Serengeti Luxury Safaris

The Serengeti National Park boasts a vast ecosystem in Tanzania’s north-central region, bordering Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. The ecosystem in the Serengeti is vast, its biodiversity playing a significant role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting local communities. With its diverse and stunning landscape, plus its incredible number of animals, it is no wonder that the Serengeti is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global conservation priority.

Open grasslands dominate the park and are ideal for large herds of wildebeest and zebras. Rocky outcrops called kopjes provide shelter for predators and lush riverine forests and woodlands are home to giraffes and a plethora of bird species. The wide range of flora and fauna includes the magnificent Big Five, namely elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino, as well as a multitude of plains game.

Access to the Serengeti National Park is by road, so you will be transported in your luxury 4x4 safari vehicle or small aircraft, which will touch down on a dusty runway, such as the Seronera, Grumeti, or Kogatende, three of the more popular airstrips in the park. Your luxury Serengeti safari begins from the moment you enter the gates, with quality service delivered by your guide and welcoming team at your luxury lodge or tented camp.

When it comes to where to stay during your luxury Serengeti safari experience, you have some incredible options, all offering a level of sophistication, elegance, and outstanding service. Whether a solid brick building is your preference or you love the idea of nestling under a domed, canvas ceiling, luxury is a given throughout the plains and forests of the Serengeti, offering comfort and wilderness immersion.

Luxury Lodges

Permanent luxury lodges offer all the five-star amenities and services you would expect from a high-end hotel, complemented with local charm, culture, and art. Rooms or suites boast spacious living areas, beautifully appointed beds, and en-suite bathrooms. A private deck, perhaps boasting a plunge pool, opens the surrounding wilderness to you. Witness wildlife drinking from the banks of the Mara, Seronera, or Grumeti Rivers. Communal areas include spa facilities and a swimming pool, as well as fitness centers on some properties.

Elegant Tented Camps

The ultimate in classic elegance, a tented suite gives you a classic African safari experience, exquisitely designed and featuring modern amenities. These large tents comprise canvas walls and ceilings, or wooden walls and canvas from the windows to the ceilings. They are raised on platforms, with private decks offering wonderful views or an intimate escape among shady trees. An outside shower may be set up at the back of your tent, a unique feature when on a luxury safari in the Serengeti. Some tented camps are mobile, moving from one part of the park to another, depending on the movement of the wildlife and weather.

Outstanding Treehouse Overnight

Spending a night in a treehouse is an adventure on its own, so doing this in the Serengeti National Park is an extraordinary experience. The treehouses boast eco-friendly designs and solar-powered lighting, an environmentally friendly feature. There is a spacious sleeping area with plush bedding, an en-suite bathroom, and a private deck for stunning views of the distant savannah. Your treehouse may include a hot tub and outdoor shower, and your safari guide will be just a radio call away should you require anything.

Private Villas

Exclusivity and luxury are all wrapped up in a private villa in the Serengeti National Park. An elegant home-away-from-home in a wilderness setting, your private villa will comprise several bedrooms, a cozy living area, and a private outdoor space that includes a swimming pool. You will have a dedicated team to take care of you during your stay, including a chef and butler. Explore the Serengeti in your private safari vehicle with your private guide.

Enjoying a game drive in the Serengeti is, for most, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and while you can expect an enclosed 4x4 game drive in the early morning or late afternoon, there are several options to consider to enhance your Serengeti safari adventure.

Open-Vehicle Game Drives

Take your game drive to the next level in an open vehicle. Your 4x4 safari will take you through the savannahs, riverines, rocky outcrops, and forests of the Serengeti, allowing you to absorb the sights and sounds of the captivating African bush.

Walking Safaris

Discover the small wonders of the Serengeti wilderness when embarking on a private walking safari with your qualified guide. Step slowly through forests and open plains, keeping an eye out for scampering warthog, lazy lizards, and a lone male kudu, his majestic horns peering out from a branch of an acacia tree.

Hot-Air Balloon Rides

Take your safari up a level by witnessing the wildlife from a hot-air balloon. Follow the shadow of the basket as it sweeps across the plains below, keeping an eye out for a wandering elephant or herd of wildebeest grazing. Complete your hot-air balloon safari with a full, gourmet breakfast picnic, set up at a point with beautiful views. Let the champagne flow as you soar over the savannah before returning to your lodge or camp.

