Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge

Highlights

  • Most Known For

    • Ultra-modern conveniences under canvas
    • Nestled around the beautiful Kimasi Kopjes
    • Klipspringer antelopes reliably seen here
    • Sundowners, bush dinners and nature walks
  • Activities

    Private Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Sundowners & Bonfires

  • Wildlife

    Cheetah, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Bat-eared Fox, Reedbuck, Giraffe, Elephant, Hippo, Rhino, Warthog

Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge

A centrally located tented lodge with the modern comforts of a large hotel. At only 16 lovely tents, this Lodge offers an intimate tented camp environment in the heart of the Serengeti, and manages to maintain an authentic safari ambience without sacrificing anything in terms of amenities. After all, who would expect wireless high-speed internet and 24/7 electricity underneath canvas, while lions may be roaring just outside the door? Turns out it really is possible to have it all!

View Central Serengeti Map Nearby Attractions Seasonal Highlights Nearby Lodges

Lodge Overview

Is it really possible to have it all? Ultra-modern conveniences under canvas, easy access to big game in a remote location, and luxurious comfort in the middle of the wilderness? Is it really possible to have an authentic safari experience in an intimate setting with the modern comforts of a large hotel? It is! In fact almost anything is possible here at the lovely Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge!

Mbuzi Mawe first opened its doors in the spring of 2005 and has gained a huge fan base since that time. At only 16 lovely tents, this Lodge offers an intimate tented camp environment in the heart of the Central Serengeti, and manages to maintain an authentic safari ambience without sacrificing anything in terms of amenities.

After all, who would expect wireless high-speed internet and 24/7 electricity underneath canvas, while lions may be roaring just outside the door? Turns out it really is possible to have it all! Each spacious sleeping tent is furnished with 2 queen size four-poster beds, sitting area, writing desk, en suite bathrooms and a lovely veranda with an extra large zebra striped sun bed for two. The main lodge is equally charming and consists of a cozy tented lounge and bar, outdoor patio, both indoor and outdoor dining rooms, gift shop and a fire pit. The sleeping tents are nestled around the base of the beautiful Kimasi Kopjes while the main lodge tent is set further up on a hill allowing for views of the surrounding landscape. The surrounding topography is one of gentle rolling hills, open acacia tree woodlands and large granite outcrops called kopjes.

Mbuzi Mawe's low-profile tented accommodations blend seamlessly into the stunning natural environment that surrounds it. The granite boulders of Kimasi tumble up the hill in impossible piles and dense vegetation surrounds the property, giving the lodge a cozy "hidden" feeling. It is not uncommon to see Cape Buffalos standing as sentinels along the driveway, elephants leisurely browsing at the entry or giraffe effortlessly gliding through the densely packed acacia that cover the surrounding landscape.

Animated klipspringer antelope are reliably seen here, springing effortlessly from boulder to boulder as if celebrating your arrival; the name Mbuzi Mawe is actually the Swahili word for these tiny antelope acrobats and there is certainly no shortage of them to be found near the property.

Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp is located on the northernmost edge of the Central Serengeti. Mbuzi Mawe is most commonly used as a base to game drive the Central Serengeti game circuits including the Seronera Valley but can also be used for exploring the Northern Serengeti including the Lobo Valley game circuits. The Seronera River Valley in particular, with its abundance of resident animals including all the big carnivores, is a must see no matter what time of year.

Location

Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp (elevation of 5,133 feet) is located on the northernmost edge of the Central Serengeti. The lodge is situated around the handsome Kimasi Kopjes and is just a mile east of the main road that joins the northern and central regions of the Serengeti National Park. The lodge is about 18 miles northeast of the Seronera Airstrip and about 20 miles southwest of the Lobo Airstrip. It is roughly a 1-hour drive from Mbuzi Mawe to either Lobo Valley or Seronera Valley.

Longer game drives are also possible from Mbuzi Mawe to more remote areas of the park including the famous Serengeti eastern plains and the Gol Kopjes. The GOL Kopjes are an approximately 2.5 hour drive to the south. This drive is only recommended during the green season when the eastern plains are green and packed with game. The southern plains south of Naabi Hill are really not feasible given Mbuzi Mawe's location. Accordingly, during the green season the lodge is best combined with a lodge or camp in the South Serengeti. During the dry season, the Mara River at the extreme north of the park may be reached on a long but incredibly adventurous 4-hour game drive.

