The 20 Best Lodges and Camps for the Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Migration is a moving target. Because the herds follow the rains across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, your choice of lodge determines whether you see the action or just the empty plains.
Below are the top 20 lodges for 2026. Use this guide to identify your dream stay, then use SafariGo to find a tour operator who can build these lodges into a professional, seamless itinerary.
1. The Mobile Specialists (Dynamic Location)
These camps move 2-3 times per year to ensure they are always within reach of the herds.
1. Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp (Tanzania): This luxury mobile camp features 10 elegant tents that "migrate" with the herds. In the calving season, it sits in the South; during the river crossings, it moves to the North. USP: Incredible portability without sacrificing five-star amenities like bucket showers and gourmet dining.
2. Nyasi Migrational Camp (Tanzania): Nyasi captures the romance of a bygone era. It splits sites between the southern short-grass plains (Jan-March) and the northern Kogatende region (July-Oct). USP: An "off-the-grid" feel with high-end canvas luxury, focusing on sustainability and minimal environmental impact.
3. Serengeti Sojourn (Tanzania): An elite mobile camp that focuses on exclusivity. It follows the migration from the Ndutu region to the Lobo area in the North. USP: Only 12 tents, offering a highly personalized service and expert guides who specialize in tracking the migration's lead herds.
4. &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas (Tanzania): This is the pinnacle of "glamping." While the camp moves regularly, the interior features crystal chandeliers, silver service, and plush rugs. USP: The most luxurious mobile camp in Africa, offering a private butler and a "front-row" guarantee for the migration.
2. Southern Serengeti: The Calving Season (Jan – March)
Best for: Baby wildebeest, high predator action, and lush green scenery.
1. Serian’s Serengeti South (Tanzania): Located in the Ndutu region, this camp is the base for legendary guide Alex Walker. It’s a specialized photography and walking camp. USP: Expert-led walking safaris that allow you to stand among the hundreds of thousands of newborn calves.
2. Mila Tented Camp (Tanzania): A charming, intimate camp located in the central-south region. It offers an authentic safari feel with "boma" dinners under the stars. USP: Excellent value for money in a high-demand region, providing great access to the "Big Cat" sightings that follow the migration.
3. Lake Masek Tented Lodge (Tanzania): A permanent lodge situated between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It overlooks Lake Masek, a critical water source. USP: Eco-friendly luxury with permanent structures, making it ideal for those who prefer solid walls over canvas during the calving season.
4. Ang'ata Migration Camp (Ndutu): Positioned precisely where the herds gather to graze on the nutrient-rich grass. USP: Strategic positioning. The camp is designed to be functional and comfortable, putting you within minutes of the massive herds rather than hours.
3. Western Corridor: The Grumeti Crossing (June – July)
Best for: The "First" river crossing and exclusive private concessions.
1. Dunia Camp (Tanzania): Located near the Moru Kopjes, this is the only all-female-run camp in the Serengeti. USP: Exceptional hospitality and a focus on female empowerment, situated in a valley that acts as a natural corridor for the migration moving North.
2. Singita Sabora Tented Camp (Tanzania): Located in the 350,000-acre Grumeti Reserve. This is ultra-luxury defined, with a 1920s explorer theme. USP: Private concession access. You can view the migration without the crowds found in the National Park.
3. &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge (Tanzania): A vibrant, modern lodge situated on the banks of the Grumeti River. USP: High-density hippo pools and front-row seats to the Grumeti River crossing, which is famous for its giant Nile crocodiles.
4. Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara: The Big Show (July – Oct)
Best for: The world-famous Mara River crossings.
1. Sayari Camp (Tanzania): Located in the remote Northern Serengeti, just a short drive from the Mara River. USP: A stunning infinity pool overlooking the plains and unparalleled proximity to the most dramatic river crossing points (Points 4 and 5).
2. Lemala Kuria Hills (Tanzania): Built among massive granite boulders (kopjes), this lodge offers private plunge pools in every suite. USP: The most luxurious permanent lodge in the Northern Serengeti, offering 360-degree views of the migration path into Kenya.
3. Angama Mara (Kenya): Named after the Swahili word for "suspended in the air," it sits on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment. USP: The most iconic view in Africa. You can watch the migration move across the Mara Triangle from your bed.
4. Serian ‘The Original’ (Kenya): Situated in the Mara North Conservancy, this camp is for the "purist" safari-goer. USP: Every booking includes a private safari vehicle and dedicated guide/spotter at no extra cost—essential for waiting out a river crossing.
5. Governors’ Camp (Kenya): Located in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, this camp has a history dating back to the 1970s. USP: Location, location, location. It is situated in the best spot in the Mara for high-density wildlife sightings.
6. Rekero Camp (Kenya): A world-class camp that sits so close to the Talek and Mara Rivers that you can often hear the wildebeest grunting from your tent. USP: Professional guiding and a "seasonal" setup that prioritizes wildlife viewing over resort-style luxury.
5. Year-Round Icons & Unique Perspectives
1. Four Seasons Safari Lodge (Tanzania): A full-service resort in the heart of the Central Serengeti. USP: The "Waterhole." An active elephant and wildebeest waterhole sits right in front of the terrace, allowing you to watch the migration while sipping a cocktail.
2. Klein’s Camp (Tanzania): Located on a private concession bordering the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. USP: Exclusivity. Because it’s a private concession, you can enjoy night drives and off-roading to get closer to the migrating predators.
3. Sala’s Camp (Kenya): Situated in the southern part of the Masai Mara, near the Tanzania border. USP: It is usually the first camp in Kenya to welcome the migration as the herds cross over from the Serengeti in July.
Tips for Booking the Migration
The "Wait" Strategy: River crossings are unpredictable. Choose a lodge like Serian or Rekero that offers private vehicles so you can wait at the river for hours without being rushed.
Book Direct: Start planning your 2026 Migration Safari at SafariGo.com