Sharing the riveting dramas of tooth and claw in this offbeat part of the Serengeti is an extraordinary family adventure.
Plenty of big cats and other predators are here all year round, hunting the strong concentrations of game that feed on Lamai’s fertile plains. Our guides are keen as mustard to drive out with you to see what’s happening out there and always bring with them the benefit of their detailed local knowledge.
Other family days out look rather dull in comparison with a drive just down the track to the Mara River. Through its waters slide huge numbers of Nile crocodiles. Come the end of the dry season, it’s feeding time, when the Migration thunders across their waters. Some never make it to the other side.
Mkombe’s House offers a uniquely private wildlife experience. Our highly trained resident Nomad Guides with their own 4x4s will be available to you and your group alone - so you can keep the children happy and the only schedule you’ll need care about is your own - and Mother Nature's.
When the grass is short, Lamai is excellent walking country with its kopjes to climb and plains to lope across: creeping up on animals, spotting birds and bees, digesting the landscape. Taking the experience to another level, our walking guides understand game, and know this land like the back of their hands.
We’ve been taking our own children on safari for years. Some were our camp babies. So, we know what floats their boats in the bush. Mkombe’s was created specially with them in mind, so everything about it from the freedom from schedules to the toddler pool is about making them (and their parents) happy.
Our Northern Tanzania camps are in enviable locations that mean we can take you deeper into this epic wilderness and create life changing experiences.
Fresh, locally sourced, and surprisingly varied given the remote locations of some camps. Imagine homemade bread, seasonal veg, cooking with delicious Swahili spices. All accompanied by far-stretching views or enjoyed under a shady tree.
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.
Many do, yes - private dinners, spa treatments or surprise sundowners that add thoughtful moments to the trip. Occasionally, there are discounts for one spouse and it can be worth researching.
Yes. Mkombe’s House, Lamai Private, Entamanu Private and Kiba Point are booked exclusively for your group, so you won’t share the house or camp with other guests. Our Charlie expeditionary camps are also exclusive use, offering a simpler way to explore remote wilderness together.
Yes, English in widely spoken in Tanzania, especially in camps and by safari guides. Swahili is the main language and knowing a few words and phrases will always earn you a smile.
The cost of a safari does vary, from simple bush camps or tented camps to high-end luxury or private houses. In Tanzania, there is a wide spectrum of accommodation allowing travellers to mix and match, building tailormade itineraries to suit a budget. Specialist tour operators are able to advise on the best options for your budget. Included in the safari cost is access to the wild, expert guides and unique experiences.
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.
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.