Seasonal Migration Camps

The Great Migration occurs in the Serengeti ecosystem in East Africa. Most of this ecosystem lies in Tanzania, but in the dry season the herds move north at some point cross the Mara River. They end up in the far north of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and in the Masai Mara Game Reserve and adjoining conservation areas in Kenya. Meanwhile the Serengeti Plains in the south of the ecosystem, which is their preferred home in the wetter time of year, will have become so dry that it resembles a desert.

Unsurprisingly not only does the wildlife move from this desert, but so do some of the tented camps in Tanzania. We call these seasonal migration camps. They usually move 2 or 3 times a year. 

The basic configuration of these camps is very similar to most permanent tented camps, but because they must be mobile, they tend to be small and simpler. If you wish to be near the Great Migration in the green time of year from December to April, these camps or a lightweight camp are really your only option. Permanent camps must be near permanent water and as a result are not so close to these plains.

Like permanent tented camps, seasonal tented camps generally have a main communal area consisting of a dining tent and adjacent sitting area or lounge with a bar area. Often there is a battery charging area and a mini library with wildlife books and maybe some board games. 

The accommodation tents are large with stand-up space comprising two or three areas. The tents shaded veranda or front porch will have a couple of chairs and often a small table for the morning tea or coffee or to place a cocktail in the afternoon. As you enter the tent there is a bedroom area with a king-size bed or two single beds and a small writing desk and a chair. Adjoining this is a dressing area with washbasins, shower and loo.  The shower water is supplied either on demand, due to a large water tank on stilts behind the tent, or more commonly by a pulley system and bucket – the famous safari bucket shower, with the temperature as you wish, steaming hot for a cool evening, warm or fresh on a hot afternoon.

The main differences between a seasonal migration camp and a permanent tented camp may or may not be the toilet facilities and WIFI connectivity. Although most seasonal camps have a WIFI connection, some do not. Some seasonal camps have plumbed water and a flush loo, and others have an eco-friendlier system using a lot less water, such as a chemical flush system. Seasonal camps do not have swimming pools. 

They are generally charming small camps that provide the kind of luxury that was offered in the past.