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Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp


This is a basic-luxury tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti National Park. It comprises of 16 large en suite tents, a bar-lounge-reception tent and a dining tent. While some guests prefer the tented camp experience to the various stone lodges, luxury tented camps do not compare to actual campsites. Tents are more comparable to canvas hotel rooms (though do not usually boast the views that some stone built rooms do).


Accommodation at Mbuzi Mawe


Tents are perched on stone platforms spread out around the camp. They are exceptionally large with two queen-size double beds per tent and spacious en suite bathrooms with double sinks and showers. Hot water and electricity are generated through solar panels yet water is both hot and plentiful and the electric current is remarkably reliable.


While some tents can feel rather exposed (on the edge of a camp) the camp is securely guarded. Wind and rain can cause the tents to become noisy, especially due to flapping canvas, but this is not usually too much of a problem; most guests find, that while inconvenient, it is very much part of the ‘safari experience.’


The tents are tastefully furnished in neutral colours and have a pleasant traditional feel. They are clean and well cared for.


Accommodation features Wifi access, mineral water and toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. Hairdryers and safes are available from the reception area. Room service is available.


Food and Drink at Mbuzi Mawe


The camp’s dining area is spacious and stylish. While moths can cause problems at dinner time, this is to be expected in the bush. Staff do their best to reduce the hassle caused by insects providing extra coasters for covering drinks and keeping all food covered.


Food is good quality and fresh and the camp offers a good wine-list and reasonably priced beers.


Special dining options available include balloon and bush dining. The Balloon breakfast comes highly recommended. It includes a very early morning balloon trip followed by a cooked English breakfast with champagne in the bush. The bush dinner barbeque is another speciality of the camp. Specially arranged Sundowners—drinks in a beauty spot at sunset—are also very popular.


Children’s meals can be arranged.


Service at Mbuzi Mawe


The service at the tented camp is generally excellent. Staff are, on the whole, well trained, courteous and eager to please. However, waiting staff can be less competent than management and language issues may cause some confusion and slow up dinner service. While still formal, refreshingly, the service at the tented camp is less rigid than at many of Serena’s lodges. Still, some members of staff can seem pushy at times.


Do take heed of warnings not to wonder around unguided after sundown as it is not safe (you may well hear lions roaring from your tent at night!).


Laundry, valet and shoe-shine services are available and the lodge has its own gift shop.


Things to do at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp


As well as the very special balloon trips and bush dining options the camp offers a variety of entertainments including regular Maasai displays and traditional dancing and music. There are also culture and nature talks in the evenings.





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