Lamai Serengeti

Location

Lamai occupies the Kogakuria kopje in the far northern reaches of Serengeti National Park, positioned strategically between the Mara River and the Kenyan border. This elevated position in the Lamai Wedge – that triangular wilderness sequestered by the river – places you 20 minutes from multiple crossing points where wildebeest brave crocodile-infested waters between July and October. The camp sits roughly 90 minutes’ drive north of Lobo, accessible via game-viewing roads that reveal increasing wildlife density as you approach this predator-rich corner of the ecosystem.

Your approach from Kogatende Airstrip takes 30 minutes through acacia woodland and open plains, often serving as an impromptu game drive with elephant, giraffe and sometimes wild dog sightings. The kopje itself rises dramatically from surrounding grasslands, its ancient granite boulders creating natural platforms that Nomad Tanzania has cleverly incorporated into the camp’s design. This far-northern position means you’re exploring areas where few other vehicles venture – the Wogakuria region and Lamai Wedge remain refreshingly uncrowded even during peak migration season.

During the migration months, your location puts you equidistant from crossing points 4, 5 and 6 – the most dramatic spots where steep banks create spectacular leaping scenes. Outside migration season, this corner of the Serengeti maintains exceptional resident wildlife densities thanks to permanent water sources and varied habitat from riverine forest to open grassland.

Rooms

The architectural philosophy at Lamai treats massive granite boulders not as obstacles but as natural room dividers, creating eight distinct sanctuaries that blend into the kopje’s ancient geometry. Open-fronted designs with retractable canvas walls let you choose your level of exposure to the wilderness, while locally crafted furnishings from Maasai artisans add authentic character without sacrificing comfort.

Standard Rooms (5 rooms) provide intimate escapes for couples, each spanning roughly 50 square meters with king-sized beds that face directly out to endless views. The open-fronted design means you wake to sunrise painting the plains gold, while private verandas with daybeds become afternoon reading spots or sunset cocktail venues. En-suite bathrooms feature proper flush toilets, twin basins, and powerful hot showers – remarkable given the remote location. Perfect for honeymooners or couples seeking romance with wilderness immersion.

Family Rooms (3 rooms) brilliantly solve the safari-with-children challenge through interconnected spaces. Room 4 perches high among boulders with separate twin and double bedrooms sharing a bathroom and veranda – children love the adventure of scrambling between rocks. Room 7 offers easier access with less climbing, while Room 12 provides ground-level convenience. Each family configuration maintains privacy between bedrooms while allowing parents peace of mind. The shared bathrooms feature double facilities to prevent morning queues. Ideal for families with children 8+ or friends traveling together who want proximity without sacrificing personal space.

Room positioning varies dramatically – Room 1 requires a 250-meter walk through boulders that becomes its own adventure, while Rooms 5 and 6 suit those with mobility concerns. The camp’s honesty about room differences helps match guests to appropriate accommodations, ensuring comfort regardless of fitness levels.

Communal Areas

The main mess area wraps around a massive boulder formation, creating distinct zones that flow naturally while maintaining intimate conversation spaces. The open-sided design frames panoramic views across the northern Serengeti to the Masai Mara beyond – binoculars on the bar often suffice for wildlife viewing without leaving your drink. Locally sourced décor includes shaggy lampshades and woven poufs created by Eliza, a Maasai artisan whose work with Nomad transformed her cottage industry into camp-wide installations.

A swimming pool carved into the rocks provides cooling afternoon relief, its infinity edge creating the illusion of spilling into the plains below. The adjacent massage pavilion offers post-drive relaxation (at additional cost), though many prefer the library’s collection of field guides and maps for planning tomorrow’s adventures. The bar stocks premium spirits and South African wines (Champagne and premium wines at additional cost).

Lamai Private, when booked exclusively, includes its own mess area, pool and dedicated staff – essentially a separate camp sharing the same extraordinary location. This clever division allows the intimacy of a private house with the backup of a full camp’s resources.

Activities

Game drives from Lamai adapt to seasonal wildlife patterns, with July through October focused on the Mara River’s crossing points just 20 minutes away. Your guides maintain radio contact with others positioned along the river, maximizing chances of witnessing crossings at points 4, 5 and 6 where dramatic leaps make for spectacular viewing. Patience is essential – wildebeest can mill at the riverside for hours before one brave individual triggers the stampede.

Outside migration season, the northern Serengeti’s exceptional resident wildlife provides year-round excitement. The area supports one of Africa’s highest predator densities – part of the ecosystem’s 3,000-4,000 lions – with prides regularly seen on the Lamai Wedge’s kopjes. Cheetah hunt the open plains, while leopard favor the riverine forests. The Big Five are all present, though rhino sightings remain rare.

Walking safaris operate when grass height permits, typically June through October, with armed rangers leading explorations of surrounding kopjes and plains. The elevated terrain around camp offers exceptional hiking with panoramic viewpoints. Bush picnics and sundowners are arranged at scenic spots, often timed to coincide with wildlife spectacles. Hot air balloon safaris ([VERIFY – current rate needed]) launch from nearby sites, providing aerial perspectives of the migration rivers and plains.