This is a route that is well trodden in Tanzania, so it is important to us you see it as we did all those years ago.
Our Northern Tanzania bush camps, safari lodges and tented camps are in enviable locations that mean we can take you deeper into this epic wilderness. Let us transport you into our wilderness and show you the hidden gems on the roads less travelled.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Lamai
Mkombe's House
Kusini
Entamanu
Kuro
Expeditionary walking camp
The Tarangire bush is scattered with baobab trees, this land’s standing stones, and spread amongst them are herds of elephant and buffalo, often in their hundreds. The habitat is rich and varied: great grassy swamps, dense woodland, tall grass, and the snaking Tarangire River, home to a plethora of animals and birdlife. Which makes it perfect lion, leopard - and Nomad territory.
With less distance to cover than in the Serengeti, this is safari slow time. In Tarangire, there is time to spend hours observing the natural world in intricate detail.
Full of heart and soul, and tucked into a grove of secluded riverside bush, it is so much at one with the wild that animals hardly look up as they do their thing around us.
We would always stand up for Tarangire, it is a big and bold but under the radar somewhat people rush for the Crater and Serengeti. Now is the time to slow down and start your safari in this hidden gem, you’ll not be disappointed – elephants in their hundreds, a birder’s dream with over 550 species and the Silale swamp is a magnet for all wildlife with the main source of water.
Recommended stay: 3 nights
Expect to pay: $865 - $1,350 per person per night
Easily accessible from Tarangire, the three-million-year-old Ngorongoro Crater was once a gigantic volcano that some suggest was even higher than Mt Kilimanjaro. The resident wildlife is diverse and easily tracked – cheetah, elephant, hyena, hippo, lion, leopard, and a vast array of bird life.
Entamanu and Entamanu Private sit on the remote north-western corner of the Crater rim, off the beaten track, in Maasai territory. We were adamant when we chose to nest up here that it would be a place to experience the Crater of old. Far from the crowds, tucked away and remote.
Expect to pay: $995 - $1,750 per person per night
There’s good reason the Serengeti is one of the best-known safari destinations in the world, even without the wildebeest, the density of animals is beyond belief. The wildebeest migration tends to be the headline act but in the company of a good guide you’ll get into wild areas and discover all aspects of this wilderness.
If any camp epitomizes Nomad’s light-footed, restless nature, it’s this one. The canvas home from home and indomitable crew are on the move, season by season to follow the herds, year-round. We up and move our camp guided by the migration and leave no trace. Think campfires, bucket showers and a camp light on its feet but rest assured you don’t go short on creature comforts while experiencing the super-herd of a million and half wildebeest.
Standing proud above the Kogakuria Kopje, you’ll find the Serengeti’s most stylish camp, just a few miles from the Mara River crossings.
Our vision for Lamai was ‘See, but don’t be seen’. Each room is carefully tucked away among the rocks with panoramic views of the northern Serengeti plains across to the Maasai Mara beyond.
It doesn’t get much better than this: hanging out together in the world’s greatest mammal habitat, completely free from other people and schedules. The African bush as your backyard and your Nomad private guide to get you out here.
Recommended stay: 3 - 5 nights
Expect to pay: $865 - $2,250 per person
We’re hugely proud of our guides. The are the best in the business., and most have been with us since the beginning. And where they stand is between you, and all the wild potential your adventure holds.
We’ve always said that a privately guided safari is the best safari you can have. Which is why every safari with Nomad gets a private guide, as standard.
We tailor all our safaris to your particular requirements, but we understand that it's useful to have an idea of what works best, what’s available and a ballpark cost. Have a flick through our safari itineraries and get in touch to get the ball rolling.
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.
Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible.
There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.
This is the trip of lifetime so you must have a good camera (or phone) to capture those wonderful memories. More importantly is a decent pair of binoculars - essential for your time in the bush. Sunscreen and insect repellant should be in the bag as well as a good water bottle, although you will be provided with a Nomad water bottle as part of your stay - hydration is really important on safari and in dry climates. Check your luggage restrictions with your tour operator as there are restrictions on luggage allowance for domestic flights in Tanzania. Also, if you react to insect bites be sure to bring antihistamines. It is a good idea to carry loperamide (commonly sold as Imodium) just in case.
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.
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.
Sundowners are a wonderful part of safari life. At the end of your day in the bush, its time to kick back and celebrate the sightings, the adventures and time with your loved ones. All with something cold in hand!
For peak seasons, between 9 and 12 months ahead is wise. This can vary depending on the places and camp you'd like to visit with some filling up earlier. The best camps and guides are worth planning for.
Firstly, you should only tip of you genuinely feel that the service you have received warrants it. Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. Tipping amounts very much depends on your experience but we tend to work with a range of 10-15 US dollars per guest per day. Equally, it's not unusual for a family or group to pitch in slightly below this as a group tip.
