Where We Stay · Camps, Lodges and Island Resorts
The camps, lodges and beach retreats we choose for our own guests, each one visited by our team in Nairobi.
Where to stay in the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Rwanda, Uganda, southern Africa, Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius.
The best luxury safari lodges and camps in East Africa include Angama Mara, Mara Plains Camp and Cottar's 1920s Camp in Kenya's Maasai Mara, Singita Sasakwa, Four Seasons Serengeti and Singita Mara River Tented Camp in Tanzania, and Bisate Lodge and One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda. Ongeri Expeditions only places guests in camps, lodges and island resorts that our team has visited in person, across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, southern Africa, Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius, and matches each one to your dates, your budget and the wildlife you most want to see.
Chosen and revisited by Abner Ongeri and the team in Karen, Nairobi. Updated September 2026.
The same wildlife can feel very different depending on where you sleep. These are the stays we suggest most often, and why.
For the river crossings from July to October, stay in the northern Serengeti or the Maasai Mara. For the calving season from December to March, stay in Ndutu in the southern Serengeti.
Singita Mara RiverLamai
Sayari CampNorthern Serengeti
Mara Plains CampOlare Motorogi
Angama MaraMara Triangle
Laba Migration CampNdutu
Kusini SerengetiKusini
Mwiba LodgeMwiba Reserve
Stay close to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi in Rwanda, where the treks begin, or inside Bwindi in Uganda.
Bisate LodgeVolcanoes
Singita Kwitonda LodgeVolcanoes
One&Only Gorilla's NestVolcanoes
Sabyinyo Silverback LodgeVolcanoes
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest CampBwindi
Fewer vehicles at every sighting, with night drives and walking safaris that the national reserves do not allow.
Mara Plains CampOlare Motorogi
Mara NyikaNaboisho
Cottar's 1920s CampOlderkesi
Mahali MzuriOlare Motorogi
Ol Donyo LodgeChyulu Hills
SasaabWestgate
Plunge pools, private dinners and the quietest corners of the bush, then a few days on a Seychelles island.
Mahali MzuriOlare Motorogi
Angama MaraMara Triangle
Singita Sasakwa LodgeGrumeti
Fregate Island PrivateFregate Island
Six Senses Zil PasyonFelicite
A whole house or island with your own guide, vehicle and chef, for families, friends and celebrations.
Kifaru HouseLewa Conservancy
Singita Faru FaruGrumeti
&Beyond Mnemba IslandMnemba Atoll
Fregate Island PrivateFregate Island
Zanzibar is a short flight from the Serengeti, and the Seychelles and Mauritius are a few hours from Nairobi.
Xanadu VillasZanzibar
&Beyond Mnemba IslandMnemba Atoll
Four Seasons Resort SeychellesMahe
One&Only Le Saint GeranBelle MareEvery property we use, each visited by our team. Filter by destination or type of stay, and open the card that catches your eye.
KenyaFourteen glass sided suites on a private stretch of the Mara River.
KenyaTreehouse tented suites woven into the canopy of the Naboisho Conservancy.
KenyaUnderstated 1920s glamour in the Mara Triangle, beneath the Oloololo Escarpment.
KenyaTimeless safari elegance beneath ancient fig trees in the Mara Triangle.
KenyaSuspended a thousand feet above the Mara Triangle on the Oloololo Escarpment.
KenyaTents that feel like rooms, set on the Talek River inside the main reserve.
KenyaAn intimate Great Plains camp in the exclusive Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
KenyaA small, beautifully kept tree camp in the private Mara North Conservancy.
KenyaPositioned for direct access to the Migration's Mara River crossings.
KenyaSafari as it was in the golden age, on a private conservancy between the Mara and the Serengeti.
KenyaOn the Sand River in the quiet southern Mara, with daily game drives.
KenyaTwenty tented pavilions above the Talek River, inside the reserve itself.
KenyaAn intimate camp on a quiet stretch of the Mara.
KenyaTwelve tented suites suspended above a valley on the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
KenyaNine tents in an acacia grove, with walking safaris across the conservancy.
KenyaA tented camp on the open ridges of the Naboisho Conservancy.
KenyaA boutique tented camp in the Mara Triangle.
TanzaniaContemporary tented luxury near the big cat country of the Seronera Valley.
TanzaniaA seasonally positioned camp that moves to follow the herds.
TanzaniaAn Edwardian manor on a Serengeti ridge, with the finest cellar in Africa.
TanzaniaA hilltop retreat with cinematic Serengeti views, prime for migration season.
TanzaniaUnder canvas luxury that moves with the herds across the Serengeti.
TanzaniaA private concession of cottages in the northern Serengeti hills.
TanzaniaA pool deck above an elephant watering hole in the heart of the Serengeti.
TanzaniaTented suites among the Kusini kopjes, close to the calving herds on the southern plains.
TanzaniaLaba Laba's luxury mobile camp on the Ndutu plains, pitched for the calving season from December to March.
TanzaniaTented suites above Lake Masek on the edge of the Ndutu plains, open all year.
