We are planning a trip to Kenya/Tanzania for February/early march 2013. For Serengeti, it seems the best area to see the Migration herds would be around Ndutu. What are some recommended permanent tented camps for us to consider? It seems in that area, it's mostly mobile camps.
We will have one traveler with us who is 76 and has some health issues. Due to that we need that extra bit of comfort of pernament camps that i don't think mobile camps will have (non-bucket showers, larger bathrooms with flush toilets, perhaps larger common spaces with more comfy couches to pass the time if he misses a game drive or two, wooden walkways instead of packed dirt over which he can trip).
For reference, we really enjoyed Migration Camp in norh, Tortilis Camp in Amboseli and Little governor's Camp. Looking for something similar.
I know booking at this point may also be a problem as it gets busy there. We can push this toward later March. If so, what areas/camps would be best bet to see the Migration?
thanks
Serengeti in February - where to stay for a non-mobile camp?
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The camps in the area are either 'permanent' being there year-round or 'seasonal' in the area for a few months, before moving to the next area best for game. They're not actually 'mobile'
In the Ndutu area the only solid structure is the Ndutu Lodge; in the Serengeti would be the Sopa Lodge, both with real beds and ensuite bathrooms and real showers.
Lake Masek Camp, I believe is open year-round so considered 'permanent', lovely on the rustic side, while Kusini Camp, definitely a permanent camp, while more costly than the former (in price range as Migration Camp), the ones you should inquire about.
Of course, availability for this busy time is what you must verify. Good luck!
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You can contact Ndutu Lodge directly and put a hold on available dates. Then when you have a tour operator you can turn your reservation over to them. This will be the hardest location to find availability.
Looking at their website http://www.ndutu.com/ shows availability from mid March.
thanks for recommendations (but ClareKim - please avoid advertising on this forum). Lake Masek Camp looks great. I knew about Ndutu lodge, but trying to avoid lodges.
ClareKim tried advertising again under another screen name. It's not permitted... so give it up.
If you have useful information, fine... but no touting, please.
lerasp - if looking for comfy accomm especially for the senior in your group, when it comes to bathrooms/showers, with the exception of Ndutu and Sopa Lodges and Kusini camp, the other camps have 'bush/bladder showers.'
Ndutu is always a preferred lodge in the area and the Sopa in Serengeti is one of their nicest, both at mid-range prices; Kusini will be more expensive. And, no surprise that Ndutu Lodge has space as mid-March as many prefer to visit the area Jan-Feb and feel by March the herds have moved on.
Well, maybe the herds move, but they can just as well move if in Jan or Feb, always rain dependent... why you need some flexibility and if you can split your time by 2/nts each Ndutu and South Serengeti is hedging bets.
Even reports for this past '12 calving season, there were comments of the herds being in one area and not the other, but the next weeks... still moving between the two.
Generally, the herds start to arrive at Ndutu from mid-Dec and will remain thru the rainy months of April/May (still moving back-n-forth) before heading north to Central and onto the Western corridor. Always remembering that the zebra move first as they eat the longer grasses so the wildies can get to the shorter shoots.