Sayari Camp stands in the northern Serengeti close to the Mara River, which places it on the route of the wildebeest herds when they cross the river between July and October. The camp is run by Asilia, and its tented suites open onto private decks looking over the plains. The Retreats at Sayari Camp are its private wing. There are two of them, each with two en suite bedrooms, a lounge and dining room, a long veranda and a sunken fire pit. A shared pool sits between them, with a larger lounge for one group taking both. Each Retreat comes with its own host, chef, guide and safari vehicle, so the day runs to your timetable, and the main camp's spa, pool and bar stay open to Retreat guests. The camp closes in April and May for the long rains. From November, once the herds have moved south, the area turns green and quiet, with resident game, migrant birds and very few other vehicles.
- Nearest airport
- Kogatende Airstrip, 20 minutes by road
- Rooms
- Tented suites, plus two private two-bedroom Retreats
Insider tip If the crossings are not the priority, come between November and March. The herds have gone, but the resident cats stay, the birds arrive and you share the plains with very few others.
Why I choose it For a family or two couples, a Retreat gives a private safari with its own guide and vehicle in the Mara River country, without losing the comforts of the main camp.