TanzaniaGlass fronted suites among the Wogakuria kopjes, close to the northern river crossings.
TanzaniaA mobile camp beside the Ndutu marsh for the calving season, which moves north for the river crossings.
TanzaniaA classic tented camp in the western Serengeti.
TanzaniaThe flagship lodge of the private Mwiba Reserve, at its finest during the calving season.
TanzaniaA camp in the private Mwiba Reserve, beside the southern plains and the calving herds.
TanzaniaCheetah country in the eastern Serengeti, with almost no other vehicles in sight.
TanzaniaA tented camp in the northern Serengeti, on the line of the river crossings.
TanzaniaTented suites beneath the Nyaruswiga hills in the big cat country of the Seronera Valley.
TanzaniaSet on the Mara River for the northern Serengeti crossings, July through October.
Tanzania&Beyond canvas that packs up and moves with the herds through the year.
TanzaniaA river lodge in the Grumeti reserve, relaxed in mood and rich in game.
TanzaniaSix tents on the Mara River in Lamai, the most intimate Singita in Tanzania.
TanzaniaTented elegance on the open plains of the Grumeti reserve.
TanzaniaAn intimate tented camp deep in the Serengeti plains.
TanzaniaA mobile camp that follows the herds, pitched on the southern plains in calving season.
KenyaIntimate conservancy lodge with Kilimanjaro framed in every suite.
KenyaDesign forward suites in Kimana Sanctuary, home to Africa's last super tuskers.
KenyaA classic tented camp on a private conservancy facing Kilimanjaro.
KenyaA stone and thatch lodge in a private conservancy facing the mountain.
KenyaA private conservancy retreat where rewilded valleys restore the soul.
KenyaA relaxed tented camp on the Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia.
KenyaStar beds and big skies on the Laikipia plateau.
KenyaLight filled tented suites on the open Laikipia plateau.
KenyaClassic elegance and exclusive access to Lewa's celebrated rhino sanctuary.
KenyaRelais & Châteaux elegance on Lewa, beside a spring fed marsh and its resident elephants.
KenyaThe singing wells, the Mathews Range and one of Kenya's great community conservancies.
KenyaA hilltop lodge with sweeping views over the Kalama Conservancy.
KenyaMoroccan styled suites on a ridge above the Ewaso Nyiro, each with a plunge pool.
KenyaA classic tented camp on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
TanzaniaStylish comfort perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
TanzaniaCape Dutch elegance on a working coffee estate in the highlands.
TanzaniaBaroque interiors on the crater rim, and the most photographed lodge in Tanzania.
TanzaniaForest suites on the quiet eastern rim, fifteen minutes from the crater floor.
TanzaniaA hilltop lodge above the Tarangire River and its baobab dotted plains.
TanzaniaA private concession between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, with walking and fly camping.
TanzaniaA classic camp in the quiet southern reaches of Tarangire, with night drives and walking.
TanzaniaA secluded tented camp among the baobabs of southern Tarangire.
TanzaniaElevated rooms built around ancient baobab and marula trees.
RwandaWoven forest villas in a volcanic amphitheatre, at the gate of the gorilla forest.
RwandaEucalyptus forest suites at the foot of the Volcanoes.
RwandaA tea estate lodge on the rim of Nyungwe's ancient rainforest.
RwandaA community owned lodge beneath the Virunga volcanoes.
RwandaVolcano views and gorilla trekking on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
RwandaRefined city rooms and skyline views in central Kigali.
RwandaA boutique urban retreat in the heart of Kigali.
RwandaA waterside camp in the wild plains of Akagera National Park.
UgandaA comfortable overnight rest before the morning flight to Bwindi.
UgandaThe only luxury lodge inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
UgandaA contemporary lodge in the hills above Bwindi's gorilla forest.
KenyaSuites with private rooftop star beds across the Chyulu Hills.
KenyaCottages carved into Mughwango Hill in the wild beauty of Meru.
KenyaEdwardian luxury beside spring fed pools in Tsavo West, with Kilimanjaro beyond.
KenyaReach Tsavo in style aboard the SGR train.
KenyaRefined lodge living with Mount Kenya as your backdrop.
TanzaniaEight suites built into a kopje above the baobabs of Ruaha.
TanzaniaA boutique tented camp among the baobabs of Ruaha, Tanzania's wildest great park.
TanzaniaA working coffee and dairy farm on the edge of the Ngorongoro highlands.
TanzaniaTwelve bandas on a private island atoll, available for exclusive use.
TanzaniaBarefoot luxury on the northeast coast of the island.
TanzaniaAn all inclusive beach resort on the calm east coast.
TanzaniaAdults only beach villas on the southeast coast of Zanzibar.
TanzaniaA design led beach resort on the northwest coast of Zanzibar.
SeychellesTree house villas perched above Petite Anse across 170 forested acres.
SeychellesAll villa seclusion on a private cove of Mahe.
SeychellesA resort and championship golf course on Praslin.
