. Most guests either fly or break the drive with nights in the central Serengeti on the way.
On the map
1.520° S, 34.980° E
What's included
Frequently asked
Most guests fly on a light aircraft service to Lamai airstrip in the northern Serengeti. The camp is about an hour and a half from the airstrip by road, and this transfer is included in the Game Package. Allow for the drive when choosing flight times, as transfers before 10am are only on request.
The camp stands in the northern Serengeti from 1 June to 14 November. After that it closes and moves to the southern Serengeti for the calving season, which is listed separately.
July to October is the river crossing season. Crossings usually begin by mid July and continue almost daily for about two months, with October usually the last month. June is quieter as the herds start to arrive, and early November sees them leaving.
Full board, soft drinks, a limited laundry service, scheduled shared game drives in open vehicles, transfers to and from Lamai airstrip and the Tourism Development Levy. Park, camping and concession fees, the Asilia conservation charge of USD 10 per person per night, walking safaris and gratuities are paid on top.
Yes. Guided walks are offered in the north only, at USD 60 per person per walk including park walking fees, and they must be booked in advance. The minimum age is 12, and in June walking may not be possible if the grass is too long.
Children aged 5 and over are welcome; under 5 only if the camp is booked exclusively with Asilia's approval. Ages 5 to 18 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate, 19 and over pay the adult rate, and children under 12 must share a tent with an adult. In high season families of fewer than five with children aged 5 to 12 must book a private vehicle in advance at USD 500 per day in 2026/27 or USD 600 per day in 2027/28, minimum 2 days; in Secret and Green season it is free, subject to availability.
Yes. One of the ten tents is a family tent with two bedrooms either side of a private lounge, sleeping up to four. There is only one, so ask about it early if you are travelling as a family.
Every tent has an en suite bathroom with a flush toilet and a traditional bucket shower. Hot water is hoisted in a bucket outside, you control the flow inside, and a member of the team stays nearby to refill it.
The camp runs on solar power with a backup generator and has battery charging facilities and wifi. Expect a remote camp connection rather than fast internet, so it is best for messages rather than streaming.
Very. The camp is in the far north of the Serengeti, so medical evacuation cover such as flying doctors insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Bring any personal medication you need for the whole stay.
Neutral coloured clothing, light walking shoes and a warm layer, as mornings in June to September are around 15°C. Light aircraft have a soft bag limit of 15kg per person, so pack light.
From mid November to mid December and mid March to May the camp is closed, and from mid December to mid March it operates in the southern Serengeti. Bookings for those months go to the southern listing.
What's nearby
The river forms the southern edge of the Lamai Wedge. From mid July the herds cross back and forth almost daily, with crocodiles waiting below the banks.
Guided walks from camp, offered in the north only for guests aged 12 and over, booked in advance.
South across the Mara River, the area around Kogatende is the hub of the northern Serengeti crossing season.
A visit to a neighbouring community can be arranged at an extra charge, ask when booking.
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