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Wilderness Usawa Serengeti

Highlights

  • Serengeti National Park, at 15,000 square kilometres (1.5 million hectares) is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and home to the Great Migration; here two million wildebeest, zebra and other plains game cross the savannah in search of grazing grounds and water, prey to a variety of predators including lions, hyenas and crocodiles.
  • With access to nine key migration sites across the Serengeti, Wilderness Usawa Serengeti is truly mobile, following the ever-moving mega-herds throughout the year.
  • The flexibility of Wilderness Usawa Serengeti allows us to position guests near the action, but far enough from the crowded tourist hotspots.
  • Though the camp set-up is completely mobile, it is luxuriously appointed; no comfort is sacrificed.

Destination: In northern Tanzania, the Serengeti spans 15,000 square kilometres (1.5 million hectares) on the border of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Here, over two million wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, eland and other plains game make a nearly one thousand kilometre round trip, following the rains in search of fertile grazing and water. Grassy plains stretch as far as the eye can see, interrupted by the occasional acacia tree or kopje, a favoured vantage point of the Serengeti lions. The Serengeti supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem, with terrain ranging from the crater highlands, sloping down to the low areas around the eastern shores of Lake Victoria. The Mara and Grumeti rivers flow through the reserve – treacherous points of crossing for the herds as they migrate.

Experience: Game viewing in the Serengeti is unparalleled. The volume of wildlife is unmatched anywhere in Africa. Predators are abundant too, with prides of lion, as well as hyenas, crocodiles and cheetah thriving on the sheer volume of available prey. Calving season peaks in February, when between 300,000 and 400,000 wildebeest are born, immediately joining the herds on their journey.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti offers an exceptional migration experience. At any given time, two camps are set up for guests to enjoy the best possible access to the migration.

Guests have the option to enjoy early morning game drives, with hot coffee and breakfast on the rocky kopjes, and afternoon game drives and sundowners for golden light photography. For the really enthusiastic guest, full-day drives – with a packed picnic lunch so as not to miss any of the action – can also be arranged, before returning to camp at sunset for an evening around the fire.

All nine of Wilderness Usawa Serengeti’s sites are ideally situated within the Serengeti’s designated walking areas, which allows guided walks to begin right from camp. Skip a morning drive and walk the plains with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide who will curate the experience based on individual guest interest. Though the migratory animals are the highlight, the birding in the Serengeti is outstanding as well.

Purpose: Through formal training programmes for underprivileged children, and by educating and upskilling the community, Wilderness empowers communities to reduce their reliance on poaching, snaring and cutting down trees. By working with the authorities and other local partners, the company strives to protect the phenomenal natural areas of Serengeti National Park.

Wildlife: The Serengeti is known for its phenomenal volume of wildlife: from plains game like impala, Grant’s gazelle, and giraffe, to the migratory wildebeest and zebra, in herds that reach two million. Beyond the migratory species, the Serengeti hosts exceptional diversity, and is home to 28 species of small and large predators and 29 species of herbivore; these include elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, and of course the legendary prides of lion. Crocodiles live in the rivers and prey on crossing animals, while hyenas and cheetah hunt in the plains.

Of the more than 500 avian species found in the park, some endemic specials to look out for are the grey-breasted spurfowl, Schalow's wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmetshrike, Schalow's turaco and silverbird.

Features

LANGUAGES:
English
TYPE:
MobileSafari
SPECIAL INTERESTS:
Birding
Nature
Star Gazing
Wildlife
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT FACILITIES:
Bath Towels
Bed Linen
Hand Towels
Solid Base Camp Beds
FRIENDLY:
Children
GUIDANCE:
Game Drive (Max 6 pax with window seats)
Private Game Drive Vehicle Available
Sole Use Available
Triple for Children Available

Activities

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Game Drives

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti tailors game drives to suit the guest. Peaceful early-morning or afternoon drives during golden light for best photography opportunities, or all-day excursions with a packed picnic lunch for those who don’t want to miss a thing.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Guided Nature Walks

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti camps have a privileged position within designated walking areas of the Serengeti. This means walks can begin right from camp, under the supervision of experienced Wilderness guides.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Birding

Beyond the magnificent volume of game, the Serengeti is home to an impressive variety of birds.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Stargazing

While sitting around the campfire, appreciate the vastness and clarity of the Serengeti night sky.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Hot Air Balloon Safari *

Take to the skies in style and soar over the rich ecosystem of the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. Gaze over the 'endless plains' and their scenic splendour, marvelling at the unfolding drama of the ever-moving mega-herds. Champagne and snacks are served at the end of the flight.

* This activity is weather permitting and at extra cost.

Sleeping arrangements

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Mobile Camp (6 rooms)

Meaning ‘balance’ in Swahili, Usawa offers the ideal balance between the action and drama of the migration, and exclusivity, with the camps set up in the quieter, more remote areas of the park. Guests are completely immersed in an unfiltered nature experience, whether witnessing herds of migrating wildebeest from a game drive, or enjoying a quiet bush picnic and sundowners afterwards.

Though the camp moves several times throughout the year, Wilderness Usawa Serengeti is intimate, with no comfort or luxury overlooked, and the set-up is complete with high-end touches and exceptional service.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti is a sustainable operation: solar-powered, locally sourced and built with an impressively light footprint that does not compromise the precious Serengeti environment.

The camp will be configured in whichever way is best for the environment, with a central dining area and social fire pit, and the six tents extending out on either side of that.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Standard Twin/Double Tent(s) (5 rooms)

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti is designed to move with the herd as the animals travel throughout the year across the national park, with camps set up in two key locations on the migration route at any one time. The camps comprise beautiful open-plan tents with view-facing beds, offering an intimate, authentic tented camp, and the thrill of an immersive tented experience with all comforts and luxury that Wilderness guests are accustomed to.



The in-tent experience draws on the out-of-camp environment: the golden grasses of the savannah. With 360° mesh-sided surrounds, guests are immersed in the wild landscape. With luxurious linens, view-facing beds and an en-suite bathroom, the camp celebrates the best of a tented experience with all the luxurious touches Wilderness guests are accustomed to.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti – Family Accommodation (1 room)

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti offers a spacious, open-plan, family unit with view-facing beds to cater for adventurous families travelling to Tanzania. As Wilderness’ first luxury mobile tented camp operation following Serengeti National Park’s legendary Great Migration, Usawa offers the thrill of an immersive luxury tented experience in pristine wilderness settings. The perfect balance between adventure and exclusivity.

The family offering doubles the space available to families by offering two luxurious tents joined together with an external passage between them, making one family unit. This creates an open yet protected space to enjoy together, with the comfort of knowing family members are nearby.

Usawa’s family unit can accommodate up to three children (a maximum of five people). Wilderness’ expert Tanzanian team has years of experience hosting family safaris in the region, and will offer numerous exciting adventures for children from 06 years of age, as well as delicious child-friendly meals.

* Wilderness Usawa Serengeti must be booked on a sole use basis in order to accept children younger than 06 years.

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