SeychellesA private island sanctuary of villas above seven beaches.
SeychellesHillside villas above a quiet bay on northern Mahe.
SeychellesA resort tucked into Baie Lazare on the south of Mahe.
SeychellesCliffside pool villas on the granite island of Felicite.
SeychellesBeachfront living on Beau Vallon, northern Mahe.
MauritiusAn iconic resort on a private peninsula on the island's east coast.
MauritiusLaid back island luxury on the Mauritian coast.
MauritiusBeach and ocean villas on the Anahita peninsula.
MauritiusA resort across two islands at Le Touessrok.
MauritiusA landmark resort beneath the Le Morne mountain in Mauritius.
MauritiusPavilions and villas in tropical gardens on Turtle Bay.
MauritiusA turtle bay resort on the northwest coast of Mauritius.
KenyaBeachfront elegance on the white sands of Watamu.
KenyaA boutique retreat on Diani's white sand coast.
KenyaAn island hideaway on Manda, off Lamu.
ZimbabweAn intimate Zambezi front camp just upstream of the falls.
ZimbabweSuites on a private stretch of the Zambezi, upstream of the falls.
ZambiaA grand riverside hotel a short walk from the falls.
ZambiaTreehouse suites along the Zambezi above Victoria Falls.
BotswanaPangolin shaped suites in a private Okavango concession bordering Moremi.
South AfricaA V&A Waterfront landmark with Table Mountain framed in your balcony glass.
South AfricaAn art filled cliffside villa above Bantry Bay, Cape Town.
South AfricaA vineyard hotel in the Franschhoek winelands.
South AfricaA polished boutique stay in the heart of Cape Town.
KenyaColonial elegance and tranquil gardens in leafy Karen, a graceful prelude to the wild.
KenyaCity sophistication and fine dining, a smooth transition into safari mode.
KenyaBreakfast with the resident giraffes at Kenya's most photographed house.
KenyaA riverside lodge inside Nairobi National Park, twenty minutes from the airport.
TanzaniaPlantation charm on a working coffee estate, the ideal soft landing.
TanzaniaGarden cottages on a working coffee estate, a gracious first and last night for a northern Tanzania safari.
No stay matches that yet. Tell us where you would like to go and we will suggest the right camp.
Straight answers from our team in Nairobi. For advice on your own dates, a safari designer replies the same day.
1-888-502-0560 Toll free, US & Canada Speak to an ExpertAngama Mara sits above the Mara Triangle with some of the finest views in Kenya. Mara Plains Camp and Mahali Mzuri are in private conservancies with fewer vehicles, Cottar's 1920s Camp recreates a classic safari, and Olonana Lodge sits on the Mara River. The best choice depends on your month and whether you prefer the reserve or a private conservancy.
For the river crossings from July to October, stay in the northern Serengeti at camps such as Singita Mara River Tented Camp, Sayari Camp or Lemala Kuria Hills. For the calving season from December to March, stay in Ndutu at Laba Migration Camp, Kusini Serengeti or Mwiba Lodge. In June, the Grumeti area in the western Serengeti is best.
Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla's Nest and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge are all close to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi, where the treks begin. In Uganda, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
A tented camp uses canvas suites, usually smaller and closer to the wild, with the sounds of the bush at night. A lodge is a permanent building, typically with more facilities such as pools, spas and larger rooms. Both can be equally luxurious.
Most luxury camps include all meals, most drinks, laundry and shared game drives with a professional guide. Park and conservancy fees, private vehicles and some activities, such as hot air balloon flights, can be extra. We confirm exactly what each camp includes in your proposal.
Rates vary by camp and season. As a guide, luxury camps in East Africa start from around USD 750 per person per night with meals, drinks and game drives, rising considerably for exclusive use houses and for the peak months in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti.
For July to October, the festive season and gorilla trekking, we suggest 9 to 12 months ahead, because the smaller camps fill first. For other months, 3 to 6 months is usually enough.
Many can. Some camps welcome children of all ages, while others set a minimum age, often 6, 8 or 12 years, and gorilla trekking starts at 15. Tell us the ages of your children and we will suggest camps that welcome them.
Yes. Tell us the camps you have in mind and we will build a private tailormade safari around them, including flights, transfers, guiding and park fees. A safari designer replies within 24 hours.
Every property in this collection has been visited and tested by our team in Nairobi. We only place guests in camps, lodges and houses we know personally, and we revisit them regularly so our advice stays current.
Yes. Alongside the camps and lodges listed here, we arrange exclusive use houses, villas and private islands, such as Kifaru House in Lewa, Singita Faru Faru in the Grumeti and &Beyond Mnemba Island off Zanzibar.
Yes. We also use lodges at Victoria Falls, in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and in Cape Town and the Winelands in South Africa, which pair well with an East African safari.
Tell us which stays caught your eye, and a safari designer in Nairobi will suggest the best rooms, the right nights and the rest of the route.
Explore by destination: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius. Planning the timing too? See the best time to go on safari and our Great Migration guide.