Lodge Overview

Who would ever pair the words “luxury” with “rustic”? Or the words “sophistication” with “wild”? It may seem a literary paradox, but these are precisely the words that come to mind when attempting to describe Lemala Ndutu Luxury Camp in the South Serengeti, otherwise known as Lemala Ndutu. And a few more words come to mind too… authentic, luxurious, pristine, lavish, primal, beautiful, remote, dramatic… We could go on, but hopefully you are starting to get the idea. THIS is where the wilderness meets civilization, in a big way!

Nestled underneath a grove of umbrella trees, far off the beaten path, 10 secluded safari tents line a grassy pathway leading from a main dining tent and lounge. This semi-permanent venue offers the ideal location to witness the Serengeti’s premier event during the heart of the green season… the Great Migration. Every year, on pause during their epic journey to find food and water, the Great Migration pours right through the southern Serengeti plains and the Ndutu woodlands with all the thundering drama you might expect from over 2 million large animals!

Accommodations here consist of just ten (10) intimate safari-style tents. The camp is “semi-permanent”, meaning it is actually taken down and moved to a different location at certain times of the year to follow the Great Migration. During the green season, specifically December - April, the camp makes its home here in the South Serengeti near Lake Ndutu. Because of its mobile nature, Lemala Camp does not have many of the established fixtures you might find at other permanent camps and lodges such as swimming pools, elaborate structures, or even underground plumbing. However, the staff here does a remarkable job in making everything extremely comfortable and offering guests a level of luxury that will suit the most discerning of travelers.

This considerable effort shows up in the smallest of details, such as shimmering chandeliers over the dining room table, a fully stocked liqueur cabinet, four-course gourmet meals, and hot showers made to order. The flicker of torches lights the dark pathways in the evenings and invite you to the Lodge’s common areas for sundowners and fire-side chats. The size of the camp gives it an inherently cozy feel and strangers quickly become friends. Guests join one another around a brilliantly lit bonfire in the evenings for drinks, and then feast together by candlelight around a big timber dining table. The dining tent shares a roof with the lounge and sitting area, which is furnished by overstuffed couch cushions, coffee table, and a fully stocked liqueur cabinet.

Guests are escorted by arrow-wielding Maasai warriors back and forth from their tents to the common areas as needed. Lemala is definitely remote, being one of the only lodges serving as a base to game-drive this part of the Serengeti eco-system, and offers a feeling of authentic seclusion that simply cannot be duplicated. Lemala Serengeti’s unique location, intimate size, and attention to detail make it one of our top picks for witnessing the Great Migration during the peak of the green season.

Location

With Lemala Camp, it’s ALL about location! And the governing theme for the location of this camp is the opportunity to witness the Great Migration in action. In fact, the location of this camp changes to different sites throughout the year to literally “follow the Migration” on its annual journey. During the heart of the green season this venue is tucked in the corner of the Serengeti Eco-system where the great plains meet the southern woodlands and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).

The location of the camp offers guests a fantastic view of the spillway that extends from Lake Ndutu towards Kusini. The permanent salts and water of this spillway attract a menagerie of different animals, including herbivores looking for the nourishment of the minerals, with the large predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs stalking in the grass close behind! Various animals are known to visit the camp almost daily. And when thick herds of wildebeest and zebra pour through Ndutu, well you just cannot beat these front row seats to the Great Migration!

Accommodations

The main Lodge Tent includes a comfy lounge with oversized couches, liquor cabinet, dining tent and nearby fire-pit. Sleeping accommodations at Lemala Camp consist of just ten intimate luxury tents under canvas. The tents are arranged at ground level on wooden platforms with stylish rugs. The tents can be arranged to accommodate single or double beds, and there are two family style tents available with 1 queen and 2 single beds each. Each tent is elegantly appointed with a quaint writing desk, storage trunks, a coffee station, and two bedside tables complete with candle-lamps. At the back of each safari tent is an enclosed en suite bathroom complete with a dressing area, proper flushing toilet, vanity and sink with running water, and a safari style shower that can be filled with up to 40 liters of hot water upon request.

The tents are pleasantly spaced apart from one another to ensure relative privacy. You will be escorted by the camp staff to and from dinner each evening to assure your safety.

Food and Drink

Get ready for serious gourmet in the bush! Meals at Lemala Camp are absolutely fantastic. Breakfast consists of a mixed buffet with orders taken for eggs, omelets, bacon, toast, etc. The buffet consists of yogurt, nuts, cereal, breads, fruit and juice. Alternatively, breakfast boxes can be arranged for early morning game drives. Similarly to breakfast, you have your choice of dining in the main tent for lunch or enjoying a lunch box if you plan a full day adventure game drive. The choice is yours – this is YOUR private safari, after all!

Dinner is a wonderful event to look forward to at Lemala Camp, and it is one of the few places where everyone joins together for a family-style dinner at one long dinner table. Usually the mingling with other guests starts over sundowners around a roaring campfire while the camp staff arranges a feast for you in the main dining tent nearby. Once everything is prepared the staff comes out to the campfire to “collect” all the guests from the fireside and lounge areas and seats everyone around an elegant candle-lit table set with weighty silverware and crystal and draped in fine linen. Dinner consists of four delicious courses with the main course being a choice of either chicken, beef, lamb or pasta.

Most drinks including soft drinks, beer, wine and house wine are included in our safari packages at Lemala Camp.

Special Features

• private game drives into the most remote corners of the Serengeti National park
• Remote location in the Ndutu Woodlands near the Great Migration (Dec – March)
• picnic breakfasts and lunches available
• Bush dinner available if weather permits
• Nightly sundowners and campfire if weather permits
• Intimate and informal setting that features dining with other guests at dinner
• 24 hour solar electricity
• Battery charging available in the main tent only
• Laundry service (complimentary up to 3 items of laundry per person per day)
• Complimentary house beverages with dinner including soft drinks, beer and house wine (premium drinks are extra cost)
• Child policy – Minimum 6 Years Old
• En suite bathroom has dressing area, flush toilet, shower with 40 liters of water per person per day between 6.30-8pm
• No hairdryer or use of hairdryer due to limited solar power
• Bar and sundries cash only policy; no credit card facility available