Choose the region first, then the camp
The Serengeti is large, so the camp you pick fixes which part you see. Travelers usually speak of four areas: the center around Seronera, the north from Kogatende to Lamai, the west from Kirawira to Grumeti, and the south around Kusini and Ndutu. These are travel areas, not official districts.
The herds move between these areas through the year, so match the region to the month you travel. The best time page shows where the herds typically are. A camp in the right region saves hours on the road each day.
This guide is independent and does not sell rooms. The camps below are examples that show what each region offers, not a ranking or a recommendation. Confirm opening months, rates and what a stay includes with the camp or your operator.
One example for each region
Properties named here are examples, not a full list.
| Region | Example | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Center | Nyani Campsite | Named as the central Serengeti overnight in a 4-day group safari from Arusha. The same safari is offered with camping or with lodge stays. |
| North | Sayari Camp | Northern Serengeti, open June to March and closed in April and May. Children from 5 years. The nearest airstrip is Kogatende, about 20 minutes from camp. |
| West | Kirawira Serena Camp | Western Corridor, 25 tents |
| South, outside the national park | Ndutu Safari Lodge | Inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, not in the national park |
| Moves with the herds | Ubuntu Migration Camp | North (Lamai Wedge) from June to mid-November, south (Kusini) from mid-December to mid-March. Closed from mid-March to May and from mid-November to mid-December. |
A camp that is closed is not a closed park. The park itself is open all year. Sayari closes in April and May, for example, while the park stays open.
Serengeti trips with accommodation
Guided Serengeti safaris with camp or lodge stays, with live prices and availability. Check which accommodation each one includes.
What to check before you book a bed
The same room can cost very different amounts depending on what the price covers.
The rate and its season
For Ubuntu Migration Camp the list rate is $1,080 per person and night from 1 July to 31 October 2026, and $780 from 1 to 14 November 2026. Ask what the rate covers, including park and concession fees, and for how many people it applies.
Fees on top
Accommodation in the park brings nightly fees per person on top of the park entry fee, and camping brings its own nightly fee. Do not assume that a fee in someone else's quote is included in yours. See park fees.
Distance to the gate
Check how far your camp is from the gate and the airstrip, what the transfer costs and whether meals are included. Distance matters more here than it does in a city hotel.
Children
Age limits differ from camp to camp. Sayari takes children from 5 years. Ask each camp for its policy and for the child rate before you book.
Inside or outside the park
The south is where the line is easy to miss. Ndutu Safari Lodge lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so its fees and rules are not those of the national park. Read more about lodges in the conservation area.
Book early for the busiest months
Reserve early for peak months, and check the gate distance, transfers and meals before you confirm. See best time for the busy windows.
Camping or lodge
The style of stay changes the cost and the day.
Group safari with camping
The 4-day group safari from Arusha has camping and lodge variants. The listed price runs from $800 to $1,390 per person across the variants, 2026. See cost for what is included.
Fixed camp or mobile camp
A fixed camp keeps you in one region. A mobile camp moves with the herds, so it suits one season in each place. Check its dates against your travel month.
Fly-in with a confirmed lodge
For fly-in trips, the lodge is confirmed in your individual quote. See Serengeti from Zanzibar.
Serengeti lodges: frequently asked questions
Which part of the Serengeti should I stay in?
Pick the region that fits your month. The south suits January to March, the north suits July to October, and the center and west sit in between. The best time page lists typical herd positions.
Are there lodges and tented camps?
Both exist, and some camps are mobile. The examples above include fixed camps, a mobile camp and a campsite. Ask what each stay includes.
How much does a night cost?
The one rate listed for a mobile camp in 2026 is $1,080 per person and night in the July to October window. Other camps set their own rates, so ask for a quote with dates.
Are the camps open all year?
No. Sayari Camp closes in April and May, and Ubuntu Migration Camp closes from mid-March to May and from mid-November to mid-December. The park itself stays open.
Is Ndutu Safari Lodge in the Serengeti National Park?
No. It lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It sits near the southern Serengeti, but fees and rules differ from the national park.