Accommodations

Accommodations at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge consist of 16 luxury tents furnished with 2 queen size four-poster beds. The well-appointed tents are built on concrete foundations with tiled floors. Each tent is charmingly decorated with fine hardwood furnishings and zebra pattern cushions and pillows. Furnishings include a ceiling fan, writing desk and a small sitting area with a table and chairs. There are private en suite bathrooms at the rear of each tent including a proper flushing toilet, double sink, shower and luggage rack. At the front of each tent is a lovely veranda with a double sun bed on one side and two safari deck chairs on the other side.

The lodge property itself is small and the tents are situated relatively close together, linked by a convenient footpath. The benefit of a small property is that it is a short and convenient walk to the main lodge and dining area. However, there can be some mild foot traffic and noise at night. There is 24-hour electricity in each tent and a fruit basket is provided upon arrival.

There are a couple of hairdryers available that may be checked out at the main lodge. Internet access is also available at the main lodge with an onsite computer, and wireless internet is available inside the sleeping tents in case you brought your laptop along. Turndown service is conducted in the evenings and a coffee/tea and cookie tray is delivered to your tent each morning at a prearranged time upon request.

Food & Drink

Breakfast is served mixed buffet style with a buffet breakfast consisting of cereal, fruit, yogurt, granola and muffins and a separate order taken for hot items including eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon. Both lunch and dinner consist of delicious 4-course meals. They are both served fixed course (not buffet) though plenty of choices are offered on the menu. Breakfast boxes are available for early morning game drives and lunch boxes are also available so one can undertake full day adventure game drives.

A typical lunch would consist of the following: 1st course - cucumber salad with mint dressing; 2nd course - spiced chicken soup with vegetables; 3rd course - choice of grilled steak with peppercorn sauce OR stir fried turkey pineapple OR freshly tossed spaghetti pomodoro sauce; 4th course - cocoa cake with custard sauce OR tropical fresh fruit OR cheese plate with crackers. Each main course would be accompanied by potatoes or rice and grilled vegetables.

A typical dinner would consist of the following: 1st course - avocado salad with vinaigrette; 2nd course - cream of tomato soup; 3rd course - choice of sirloin steak with horseradish sauce OR ducking stew in coconut sauce OR aubergine and potato masala; 4th course - passion mousse OR tropical fresh fruit OR cheese plate with crackers. Each main course would be accompanied by potatoes or rice and grilled vegetables.

Special Features

  • Private game drives
  • Convenient access to the Seronera River Valley and Lobo Valley
  • Walk next to the hippos at Retina Hippo Pool
  • Balloon safaris available o Picnic breakfasts and lunches available
  • Full day game drives to the GOL Kopjes
  • Visit the Maasai Rock paintings and hike up 'Gong' rock in the Moru Kopjes
  • Mara River full day adventure game drive
  • Sleeping accommodations consist of 16 luxury tents
  • Main building consists of lounge, gift shop, bar, dining room and open air veranda and fire pit
  • Common areas are easily accessible
  • Complimentary use of a shared computer and internet inside lobby
  • Wireless Internet service available inside sleeping tents
  • 24 hour electricity and hot water
  • Hairdryer available upon request

Nearby Attractions

Seasonal Highlights

For the Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge

Recommended Month to Visit

Month Season Recommended Weather Wildlife Sightings
Jan Green Season YES 60 - 85 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Feb Green Season YES 60 - 85 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Mar Green Season YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Apr Green Season YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
May Northward Migration YES 56 - 81 F
Mostly sunny
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo, Possibility of the Wildebeest Migration in mid to late May
Jun Beginning of Dry Season YES 56 - 81 F
Mostly sunny
Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo
Jul Dry Season YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny
Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Aug Dry Season YES 55 - 81 F
Mostly sunny
Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Sep Dry Season YES 55 - 81 F
Mostly sunny
Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Oct Dry Season YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny
Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo
Nov Southward Migration YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo, Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration
Dec Beginning of Green Season YES 60 - 83 F
Mostly sunny with few showers
Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo

Nearby Lodges

Rates & Booking

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