Exclusive Use Safari Camps in East Africa

Planning a safari to East Africa as a group of friends or intergenerational family? What about a safari that runs to your own schedule? You’ll get private guides and vehicles plus an entire safari camp to yourselves, complete with chef, housekeeping staff and child minders if you need them.

Exclusive use safari camps are growing in popularity in Kenya and Tanzania and are located in East Africa’s best wildlife areas, including the Serengeti and Masai Mara. They usually accommodate between six and eight guests and are often very well appointed with swimming pools, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. And when you compare costs with booking rooms at a normal safari lodge, you’ll find that – although not cheaper – the exclusive use camps deliver so much more value that the price difference is balanced out by the experience.

Watch the East Africa wildebeest migration, explore ‘Born Free’ country and discover some of East Africa’s best hideaway destinations with exclusive use safari camps. Here are our favourite ones.
 

TANZANIA – EXCLUSIVE USE SAFARI CAMPS

Jabali Private House – Enjoy an Off-the-Beaten-Track Safari

Three enormous baobab trees shade Jabali House in Ruaha National Park, one of East Africa’s least explored but most exciting destinations. Ruaha is home to large numbers of elephant and buffalo as well as all the classic predators – including the highly endangered African wild dog. Jabali House sleeps up to six in elegant comfort and offers activities ranging from morning and afternoon drives to guided bush walks and spot-lit night drives. There’s a private pool with gorgeous views, Wi-Fi connectivity in your bedroom and a wellness spa with treatments that can also be enjoyed in your suite.

iBrochure: Jabali Private House

 

Mkombe’s House – Family-Inspired Lodge in Northern Serengeti

Set in a wildlife-rich area of the Serengeti, this is a unique private house experience. Designed for families with children but equally accommodating for groups of friends, Mkombe’s House sleeps up to four adults and six children, or three couples, in complete comfort. There are two pools, a baby-sitting service and chef, and you can choose between game drives and bush walks to explore the area. The wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year but go between July and October for the legendary river-crossing stage of the wildebeest migration.

iBrochure: Mkombe’s House Lamai

 

Singita Serengeti House – Classic Serengeti, Classic Singita

Overlooking a waterhole in the private Grumeti Reserve, Singita Serengeti House allows guests unrivalled access to one of the Serengeti’s best game viewing areas. It’s a classic landscape of sweeping savannah and thorn trees with prolific wildlife resident all year round but visit between June and August for the arrival of the massed wildebeest herds, migrating across crocodile-infested rivers in search of fresh grazing. Sleeping up to eight and welcoming children of all ages, Singita Serengeti House lets you experience the Serengeti in the assured comfort of the Singita brand: air-conditioned suites, complimentary Wi-Fi, a large pool, tennis court and fitness centre and spa treatments.

iBrochure: Singita Serengeti House

 

KENYA – EXCLUSIVE USE SAFARI CAMPS

Saruni Wild – A Great Camp for the Wildebeest Migration

With only three tented suites, this is one of the smaller exclusive use safari camps in East Africa but it can be configured to take groups of up to eight. Lying in a private Masai Mara conservancy, Saruni Wild is unfenced and suitable perhaps for families with older children or a small group of friends. It’s a classic safari experience – Masaai warrior-guides, star-lit suppers and open vehicle game drives – and there are opportunities for extra activities such as night drives and hot-air ballooning. An area of great wildlife diversity and abundance throughout the year, the Masai Mara is at its most spectacular between August and November when migrating wildebeest herds arrive – book Saruni Wild well in advance!

iBrochure: Saruni Wild

 

Mara Bush Houses – Versatile Lodges for Masai Mara Safaris

A private conservancy setting ensures an exclusive Masai Mara experience for guests at Mara Bush Houses. There are three houses – two sleep up to six and one can accommodate eight – and each comes with its own staff, guide and vehicle. Complete with swimming pool, Wi-Fi and laundry service, there’s a great home-from-home atmosphere which makes the houses a good choice for groups of friends or families with children. You’ll find a long list of activities waiting for you- from game drives and bush walks to community visits and hot-air balloon safaris – plus great wildlife viewing all year. Visit between August and November to catch the wildebeest migration.

iBrochure: Mara House & Acacia House

 

Elsa’s Private House – The ‘Born Free’ Spirit Lives On!

Overlooking the site of the legendary Adamson’s camp, Elsa’s Private House draws on its considerable heritage to offer up to six guests an exclusive safari in Meru National Park. Less visited than Kenya’s more famous parks, Meru is a Big 5 destination – home to lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant – and an especially good bird watching destination, even by East Africa’s high standards! You’ll enjoy game drives and bush walks at Elsa’s as well as opportunities to go fishing or meet the local community, and there’s a swimming pool at camp plus Wi-Fi; recommended for small groups and families with older children.

iBrochure: Elsa’s Private House