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

R. Goodall

Review for mkombes house

Perfectly Set Up House

We really enjoyed the warmth, friendliness and service by all of the staff. The house is set up perfectly with ample space for everyone, the meals are delicious and our safari drives were always exciting, flexible and well planned.

A. Garnett

Review for mkombes house

Impeccable Service, Beautiful House

Elias, Amos and the entire Mkombe’s House team were amazing. The staff were great to talk with, the service was impeccable, and the house itself is beautiful. We greatly enjoyed our stay!

A. Trouche

Review for mkombes house

Terrific Stay

Terrific stay from the lovely welcome we got on our arrival to the last day! Waking up to the view, coffee on the porch, seeing two lionesses with their cubs, the river with crocodiles and hippos, water buffalo, birds, and so many other interesting wildlife.

S. Cavanagh

Review for mkombes house

Memorable Life-Enhancing Experience

Sometimes in life one is very lucky to have a memorable life-enhancing experience. Such was our experience at Lamai. The team were so very warm, empathetic & skilled. The simplicity and beauty of the camp provided the perfect backdrop for connecting with what nature was showing us. We were so gratef...

M. and J. Ekman

Review for mkombes house

"Fantastic Private House"

Fantastic private house for a family safari

FAQs

What vaccinations or health precautions do I need?

Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.

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.

Can I go on safari and visit Zanzibar in one trip?

Yes absolutely, Tanzania has superb transport links from the mainland to Zanzibar as well as neighbouring islands too. Many travellers choose to spend some time in the wild on safari before heading to the coast for some R&R.

How long are the drives between camps?

It depends, some are short hops, others can be full-day journeys. Often, the journey is the experience and can become the ultimate game drive as you traverse different areas of National Parks.

What to wear on Safari in Tanzania?

Pack lightweight is the first tip. Next neutral colours are great - khaki, beige and olives - however not every item needs to be khaki by any means. There is no harm in a splash of colour in the bush. Long sleeves and trousers are a necessary addition to protect you from the sun and insect or mosquitoes in the evening. You are on the move a lot so always have a pair of comfy, sturdy shoes whether that be walking boots, trainers or safari style boots. This is especially important if you are embarking on a walking safari. Bring a light, warm jacket for those early mornings and sometimes even a beanie may be required depending on the time of year. Finally, do bring a good hat - wide brimmed or just a baseball cap - needed to protect you from the African sun.

What is the best month to travel to Tanzania?

Tanzania is a year round destination, especially in Northern Tanzania. So your visit often depends on family schedules or particular wildlife experiences on the bucket list. We love January to March in Ngorongoro and southern Serengeti Plains when the air is clear, nice temperatures and the migration arrives in town for calving season. This is an extraordinary time to be there.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Tanzania?

We advise against drinking the tap water in Tanzania and as such, we provide safe drinking water in all camps and vehicles so guests can remain well hydrated throughout their trip.

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.

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