Mila Tented Camp

Location

The Nyasirori setting feels like the Serengeti before Instagram discovered it – golden grassland punctuated by granite kopjes, with enough distance from the Seronera circus to actually hear birdsong rather than diesel engines. The 45-minute transfer from Grumeti Airstrip passes through progressively wilder country until you reach this corner of the western corridor where other vehicles become a genuine rarity. The camp’s proximity to the Grumeti River creates a reliable wildlife magnet, particularly during dry months when water becomes precious.

This is properly remote territory – a blessing for those seeking authentic wilderness but worth understanding if you’re expecting non-stop action. During migration season (the herds typically push through here May to July), you’re perfectly positioned for the dramatic western push. The rest of the year, you’re relying on superb resident game rather than the endless wildebeest columns that define peak Serengeti. The compensation is exceptional lion viewing – multiple prides treat this area as their personal domain – plus leopards, cheetahs, and elephants without the vehicle scrums that plague the central regions. Being within the national park means no night drives (unlike private concessions), but the trade-off is access to pristine wilderness at a fraction of what you’d pay for similar exclusivity elsewhere.

Rooms

Six tents total – five doubles and one family unit – sounds almost austere until you understand the execution. These are proper safari tents in the classic sense, mounted on raised platforms with canvas walls that create that authentic bush atmosphere while delivering all the essentials. The design philosophy here is “comfortable without ostentation” – king or twin beds with quality linens (not glorified camping cots), mosquito nets that actually work, and enough space that you’re not performing contortions around your luggage.

The family tent cleverly connects two bedrooms through a shared living area, solving that eternal safari dilemma of keeping children close without sacrificing privacy. Each tent has proper en-suite bathrooms with double vanities, indoor shower, and flush toilet. The surprise is functional Wi-Fi in every tent, though don’t expect to stream Netflix. Power comes from solar with generator backup, British three-pin plugs throughout, and there’s a proper safe for valuables. What’s refreshing is they haven’t over-designed these spaces – you get handheld radios for emergencies, fans for the heat, and laundry service included, but the focus remains on the wilderness outside rather than unnecessary luxury within.

Communal Areas

With maximum occupancy barely reaching a dozen guests, the main areas operate more like a private house than a traditional lodge. The genius is in the flexibility – multiple indoor and outdoor dining spaces mean meals happen wherever makes sense that day. Elephants at the waterhole? Breakfast moves there. Spectacular sunset developing? Dinner shifts accordingly. The camp’s commitment to private dining means each group eats separately by default, though socialising around the firepit remains an option for those seeking safari camaraderie.

The bar impresses with proper spirits and wine included (premium labels extra), and they take sundowner theatre seriously – your private guide knows exactly when to position you for golden hour magic with a fully stocked drinks box. Two formal dining tents exist, but in practice, meals materialise wherever suits the moment – under trees for shade, on your veranda for privacy, or around the fire when lions roar in the darkness. The camp operates on a refreshingly personal scale where staff remember your coffee preference by day two and anticipate your dining location preferences before you’ve articulated them. No pool, no spa, no gym – just a yoga mat on request and the understanding that the wilderness itself is the amenity here.

Activities

This is where Mila’s private guide and vehicle arrangement transforms the entire safari dynamic. No more diplomatic negotiations with other guests about whether to follow wild dogs or photograph birds. Your guide, your schedule, your priorities. Want to spend an entire morning with a leopard? Absolutely. Prefer to return for a siesta then head out for sunset? Your call entirely. The freedom fundamentally changes how you experience the Serengeti.

The western corridor delivers exceptional predator viewing year-round. Those famous lion prides are genuinely prolific here, but you’ll also find leopards, cheetahs, and healthy populations of everything from elephants to smaller predators. Walking safaris are possible with advance arrangement – a TANAPA ranger joins your guide for safety – though children must be 12 or older (at guide’s discretion) and the abundance of dangerous game means walks require careful planning. Being inside the national park means no night drives (a significant limitation compared to private reserves), but you can extend day drives as long as you like, arranging bush breakfasts or sundowners wherever the wildlife action dictates.

Hot air ballooning operates seasonally at additional cost (book ahead), offering that classic aerial perspective when conditions allow. The migration passes through May to July in all its chaotic glory – river crossings, predator action, the works – but even outside these months, resident game keeps things compelling. The private vehicle setup means families can build in strategic breaks, photographers can monopolise golden hour without guilt, and you can follow your interests whether that’s birds, big cats, or landscapes. It’s safari without compromise – a luxury that, once experienced, makes traditional shared game drives feel like public transport.