Specialized Safaris

Photographic opportunities present themselves across open plains, in forests, and along riverines, and your safari vehicle will provide you with the perfect set-up to capture these incredible moments. Your safari guide will specialize in photography and position the vehicle to ensure you have the best angle to snap that shot. Arm rests and camera stands are fitted to the open 4x4 vehicle and the best lighting is always considered.

Night Drives

Set out into the forests and woodlands of the Serengeti after dinner for a chance to catch a glimpse of an aardvark taking a slow walk nearby or the glimmer of bush babies, whose large eyes are adapted for night vision. Keep an eye out for the honey badgers, genets, and grazing hippos. A night game drive is a great way for you to observe these and other elusive creatures.

Cultural Encounters

In the Serengeti, you can immerse yourself in rich cultural experiences, particularly with the Maasai people. You will have the opportunity to engage in guided tours of Maasai villages, where you can learn about their traditional way of life, including livestock herding, beadwork, and ceremonial dances like the iconic adumu jumping dance. This is a meaningful way to connect with the local residents while exploring the Serengeti's scenic landscapes.

The importance of conservation and cultural collaborations in the Serengeti has become increasingly important, focusing on protecting the ecosystem while empowering surrounding communities. These efforts combine traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques to create sustainable solutions. Some include anti-poaching programs, which form a huge part of the Serengeti’s conservation efforts, and projects that fund and deploy programs to educate and empower local communities, recognizing their crucial role in conservation. Sustainable tourism and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Maasai, including their traditional ceremonies and lifestyle, are seen as an integral part of the Serengeti ecosystem.

Witness wildlife in different settings and discover dramatic landscapes in safari reserves and national parks beyond the famous Serengeti. Combining a bush adventure with a beach escape frames the ultimate luxury picture. Discover the following incredible destinations in Tanzania that will complement your trip:

• Tarangire National Park: Forming part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, the Tarangire National Park is renowned for its vast herds of elephants and iconic baobab trees scattered across its landscape. Exceptional birdwatching is a key element in this park.
• Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for its stunning alkaline lake, flocks of flamingos, and tree-climbing lions, this diverse ecosystem also hosts elephants, baboons, and over 400 bird species. The park is a true gem on the northern safari circuit.
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area: This fantastic safari destination is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A true wildlife haven, it is home to a dense population of animals, including the Big Five, and offers breathtaking scenery with its lush plains and steep crater walls.
• Mount Kilimanjaro: Stand in awe of or ascend the world’s tallest free-standing mountain through diverse landscapes. From rainforests to alpine deserts and icy glaciers, trekking Kili will challenge your limits while rewarding you with outstanding views and a great sense of accomplishment.
• Zanzibar: Step onto pristine, white-sand beaches and gaze out over the glistening blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Explore the historic streets of Stone Town and discover exotic spices at local farms as you embrace a rich cultural scene. Zanzibar offers the perfect beach escape after a safari adventure.

There are some distinct differences to consider when it comes to seeking a safari in the Serengeti National Park versus a surrounding private game reserve or conservancy. The Serengeti offers a vast landscape covering a large ecosystem and boasts abundant wildlife and a variety of luxury accommodation options. There are restrictions, however, when it comes to game drives. Vehicles have to stick to designated roads for game viewing and it is limited to daytime. The park can be crowded at popular animal sightings.

Private concessions and game reserves offer you the opportunity to go off-road for closer wildlife encounters and night game drives are allowed. With a restricted number of vehicles allowed at animal sightings, the wildlife encounter can feel a little more exclusive. Luxury accommodations may be exclusive and higher-end, with private safaris a popular option.

Explore Tanzania’s most famous safari park, the Serengeti, and discover the incredible landscape, abundant wildlife, and luxury accommodations. Start your day with an early-morning game drive or perhaps a hot-air balloon ride, then watch the sunset from a rocky outcrop, waiting for a huge, starry sky to present itself.

Unwind in elegant tented camps and luxurious safari lodges while the wildlife around you goes about its day. For inspiration as you plan your luxury safari in the Serengeti, take a look at our best custom Tanzania safari tours and packages and our Tanzania safari guide.