Namiri Plains sits on the Ngare Nanyuki River in the eastern Serengeti, an open stretch of grassland that the camp's operator calls big cat country. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are the draw, and serval and caracal are seen here too. The camp is small: 11 tented suites, one of them a family suite, built with walls of volcanic stone that keep the rooms cool by day and warm at night. Between drives there is a swimming pool, a spa and a library, and the camp runs on solar power. Alongside the main camp are the Retreats at Namiri Plains, two separate houses on the river, each with two full bedrooms that open onto a wraparound deck. The two houses share a pool kept for Retreat guests, and each comes with its own chef, guide and vehicle, so a family or a group of friends can set the pace of the day for themselves. The camp is open all year and welcomes children from the age of five. Guests fly into Seronera airstrip and drive about two hours to camp, game viewing on the way.
- Nearest airport
- Seronera Airstrip, about 2 hours by road
- Rooms
- 11 tented suites and two Retreats
Insider tip Treat the two-hour drive from Seronera as your first game drive: the road crosses open plains where cats are often seen.
Why I choose it It puts guests in one of the Serengeti's quieter corners for big cats, and the Retreats give families their own house, guide and vehicle.