Experience the Great Migration in Serenity: This Updated Dinogo Camp in Tanzania Delivers

The Dinogo Perspective

In Tanzania, Singita is renowned for its six eco-friendly luxury camps, lodges, and villas situated within the 350,000-acre Grumeti Reserve, adjacent to the vast Serengeti National Park. This privately managed reserve safeguards a vital wildlife corridor for the annual migration and acts as a buffer between the western areas of the national park and the nearby communities. Just a short bush flight away, you’ll find the six-tent Singita Mara River Tented Camp, nestled in the wildlife-rich 98,000-acre Lamai Wedge, right next to the Mara River.

An extensive renovation has enhanced the camp's already impressive eco-credentials, ensuring minimal impact on the environment. Sustainability is a key element in the camp's architecture and design, utilizing reclaimed wood and materials from the original structure while highlighting the creativity of over 20 African artisans. Expect interiors featuring organic shapes and earthy hues, complemented by vibrant splashes of primary colors inspired by local Maasai traditions. Beautifully crafted woven and beaded wall art by Sidai Designs, a female-empowerment initiative based in Arusha, Tanzania, elegantly reflects the traditional Maasai art of decorative beading.

Who is it suited for?

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is perfect for those seeking a deep connection with nature while staying in a remote, unfenced camp by the Mara River, where only a thin layer of canvas separates them from the savanna. Rather than focusing on wellness, Singita aims to provide a sense of wholeness for all guests. Your days are shaped by thrilling game drives, leisurely meals, in-tent massages, guided yoga and meditation sessions, as well as wine tastings from the well-stocked cellar and evenings spent by the fire with new friends. During the area's annual migration season, adventurous travelers can avoid the crowds while staying right in the heart of the action, even as mobile tented camps follow the herds across Serengeti National Park.

Honeymooners will appreciate the seclusion offered by these tents, featuring outdoor bathtubs and showers. Families traveling with older children (as children under 10 are not allowed for safety reasons) can stay in double-family tents located in the center of the camp. Each family suite comprises two tents connected by an outdoor deck that overlooks the river. The cozy atmosphere of this six-tent camp makes it an excellent choice for exclusive bookings. Please note that Singita Mara River Tented Camp is closed during the rainy season, from mid-January to mid-May.

The setting

The Lamai Wedge is a top-notch location for wildlife observation along the Mara River. This triangular area is situated in the northernmost part of Serengeti National Park, shaped by a bend in the river and the unfenced border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Throughout the year, you can expect to see massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, eland, topi, and Thompson’s gazelle. As a seasoned sDinogoi traveler from South Africa, witnessing a herd of over 200 eland close to camp here ranks among my most unforgettable wildlife experiences.

The renowned river crossings of wildebeest and other ungulates typically take place in the northern Serengeti between July and October, part of their ongoing migration cycle between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Their movement is driven by the constant quest for fresh grazing grass, influenced by rainfall patterns.

The camp’s close proximity to the Mara River allows for easy access to the iconic river crossings during peak migration season, giving guests a first-in, last-out advantage since there are few permanent camps on the Lamai side of the river. Beyond the river, the Lamai features expansive landscapes of savanna, fig tree groves, and rocky hills known as koppies.

Perched above crossing point zero, this camp lies along the Mara River, a pivotal location for migrating wildebeest seeking fresh grazing. During peak migration, brace yourself for fierce predator encounters as crocodiles and lions lie in wait for their prey.

The accommodations

Six guest tents extend gracefully onto shaded decks with river vistas, ensuring ample privacy flanking the main area's lounge, dining room, library, self-service deli bar, fire pit, and pool deck. While the rooms lack AC, they benefit from cool breezes wafting up from the river and large fans inside. Each tent boasts a king-size bed adorned with designer Coral Stephens’ handcrafted textiles and enveloped in flowing mosquito netting.

The en suite bathroom features tent flaps that open to an outdoor shower and bathtub, a luxurious addition in such a secluded spot. Every inch of the interior is intelligently designed, incorporating practical solutions like mobile wardrobes and hanging storage. You’ll discover conveniences you didn’t even know you needed, including a portable minibar and a cooler stocked with local craft beers, wine, mixers, and homemade cordials for crafting your own cocktails.

Culinary offerings

The cuisine is simple, fresh, and harmonizes with the seasons. Many seasonal ingredients are locally sourced to minimize food miles and support regional producers. The company invests in small-scale organic farms on the edges of the national park, allowing camp kitchens to purchase fruits, vegetables, grass-fed meats, eggs, and honey from these sources. Hearty breakfasts include tropical fruits, homemade pastries, and eggs cooked in spicy oil, while lunches feature shareable small plates or chilled soups paired with crunchy salads. The highlight of dinner is the spicy Swahili feast, inspired by African, Indian, and Arab flavors, featuring beef skewers, slow-cooked beans, salads, and ugali, a savory sorghum porridge.

Team and hospitality

The entire staff is Tanzanian, with most having been part of the camp since its opening in 2012. They are experienced in managing a remote camp but may be a bit reserved when interacting with guests—so brushing up on a few Swahili words and phrases can help foster more engagement.

Mobility considerations

Although all the tents are on a single level, the split-level layout in common areas and the effort needed to navigate charter flights and climb on and off sMytouri vehicles can make this camp less accessible for those with mobility difficulties.

Exceeding Expectations

The camp has been reimagined to ensure minimal energy use and the lightest possible environmental footprint. Sustainable practices, including zero-carbon and zero-waste solutions, highlight Singita’s commitment to responsible design and operation.

Solar power drives everything from energy-efficient refrigerators and CFC-free freezers to the swimming pool pump and fans in the tents. It also powers a 330-foot-deep borehole that provides clean, pH-balanced water for drinking, available still or sparkling, served in recycled glass bottles. Guests contribute a carbon emission offset fee of $10 per metric tonne, which helps fund verified credits from Carbon Tanzania’s Yaeda Valley Forest project, enabling a local community to earn income through forest conservation. Rates start at $2,045 per person per night, covering accommodation, all meals and beverages, and twice-daily game drives.