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
Charlie, Sanjan
Charlie, Southwest Serengeti
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.
Yes we do have WI-FI at our camps - in the most remote locations the Wi-Fi can be limited to your tent or the main mess. We try to keep wi-fi in the tents so the mess and lounge area continue to be social and communal areas.
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.
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.
Not all travellers into Tanzania require a visa. You must have a single entry tourist visa or business visa, is the general rule but there are country exemptions from this. On the most part, single entry or business visas can be obtained on arrival but we recommend where possible, to process the visa online ahead of travel - just make sure you allow enough time to do so!
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.
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.
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.
Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.
