The only self-contained private house in the Serengeti

Set  in the middle of one of the richest game areas in the Serengeti, this bush home is designed specifically for families and friends; it's perfect in fact for families with smaller children. It's named after Mkombe, one of the founders of Nomad and a safari guide who cherished this area and connected strongly with children – and their parents. He would have seriously loved it here, as will anyone who stays in the house.

Poolside sunset from your private Serengeti home at Mkombe's House Lamai.

Early morning tea on your room veranda

Sunrise wake up from your starbed

Stylish interiors at Mkombe's House

Early morning tea on the main deck

Open fronted bedrooms with endless views over the Northern Serengeti from Mkombe

Iconic scenes with wildlife and endless horizons in the Serengeti National Park.

Lunch enjoyed on the deck at Mkombe's House

Elephants greeting in the Serengeti National Park.

Sundowner game drive

Freedom to walk out from Mkombe's

The Serengeti as your playground, under the watchful eye of our expert Mkombe's House guides.

Cheetah making the most of a higher vantage point near Lamai Serengeti.

Two enclosed bedrooms at Mkombe's House Lamai are designed especially for little people.

Discovering all the little beasties on safari at Mkombe's House Lamai.

Early morning hot chocolate before a day of discovery at Mkombe's House Lamai.

On safari with the whole family at Mkombe's House Lamai.

Home-from-home for the whole family at Mkombe's House Lamai.

Unique, locally designed and created with love. Mkombe's House Lamai.

A night out under the stars in our starbed at Mkombe's House Lamai.

Wildebeest thunder across the Mara River, dodging the jaws of giant crocodiles in their continual search for greener pastures. Credit - Trevor Holden.

The Mara River in the Northern Serengeti.

A klipspringer in the Northern Serengeti.

Three cheetah brothers scanning the plains in the Serengeti National Park.

The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park.

A young male lion in the Serengeti National Park.

A cheetah stalks a herd of wildebeest in the Serengeti.

Wildebeest thundering across the Mara River.

A cheetah keeping a close eye on the wildebeest herds in the Serengeti National Park.

Elephant in the Serengeti National Park.

The area surrounding Lamai Serengeti is home to incredible resident big game year round.

There is always something to discover, you don

Game drives in the Serengeti National Park.

One of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet - the Great Migration.

Endless views from the Kogakuria Kopje - home to Lamai Serengeti and Mkombe

Whether it be a family holiday or a romantic break, Mkombe

Walks around the kopje reveal all sorts of little treasures. Children over 12 years old can join in on longer safari walks.

Mkombe

The freedom to explore with your little ones at your own pace at Mkombe

Mkombe

The cosy lounge at Mkombe

Dining under the stars at Mkombe

Two open fronted bedrooms make the most of the epic views over the northern Serengeti at Mkombe

Two enclosed bedrooms are ideal for children at Mkombe

Enhancing lives at Mkombe's House

From enhancing dynamic careers to working with local communities and conservation projects, here are some inspiring stories from our award-winning camp in Northern Serengeti.

Life long learning & growth

Creating career paths

Poacher turned walking scout

Not only does his smile light up the world, but’s he’s a Nomad walking scout, on his way to becoming a guide. His incredible wilderness skills come from his previous life as a bushmeat poacher. We count ourselves very lucky indeed to have him among our Nomad herd.

Life long learning & growth

Creating career paths

Paulina’s journey to Lamai

Nomad sponsored Paulina’s journey through vocational training and an internship in camp – and she’s now a full-time part of the Lamai team.

Life long learning & growth

Investing in education

Finding talent in key conservation areas

Living and farming on the edge of the Serengeti means human-wildlife conflict is inevitable. Kichawi is determined to help his family and community deal with the challenges that come from living alongside wildlife.

Life long learning & growth

Investing in education

Mbilikili meal-a-day programme

Knowing the importance of the best start to early learning, we have launched our meal-a-day programme into Mbilikili, a remote village on the edge of northern Serengeti. This provides over 100 children one square meal a day and the best possible start on their education journey.

Conservation & environment

Sharing our love of the natural world

Conservation support for Serengeti De-snaring

Nomad is very proud to be one of the first operators to engage with this conservation programme. For each nigh spent at Lamai we donate $1 to the programme and look to top- up with further donations from our shop and massage profits. To date, we have donated over $10,000 but more importantly facilitated a programme that is making a serious dent in on the illegal trapping and poaching of wildlife in the Serengeti.

Northern Tanzania safaris

Our Northern Tanzania camps are in enviable locations that mean we can take you deeper into this epic wilderness and create life changing experiences.

Reviews

M. and J. Ekman

Review for mkombes house

"Fantastic Private House"

Fantastic private house for a family safari

O. Triguboff

Review for mkombes house

Animal Filled Safaris

A family experience of the highest standard. With animal filled safaris - different on every day; fantastic guide and people working at the retreat centre

B. Karst

Review for mkombes house

Fantastic Stay at Mkombes

Fantastic stay at Mkombes House, Serengeti. Staff and services were excellent. House was very comfortable.

J. Clements

Review for mkombes house

Magical Place in Serengeti

Magical place in the Serengeti. Don’t miss it. The house and the staff are very special.

E. Hendy

Review for mkombes house

Highly Recommend

Amazing experience! Would highly recommend to anyone.

P. Wah

Review for mkombes house

5 Star Experience

Best Location in Serengeti ... staff and food was amazing ... game drives best we had in Tanzania .... highly recommend.... 5 Star experience!!!

FAQs

What is the most popular safari in Tanzania?

Northern Tanzania is probably the most well known part of the country with the world famous spectacle, the Wildebeest Migration, drawing travellers year round. A full northern circuit brings incredible wildlife from Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater and that's before you even get to the Serengeti. Prepare for a density of wildlife like nowhere else in Africa. That being said, the south offers a quieter safari experience in Ruaha and Nyerere. Here you can get off the beaten track in explore some superb game areas. And for us, the ultimate safari combo comes in the west - a big game, wilderness experience in Katavi combines with jaw dropping chimpanzee encounters in Mahale. Over 7-days this safari will blow you away.

Are there age restrictions for safaris?

Yes, some camps have minimum age limits, in camp and especially on walking safaris. But there are many brilliant private or family properties that can tailor the age restrictions.

Can children go on safari?

A safari with your family is a magical way to spend quality time with your children, immersed in the wilderness and surrounded by wildlife. Time on safari with your family allows all to disconnect from your busy daily lives. Tailor your family safari with a private guide and vehicle plus make sure you look at family specific properties such as Mkombe's House. When inside the national parks, most camps have age restrictions with 8+ being a general guide. 

Much depends on the age of your children, if on the young side then we'd advise not trying to cram too much in to your days but plan your safari in bitesize chunks bringing new excitement around every corner.

How do you get to your safari lodge?

The transport networks in Tanzania are very good with internal flight schedules across the country. It is possible to fly into the parks and land at one of the bush airstrips. From there, most lodges will arrange for a transfer journey from airstrip to the lodge. Depending on the lodge location, this can vary in journey time. Or, if you opt for a driving safari in northern Tanzania, your guide (included as standard with Nomad) will transport you from location to location.

When is the green season?

From late November to May. It's a gorgeous time to be in Tanzania - expect dramatic skies, lush landscapes and superb wildlife. Also, less people.

What is the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?

Lodges are more permanent, often with solid walls and more amenities available. Tented camp are light touch, with canvas walls, open air and the sounds of bush throughout!

What I wish I knew before going on safari

Always take a good pair of binoculars. And slow down. Take time to enjoy and area or the safari camps. There is sometimes nothing more special than spending the afternoon or early morning on your veranda and letting the wildlife come to you.

What is Christmas and New Year like on Safari?

Quiet, wild and wonderfully different. Enjoy your festive dinners under the stars with lion calls in the distance - what a gift for the family.

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